Senator-elect John Kennedy isn’t happy that Amazon will begin collecting Louisiana sales taxes. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office has made an arrest in the disappearance of 75-year-old Howard Poche. The Jeanerette man has been missing since Christmas Day. Twenty-three-year-old Jeffery Lee Marks has been charged with first-degree murder. The search for Poche’s body continues.

A major story in 2016 was the shooting death of Alton Sterling, a black man, who was killed after a confrontation with two white police officers. Governor John Bel Edwards says since then police departments have been asked to re-evaluate how they train officers…
cut 8 (10) “…law enforcement officers”
Edwards says the public also has a responsibility to make sure they’re interacting with the police in a proper fashion as well.

2016 ends on Saturday, so what can you do to lessen the tax hit you might face when you file your 2016 returns. Metairie CPA Gina Rachel says charitable donations are one way to save on your taxes. She says monetary donations aren’t the only way to give….
cut 13 (08) “…donations as well”

It was another wild year in politics for Louisiana. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford, says the first big development was the election of Republican Taylor Barras as House Speaker. That was not Governor John Bel Edwards’ choice and Alford says it set up a contentious battle over tax bills…
cut 5 (09) “….important sessions”
Governor Edwards pushed tax hikes as a way to close a massive budget deficit.

It’s end of the year and Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachel says many will give to charities over the next couple of days so they can receive a deduction on their 2016 returns. Rachel says there are some moves you can do after January 1 that can also lessen your tax bill…
cut 15 (09) “…that as well”

A big story in 2016 was the police shooting of Alton Sterling. It raised the need to improve police and community relations. Governor John Bel Edwards says they’ve asked police departments to re-evaluate how they train officers, but he also says the public has a responsbility to make sure they’re interacting with the police in a proper fashion. He says they are looking at ways to educate the public…
cut 9 (08) “….for example”
An expected announcement from the Department of Justice about potential charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting is expected in 2017.

Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton is doing okay today after he was involved in a crash with a stolen vehicle. Sexton’s department issued pickup truck and a State Police patrol car were parked at an exit off of I-20 that stolen car tried to drive through. The collision ended a high speed chase that started in Texas. An 18-year-old from Dallas was arrested.

State Treasurer and U.S. Senator elect John Kennedy is upset that Amazon will begin collecting state and local sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana shoppers on January 1st. Louisiana law requires taxpayers to self-report their online purchases and pay taxes, but most online shoppers do not. Kennedy says it’s not the fault of the consumer, it’s the state Department of Revenue’s fault for not enforcing the law….
cut 12 (12) “…bad guy”
It’s been estimated the Amazon tax collection policy will generate between 30 to 50 million dollars for the state’s cofers.

The search continues for a missing 75-year-old Jeanerette man. Iberia Parish Sheriff deputies have been looking for Howard Poche since Christmas Day and authorities suspect foul play after finding a considerable amount of blood in his home.

Governor John Bel Edwards says state leaders are doing what they can to prepare for a decision on the Alton Sterling case.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There’s a few more days left in the year, so is there anything you can do, to lessen the tax bill you may have to pay when you file your 2016 returns? Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachal with the Louisiana C-P-A Society says accelerate any deductions that might expire in 2017..
cut 14 (10) “…lose that”
Rachel says federal higher education deductions will expire next year as well.

State Treasurer and U.S. Senator-elect John Kennedy is not happy with Amazon’s decision to begin collecting state and local sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana customers. Kennedy says when you start talking about the internet and taxes, you’re taking the first step down a very slippery slope….
cut 11(09) “…sooner or later”
Amazon’s new tax collecting policy goes into effect January 1st.

A decision from the Department of Justice regarding criminal charges against the two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling are expected in 2017. Governor John Bel Edwards….
cut 7 (09) “….that announcement”
July 5th was when Sterling was killed during a scuffle with two Baton Rouge police officers.

2016 was a hectic year for Louisiana politics. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is expecting a hearing soon to determine whether a baby found in a trash can in a New Roads Wal Mart restroom will remain in state custody. Officials have named the baby Olivia and New Roads Police Chief Kevin McDonald says the baby girl is doing well. The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, has been charged with attempted second-degree murder.

Amazon’s new policy of collecting sales tax in Louisiana has upset a lot of Louisiana residents, including Senator-elect John Kennedy. He says many state lawmakers are dancing at the Capitol because they’ll have more money to spend, at the expense of Louisiana taxpayers.
Cut 10 (07) “taxpayers pockets”
It’s estimated once the policy goes into effect on January 1, it will bring in an additional $30 million a year for Louisiana.

A major story in 2016 was the shooting death of Alton Sterling, a black man, who was killed after a confrontation with two white police officers. Governor John Bel Edwards says since then police departments have been asked to re-evaluate how they train officers…
cut 8 (10) “…law enforcement officers”

2016 was another hectic year for Louisiana politics. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the first interesting twist was when Republican Taylor Barras was elected as speaker of the House rather than Governor Edwards’ pick of Democrat Representative Walt Leger. Alford it’s the first time in modern history the governor did not hand select the speaker…

cut 4 (08) “…the house”

Alford says Edwards and House Republican leaders will likely continue to butt heads in 2017.

Environmental groups are not happy about a proposal to build an underground pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin. Director of the Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes says Louisiana needs to stop seeing the oil and gas sectors as the only economic engine, as the renewable energy business is booming.

Cut 6 (08) “cleaner jobs”

Supporters of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline say it would improve safety because there is a greater chance for a spill when transporting oil on a truck or train.

After a brief cold snap last week, Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says once again, warm air has settled over the Bayou State.

Cut 12 (11) “this far south”

Ricks says the pattern of hot then cold weather will continue for the next month or so.

A Houston man is facing drug charges after he brandished a gun at a driver in Jefferson Davis Parish. Chief Deputy Christopher Ivey says deputies found marijuana wrapped up like a Christmas present when they pulled over 29-year-old Michael Banks on I-10.

Cut 10 (08) “New Orleans”

Ivey says Banks faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for forgery after she allegedly sold fake IDs to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says when they executed a search warrant on 59-year-old Criselda Meraz, they discovered 60 fake driver’s licenses and $30-thousand in cash.

Cut 5 (07) “police department”

Womack says they also found material and equipment to make more fake IDs.

A proposed pipeline that would go through the Atchafalaya Basin from Calcasieu to St. James Parish is upsetting many environmental groups in the state. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Police say the newborn baby found abandoned in a Walmart trash can in New Roads last week is doing fine. New Roads Police Chief Kevin McDonald says the infant girl is in stable condition and eating. He says the baby’s mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for allegedly selling fake driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says the investigation began after an illegal alien was pulled over in a traffic stop last week.

Cut 3 (10) “got it from”

Womack says the investigation led them to 59-year-old Criselda Meraz, who has been charged with forgery.

It doesn’t feel much like winter in the Bayou State. Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says unfortunately, these warm temperatures often come with fog. He says much of south Louisiana has been covered with fog in the mornings.

Cut 13 (09) “lot of fog”

A dense fog advisory has been issued for the entire southern half of the state.