According to a new report, Louisiana receives significantly more from the federal government than it sends back in tax dollars. Matt Doyle has the story.
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A man wrongly imprisoned for life at Angola since the age of 21 is now a free man at the age of 58. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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The national spotlight is on the Big Easy as President Trump addresses the American Farm Bureau Convention today in New Orleans. Kevin Barnhart speaks with political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on what to expect.
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A Rockefeller Institute of Government study shows Louisiana receives $1.52 in federal spending for every tax dollar it sends to D.C. Director of Fiscal Analysis Laura Schultz says the Pelican State as a whole doesn’t pay a lot in federal taxes, compared to other states, because of the high percentage of low wage earners.
Cut 4 (07) “…federal goverment.”
That means the state receives $3,785 more in federal money per person than it sends, good for 17th lowest in the nation. Schultz says most of that comes from programs for older residents.
Schultz says despite the lopsided give and take, Louisiana still receives fewer contracting dollars on average than most states.
Kentucky had the highest taxes out to revenue in ratio, at $2.35 received for every one dollar sent. Connecticut had the lowest at 72-cents received for every dollar sent.
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The Saints are heading to the NFC Championship game after beating the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 20-14. New Orleans climbed back from an early 14-to-0 deficit for a hard fought six point win in front of a jubilant Superdome crowd. Coach Sean Payton
After giving up two first quarter touchdown drives, the Black and Gold defense took control of the game, only allowing 97 yards after the first quarter. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore had two interceptions, including one to seal the victory late in the fourth quarter
Quarterback Drew Brees threw an interception on his first pass, after that he threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns. The first T-D pass came in the second quarter on fourth and goal to Keith Kirkwood, the second went to Michael Thomas to cap off a massive 18-play, 92-yard drive in the third quarter. Brees on the importance of going ahead at that time
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Eric Prudholm was serving a life sentence for an aggravated rape and armed robbery that happened in a Bossier City motel in 1981, but he’s now a free man, after a DNA test of bed linens and the victim’s nightgown led to the courts deciding his original conviction and sentence should be vacated. Innocence Project New Orleans Executive Director Jee Park says Prudholm gained his freedom by pleading no contest to robbery with credit for time served…
Cut 10 (05) “…several more years.”
Given the weakness of previous evidence, the Bossier Parish DA reached an agreement for an Alford plea, allowing him to maintain his innocence and be freed immediately. Park says a lesson from this case is the importance of preservation of evidence.
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Due to the agreement, Park says Prudholm will not receive compensation for his time behind bars. He was 21 when he went to prison, and has a daughter who was born in the months following his incarceration that will help him as he begins his new life at age 58. Park says Prudholm is hoping to land a job in food service.
Cut 12 (11) “…many many years.”
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President Donald Trump is in New Orleans today to speak at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Rice and soybean farmers say the tariffs and now the government shutdown have hurt their ability to make money off their crop. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says despite the tariff issues, he expects the crowd to welcome the President.
Cut 13 (12) “…hurting some farmers.”
This is Trump’s first visit to New Orleans since a 2016 campaign stop. Pinsonat says the President is popular in the Bayou State.
Cut 14 (11) “…the deep south.”
Pinsonat says to expect plenty of media attention on the Big Easy.