A tax expert says the average worker in Louisiana probably doesn’t need to worry about keeping those 2018 receipts for itemizing on their tax returns…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The family of the LSU basketball player that was gunned down in September has a charitable cause in his honor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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The government shutdown is now nearly a week old, and Senator John Kennedy says the chances of a quick end are getting dimmer by the day…
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With the New Year right around the corner it’s time to start getting your tax ducks in a row. LA Champagne and Company partner Wayne Dussel says the tax reform bill passed at the beginning of the year means less tax work, and the end of middle class folks with straight forward finances having to save their 2018 receipts for expenses and charity to itemize for optimal tax results.
Because of the increased standard deduction, many will no longer see a benefit from reporting tax write offs like donations and mortgage interest for the average home. Dussel says that means a lower tax incentives for those activities.
And Dussel says the average wage earner hoping for a noticeably bigger return from the 1.5 trillion dollar tax cut is likely to be disappointed. He says it’s not a middle class tax cut.
The IRS will start accepting returns January 29th.
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The LSU basketball player who was gunned down in September has a charitable cause named in his memory. The family of Wayde Sims is establishing the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help students with the costs associated with caring for a support dog. Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans, says Sims had his own emotional support dog.
Evans says the financial impact that students may incur in having an animal may be overwhelming.
Cut 8 (09) “…for their apartment.”
Evans says they hope to have enough contributions to get the fund kicked off in time for the fall semester.
Cut 9 (12) “…was December 13th.″
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According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of law enforcement professionals who died in the line of duty nationwide in 2018 increased by 12% over the previous year, a total of 144. CEO for the organization Chris Floyd says of the four officers killed in Louisiana, one was struck by a vehicle, one in a motorcycle crash, and two died in automobile crashes, making traffic related accidents a great concern.
Cut 10 (08) “…among officers nationwide.”
The four who died in 2018 were Zachary Police Officer Michael Lawton, Monroe Police Officer Ayriana Michelle Williams, Montgomery Assistant Chief of Police Kirt Roy Ricks III, and Slidell Police Officer Jason Michael Seals.
Floyd says while in previous years traffic fatalities outnumbered gun related deaths, that was not the case this year.
Cut 11 (12) “…deaths among officers.”
While the number of deaths may have increased from last year, compared to the average of the last ten years, the number is slightly below average and the decade over all is seeing lower numbers than were recorded in the 70s.
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The government shutdown is now into it’s sixth day. Senator John Kennedy says negotiations have stalled, and it’s looking increasingly unlikely they’ll have the votes to pass a budget that includes 5.7 billion in border wall funding demanded by the President.
Cut 13 (10) “…Representatives”
The shutdown has impacted an estimated 850,000 federal workers.
Democrats say they’ll refuse to sign any budget that pays for the President’s border wall. Kennedy blames the impasse on internal party politics surrounding potential Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
A bill with wall money narrowly cleared the House, but is stuck in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes for approval. Many conservative advocates have called on Republican leaders to exercise the “nuclear option” that would allow items to pass the Senate with only a 51 vote majority, but…
Governor Edwards says the shutdown is shameful, and needs to be solved quickly in a bi-partisan manner.
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Even though the Saints have locked up the number one seed in the N-F-C playoffs, there’s still something to play for on Sunday when they take on the Carolina Panthers. A win and the Black and Gold can set the franchise record for most regular wins in a single season. Quarterback Drew Brees says that’s important
It’s unclear how much Brees will play on Sunday. He can use the game to pad his stats to help boost his M-V-P campaign. Brees needs just eight more passing yards to eclipse 4,000 yards for a 13th consecutive season, but the future Hall of Famer is not worried about individual awards
Veteran backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to see snaps on Sunday as Brees is not expected to play the whole game. Bridgewater was a former starter in Minnesota and has been ready for his chance in New Orleans…
Bridgewater led the Vikings to the playoffs in 2015, but suffered a significant knee injury and missed all of 2016 and only played in one game last year. The 26-year-old says he’s hoping to see the field on Sunday