The National Weather Service is facing serious staffing challenges with over 1000 employees leaving due to Trump budget cuts, which could affect forecast accuracy heading into hurricane season. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Louisiana residents might have a chance at voting for a lower state income tax. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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History was made at the Vatican as for the first time in the history of the Catholic church, the college of cardinals has elected a U.S.-born pope. Robert Prevost has taken the papal name Leo the 14th. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and professor of theology Dr. Tom Ryan says the election of the Chicago-born Prevost was a bit of a surprise for him.
Dr. Ryan says Pope Leo the 14th has spent a considerable amount of time away from the United States.
Cut 4 (11) “…he’s international himself.”
The college of cardinals reached a consensus on a new pope on the second day of conclave. Ryan says given recent history, that length of time was pretty much par for the course, and the cardinals gave a lot of thought into who the new leader of the Catholic church should be.
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Hurricane season begins June 1, but the National Weather Service face serious staffing challenges. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, over 1000 employees have left, leaving key offices in cities like Lake Charles, Houston, and Tampa understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that this could delay critical weather alerts or spread inaccurate information.
Cut 6 (12) “…inform those models.”
Keim warns that reduced staffing threatens accurate forecasting and the delivery of essential data. This could result in less accurate hurricane forecasts and increased danger for Americans.
Cut 7 (11) “…real impacts here.”
Keim warns that reduced staffing threatens accurate forecasting and the delivery of essential data. This could result in less accurate hurricane forecasts and increased danger for Americans.
Cut 8 (09) “…get turned around.”
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration continues its push to cut non-discretionary government spending.
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If you want to see how good we have it in Louisiana, go to another state and stop at a gas station. Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year.
Cut 9 (07) “…$3.20 a gallon.” (Statewide price for regular unleaded is $2.70 a gallon)
Redman says one big reason for the relatively low gas prices is a drop in the price of crude.
Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”
Gas prices tend to be lower along the Gulf Coast, since we’re a lot closer to oil refineries than the rest of the country. Redman says gas prices are expected to remain stable through the Memorial Day holiday and well into the summer. If you’re planning to drive to the West Coast and you’re looking for cheap gas out there, forget it.
Cut 11 (07) “…$4.82 a gallon.”
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Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered to three percent at the beginning of the year and House Republicans would like to lower it again. The lower chamber has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax from 3-percent to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. The author of the bill is Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…
The House approved the measure on an 86-13 vote. It will need two-thirds approval in the Senate and then it will go to the voters for approval.
The legislation would also double the standard deduction for residents 65 and older. Emerson says lowering the state’s income tax again would make Louisiana more competitive in attracting business and residents….
The “No” votes came from Democrats in the House. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard expressed concern about budget cuts because of a decline in state revenues especially since the state just lowered the state income tax five months ago…
Cut 14 (11) “…state’s revenue.”
But Emerson says she knows Louisiana residents are begging for more tax relief.