The Louisiana Department of Revenue believes they will be able to collect sales taxes on all online purchases starting in January. L-D-R Secretary Kimberly Robinson says its not a simple process. There are widely different tax rates from parish to parish. Robinson says they’re working on software that will make it easy for retailers to make sure they’re charging the right local rate.
Cut 12 (10) “come up.”

Louisiana will receive one-point-four billion dollars in federal money for several different flood and hurricane protection projects. Senator Bill Cassidy says 760-million dollars will go to an 18-mile hurricane levee project in St John the Baptist Parish….
cut 8 (10) “…those river parishes”
This allocation will also fully fund the Comite River Diversion Canal, which will reduce flood damage for homes in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension Parishes.

A recent escape from Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe marks at least the fifth of the year for the juvenile detention facility. Kevin Barnhart has the details on the issues with the facility.
Cut 1 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

State Police are looking for an S-U-V that fatally struck 42-year-old Sandra Royer of Slidell. Troopers say at around 9:30 last night on Brownswitch Road, Royer was riding a Huffy mountain style bicycle and wearing an orange safety vest and was struck from behind by a dark colored S-U-V. Royer was pronounced dead at local hospital.

The long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal in East Baton Rouge Parish is now fully funded. Connor Ferrill has more on the money the state will receive for flood mitigation projects…
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Connor Ferrill”

The first hurricane of the season has formed. Hurricane Beryle is way out in the Atlantic and forecasters say it’s not a threat to the Gulf of Mexico. Expect a hot and humid day today and rain chances are high for this weekend.

The state office of Juvenile Justice says changes have been made to the perimeter at the Swanson Center for the Youth in Monroe to prevent another escape attempt. There have been at least five of them this year. Deputy Secretary for the O-J-J, Doctor James Bueche…
cut 6 (12) “….difficult to do’

The criminal justice reform legislation approved in 2017 means Neilson Rizzuto could be released from prison later this month. He’s the drunk driver that plowed into a crowd at a 2017 New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade and injured 32 people. He was sentenced to five years in prison in January, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says new sentencing laws allow the release of well-behaved, non-violent inmates after 35-percent of their sentence is served….
cut 15 (10) “…cost of incarceration”

Louisiana could see an influx of money soon as the state revenue department plans to start collecting sales taxes from all online retailers starting next year..
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

US tarriffs totaling 34-billion dollars on Chinese goods went into effect at midnight, which provoked China to retalitate and place 34-billion dollars on US exports. Data from Louisiana Economic Development says Louisiana exports seven-point-nine billion dollars worth of products to China.

A recent escape from Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe marks at least the fifth of the year for the juvenile detention facility. While attention can be turned to staffing issues, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, Dr. James Bueche, says the dated facility is partially to blame.
Cut 4 (09) “…in that function”
Bueche says they are making a series of security enhancements to Swanson’s perimeter.

One-point-four billion dollars is coming to Louisiana to pay for flood mitigation projects. 343-million dollars will fully fund the Comite River Diversion Canal, a major flood protection project for East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes. US Representative Garret Graves says receiving this money allows the state to focus on other issues…
cut 10 (12) “….in our region”
There’s also 760-million dollars for a flood protection project in the River Parishes.

Louisiana will receive one-point-four billion dollars in federal money for flood and hurricane protection projects. Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves says there’s 343-million dollars for the long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal in East Baton Rouge….
cut 9 (08) “….three to four years”
The state is also getting 760-million dollars to build an 18-mile levee in St. John the Baptist Parish to hold back water from Lake Pontchartrain.

The state Revenue Department plans on collecting sales taxes on all item purchases online by the start of next year. A recent US Supreme Court decision paved the way for collection of sales taxes from stores without a physical presence in states they ship too. LDR Secretary Kimberly Robinson on how much the state may collect….
cut 11 (10) “…estimate is”

A man sentenced earlier this year to five years in prison for driving drunk into a crowd of Mardi Gras parade goers is set to be released from prison later this month as a result of the criminal reform legislation passed last year. Twenty-six-year-old Neilson Rizzuto injured 32 people at the Endymion parade in 2017 and pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino on why Rizzuto is not serving more time with all of the sentences being served consecutively….
cut 16 (11) “….case was”
Rizzuoto’s expected release date is July 20.

A recent escape from Swanson Center for Youth marks at least the fifth of the year for the juvenile detention facility.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on the issues with the facility.

Cut 1 (31)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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The Comite River Diversion Canal has been fully funded in East Baton Rouge Parish. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Connor Ferrill” 

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Louisiana state and local governments could see a nice influx of revenue when the revenue department starts collecting sales tax from all online retailers starting next year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A recent escape from Swanson Center for Youth marks at least the fifth of the year for the juvenile detention facility.  While attention can be turned to staffing issues, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, Dr. James Bueche says dated facility installments such as doors and fences are partially to blame.

Cut 4  (09) “…in that function”

Bueche does say staffing is a big portion of the problem in dealing with the offenders and the agency continues to pursue additional funding.

Cut 5  (13)  “…able to retain”

While the agency hopes the most recent jailbreak is the last, Bueche says it is hard to guarantee that it will be.

Cut 6 (12) “…difficult to do.”

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The US Army Corps of Engineers has appropriated one-point-four billion dollars to Louisiana for flood and hurricane protection projects. 343-million dollars of that money will go towards completing the long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal in East Baton Rouge Parish, which can rapidly drain floodwaters.

Cut 7 (12)  “…the capital region.”

Now that the funding is in place, officials say the Comite River Diversion Canal can be completed in the next three to four years. Cassidy says the federal appropriation also contains 760 million dollars for Hurricane protection projects to come alongside River Parishes.

Cut 8 (10)  “..those river parishes.”

This funding also frees some slack for the ‘Comite Plus’ project which has nearly 2 billion dollars in federal funding which provides drainage improvements throughout the Comite, Amite, and Manchac River. Baton Rouge Representative Garret Graves says the holistic upgrades should help bring parishes together.

Cut 9 (09)  “…one area to another.”

With nearly 3 billion dollars in federal funding for priority flood and hurricane protection projects Graves says it allows the state to focus on other issues.

Cut 10 (12)   “…in our region.”

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The Louisiana Revenue Department is estimating that they’ll be ready to start collecting sales taxes on all items purchased online by the start of next year. A recent Supreme Court decision has paved the way for collection of sales taxes from stores without a physical presence in states they ship too. Secretary Kimberly Robinson says a recent report says that’ll be a good chuck of change in state coffers.

Cut 11 (10) “estimate is.”

But it won’t be a simple process. Louisiana, the state with the highest combined local and state sales taxes, can have widely different tax rates from parish to parish. Robinson says they’re working on software that will make it easy for retailers to make sure they’re charging you the right local rate.

Cut 12 (10) “come up.”

Many major online sellers, such as Amazon, already collect state sales tax for online purchases, but Robinson says right now they’re not getting 100 percent compliance form many of the smaller online outlets.

Cut 13 (11)  “sales tax.” 

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Despite being given a five year sentence for injuring 32 people when he drunkenly plowing his truck into a crowd at a New Orleans Mardi Gras, 26 year old Neilson Rizzuto who was sentenced in January will be free later this month.  With the 2017 prison reform law allowing the release of well-behaved inmates after serving 35% of their sentence for non-violent offenses, Rizzudo is reaping the benefits of less time in the clink.  Law professor at Loyola University New Orleans, Dane Ciolino, explains why this case is considered a non-violent crime.

Suspected members of the famed Felony Lane Gang were arrested with a treasure trove of illicit goods, including credit cards, Social Security cards, and pot. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s been three months since the disappearance of a 4 year old in Claiborne Parish.  Rondriez “Junior” Phillips vanished on April 5^th, and the search still continues with a ten thousand dollar reward offered by the FBI for information that helps find him.  Sheriff Ken Bailey.

Cut 7 (05)  “…can get into.”

A 40-year-old man is under arrest after his 15-year-old son escaped captivity from a home in Sulphur where authorities say he was torturing the young man. Thomas Winniger and his girlfriend 34-year-old Desirae Tomcannin have been charged with 2^nd degree cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment. Calcasieu Parish Sherriff Tony Mancuso says the teenager made his escape to a neighbor’s house, where a 911 call was placed, by outsmarting his captors.

Cut 14 (12)  took off.”

An Arnaudville teen has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted first-degree murder following an early Wednesday morning police pursuit.  St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says it appears that the suspect intentionally aimed his vehicle at deputies when the crash occurred, injuring the officers involved.

Cut 11 (10) “…for their injuries.”

LSU student Jhane Lowsoo will be able to complete her education thanks to former Tiger running back Leonard Fournette. Lowsoo used social media to ask for financial help to cover her tuition, because TOPS was not paying for her fifth year of college. Fournette saw the message and reached out to her and said he’ll pay her education expenses.

The Pelicans begin summer league play tomorrow. Most of the players on the roster will not make the team once the regular season begins in October. But there are some players to keep an eye on. Cheick Diallo expects to play well in the summer league and hopes to win MVP honors. Guard Frank Jackson gets a chance to test his injured foot, which kept him from playing last season. And last month’s second round pick Tony Carr is also on the team.

Four former LSU Tigers will play in the Las Vegas Summer League, Tim Quarterman, Duop Reath, Aaron Epps and Brandon Sampson. Epps is playing with the 76ers hoping to team up again with former LSU Tiger Ben Simmons.

LSU’s Daniel Cabrera and Ma’Khail Hilliard have been named to the D-1 Baseball Freshman All-American teams. Cabrera was voted to the first team and Hilliard is a second-team selection. Cabrera had eight homers and 54 RBIs last season, while Hilliard was 9-5 with a 3.79 ERA.

LSU’s Zach Hess threw three shutout innings in the United Staes 1-0 win over Japan last night in Durham, North Carolina. Hess started and struck out four. His outing ended as a result of an hour and eight minute rain delay. The U-S will continue its series with Japan tomorrow in Savannah, Georgia.

Former LSU standout Aaron Nola won his 11th game this season as he helped the Phillies defeat the hapless Orioles four to one. Nola allowed just one run on seven hits for his fifth straight victory. Philadelphia has won four straight and they trail Atlanta by just 1.5 games in the NL East.

At the World Cup, quarterfinal action begins tomorrow, France faces Uruguay and Brazil battles Belgium.

Suspected members of the infamous Felony Lane Gang were arrested Tuesday as part of a routine traffic stop, where officers discovered nearly 12,500 dollars, 22 credit cards, 5 checkbooks, 40 grams of pot, 11 drivers licenses from across the country and even 14 wigs. The mountain of loot was initially hidden, but State Police Spokesperson Trooper Melissa Matey says the officer’s quick wit led to the arrest.

Cut 3 (10) “the vehicle”

The suspects were arrested on Veterans Boulevard in Jefferson Parish.

It’s been three months since the disappearance of a 4 year old in Claiborne Parish.  Rondriez “Junior” Phillips vanished on April 5^th, and the search still continues with a ten thousand dollar reward offered by the FBI for information that helps find him.  Sheriff Ken Bailey says the tips are still coming in.

Cut 6 (09)  “…what we knew.”

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An Arnaudville teen has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted first-degree murder following an early Wednesday morning police pursuit.  St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says 17-year-old Dartamian Landry refused to pull over when deputies attempted a traffic stop.

cut 9 (08)  “…and a pursuit ensued.”

A 40-year-old man is under arrest after his 15-year-old son escaped captivity from a home in Sulphur where authorities say he was torturing the young man. Thomas Winniger and his girlfriend 34-year-old Desirae Tomcannin have been charged with 2^nd degree cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment. Calcasieu Parish Sherriff Tony Mancuso says the details of the crime are disturbing.

Cut 12 (12)   “feet together”

Suspected members of the famed Felony Lane Gang were arrested with a treasure trove of illicit goods, including credit cards, Social Security cards, and pot. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A 15-year-old escapes captivity where he’d allegedly been hog tied and tortured at a home in Sulphur. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

An Arnaudville teen has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted first-degree murder following an early Wednesday morning police pursuit.  St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says 17-year-old Dartamian Landry refused to pull over when deputies attempted a traffic stop.

cut 9 (08)  “…and a pursuit ensued.”

Higgins says the suspect continued to drive at a high rate of speed for quite some time, when things turned south for the teen behind the wheel.

Cut 10 (09) “…with a traffic stop.”

Higgins says it appears that the suspect intentionally aimed his vehicle at deputies when the crash occurred, injuring the officers involved.

Cut 11 (10) “…for their injuries.”

Landry was booked at the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center with a bond set at $550k.

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A 40-year-old man is under arrest after his 15-year-old son escaped captivity from a home in Sulphur where authorities say he was torturing the young man. Thomas Winniger and his girlfriend 34-year-old Desirae Tomcannin have been charged with 2^nd degree cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment. Calcasieu Parish Sherriff Tony Mancuso says the details of the crime are disturbing.

Cut 12 (12)   “feet together”

Authorities suspect the minor has been kept out of school for some time now while the torture was taking place.

Mancuso says little is known about the family at this time, or Winninger, who hails from Sylvester Georgia, or than they suspect they move from place to place frequently. Mancuso says you could never justify the putting anyone through that kind of pain, which makes the arbitrary reasons given for the punishment that much more concerning.

Cut 13 (10) “that’s terrible” 

Mancuso says the teenager made his escape to a neighbor’s house, where a 911 call was placed, by outsmarting his captors.

Cut 14 (12)  took off.”

A 15-year-old escapes captivity where he’d allegedly been hog tied and tortured at a home in Sulphur. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Comite River Diversion Canal project has been fully funded, one of several projects that’s received cash in a three billion dollar funding package from the feds. Comite will be completed in an estimated three to four years. Other projects funded include 760 million to the West Shore Hurricane Protection Project, 15 million to Grand Isle, and 15 million in other coastal restoration projects.

It’s been three months since the disappearance of a 4 year old in Claiborne Parish.  Rondriez “Junior” Phillips vanished on April 5^th, and the search still continues with a ten thousand dollar reward offered by the FBI for information that helps find him.  Sheriff Ken Bailey says there is no longer a physical search party in place looking for him, the investigation still continues in other ways.

Cut 7 (05)  “…can get into.”

An Arnaudville teen has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted first-degree murder following an early Wednesday morning police pursuit.  St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says the suspect continued to drive at a high rate of speed for quite some time, when things turned south for the teen behind the wheel.

Cut 10 (09) “…with a traffic stop.”

17-year-old Dartamian Landry has been booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on a 500 thousand dollar bond.