AM LRN Newscall Dec 27

Tax experts say you can save money on your 2022 taxes if you act before the end of the year. Marsanne Golsby has more.

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Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says federal aid for farmers hit hard by drought then flooding rain in 2002 is on the way. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

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The cause and manner of death for the child who was found in the Amite River on Christmas Eve is undetermined. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Tax experts say you have some things to do by the end of the year if you want to save on your 2022 taxes. Jason Shellhaas (SHELL-US) is a partner with the Malcolm M. Dienes (DEE-NES) CPA firm in Metairie. He recommends business owners pay bills now so they can take those deductions for 2022, and also look to see if they need to make large equipment purchases.

Cut 4 (12)  “…tax year 2022.”

Shellhaas says individuals can help themselves and deserving charities at the same time.

Cut 5 (08) “…in 2022.”

He says if you made money in the stock market this year, you might consider trimming your portfolio before the end of the year to save on taxes.

Cut 6 (11)  “…at a gain.” 

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack declares a weather disaster in numerous Louisiana parishes; bringing federal aid for hard-hit farmers. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says farmers fought extreme drought in 2022, then were hit with torrential rainfalls that damaged crops and affected yields. He says Vilsack made the federal assistance official…:

Cut 7 (09) “…in the crop year.”

Strain says the assistance will come in form of USDA Farm Services Agency emergency loans and other aid. He says farmers with drought and rain related losses can begin application for the assistance right away, but remember there IS a time limit…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…types of assistance.”

The primary disaster parishes are Ascension, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Franklin, Iberville, Madison, St. James, Tensas, Vermilion and West Baton Rouge. Areas bordering those parishes will also be eligible to apply. Strain says farmers should gather documentation of disaster losses and apply soon…:

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Information is online at “fsa.usda.gov”

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In his final year in office, Governor John Bel Edwards says he plans to ask state lawmakers to make further amendments to the state’s abortion law. The law, which was authored by Monroe area Democrat senator Katrina Jackson, and had very few exceptions under which the procedure would be allowed. Edwards says those weren’t enough…:

Cut 10 (12) “…that starts in April.” 

Edwards says he’ll ask for a bill to amend exceptions for rape and incest into the law. He says, since the law went into effect with the reversal of Roe v Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, there have documented cases of women having to leave the state in order to terminate their pregnancy…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…probably should have.”

The law has exceptions for so-called “medical futility”; where the infant would be still-born, and there are exceptions to save the life of the mother. Edwards says the law has also been modified to allow other medical exceptions…:

Cut 12 (09) “…specific conditions.”

He says he’d still prefer to have rape & incest added to the law in this year’s legislative session.

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The East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office says the cause and manner of death of the child who was found in the Amite River Christmas Eve are pending. The child’s father Jacob Stricker told authorities his son, Matias Stricker wandered off while they were hiking. Investigative reporter Kiran Chawla spoke with the child’s mother Isabel Stricker, via a translator, and she has a protective order against her ex-husband.

Cut 13 (11) “…abuse battery.”

The child was found about an hour after he was reported missing and taken to Children’s Hospital where he died before midnight. Chawla says the mother told her that she dropped Matias off Friday to spend time with his father.

Cut 14 (09)  “…mom’s house.”

Jacob Stricker told authorities his son was missing in the BREC Frenchtown Conservation Area trails. But Chawla says his mother told her that Matias is autistic and it’s not like him to walk off.

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The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. LRN reached out to the sheriff’s office for comment but no response.

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LSU Men’s Basketball will begin SEC play tonight in the P-MAC. The 11-1 Tigers will host ninth-ranked Arkansas as new Head Coach Matt McMahon looks to establish himself in the SEC. The Razorbacks are heavy favorites in the matchup and the Tigers have an opportunity to open conference play with a  statement win, but McMahon says his goal is the same as always: to help his team become the best they can be…

Cut  16 (19)  “..of themselves.” 

LSU has struggled defensively at times, especially on the perimeter, but have been bailed out by poor shooting from opponents. The Tigers will not enjoy that same margin for error against one of the nation’s top teams. Arkansas boasts an explosive backcourt featuring transfer Ricky Council IV, who’s averaging 18 points a game, and McDonald’s All-American Anthony Black. McMahon says defending the Razorbacks dynamic offense will be a team effort…

Cut 17 (21) “…in those areas.” 

The Razorbacks are not only an offensive team by any measure but, with one of the best defenses in the country. They’ve allowed opponents just under 62 points per game this season and average just over 10 steals a game. McMahon says limiting their defensive impact will be important if LSU wants to win…

Cut 18 (22) “…open floor.” 

Tip-Off in the P-MAC is at 8:00

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Cut 20 (23)     ….of the year”