As you know by now, sweeping changes to the tax code took effect at the outset of the year. What does it all mean for your personal wallets? Andrew Greenstein gives us some real-world numbers.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation is conducting a full review of the New Orleans’ security plan for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, following a terror attack on New Year’s Day. Sean Richardson reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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The State Fire Marshal’s office believes frigid temperatures contributed to a trio of deadly house fires. Colleen Crain reports.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Sweeping changes to the tax code took effect when the calendar flipped to 2025. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says with the across-the-board reduction in the income tax rate to three-percent following a 12,500-dollar standard deduction, people will see more money in their net pay.
Cut 4 (07) “…across the board.” (Average family will get additional 500 dollars in net pay per year)
On the flip side, the amount of money you’ll be paying for most goods and services will go up very slightly to make up for the loss of income tax revenue.
Cut 5 (09) “…that you spend.” (Increase of 55 cents per 100 dollars spent)
Nelson says certain items, however, will still not have any state sales tax imposed.
Cut 6 (11) “…on those things.”
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Attorney General Liz Murrill announced a full review by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation into New Orleans’ security plan for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, following a terror attack on New Year’s Day. The review aims to understand the planning and execution of the city’s security measures.
Cut 7 (11) “…months after that.”
Murrill emphasized the need for answers to ensure future safety, with support from New Orleans’ leadership, including Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, City Council President Helena Moreno, and others.
Cut 8 (15) “…how we got here.”
The review will identify operational failures and provide recommendations for improvements. Murrill commended the bravery of the New Orleans Police Department, noting their role in preventing further casualties during the attack. The findings are expected to guide law enforcement in securing the city’s safety for both residents and visitors.
Cut 9 (07) “…end up here again.”
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President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” calling it, in his words, “a fitting and beautiful change.” Speaking at Mar-a-Lago in his first press conference since Congress confirmed his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham says he’s generally against renaming things like this.
Cut 10 (07) “…their names preserved.”
Trump did not elaborate on the process for renaming the body of water. Bayham says he thinks there are more pressing issues to deal with than a name change to the gulf.
Bayham says the focus should be on foreign policy issues left over from the Biden Administration and that will take years. Especially since even if Trump gets the gulf renamed, it’s not stopping anyone from continuing to call it the Gulf of Mexico.
Cut 12 (10) “…National Geographic Society”
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The bitter cold temperatures led to three deadly house fires across the state yesterday morning. Four people including children were discovered when Winnsboro firefighters responded to a house fire just after 4:00 a.m. Less than an hour later, firefighters in Abbeville discovered a victim in a house fire there. And around 7:00 a.m. a victim was found by Shreveport firefighters. Ashley Rodrigue (rod-REEG) with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says while the causes of those three fires are under investigation, prior history has shown that space heaters are a major culprit.
Cut 13 (13) “…heaters still on.”
Rodrigue says if you must use a space heater, plug them directly into the wall and not into a power strip or an extension cord.
Cut 14 (13) “…a high wattage.”
Rodrigue says her office also sees people using their stoves to heat their homes, which is another very bad idea.
Furthermore, Rodrigue says if the oven is a gas oven, those who use them to heat their homes also run into the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. And, of course, she says always to make sure you have working smoke detectors throughout your home.
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A name familiar to Louisiana sports fans has emerged as a candidate to be the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have reportedly requested to interview Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Brady was the passing game coordinator on the LSU Tigers’ 2019 national championship team. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast Ross Jackson says it didn’t go well for Brady as the offensive coordinator for the Panthers in 2021, but he’s been an outstanding play caller for the Bills…
There are six head coaching vacancies in the NFL, but the Saints vacancy is considered one of the least desirable because of an aging starting quarterback and not a lot of salary cap flexibility. But Jackson says a coaching candidate may look at the Saints situation as one where they’ll be given time to turn the franchise around…
The New York Jets have requested permission from the Saints to interim New Orleans interim head coach Darren Rizzi for the Jets opening. Jackson says if some of the top coaching candidates go elsewhere, Rizzi will become a viable option for the Saints…