The Louisiana House Ways and Means State Tax Structure Subcommittee heard from the Tax Foundation during its hearing on tax reform. Manish Bhatt (“Bot”), the senior policy analyst at the foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy, said due in large part to the complexity of Louisiana’s current tax code, Louisiana’s overall national competitiveness ranking is rather low.

Cut 10 (05) “…of our index.”

Bhatt says if Governor Landry’s tax reform plan was in place, Louisiana’s ranking would be much higher.

Louisiana voters have key deadlines approaching for the presidential election. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says the Geaux Vote Mobile app can be your guide for the November fifth election…

Cut 3 (09) “…voting booth with you.”

The deadline to register in person, by mail, or at the Office of Motor Vehicles is Monday. The deadline to register online is October 15th.

A Natchitoches police officer is under arrest for allegedly selling anabolic steroids from his squad car. 36-year-old Officer Jonas McFerrin is booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on a total of three charges. The arrest comes on the heels of a two-month-long investigation. McFerrin is currently on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has installed equipment in 56 Walmart locations across the state, and they have agreed to cash winnings of up to 600 dollars.

Cut 7 (09) “…they’re already shopping.”

Winnings over 600 dollars will need to be redeemed at the lottery office due to tax implications. There’s an incentive for retailers to join the lottery’s retail base, since they earn a five-percent commission on ticket sales and bonuses for selling large winning tickets.

The presidential election is 33 days away.  Sean Richardson has key dates and deadlines Louisiana voters need to know.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

______________________________________

A TikTok influencer is charged in the murder of a Baton Rouge therapist. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________

Louisiana voters have key deadlines approaching for the presidential election. In addition to voting for President, Congressional and local races are also on the ballot. Deputy Secretary for the Secretary of State’s Office, Joel Watson, says the Geaux Vote Mobile app can be your guide for the November fifth election…

Cut 3 (09) “…voting booth with you.”

The deadline to register in person, by mail, or at the Office of Motor Vehicles is Monday. The deadline to register online using the GeauxVote Online Registration System is October 15th. Watson says early voting is from October 18th to the 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.…

Cut 4 (05) “…no Sunday voting.”

Absentee voting is underway, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 1st by 4:30 p.m. The deadline for registrars to receive absentee ballots is November 4^th by 4:30 p.m.  Watson says the sooner you can request an absentee ballot the better…

Cut 5 (09) “…return that ballot.”

On Election Day, Nov. 5, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status and view sample ballots using the GeauxVote portal.

___________________________________

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has installed equipment in 56 Walmart locations across the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…allowed by law.”

Chopin says that will be a huge help for lottery players.

Cut 7 (09) “…they’re already shopping.”

Winnings over 600 dollars will need to be redeemed at the lottery office due to tax implications. Chopin says the addition of Walmart and Smoke’n Go boosts its retailer base to more than 28-hundred.

Cut 8 (05) “…mom and pops.”

There’s an incentive for retailers to join the lottery’s retail base, since they earn a five-percent commission on ticket sales and bonuses for selling large winning tickets.

____________________________________

The Louisiana House Ways and Means State Tax Structure Subcommittee heard from the Tax Foundation during its hearing on tax reform. Manish Bhatt (“Bot”), the senior policy analyst at the foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy, testified on Louisiana’s current ranking in its annual State Business Tax Climate Index, rating Louisiana on five weighted factors.

Cut 9 (06)  “…unemployment insurance taxes.”

Bhatt says due in large part to the complexity of Louisiana’s current tax code, Louisiana’s overall national competitiveness ranking is rather low.

Cut 10 (05) “…of our index.”

Bhatt says Governor Landry’s tax reform plan is very ambitious; but if it was in place, Louisiana’s ranking would be much higher.

Cut 11 (10) “…a huge leap.”

Among other things, the Tax Foundation’s report says Louisiana’s lack of a uniform sales tax administration disproportionately affects small businesses.

Testifying before the Louisiana House Ways and Means State Tax Structure Subcommittee Manish Bhatt (“Bot”), the senior policy analyst at Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy said

Louisiana’s overall national competitiveness ranking is low but if Governor Landry’s ambitious tax reform plan had been in place, Louisiana’s ranking would be much higher.

Cut 11 (10) “…a huge leap.”

Among other things, the Tax Foundation’s report says Louisiana’s lack of a uniform sales tax administration disproportionately affects small businesses.

Absentee voting for the November 5^th election is underway, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 1st by 4:30 p.m. The deadline for registrars to receive absentee ballots is November 4^th by 4:30 p.m.  Deputy Secretary for the Secretary of State’s Office, Joel Watson says the sooner you can request an absentee ballot the better…

Cut 5 (09) “…return that ballot.”

On Election Day, Nov. 5, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status and view sample ballots using the GeauxVote portal.

A Natchitoches police officer has been arrested for allegedly selling anabolic steroids from his police car. The Natchitoches Parish Journal reports after a two-month-long investigation Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested 36-year-old Officer Jonas McFerrin Wednesday morning. McFerrin was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on two charges of Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance Schedule III and one count of malfeasance in office. He is currently on administrative leave pending internal investigation.

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has installed equipment in 56 Walmart locations across the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…allowed by law.”

Chopin says that will be a huge help for lottery players.

A Natchitoches police officer was arrested for allegedly selling anabolic steroids from his police car.  The Natchitoches Parish Journal reports after a two-month long investigation into the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested. 36-year-old Officer Jonas McFerrin Wednesday morning. McFerrin was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on two charges of Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance Schedule III and one count of malfeasance in office. He is currently on administrative leave pending internal investigation.

During a House Ways and Means State Tax Structure Subcommittee meeting Manish Bhatt (“Bot”), senior policy analyst at Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy, testified saying Louisiana ranked low in its annual State Business Tax Climate Index, based on five factors.

Cut 9 (06)  “…unemployment insurance taxes.”

Bhatt says Louisiana’s overall national competitiveness is low due in large part to the complexity of Louisiana’s current tax code.

The presidential election is 33 days away.  Sean Richardson has key dates and deadlines Louisiana voters need to know.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores making it more convenient for winners of under 600 dollars to redeem winnings. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery Chopin says the addition of Walmart and Smoke’n Go boosts its retailer base to more than 28-hundred.

Cut 8 (05) “…mom and pops.”

There’s an incentive for retailers to join the lottery’s retail base, since they earn a five-percent commission on ticket sales and bonuses for selling large winning tickets.

A TikTok influencer is charged in the murder of a Baton Rouge therapist. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Natchitoches police officer is under arrest for allegedly selling drugs. The Natchitoches Parish Journal is reporting that Officer Jonas McFerrin was arrested by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for selling from his police car. In a press release, Police Chief Nikeo Collins said, “The actions of any law enforcement officer that violate the law and abuse the public’s trust are unacceptable. McFerrin has been placed on administrative leave pending internal investigations.

The deadline to register in person, by mail, or at the Office of Motor Vehicles Nov. 5 presidential election is October 7th. The deadline to register online using the GeauxVote Online Registration System is October 15th. Deputy Secretary of Communication Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says the early voting period is from October 18th to the 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.…

Cut 4 (05) “…no Sunday voting.”

In addition to voting for the next U.S. president, citizens will choose all six of the state’s U.S. House members and participate in local races.

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says that will be a huge help for lottery players.

Cut 7 (09) “…they’re already shopping.”

Winnings over 600 dollars will need to be redeemed at the lottery office

Governor Jeff Landry says his plan to overhaul the state’s tax laws will provide immediate increases in take home pay for every Louisiana taxpayer. But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard says higher income residents will see greater benefits…

Cut 9 (14) “….in their pocket”

Landry plans to call a special session next month for legislators to debate and vote on his tax reform plan.

Violent crime rates are dropping in Louisiana, but what is the reason? Co-founder of AH Datalytics Jeff Asher says it’s difficult to say why????

Cut 10 (11) “….this huge decline”

New FBI data shows a three-percent drop in violent crime across the country,

The presidential election is 33 days away.  Sean Richardson has key dates and deadlines Louisiana voters need to know.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A 20-year-old from Tensas Parish has been arrested in the murder of a Baton Rouge Therapist. East Baton Rouge deputies have charged Terryon Thomas with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in the death of 69-year-old William Abraham. A motive is not known. Thomas is known TikTok and goes by the name Mr. Prada.

Louisiana voters have key deadlines approaching for the Nov. 5 presidential election. In addition to voting for the next U.S. president, residents will choose all six of the state’s U.S. House members and participate in local races. Deputy Secretary of Communication Joel Watson reminds voters to download the free Geaux Vote Mobile app…

Cut 3 (09) “…voting booth with you.”

The deadline to register online using the GeauxVote Online Registration System is October 15th.

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has installed equipment in 56 Walmart locations across the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…allowed by law.”

There’s an incentive for retailers to join the lottery’s retail base, since they earn a five-percent commission on ticket sales and bonuses for selling large winning tickets.

A TikTok influencer is charged in the murder of a Baton Rouge therapist. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The chairman of the Louisiana House Democratic Caucus apparently is not a fan of Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says the tax cuts that Landry is proposing are skewed very heavily towards the wealthiest people in the state.

Cut 9 (14)  “…in their pocket.”

Landry has proposed making up for lost income tax revenue by taxing services that have previously gone untaxed.

A New Library Learning Commons is coming to LSU, and it will be more than just a replacement for the current Library that has long had millions of dollars in deferred maintenance.  Interim Executive Director of Planning, Design, and Construction, Paul Favalora says students will have access to academic success partners

Cut 6 (10) …presentation skills.”

Violent crime rates are dropping across the state as well as across the country. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Tik Tok influencer is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Baton Rouge mental therapist William Abraham. 20-year-old Terryon Thomas was arrested in Dallas on an unrelated charge. The relationship between the two is unclear; investigators say there’s no evidence to suggest that Thomas was Abraham’s client.

It appears that Governor Landry will have a hard sell of his tax reform plan, including his call for a flat three-percent tax on income over 12-thousand-500 dollars, to Democrats in the legislature. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard, the chairman of the Louisiana House Democratic Caucus, says that will only benefit only one group of taxpayers.

Cut 8 (13) “…first tax bracket.”

Violent crime in Louisiana and across the country are significantly down. AH Datalytics co-founder Jeff Asher says we need to look at 2022-23 for specific factors and that can rain on the parade of officials looking to take credit for violent crime reduction in the state.

Cut 12 (09) “…beyond anyone’s control.”

Faculty and students have said for years it’s time for a new library on LSU’s campus and there are now plans to build one. Colleen Crain has the details.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The guardians of a non-verbal child with intellectual disabilities are arrested for allegedly failing to care for the child. Concordia Parish deputies arrested 32-year-old Laurie Stewart and 27-year-old Tony Williams of Vidalia on child desertion charges. The sheriff’s office received several 911 calls, and deputies arrived to find the child nude, dirty, emaciated and home alone.