The eagerly-awaited special session on tax reform is underway. Governor Landry wants to lower income taxes through a flat three-percent tax rate and make up for some of that lost revenue by broadening the state sales tax base. La-Politics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says it might be a tough sell to the Republican-dominated legislature.

Cut 4 (08) “…this entire process.” 

U-S financial markets surged today with Donald Trump’s win in the Presidential race. Dent Wealth Advisors Founder Fred Dent says the focus will shift to Trump inheriting an economy that is robust, with inflation back to around the 2-percent range; and what tariffs he will enforce…

Cut 11 (12) “…consumer pricing.”

The first college football playoff rankings of the season are out, and LSU is ranked 15th. With 12 teams set to make the playoffs this year, the Fighting Tigers have more work to do in order to be in the field. Coach Brian Kelly says there’s a month left in the regular season, and a lot can change…

Cut 12 (12) “…the gates.”

LSU can show it deserves to be in the College Football Playoff by beating Alabama on Saturday night and then winning its final three games on the schedule.

The path of Hurricane Rafael is moving farther and farther from Louisiana. Just yesterday, the National Hurricane Center had the path taking a turn to the north and heading straight for Louisiana. Now, it’s entirely possible that the storm could miss the U.S. altogether. The current track has the storm veering straight to the west, making landfall south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The special session is here. Governor Landry is asking legislators to make sweeping changes to the state’s tax code. La-Politics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says tax reform has been a buzz word at the capitol for decades, so it’s monumental to a session devoted to it.

Cut 3 (09) “…pretty big push.” 

The special session must end by five p-m November 25th.

Cleo Fields will head back to Capitol Hill, this time representing the Sixth District, and will do so as the Supreme Court gets ready to hear a legal challenge to the district’s lines, which were drawn in a way that created a second majority Black district in the state. Fields says he’s confident that the district will stand as is.

Cut 16 (12) “….based on politics.” 

Stock markets rose sharply after Donald Trump won re-election last night to a second non-consecutive term. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

It appears that Louisiana will be spared the brunt of Hurricane Rafael’s wrath. Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center put the storm on a path to take a turn to the north and head straight for Louisiana. Now, it’s forecasting that the storm will not take a turn and will instead head to the area of the Texas/Mexico border. It is expected to strike Cuba later today as a major hurricane.

The long-anticipated tax reform special session is here. Governor Landry wants to lower the state income tax for most Louisiana residents and expand the sales tax base and eliminate dozens of sales tax exemptions. Landry is also looking to renew a temporary point-four-five-percent sales tax, extend the sales tax to 40 activities that are untaxed and eliminate the film tax credit program. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says it will be interesting to see if Landry gets what he wants…

Cut 5 (05) “…Jeff Landry.”

The special session must end by 5 PM on November 25th.

It looks like Louisiana may be spared the brunt of Hurricane Rafael’s wrath. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Rafael will enter the gulf sometime tonight likely as a major hurricane.

Cut 6 (10) “…very slow decline.”

The first College Football Playoff rankings are out. LSU is number 15, and Alabama is number 11. The two teams face one another at Tiger Stadium Saturday night. College football analysts say for all intents and purposes, this is a playoff game with the loser eliminated from CFP contention. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says the teams at the top of the SEC standings understand what’s at stake…

Cut 14 (10) “…matter.”

Kick-off Saturday is at 6:30.

This year’s presidential election was a record-breaker here in Louisiana. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says almost 850-thousand voters cast ballots in early voting, including more than 100-thousand on the final day of early voting, and more than one-million voters casting ballots on election day. All those results were posted onto the department’s website less than three hours after the polls closed last night.

Cleo Fields is headed back to Washington. He won the District 6 seat outright last night with more than 50-percent of the vote. During his watch party, the Democrat said he’s ready to get to work for the people of the district, who he says have some very important needs.

Cut 15 (15) “…so many people.”

A special session on tax reform gets underway this afternoon in Baton Rouge. Among the sweeping changes Governor Landry wants is switching to a flat state income tax of three percent while adding sales tax to some currently untaxed services. La-Politics-dot-com editor, Jeremy Alford says it might be a tough sell to the Republican-dominated legislature.

Cut 4 (08) “…this entire process.”

Today U-S markets rose as Donald Trump wins the white house.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

It looks like Louisiana may be spared from Hurricane Rafael. The National Hurricane Center now says Rafael will head towards the Texas-Mexico coast after striking Cuba. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a mid-level ridge will push the storms track more westward.

Cut 8 (13) “…of anybody’s guess”

U-S markets surged today, as Donald Trump’s win will return him to the presidency, marking a major rebound from his 2020 loss. the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq reached record highs, driven by expectations of tax cuts and deregulation under Trump. Dent Wealth Advisors Founder Fred Dent said…

Cut 9 (13)  “…euphoria will dissipate.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s special session on tax reform gets underway this afternoon. He’s asking legislators to make sweeping changes to the state’s tax code. La-Politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says tax reform has been a buzz word at the capitol for decades…

Cut 3 (09) “…pretty big push.”

The special session must end by 5 PM on November 25th.

The original forecast track of Hurricane Rafael had it turning north and heading straight towards Louisiana. It now appears Louisiana will be spared. The National Hurricane Center now says Rafael will head towards the Texas-Mexico coast after striking Cuba. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 7 (15) “…a northwesterly track.”

Rafael is expected to enter the gulf sometime tonight, likely as a Category Two hurricane.

LSU can show it deserves to be in the College Football Playoff by beating Alabama on Saturday night and then winning its final three games on the schedule. Head Coach Brian Kelly says it’s good to be in contention

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the season.”

There was no drama in Louisiana in the federal races. Donald Trump carried the state by about 20 percentage points, and all six congressional races went as expected. That includes District 6, where Cleo Fields won the seat with 51-percent of the vote and avoided a runoff. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Fields was set up to win from the start.

Cut 10 (12) “…and they did.”

Governor Jeff Landry is asking legislators to make sweeping changes to the state’s tax code in a two and a half weeklong special session that gets underway this afternoon. Not only does Landry want to create a flat income tax rate, to raise the standard deduction to $12,500 and eliminate the corporate franchise tax. He’s also looking to renew a temporary .45 percent sales tax, extend sales tax to 40 activities that are currently untaxed, and eliminate the film tax credit program. La-Politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says it will be interesting to see if Landry gets what he wants…

Cut 5 (05) “…Jeff Landry.”

The special session must end by 5 PM on November 25th.

It now appears that Louisiana will not be impacted by Hurricane Rafael at all. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The first college football playoff rankings of the season are out and LSU is ranked 15^th. With 12 teams set to make the playoffs this year, the Fighting Tigers have more work to do in order to be in the new 12-team C-F-P playoff. Coach Brian Kelly says there’s a month left in the regular season and a lot can change…

Cut 12 (12) “…the gates.”

A special session on tax reform gets underway this afternoon in Baton Rouge. Governor Landry wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, which will result in lower state income taxes for most Louisianians. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says to make up for some of that lost tax revenue, the state would broaden the state sales tax base.

Cut 13 (13)  “…lot of those.”

La-Politics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says it might be a tough sell to the Republican-dominated legislature.

Cut 4 (08) “…this entire process.” 

Critics are concerned the governor’s tax plan will lead to higher taxes for low-income residents and a big tax cut for the wealthy. The special session must end by November 25th.

It looks like Louisiana may be spared the brunt of Hurricane Rafael’s wrath. The National Hurricane Center now says Rafael will head towards the Texas-Mexico coast after striking Cuba. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Rafael will enter the gulf sometime tonight likely as a Category Two hurricane.

Cut 6 (10) “…very slow decline.”

The original forecast track had Rafael turning north and heading straight towards Louisiana.

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville celebrated the opening of a new all-inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local officials, park representatives, and community members highlighted the playground’s importance as a community resource that supports inclusion and outdoor play. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this is only the beginning…

Cut 9 (09)  “…for that community.”

A two and a half weeklong special session on tax reform gets underway this afternoon as Governor Jeff Landry is asking legislators to make sweeping changes to the state’s tax code. La-Politics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says tax reform has been a buzz word at the capitol for decades, so it’s monumental to a session devoted to it

Cut 3 (09) “…pretty big push.” 

He wants to lower the state income tax for most Louisiana residents, but also expand the sales tax base and eliminate dozens of sales tax exemptions. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says they also want to eliminate the tax on prescription drugs. He says Louisiana is one of a few states that have a tax on prescription drugs.

Cut 15 (08) “…versus their medicine.”

The special session must end on Monday November 25th.

House Speaker Mike Johnson easily won re-election, beating a challenge from a fellow Republican. Johnson addressed his supporters after securing his win.

Cut 12 (15) “…to do that.” 

Whether Johnson remains speaker depends on what happens in the House races across the country yet to be called.

Investigators in Morgan City solve a murder from a quarter century ago. Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia’s body was found on October 8th, 1998. After resubmitting evidence to the Acadiana Criminalistics Lab, investigators were led to John Willis Pittman Jr., who’s already serving a prison sentence for an unrelated murder. Police Chief Chad Adams says Garcia’s family is relieved and very grateful that her murder has finally been solved.

Cut 6 (07) “…make an arrest.”

Investigators in Morgan City solve a murder from a quarter century ago and didn’t have to go far to find their suspect. The body of Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia was found on October 8th, 1998, behind Youngs Park. Evidence collected at the time failed to yield a suspect; but at the start of this year, investigators resubmitted evidence to the Acadiana Criminalistics Lab. Police Chief Chad Adams says that led investigators to John Willis Pittman Jr.

Cut 4 (09) “…Miss Garcia’s death.”

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville celebrated the opening of a new all-inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The playground includes features like wheelchair-accessible swings, sensory play panels, and various play structures, promoting inclusivity and fun for children with different needs. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says its part of a larger mission to make all parks accessible to all.

Cut 8 (13) “…special needs community.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session gets underway this afternoon. Jeff Palermo looks at what the Landry administration is proposing…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Nothing unexpected in the federal races after yesterday’s election here.  Donald Trump carried Louisiana, and all six congressional races went as expected, including District 6, which Cleo Fields won outright and could alter the balance of power in the US House. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat.

Cut 11 (11) “…from the Republicans.”

Practically no drama in Louisiana’s elections. Andrew Greenstein has the rundown.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Three employees were injured when a tornado hit a butcher shop in Bazile yesterday morning.  The storm damaged Rhea’s Specialty Meat and Smokehouse. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down and travelled about a mile beginning in Acadia parish and crossing into Evangeline.  We’re told the tornado was about 150 yards wide with 95 mile an hour winds.

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A tax reform special session begins at the capitol this afternoon at three. Governor Landry wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, and broaden the state sales tax to include services like dog grooming and landscaping.   Nelson says the changes would put more money in people’s pockets and help the state attract more businesses.

Cut 14 (10) “…to everybody.”

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville celebrated the opening of a new all-inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this playground is designed to be accessible for children of all abilities, providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone to play together.

Cut 7 (12) “…our state parks.”