Voters approved Constitutional Amendment Two on the November 13th ballot; bringing changes to the state income tax code. So what comes next? Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In 2020, state lawmakers approved a tort reform bill that supporters said would lower auto insurance rates in Louisiana, which are the highest in the nation. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto insurance premiums have gone up two percent this year. Insure-dot-com says 41 states have seen rates decrease.

An Arizona-based business has filed a lawsuit in a federal court in New Orleans claiming the state’s decentralized tax collection system is unconstitutional. Pelican Institute for Public Policy CEO Daniel Erspamer says the lawsuit was filed two days after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have created a central collector that would disburse sales tax revenues to state and local governments…
cut 6 (13) “….here in Louisiana”
The Louisiana Department of Revenue and a few parishes are named as defendants in the case.

LSU Health Shreveport is bringing the COVID-vaccine for five to 11 year-olds to schools across northwest Louisiana this week. Hospital K-through-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says children who want to be vaccinated must have a signed parental consent form …
cut 14 (08) “…the shot”

Just days after voters said no to amending the state’s constitution to create a single tax commission, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force change to the tax collection system in the state. Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the current system conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Wayfair decision.
Cut 4 (08) “…have to do. “
The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of a small online Arizona jewelry and craft supply company that estimates the current tax system in Louisiana costs it two-dollars-28-cents.

An audit from the legislative auditor’s office finds the Louisiana Workforce Commission improperly paid two-point-nine million in unemployment benefits during the pandemic. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says unfortunately mistakes were inevitable when considering multiple new programs were implemented without extensive controls…
cut 9 (10) “…before”

LSU Health Shreveport is providing COVID vaccines for children ages five to eleven at schools in north Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana is being sued by an out-of-state retailer because of the state’s burdensome tax collection system that’s costing it more than double what it cost to collect a dollar in sales taxes for the state.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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Voters pass Constitutional Amendment Two; bringing changes to the state income tax code. So what comes next? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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LSU Shreveport is providing COVID vaccines for children ages five to eleven at schools in north Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Just days after voters said no to amending the state’s constitution to create a single tax commission in Louisiana, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force change to the tax collection system in the state.  Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the current system conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Wayfair decision.

Cut 4 (08) “…have to do. “

The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of a small online Arizona jewelry and craft supply company that estimates the current tax system in Louisiana costs it two-dollars-28-cents for every dollar it collects in taxes.

Erspamer says Louisiana’s tax collection system is only one of two in the nation that is considered overly complex and possibly likely federally unconstitutional.

Cut 5 (08) “…we’re the worst”

Instead of having one tax collection commission, there are more than 50 such entities in the Bayou State.

Erspamer says the goal is to have the courts decide whether Louisiana is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision to streamline tax collection in U.S. states.

Cut 6 (13) “..here in Louisiana.”

Named as defendants in the case are the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Lafourche, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.

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A Legislative Audit found the Louisiana Workforce Commission made $2.9 million in payments that might have violated both state and federal unemployment rules. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says while the agency acknowledges the mistake, they also had to implement a huge number of claims with little federal guidance.

Cut 7 (11) “…win for us.”

The audit found that three percent of the $10-billion paid out by LWC was in overpayments. Fiore says an overpayment of unemployment benefits happens in normal times also.

Cut 8 (11) “…circumstance.”

Fiore says it’s important that LWC come to the aid of Louisianans. He says LWC is so much more than unemployment, they help put people to work but at the height of the pandemic…

Cut 9 (10)  “…times before.”

If you believe you might have received an overpayment of unemployment benefits Fiore says you can call LWC or check your My Hire account for notification.

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Voters statewide approved Constitutional Amendment Two, which will lower state income tax brackets, cap the highest brackets and remove the deduction for federal income taxes paid. With that done, what comes next? State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Lewis they’ll immediately put out new state withholding tables that reflect the new rates…:

Cut 10 (15)  “…effective January 1.” 

The Amendment lowers the income tax brackets to 1.85-percent for the lowest income earners, 3.5-percent for middle incomes and 4.25-percent for the highest. Lewis says will mean a great number of taxpayers will find they owe the state less when they file their 2021 state taxes…:

Cut 11 (10) “…to the rate change.”

Remember that the state tax deduction for federal income taxes paid is also going away, and this will also affect how much you may owe – or get back from – the state. Lewis says state legislators worked with her department to create a tax reform that would have minimal impact on small business and individual taxpayers…:

Cut 12 (10) “…all income levels.”

Lewis says to be prepared for the tax changes brought by Amendment Two when you file state taxes in the spring.

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LSU-Health Shreveport is helping parents by making it as convenient as possible to have children ages five to eleven get vaccinated at schools in north Louisiana. Hospital K-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says they already had established relationships with the schools when they did COVID testing, and now they are providing vaccines.

Cut 13 (08) “…atmosphere.”

To be vaccinated, Deason says all children must present a signed parental consent form and they are also taking another step to confirm parental or guardian permission.

Cut 14 (08)  “…the shot.”

After each injection students are observed by nurses for 15 minutes to see if they have any adverse reaction and for those students who have epi-pens they are observed for 30 minutes as a precaution.

Understandably, Deason says many of the children are apprehensive about getting a shot and so they try to ease their fears and even ask if they’ve ever been pinched by their sibling.

Cut 15 (09)  “…relatable.”

They will visit schools in three weeks to follow up with a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and also offer flu shots on second visits. Parental consent will be required once again.

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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Max Johnson will start at quarterback against ULM. Johnson started in the loss to Arkansas, but freshman Garrett Nussmeier played most of the game. Orgeron says Nussmeier showed flashes but the Tigers still lost the game

Cut  16 (20) “..redshirt”

If Nussmeier plays in another game this season, he will lose the ability to declare this a red-shirt season and lose a year of eligibility.

Orgeron was once again critical of the play calling following Saturday night’s loss to the Hogs. Coach O was asked on Monday if he regretted hiring offensive coordinator Jake Peetz and passing game coordinator DJ Mangas, who are calling plays for the first time…

Cut 17 (20) “ this job” 

LSU is 4-and-6 and needs to win the final two games of the regular season for a chance to play in a bowl game. Orgeron expects his players to remain motivated….

Cut 18 (25) “..stop then”  

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The Saints suffered a gut-wrenching loss Sunday to Tennessee as the Titans held on for a 23-21 victory. New Orleans made too many mistakes, but Coach Sean Payton says there were some positives.

Cut 19 (19)  ” struggled” 

After a big win at home against NFC South leader Tampa Bay, the Saints have lost two consecutive tight ball games. Payton says they will look to end the losing streak this Sunday at Philadelphia…

Cut 20 (20) “..that’s important.” 

Former New Orleans Mayor and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu will serve as President Biden’s senior advisor on the distribution of Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act funding that was signed into law this afternoon. The decision to tap Landrieu as a senior advisor on the investments being made under the historic infrastructure bill is being lauded by UNO political analyst Ed Chervenak.

Cut 7 (10) “….it’s really great.”  

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9 million in payments that potentially violated both state and federal unemployment rules. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says when you look at overall unemployment payments during the height of the pandemic, the overpayments are only a small percentage, and he acknowledges it was a very difficult time for the agency.

Cut 5 (09) “…effective.”

The audit found $898,000 in improper payments.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating to see if the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans is also in whitetail deer.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

A new report from Bank-rate-dot-com finds Louisiana ranks as the second-worst state for drivers. Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says a main reason for the high ranking is that Louisiana is expensive for drivers, the state’s average car insurance rates are the highest in the country at 27-hundred dollars…

Cut 12 (06) “…a driver”  

Foster says in addition to the high cost for drivers, Louisiana has a high fatality rate.

Deer season is upon us, and Louisiana is beginning to test whitetail deer for the presence of COVID-19 after the same animals tested positive for the virus in Iowa. LDWF Deer Program Manager Jonathan Bordelon says it’s not known if the deer can transmit the virus to humans, and even if a deer is infected, they don’t appear to show any signs of it…:

CUT 10(05)      “…of the virus”

It’s no surprise that deer may be able to get the virus, as it started in animals before moving to humans. Bordelon says, if the thought of your deer having the virus troubles you, were gloves and a mask while field dressing it and handling the meat.

Speaking of deer, folks at Our Lady of the lake hospital in Baton Rouge were shocked when a young deer managed to wander inside the building at around 2 this afternoon. Staff subdued the creature and called Wildlife & Fisheries, who came and “tranq’ed” it and took it to be safely euthanized.

Former New Orleans Mayor and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu will serve as President Biden’s senior advisor on the distribution of Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act funding that’s being signed into law today. UNO Political analyst Ed Chervenak on what Landrieu brings to the table in this policy role…:

CUT 06(08)      “…how things work.”

The $1.3-trillion infrastructure bill will provide funding for improvements to roads, bridges and airports, and Landrieu’s influence could mean a positive impact for Louisiana.

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9-million in payments that potentially violated both state and federal unemployment rules. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says LWC already has already flagged some incidents of overpayment and is working with those individuals to recapture funds…:

CUT 04(05)      “…done that.”

Louisiana’s Mitch Landrieu; former New Orleans mayor, former Lt. Governor & state lawmaker … will now be instrumental in implementing President Biden’s infrastructure bill. Dave Brannen has that…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Brannen.”

Here’s some encouraging news from the state Department of Health. As of today, fewer than 200 persons are in hospitals statewide due to COVID-19. However, the larger numbers of new cases are among kids 17 and younger. For details, visit “ldh.la.gov/coronavirus”

A new report from website “BankRate.com” finds Louisiana the second-worst state in the U.S. for people to own and drive a car. BankRate analyst Sarah Foster says our very high auto insurance rates are the main reason; nearly a thousand higher than the national average for coverage. She says we also rank 20^th for high cost of auto repairs, and 17^th for longest commute times; almost a half-hour on average..:

CUT 14  (11)        “…to other states.”

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9-million in payments that potentially violated both state and federal unemployment rules. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, says this is the fourth audit of LWC since the pandemic…:

CUT 03 (11)     “…how things work.”

The audit also found almost $34,000 in duplicate payments.

This may come as no surprise, but a new report rates Louisiana the second-worst state in America for people to own and drive a car. “BankRate.com” analyst Sarah Foster says we have the highest-priced car insurance, at an average $2700, and we have a high traffic fatality rate…:

Cut 13   (11)        “…insurance premiums.”

Foster says our auto rates are – on average – about a thousand bucks higher than the national average for coverage. She auto repair costs and long commute times also help with our terrible ranking.

Shreveport Police are investigating the Sunday night shooting death of an 18-year-old man. They says the gunfire started after an argument over a cell phone.

A Houma woman is in jail, after allegedly biting a police officer’s ear completely off. It happened early Saturday morning, as officers broke up a fight in a bar parking lot. 36-year-old Michelle Smith reportedly chomped the cop’s ear, then fled. A warrant is out for her arrest.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating to see if the virus that causes COVID-19 in people is also in whitetail deer. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been recruited to be President Biden’s senior advisor in distributing the just-signed Infrastructure & Investment Jobs Act funds. UNO political analyst Ed Chervenak says that is bound to draw some criticism, but the job needs to be done..:

CUT 08(09)      “…at anybody.”