1:30 LRN Newscast

With Louisiana facing a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall, Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan. In a news conference at the Capitol, Landry said in order to compete economically with states like Texas and Tennessee, which have no state income tax, Louisiana needs to eliminate the income tax.

Cut 7 (10) “…free by 2033.”

Landry’s plan involves lowering income taxes across the board and imposing new taxes on services not previously taxed.

Beginning today, a person could face a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison for possessing mifepristone (miff-uh-PRISS-tone) and misoprostol (mize-uh-PROSS-tall) without a prescription. Opponents have expressed concern this will negatively impact the health care of pregnant women, but Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is fearmongering from the pro-abortion activists…

Cut 9 (09)  “…for women.”

Union dockworkers hit the picket lines early this morning, including those at the Port of New Orleans. The International Longshoremen’s Association is demanding better pay for workers and a complete ban on automated cranes, gates and container-moving trucks. Some 25-thousand workers at 36 ports, including New Orleans, have walked off the job.

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates a major milestone today – its 100th year. To mark the centennial, the school is putting on a big celebration in the Student Union breezeway with several speakers, along with a video message from one of its most famous alumni – Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts. University President William Wainwright says you’ll be able to drink to the milestone too!

Cut 5 (05) “…few short weeks.”

And soon, the school will award its 100-thousandth degree. The celebration was originally scheduled for the middle of September, but Hurricane Francine forced those plans to change.