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.”

The Saints have traded Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a 2025 fifth round pick to the Washington Commanders for a third, fourth and a sixth round selection next year. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints are trying to get younger and shed salary, but they need to make sure this trade brings in new talent…

Cut 16 (09) “….younger players.” 

The Saints are back at practice today to get ready for Sunday’s game against Atlanta.

The first college football playoff rankings are out, LSU is number 15, while Alabama is 11^th. Tiger Bait dot com’s Mike Scarborough has the Tigers winning on Saturday night….

Cut 28 (11) “…his career”

Kick-off in Death Valley on Saturday night is just after 6:30.

The Ragin Cajuns, who are closing in on a Sun Belt West Title, will host Arkansas State this Saturday. The Cajuns are big favorites to win and it’s Homecoming. But Coach Michael Desormeaux says none of that other stuff matters…

Cut 20 (20) “..intend on doing”

The Cajuns enter the game with a 4-and-0 record in the Sun Belt, while the Red Wolves are 3-and-1, with its lone conference loss to Texas State.

Southeastern Louisiana hosts Northwestern State on Saturday and kick-off has been moved up six hours to noon because potential impacts from what would be Tropical Storm Rafael.

The LSU men’s basketball hosts ULM to tip off its season tonight. The Tigers are picked to finish 14^th in the SEC.

There was no drama in Louisiana in the federal races in Louisiana. Donald Trump carried the state by about 20 percentage points, and all six congressional races went as expected. That includes District 6, when 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’s tax reform special session gets underway today at the state capitol at three PM. The governor wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, which will result in lower state income taxes for most Louisianans. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says to make up for some of that lost tax revenue, the state would broaden the state sales tax…

Cut 13 (13)  “…lot of those.”

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new all-inclusive playground at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is happening today.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Investigators in Morgan City have solved a murder from 1998. When Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia’s body was found in October of that year, the evidence did not lead to a suspect.  Investigators resubmitted evidence earlier this year which led them to John Willis Pittman Jr. who’s already serving time on the murder of another woman the same year Garcia was killed. Police Chief Chad Adams.

Cut 5 (07) “…of Miss Garcia.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new all-inclusive playground at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is happening today.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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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.”

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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.”

Pittman is already serving a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to an unrelated 1998 murder – that of Jennifer Vedol, whose body was found on Duke Street.

Cut 5 (07) “…of Miss Garcia.”

Chief Adams says Garcia’s family is relieved and very grateful that her murder has finally been solved.

Cut 6 (07) “…make an arrest.”

_____________________________________________

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.”

The playground includes features like wheelchair-accessible swings, sensory play panels, and various play structures, promoting inclusivity and fun for children with different needs. Nungesser says it’s part of a larger mission to make all parks accessible and inviting to everyone….

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

Local officials, park representatives, and community members attended the event, highlighting the playground’s importance as a community resource that supports inclusion and outdoor play.  Nungesser says this is only the beginning…

Cut 9 (09)  “…for that community.”

______________________________________________________

There was no drama in Louisiana in the federal races in Louisiana. 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.”

Fields’ win flips the seat from Republican to Democrat, and Pinsonat says that could alter the balance of power in the House.

Cut 11 (11) “…from the Republicans.”

While Mike Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance, his seat never did. He 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.”

Steve Scalise, Julie Letlow, Clay Higgins and Troy Carter also won re-election. For Public Service Commission District 2, Jean-Paul Coussan beat fellow Republican Julie Quinn and Democrat Nick Laborde. And Constitutional Amendment 1 passed by about a three to one spread.

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Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session gets underway today at the state capitol at three PM. The governor wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, which will result in lower state income taxes for most Louisianans. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says to make up for some of that lost tax revenue, the state would broaden the state sales tax…

Cut 13 (13)  “…lot of those.”

Nelson says services that are currently not taxed would be taxed. For example dog grooming, landscaping, and storage services. Nelson says this much needed tax reform would put more money in people’s pockets and make the state more competitive in attracting businesses

Cut 14 (10) “…to everybody.”

Critics of the plan are concerned the governor’s tax plan will lead to higher taxes for low-income residents and a big tax cut for the wealthy.

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 25^th.

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The Saints have traded Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a 2025 fifth round pick to the Washington Commanders for a third, fourth and a sixth round selection next year. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints are trying to get younger and shed salary, but they need to make sure this trade brings in new talent…

Cut 16 (09) “….younger players.” 

Detillier believes Lattimore goes down as the Saints best cornerback in franchise history….

_Cut 17 (15) “…draft choices.”

The Saints fired Dennis Allen on Monday. Could General Manager Mickey Loomis be next. Detillier says it’s Loomis’ decision…

Cut 18 (11)   “…National Football League.”

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The LSU Tigers continue to prepare for Alabama. Both teams had a bye week. The Crimson Tide’s last game was a win over Missouri, while the Tigers lost at Texas A&M. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they spent the extra time learning from their mistakes…

Cut 19 (19) “….Alabama team.”  

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The Ragin Cajuns, who are closing in on a Sun Belt West Title, will host Arkansas State this Saturday. The Cajuns are big favorites to win and it’s Homecoming. But Coach Michael Desormeaux says none of that other stuff matters…

Cut 20 (20) “..intend on doing”

Hundreds of thousands cast their ballots in early voting in Louisiana, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to do so today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they’re expecting a huge overall voter turnout.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to 71-percent.”

Will there be another change to the 6th Congressional District? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law says depending on how the court rules, the lines could be redrawn by the next congressional election in 2026.

Cut 5 (07) “…by mid-2025.”

The current lines will likely result in a Democratic pickup today that could alter the balance of power in the House.

A legendary figure in Louisiana sports history has passed away. William “Dub” Jones of Ruston died at the age of 99…one month shy of his 100th birthday. Jones played eight seasons of professional football and in 1951, he scored six touchdowns in a game against the Chicago Bears. Only three other players, including Alvin Kamara, have scored that many TDs in a game. One of his sons, Ben Jones, says his father was an old-school player all the way.

Cut 13 (13)  “…talking for you.”

Another of Dub Jones’ sons was Bert Jones, who was an NFL quarterback for ten seasons and was the NFL MVP in 1976.

Here we go again – we could be in for another severe storm. Tropical Storm Rafael’s path has the storm hitting the southern Louisiana Gulf Coast Sunday afternoon.

We could be in for more severe weather. Tropical Storm Rafael’s path has it slamming into the Louisiana Coast Sunday afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Bannon anticipates Rafael will become a Category 1 hurricane before hitting western Cuba.

Cut 6 (09) “…Wednesday evening.”

Rafael is expected to weaken from there.

Will the Sixth Congressional District lines need to be changed again? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law says how the conservative court will rule is anyone’s guess.

Cut 4 (11) “…in education, employment.”

A man considered to be football royalty in Ruston has passed away. William “Dub” Jones died over the weekend at the age of 99. In 1951, Jones tied the NFL record with six touchdowns – a feat since equaled by Gayle Sayers and Alvin Kamara. Son Ben Jones said quarterback Otto Graham was determined to get his father the record when coach Paul Brown called a running play late in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…sixth touchdown pass.”

Jones was just one month shy of his 100th birthday.

Just a few hours to go for voting in the presidential election. Nearly a million voters cast ballots in early voting, and that many are expected to vote on Election Day. Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects total turnout to be around 70-percent. The polls will be open until eight o’clock tonight.