The Tax Foundation ranks Louisiana in the bottom ten for the least business-friendly tax code. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards budget proposal for next fiscal year calls on the legislature to approve nearly a million dollars in pay raises for his staff, Cabinet secretaries and other high-level political appointees. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these employees have not seen a raise since 2016.

Louisiana has the second-highest decline in marriage rate in the country. That’s according to Quote Wizard who used data from the National Centers for Health Statistics. The state’s marriage rate fell 28-percent according to the report. But LSU Health New Orleans clinical psychologist Amy Dickson says this doesn’t mean there are fewer couples in committed relations…
cut 10 (08) “….for 20 years”
But Mississippi has the largest increase in marriage rate in the country at 31-percent.

100 new jobs are coming to Webster Parish as a Canadian Company called E-I Williams Industries plans to invest 700-thousand dollars into an existing facility to manufacture industrial sound-control equipment. President of the Louisiana Economic Partnership Scott Martinez says Northwest Louisiana Technical College will help develop the workforce…
cut 9 (09) “….in Webster Parish”
Martinez says the state first approached E-I Williams at a trade show in Calgary last June.

The Tax Foundation ranks Louisiana as having the ninth least business-friendly tax code in the nation. Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says the Bayou State gets poor marks because of its high sales tax rate, above-average corporate tax rate and Louisiana has a franchise tax…
cut 5 (10) “…income”
Lawmakers will have to wait until next year’s fiscal session to address this.

Legislators have been filing bills for the non-fiscal session that begins March 9th. Covington Representative Mark Wright has filed a constitutional amendment that would ask voters if they want the governor and lieutenant governor running on the same ticket…
cut 14 (10) “…candidates”
It will take a two-thirds vote by the legislature and a majority yes votes from the public for the amendment to pass.
Roses are red, violets are blue. The marriage rate is dipping, but the divorce rate is too…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana Family Forum says for the second year in a row Wallace and Gladys Menard will be honored on this Valentine’s Day as the state’s longest known married couple. They’ve been married for 81 years.

College baseball returns tonight, 11th ranked LSU hosts Indiana and the Ragin Cajuns face Southeastern Louisiana in the first game for UL-Lafayette since the death of longtime coach Tony Robichaux.

According to a Quote Wizard report that used data from the National Centers for Health Statistics, there was a 28-percent decline in Louisiana’s marriage rate from 2009 to 2018. That’s the second-highest decline in the country. But the same report also shows Louisiana’s divorce rate declined nearly 23-percent during that same time period. LSU Health New Orleans clinical psychologist Amy Dickson says some people who marry young and split up, never go through an official divorce…
cut 11 (11) “…bother with that”
The only state that has a higher decline in the marriage rate is Nevada at 34-percent.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has been known to rail against illegal immigration, but a lengthy report from the Advocate finds evidence that three firms that have ties to Landry were connected with a Houston man, who has been convicted of visa fraud for bringing hundreds of Mexican workers into the U-S under false pretenses. A video recorded by Landry’s brother says they are victims of a liberal newspaper trying to damage high profile conservatives.

Should Louisiana continue to vote for its Governor and Lt. Governor separately? Matt Doyle spoke to a Covington lawmaker who doesn’t think so…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.

Tax bills can not be heard in the upcoming session, but the Tax Foundation says Louisiana has the ninth-worst business tax climate in the nation. Policy analyst Janelle Cammenga says the legislature could do something about this…
cut 6 (09) “…right now”

Louisiana has the 9th worst business tax climate in the nation according to the Tax Foundation’s 2020 report. Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says that’s largely due to having the 3rd highest sales tax in the nation, an above-average corporate tax rate, and decentralized sales tax collection.
Cut 4 (10) “…there”
Only Washington and Alabama rank worse in sales tax issues.

Webster Parish is welcoming a new manufacturing facility with the arrival of E.I. Williams Industries. President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership Scott Martinez says the Canadian company specializes in sound-control equipment such as vent silencers, fan silencers, industrial silencers, and noise enclosures.
Cut 7 (07) “…segment they serve.”
Martinez says E-I Williams will hire 100 workers over the next five years.

The Advocate newspaper has on its front page today a lengthy investigative piece that claims firms owned by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry conducted business with a felon who broke immigration laws. Two days ago, Landry posted on Twitter his brother has been the victim of months of harassment by the Advocate in an apparent attempt to attack him.

For the upcoming session, Covington Representative Mark Wright has filed a bill that would change the state’s constitution so the governor and lieutenant governor are elected jointly. Wright says it would result in more efficient operations in the governor’s office and the lieutenant governor can be used as a high profile surrogate when not available…
cut 15 (07) “…need”
If the measure receives a two-thirds vote in the legislature, it will appear on the November ballot.

The Tax Foundation ranks Louisiana in the bottom ten states for the least business-friendly tax code. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Roses are red, violets are blue. The marriage rate is dipping, but the divorce rate is too. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Do Louisiana voters need to be voting for a separate Governor and Lt. Governor? Matt Doyle spoke to one Covington Representative doesn’t think so…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle. 

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Louisiana has the 9^th worst business tax climate in the nation according to the Tax Foundation’s 2020 report.

Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says that’s largely due to having the 3^rd highest sales tax in the nation, an above-average corporate tax rate, and decentralized sales tax collection.

Cut 4 (10) “…there”

Only Washington and Alabama rank worse in sales tax issues.

Cammenga adds another area where Louisiana is suffering is in it’s use of a franchise tax. She says it’s a tax that’s being phased out in most states.

Cut 5 (10)  “…income”

Cammenga says tax issues aren’t the biggest factor in where businesses chose to locate themselves, but they’re the factor easiest to change at a legislative level.

Cut 6 (09) “…right now”

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Webster Parish is welcoming a new manufacturing facility with the arrival of E.I. Williams Industries.   President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership Scott Martinez says the Canadian company specializing in sound-control equipment such as vent silencers, fan silencers, industrial silencers, and noise enclosures.

Cut 7 (07) “…segment they serve.”

Martinez says the $700,000 capital investment into an existing 50,000 square foot facility in the North Webster Parish Industrial District will result in 100 new jobs over the next five years, with an average salary of $37,400 plus benefits.

Cut 8 (09) “…and win projects.”

Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in another 122 indirect jobs over the same time period.

Martinez credits the presence of Northwest Louisiana Technical College as well as the region’s other training providers for creating a valued potential work force.

Cut 9 (09) “…in Webster Parish.″

The Webster Parish facility will be the company’s first manufacturing site in the US and equipment is scheduled to be installed in the first quarter of 2020.

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Nationally, marriage rates have dipped almost eight percent over the decade.  In Louisiana, that number is almost 28 percent.  LSU Health New Orleans clinical psychologist Amy Dickson says that doesn’t necessarily mean there are fewer people in committed relationships as you may find plenty of engaged couples.

Cut 10 (08) “…for 20 years.”

The divorce rate is also down nearly 20 percent nationally, with Louisiana down by 23 percent.  Dickson says some people who married young may have split up and just never bothered going through an official divorce.

Cut 11 (11) “…bother with that.”

Louisiana’s drop in marriage rate is only edged out for the bottom spot by Nevada.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, our neighbors in Mississippi have seen their marriage rates grow more than any other state at just over 31 percent.

Cut 12 (12) “…that through marriage.”

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Covington Representative Mark Wright files an amendment to consolidate the Governor and Lt. Governor onto one ticket, instead of having voters chose them separately.

Wright says for starters, the Lt. Governor’s job is nearly all tourism-related, and it would make for more efficient government if tourism was folded directly into the Governor’s administration.

Cut 13 (09) “…office.”

But he says that’s not a shot at the current Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who was ok with similar legislation last session.

And Wright says combining the ticket could open up some interesting political options for gubernatorial candidates who now get to pick a running mate.

Cut 14 (10) “…candidates”

Wright says a handpicked Lt. Governor could also facilitate more efficient operations from the Governor’s office, who could use the Lt. Governor as a high profile surrogate when they’re not available.

Cut 15 (07) “need”

If it clears the legislature, the amendment would be on the November 3^rd Presidential ballot.

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Its opening day of the college baseball season and at Alex Box Stadium the 11th ranked Tigers will face Indiana. LSU junior outfielder Daniel Cabrera is expected to be the Tigers leading hitter and he says the chemistry on this team is outstanding

Cut 16  (15)  …is nice”  

Cabrera will lead off and play center field tonight against the Hoosier. The opening day starting lineup features two freshmen. Cade Doughty at second base and Shreveport’s Hayden Travinski will bat the designated hitter tonight. Coach Paul Mainieri on what he likes from these two kids…

Cut 17  (10) “hit well” 

This is Mainieri’s 14th season as head coach of the Tigers. He’ll send sophomore right-hander Cole Henry to the mound as he’ll throw the first pitch of the season for the Tigers

cut 18  (12) “your staff”   

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Emotions will be riding high tonight at Tigue Moore Field as the Ragin Cajuns host Southeastern Louisiana. It’s U-L Lafayette’s first game since the death of longtime head coach Tony Robicheaux. New head coach Matt Deggs says he’ll understand if the emotions get to his players

cut 19 (30)  different ways”  

The Cajuns are coming off a losing season, a 28-and-31 record. But Deggs says the players are looking forward to returning to the top of the Sun Belt Standings and playing for their former coach

cut 20 (20) “a way”    

A Lafayette man is in jail accused of defrauding a Shreveport man over National Championship game tickets. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the victim did not demand the usual verification for his purchase because Simmons came recommended by a friend. The victim paid for a pair of near field level tickets from Michael Simmons for 3,600 dollars, only to be given nosebleeds. It’s a tough lesson to learn.
Cut 8 (11)“…was”
The actual value of the tickets… 525 dollars, and Simmons refused to refund the money.

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson continues to urge drivers to put down the cell phone.  Distracted driving is being blamed for two DOTD work deaths since 2016 and the major injuries of another earlier this month. Wilson says the department is stepping up safety measures.
Cut 5 (13)  “…our construction zones.”
Multiple students at Many High School in Sabine Parish have been charged with illicit acts for their roles in an alleged sexual assault that was recorded on video and went viral on social media. Trooper Casey Wallace says seven juvenile students and one adult student face a variety of charges adding the investigation remains active….
Cut 14 (10) “…after this”
The video reportedly shows a victim being held down by other students and sodomized with an object.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum is honoring what they believe to be the couple with the longest marriage in the state with the 2020 Marriage Hall of Fame.  For the second year in a row, Wallace and Gladys Menard from Duson have that distinction with 81 years. Forum President GeneMills says the couple appears to have a working strategy for longevity.
Cut 10 (08) “…though their differences.”

The couple met at a dance hall in Abbeville in 1937 and were married at ages 19 and 16 in 1938.

A Lafayette man is facing felony theft charges after allegedly tricking a Shreveport man into paying 3,600 dollars for a pair of National Championship tickets that were only worth 525 dollars each. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the victim was told the tickets he was buying were in section 104, but the tickets he was sold by Michael Simmons turned out to be nose bleeds.

Cut 7 (06) “…case.”

Simmons was arrested for Felony Theft.

Multiple students at Many High School in Sabine Parish have been charged with illicit acts for their roles in an alleged sexual assault that was recorded on video and went viral on social media. Trooper Casey Wallace says State Police began their investigation earlier this month

Cut 12 (09) “one adult”

The video appears to show the victim being sodomized.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum 2020 Marriage Hall of Fame is honoring the top ten longest married couples in the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (26) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney General Jeff Landry and his brother Ben Landry are accusing the Advocate of harassment and released video of Advocate reporters investigating Ben Landry’s home. Reports indicate the paper was investigating business dealings of some kind involving a Landry owned company.

According to State Police an Exxon fire that lit up the night sky in Baton Rouge Tuesday released and unknown amount of carcinogens into the air.

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson continues to urge drivers to put down the cell phone.  Wilson says earlier this month, another DOTD employee, Dwayne Pitre, was seriously injured while picking up litter in a work zone near Carencro.  Once again, distracted driving was believed to be a factor.
Cut 4 (09) “…and his family.”
Two DOTD employees have died since 2016 due to distracted driving.

A Lafayette man is in jail for allegedly defrauding a Shreveport man over tickets to the National Championship game in New Orleans. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the victim bought a pair of near field level tickets from Michael Simmons for 3,600 dollars, but…
Cut 6 (11) “less”
The actual value of the tickets for his nosebleed seats was 525 dollars, and Simmons refused to refund the money.

Multiple students at Many High School in Sabine Parish have been charged with illicit acts for their roles in an alleged sexual assault that was recorded on video and went viral on social media. Trooper Casey Wallace says seven juvenile students and one adult student face a variety of charges….
Cut 13 (05) “…juveniles.”
The video that reportedly shows a victim being held down by other students and sodomized with an object.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum is honoring what they believe to be the couple with the longest marriage in the state with the 2020 Marriage Hall of Fame.  Forum President Gene Mills says for the second year in a row, Wallace and Gladys Menard from Duson have that distinction with 81 years.

Cut 9 (11) “…covenant has brought.″

The couple met at a dance hall in Abbeville in 1937 and were married at ages 19 and 16 in 1938.