The Public Service Commission is looking at ways to help prevent massive power outages likes the ones that plagued the state in February and then again with Hurricane Ida. District 2 Commissioner Craig Greene says they want to research preventative measures, like placing power lines underground, to see if it reduces outages,

 cut 6 (09) “…resiliency.” 

Governor Edwards discussed the constitutional amendments that were on the ballot Saturday, on his monthly radio show Ask the Governor. Under amendment Two the only one that passed, state income tax brackets will go down, but taxpayers’ deduction of federal income taxes paid will go away. Edwards says this change will eventually mean fewer revenue shortfalls for the state…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…raise and lower taxes.”

Senator John Kennedy is pointing the finger of blame at the Biden administration for the dramatic rise in inflation that’s impacting the costs of just about every good and service in the nation. He said on the Senate floor Wednesday:

Cut 12 (09) “…figure that out.”  

Kennedy says the inflation is being spurred on by federal spending

The Bayou State receives an F on the 2021 March of Dimes report card for a preterm birth rate of 13-percent. Medical Director of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative Dr. Veronica Gillespie-Bell says while it’s always disappointing to get a poor grade…

Cut 4 (10) “…our babies. “

Gillespie-Bell says while the state received a poor grade however in some parishes the preterm birth rate has improved

The Louisiana Department of Health is recommending fully vaccinated residents 18 or older get a COVID-19 booster shot. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

A West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Sgt is asking for help in locating the suspect who killed his believed pet pig Mr. Willie. Sgt Ryan Polansky says it happened Monday when a White Nissan Maxima driven by a woman with light hair and a person in a baseball cap in the passenger seat approached his property. He’s asking anyone with information to contact authorities.

Governor John Bel Edwards reacts to the fates of two Constitutional amendments decided by voters last Saturday. Both proposals were part of significant tax reforms planned by the state legislature last spring. On his monthly radio program, “Ask the Governor”, Mr. Edwards says he strongly supported both amendments; One and Two…:

Cut 7 (09) “…that’s regrettable.”

Amendment two did pass.

Louisiana still has room to improve its rate of preterm births as the annual March of Dimes reports gives the state an F. Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell is the state medical director of the Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She says Louisiana does have programs in place to help reduce preterm birth rates…:

Cut 5 (09) “…committee”
She’s optimistic the report card for Louisiana will improve next year with new programs in place.

Drivers in Louisiana won’t be getting a break anytime soon at when it comes to cost auto ownership. Tim Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, an online driver’s education platform, says insurance premiums will keep the state on track to become the most expensive in the nation to operate a vehicle in 2031.

 Cut 6 (09) “…years as well.” 

Included in the newly signed infrastructure bill is $65-billion in funding to expand broadband, and that includes rural Louisiana. Senator Bill Cassidy says the expansion could lead to distribution centers being able to locate in parts of the state once not considered by companies.

Cut 12 (12) “…those businesses there.”

A now 75-year-old Louisiana man who’s spent about 58 years in prison for the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy when he was 17 is granted parole by the Louisiana Parole Board. Louisiana Parole Project Deputy Director Kerry Myers says Henry Montgomery’s parole, follows a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that a mandatory life sentence without parole for juveniles is cruel and unusual punishment since the brain isn’t fully developed until your mid 20s.

Cut 9 (08) “…of his life.”

Montgomery had originally been sentenced to death for the murder of Deputy Charles Hurt.

Senator Bill Cassidy is boasting of the 65-billion dollars contained in the just signed trillion-dollar infrastructure bill to address improving broadband service, especially in rural areas of Louisiana.

Cut 10 (06)  “…have broadband.”

He says expanding broadband service in the state will have a positive impact in a wide number of areas, including education, all for the betterment of Louisiana.

Houma police are still searching for a woman that was involved in an altercation at Joni B’s Bar shortly after midnight Friday. Lt. Travis Theriot says police were called to the scene to break up a fight among a group of women and for one officer it’s a call he won’t soon forget.

Cut 13 (09) “…portion of his ear.”

If you have any information on Williams whereabouts you are asked to call Houma PD or Crimestoppers.

Louisiana’s Fort Polk, in Vernon Parish, could have a new name soon. Fort Polk spokesman Kavanaugh Breazeale (bruh-ZELL) says this comes after Congress agreed to rename military installations and vessels named for members of the Confederacy. He says they are inviting community leaders to engage in the discussion at an event Thursday on base…:

Cut 4 (07) “…for Fort Polk. “

In recognition of Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says they are holding events, even virtual ones to teach students and all Louisianans about the benefits of apprenticeship today and one at the end of the month dedicated to healthcare.

Cut 9 (08)  “…those jobs.”

Visit LWC’s Facebook page for more info and to register.

The state Department of Health is launching what it’s calling “Just Check”, a campaign targeting the rising number of syphilis cases in north and central Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

Police in Abbeville has arrested a teen in connection with the shooting of another teen as he was getting off a school bus Tuesday afternoon. Police are not releasing any other information at this time on the arrest. The shooting victim reportedly spent hours in surgery as a result of the shooting that happened near Schlesinger and Maude Streets.

Louisiana’s Fort Polk, in Vernon Parish, could have a new name in the next year or sooner. Fort Polk spokesman Kavanaugh Breazeale (bruh-ZELL) says this comes after Congress agreed to rename military installations and vessels named for members of the Confederacy. A Thursday meeting at the Army base will have state and civic leaders in attendance to talk it over.

Cut 6 (09) “..for Fort Polk.”

It’s Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week and Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the program not only helps students but it’s also a perfect opportunity for Louisianans who are interested in transitioning from one career to another.

Cut 8 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Visit LWC’s Facebook page for more info.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed another suit against the Biden Administration, concerning vaccine mandates. Now he’s challenging the legality of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, mandating all employees be vaccinated at facilities that receive CMS funding.

Cut 9 (09) “…CMS bucket.”

The mandate requires full-time and part-time employees, along with volunteers and contract employees at healthcare facilities that receive CMS funding otherwise that funding could be withheld.

Facility and students at LSU campuses are no longer required to wear face masks indoors. LSU President William Tate issued the notice this morning that they are lifting the mandate based on the recommendation of the university’s Health and Medical Advisory Committee due to declining case numbers. The Governor ended the statewide mask mandate in October.

The leader of the Louisiana House is expressing disappointment at the failure of Constitutional Amendment 1 on Saturday.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

COVID hospitalizations in Louisiana have increased to 209, they fell below 200 on Monday after a steady decline the last few weeks.

When lawmakers approved legislation last year changing how the courts would handle car accident lawsuits, supporters said it would lead to lower insurance rates. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said during a task force meeting on Affordable Automobile Insurance that rates are actually going up two percent. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says the law went into effect this year and has yet to have an impact on rates

Cut 7 (08) “….later on.”  

Voters statewide approved Constitutional Amendment Two which 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. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly 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.”

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.”

Broderick Fobbs has been fired as head football coach of Grambling State. The Tigers are three and seven this season and didn’t win a game in the spring. The three-time SWAC Coach of the Year led Grambling to two conference titles.

In 2020, when lawmakers approved legislation that changed how the courts would handle lawsuits involving car accidents, supporters said it would lead to lower auto insurance rates. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said during a task force meeting on Affordable Automobile Insurance that rates are actually going up

 cut 6 (06) “…through October” 

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.”

Deason says they are requiring both written and verbal consent from parents for the children to be vaccinated.

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.” 

A deer that entered Our Lady of the Lake Hospital Monday afternoon in Baton Rouge has been euthanized. Wildlife officials say drivers saw the deer in the median near the hospital with blood coming from its nose and believe it was hit by a car before it stumbled into the building and made its way up the elevator. State Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the deer suffered severe internal injuries from being hit and would not recover and so it was euthanized.

Days after voters said no to Amendment One to create a single tax collection system, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force the change. Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says Louisiana’s collection system is one of two in the nation that’s overly complex and possibly unconstitutional.

Cut 5 (08) “…we’re the worst”

Voters did approve Amendment Two, which will lower state income tax brackets, cap the highest brackets and remove the deduction for federal income taxes paid. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly 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.”

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

Cut 7 (11) “…win for us.”

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 understandably many 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.”

Parental consent is required.

Louisiana’s Mitch Landrieu will be a senior advisor on the implementation of President Biden’s historic infrastructure bill. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

President Biden is scheduled to sign the infrastructure bill at 2 pm and Governor John Bel Edwards will be in attendance. Edwards will also lobby lawmakers in DC for more funding for southwest Louisiana’s recovery from hurricanes Laura and Delta. And the state reports 196 COVID hospitalizations the lowest daily total since stats began in March of 2020.

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9 million in overpayments. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says the audit found incidents where the overpayments had not been identified. He says LWC already has already flagged some cases of overpayment and is working with those individuals to recapture funds.

Cut 4 (05) “…done that.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be next to act on the Louisiana Pardon Board’s unanimous recommendation to pardon the late Homer Plessy. Plessy a 19th-century civil rights pioneer was arrested for trying to sit in the White section of a segregated train bound for Covington. Keith Plessy, Homer’s first cousin, three generations removed, appeared before the Pardon Board, Friday.

Cut 15 (10)  “…Homer Adolph Plessy.”