Updated LRN AM Newscall for January 23

Be prepared for major changes when filing your 2022 taxes as today marks the first day you can file state and federal taxes. Brooke Thorington has more.

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The U.S. Postal Service unveils the new postage stamp featuring Louisiana author Ernest J Gaines during a ceremony today. Whitney Thomas Reports.

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A mass shooting in Shreveport Sunday sends adults and children to the hospital. More from Kevin Gallagher…

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You can begin filing your state and federal income taxes for 2022 today, but be mindful of several changes that could reduce your refund amount. Connor Brown, with LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, says incentives for the pandemic are no longer in effect. For example, the CARES Act allowed up to $600 of charitable donations as a deduction in addition to your standard deduction, for those married filing joint, even if you didn’t itemize…

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The enhanced child tax credit has also reverted. Brown says in 2021 it was up to $3,600 per qualifying child under five or $3,000 if they were under age 17…

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And the credit for child and dependent care expenses has dropped from a potential maximum of $8,000 to $2,100 dollars, reverting back to rules that were in effect before the American Rescue and CARES Act. And in addition to smaller refunds, expect a longer turnaround time due to IRS staffing shortages. Brown says when in doubt have a tax professional prepare your taxes.

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The U.S Postal Service is continuing their Black Heritage series by honoring renowned author Ernest J. Gaines with a postal stamp. The ceremony will  take place today at the University of Louisiana at  Lafayette where he once taught creative writing. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says Gaines was a vital voice to the African American experience.

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The U.S Postal Service receives about 30,000  stamp suggestions from the public on individuals with a strong background in history. Gaines is best known for his novels “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Lesson Before Dying.”  Walton says they are thrilled to celebrate Gaines as the 46th stamp in the Black Heritage Series.

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The Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage stamp will be a forever stamp that holds the same value as the current First- Class Mail stamp. Walton says philatelists will have something new to add to their collection.

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(Philatelists are stamp collectors)

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Eight people were shot inside a home in Shreveport on Sunday afternoon. Police chief Wayne Smith says five adults and three children, two three-year-olds and a five-year-old were wounded…

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Four of the victims are listed in critical condition, including a three-year-old boy. Smith says it appears this was a drive-by shooting…

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The search for the shooter is ongoing. Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor is upset at this kind of violence in her district…

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Baton Rouge Police are investigating a mass shooting inside a nightclub that injured 12 people, three of the victims are said to have life-threatening injuries. The shooting happened inside The Dior Bar and Lounge early Sunday morning on Bennington Avenue near College Drive. Lt. Bryan Ballard says it was a targeted attack…

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Investigators are not commenting on whether it was a single shooter or multiple shootings. Police chief Murphy Paul urges anyone with information to call Crimestoppers…

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It’s unknown how many people were in the club when shots rang out, but officers were already outside of the establishment and responded quickly…

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The LSU men’s basketball team’s losing streak is up to six games. On Saturday, the ninth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers took down the Tigers 77-56. It’s the fifth straight game LSU has lost by double digits, the longest such streak in 56 seasons. First-year coach Matt McMahon knew the rebuilding process would be tough

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LSU is at Arkansas tomorrow night. The Bayou Bengals’ last win was against the Razorbacks on December 28th.

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Joe Burrow and the Bengals are one more win away from returning to the Super Bowl after beating the Bills 27-10 on a snowy Sunday afternoon in Buffalo. Burrow threw for 242 yards and two TDs and gave a lot credit to his offensive line which has seen its share of injuries in recent weeks

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The Bengals now head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, who they beat in last year’s AFC Title game. Burrow believes they are a better team this year…

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The Pelicans led for much of the game yesterday in Miami, but the Heat ended up burning New Orleans in the fourth quarter by pulling off a 100-96 victory over the Pels. 24 turnovers hurt the Pelicans in this one, but Coach Willie Green was proud of his team’s fight…

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The Pelicans have lost four in a row and nine of their last 12 as they continue to play without two of their best players, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Larry Nance Junior says they have a strong locker room that can handle this storm

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Ingram participated in a five-on-five practice Saturday, which is a sign he’s close to returning from a toe injury. New Orleans hosts Denver on Tuesday.