A Washington Parish cattle rancher – accused of dodging taxes – has his day in court…and wins. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Since the 2016 floods cities like Youngsville and Baton Rouge have and continue to work on improving drainage systems in hopes of avoiding such devastation in the future. Brooke Thorington
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A judge has denied Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal’s attempt to collect almost $ 40 thousand in back taxes from a Mount Herman cattle rancher, who sells cuts of beef directly to customers at his farm. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the lawsuit against beef farmer Jason Smith was probably because of some confusion with state tax law, as to what can and cannot be taxed. Strain says he feels the language of the tax code is clear…:
Cut 3 (05) “…taxing authority.”
The judge ruled Smith’s beef IS “farm products or produce” which are tax exempt under state tax law. Strain says over 100 cattle ranchers sell beef directly from the farm and this ruling puts all of them at ease. Strain says score one for Louisiana farmers…:
Cut 4 (13) “…judgement was made.”
Sheriff Seal sought to collect what he considered sales taxes unpaid on what Smith sold, but the judge ruled against him; meaning Smith – and farmers statewide can keep selling their goods with charging tax or remitting tax to state or local government. Strain says the next step is assuring this doesn’t come up again…:
Cut 5 (14) “…clarify the law.”
The sheriff says he does not plan to appeal.
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It was six years ago that parts of Louisiana experienced devastating flooding after more than two and a half feet of rain fell from August 11th to the 14th. The small city of Youngsville, in Lafayette Parish, flooded and Mayor Ken Ritter was in his first term.
Ritter says the city has worked very hard, so the historic flood doesn’t become their long-term identity. He says they’ve been very aggressive with retention solutions…
Cut 7 (13) “…throughout the year.”
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome was campaigning for her first term in office during the flood. She says the city continues to work on flood mitigation measures, but the city and parish are in much better shape than it was six years ago.
Broome says for the first time ever there’s a comprehensive analysis of the parish’s draining network and incoming infrastructure funds that will expand the parish and city’s ability to mitigate future flooding.
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There’s a tropical wave just off the Louisiana coast so keep that umbrella handy. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says some of the heaviest rains will be in New Orleans today, then up to Baton Rouge, and then westward towards Lake Charles.
Cut 10 (07) “…10-percent chance.”
Wetherbee says models are suggesting this will continue to be a rainmaker for Louisiana coastal areas and …
And if the models are correct, Wetherbee says the system will then move its way inland towards the middle Texas gulf coast in a couple of days.
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The LSU Tigers’ first game with Brain Kelly at the helm is just two weeks away, but it appears he’s already showing much success with his second recruiting class. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says what appeared to be a slow start for Kelly has picked up steam and is now 6th in the nation.
And most recently, Weathers says Kelly is showing success bringing some more local players into the mix for the 2023 recruiting class.
Weathers says while it’s harder to recruit when you can’t show what you’ve done with your existing team, he believes LSU’s passionate fan base will be pleased with Kelly’s recruiting abilities whether it’s local or out of state.
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Cut 16 (10) “…off the streets“