Tax-free shopping on Amazon is coming to an end for Louisiana customers in January, as the online retailer will begin adding state and local sales taxes to purchases at the start of the year. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says the taxes will be filed and remitted.

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He says Amazon will add the appropriate sales tax based on the purchasers address.

The City of Slidell has a new ordinance requiring panhandlers to have a permit, and the ACLU of Louisiana is suing to block the requirement. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the permit is free, but it requires a background check and wearing the permit to avoid being ticketed up or facing up jail time.

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Slidell city attorney Brian Haggerty says they have no comment on the lawsuit.

State agencies are implementing the first round of budget cuts for the current fiscal year today. Michelle Southern reports…:

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The assistant warden at the Angola State penitentiary has been arrested for rape. 34-year-old Barrett Boeker reportedly faces one count of second degree rape for an alleged incident that occurred on November 30 at his home behind the gates of the prison. Boeker turned himself in shortly after the warrant was issued today.