The Louisiana Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program has just added 8.7-million dollars in uncashed state income tax refunds. State Treasurer John Fleming says if some of that money is yours, claiming it is easy.

Cut 7 (13) “…owed to them.”

That money consists of unclaimed refunds owed to almost 30-thousand Louisiana taxpayers.

DOTD will begin transitioning I-20 westbound traffic in Bossier City into Phase 3 of its major rehabilitation project. This week, I-20 westbound will close nightly from I-220 to the Airline Drive interchange. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says it’s to allow contractors to move concrete barriers to prepare for a lane shift.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the right place.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs is marking Veterans Day today. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The House Ways and Means Committee gives the thumbs-up to more components of Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal. The panel has approved legislation to lower the corporate income tax businesses have to pay from 7.5 percent to 3.5 percent. To make up for the loss revenue, the legislation calls for the elimination of the film tax credit program and a tax credit for digital media and software companies.

Today is Veterans Day. Retired Air Force Colonel Charlton Meginley, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, says this day means a lot to veterans, especially those who served in Vietnam who came home unappreciated.

Cut 11 (14) “…served in Vietnam.”

Tax credits that Louisiana’s film industry currently enjoys could be on the chopping block as the legislature continues to debate tax reform. Trey Burvant of Secondline Studios says the film industry delivers a lot of the results in tax reform that Louisiana is looking for. Burvant noted that film workers earn an average annual wage of more than 65-thousand dollars.

Cut 9 (08)  “…how film works.”

If you think you should have money coming to you, look into it. The state treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program has just added a lot of money in uncashed state income tax refunds.

Cut 6 (15) “…29,441 separate checks.” ($8.7 million)

State Treasurer John Fleming says if some of that money is yours, go to l-a-cash-claim-dot org to claim it.

Their long, national nightmare is over. The Saints ended their seven-game losing streak yesterday by beating the Atlanta Falcons 20-17. It comes in the wake of the team firing Head Coach Dennis Allen. His interim replacement is Darren Rizzi…

Cut 19 (16) “…this week” 

Components of Governor Landry’s massive tax reform plan continue to receive approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The panel has approved legislation to lower the corporate income tax businesses have to pay from 7.5 percent to 3.5 percent. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says this will help bring more jobs to the state…

Cut 3 (11) “…to owners.” 

To make up for the loss revenue, the legislation calls for the elimination of the film tax credit program. Jason Waggenspack of Film Louisiana argued against cutting the tax credit, highlighting that the program contributes around one-billion dollars in annual sales and 360-million dollars in local payroll.

Cut 8 (12) “…state of Louisiana.”

Governor Landry is reportedly being considered for attorney general in Donald Trump’s administration. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry has a great relationship with the former president and president-elect.

Cut 5 (13) “…to do it.” 

In July, Landry expressed reluctance about leaving his post early, but Trump’s recent win could shift his stance.

For LSU, dreams of the College Football Playoff are over. For the second game in a row, LSU could not stop a running quarterback as Alabama pounded the Tigers, 42-13. After the game, Coach Brian Kelly said what he thought would be an exciting evening turned out to be a disappointing evening.

Cut 13 (14)  “…right way tonight.”

PETA is speaking out against plans for a live tiger to be trotted onto the field before tomorrow night’s LSU game. Klayton Rutherford with the PETA foundation says tigers do not belong in 100-thousand-seat football stadiums.

Cut 4 (11) “…drop this idea.”

The tiger is a Bengal being brought in from Florida. It’s owned by a man named Mitchel Kalmanson, who PETA says has more than three-dozen USDA violations since 2000.

Several Black people across the country, including here in Louisiana, have been receiving hate-filled spam text messages referencing slavery. State Attorney General Liz Murrill says her investigators have traced the messages to an encrypted virtual network in Poland. But she says that doesn’t necessarily pinpoint the perpetrator there.

Cut 15 (05) “…to investigate it.”

The GOP Leadership election is set for next week and with House control still not clear, Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise push to secure their leadership roles in the House.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Could Governor Landry be headed to Washington after just a year as governor? The New York Post is reporting that former President and President-elect Donald Trump is considering Landry for U.S. Attorney General, citing his involvement in a lawsuit that claimed that the Biden administration worked to silence conservative voices on social media.

The university is so far tight-lipped about it, but there are reports that LSU will have a live tiger on the field for tomorrow night’s game against Alabama. Todd Horne from Tiger Rag magazine says the governor has been pushing for this for months.

Cut 4 (09) “…LSU home games.”

The tiger is coming in from Florida and is owned by a man named Mitchel Kalmanson, who according to PETA has been cited by the Department of Agriculture more than three-dozen times for various violations since 2000. Kalmanson had no comment when we reached out to him, and multiple attempts to reach LSU have been unsuccessful.

Still no final call on which party will control the House starting in January. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter, who easily won re-election, says it’s time to turn the page.

Cut 14 (10) “…job of governing.”

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children’s Parent Poll for 2024 is live.  Sena Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Several Black people across the country, including here in Louisiana, have been receiving hate-filled spam text messages referencing slavery. In a statement, State Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her disgust over the text messages and said she has directed the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation to investigate where the texts are coming from. The FBI is also investigating.

Debate is underway at the State Capitol on Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan that seeks to lower income taxes for all workers but sales taxes would be added to 41 activities currently not taxed. Landry went before the House Ways and Means Committee today, urging them to pass his plan…

Cut 9 (12)  “…this state.”

State Representative Matthew Williard, a Democrat from New Orleans, is concerned Landry’s tax plan will result in less available tax dollars for the state to spend. He’s concerned about future tax cuts…

Cut 12 (16) “…deal with.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill to reduce the personal income taxes on a 15 to 3 vote. The measure could go before House Appropriations, before a vote on the House floor.

It looks like Louisiana’s record of never having a hurricane making landfall in the state in the month of November will remain intact, at least for the time being. Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center had Hurricane Rafael turning north in the Gulf of Mexico and straight towards Louisiana, albeit weakening to below hurricane strength. But LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the forecast track has done a complete 180, now headed towards the Bay of Campeche in Mexico.

Cut 13 (11)  “…steering currents whatsoever (2x).”

And Keim says there’s a chance that the storm could dissipate altogether before reaching Mexico.

We’re getting new information on a tiger en route to Baton Rouge to reportedly take the field for Saturday’s LSU game against Alabama. The tiger is reportedly named Omar Bradley, and he’s a one-and-a-half-year-old bengal tiger owned by a man near Orlando. Governor Landry has been pushing LSU to revive its tradition of having a live tiger on the field that was halted in 2015. So far, the university has not confirmed whether the tiger will indeed take the field.

The legislature is debating Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal on this, the second day of the special session. A flat income tax rate of three-percent is at the center of Landry’s proposal. He says it would result in the biggest tax cut in Louisiana’s history as the income taxes would be lowered for most working citizens…

Cut 11 (11) “…our labor.”

To offset the loss of tax revenue from lower income taxes, the governor is proposing, among other things, to tax many services that are not taxed. Lawmakers have until November 25th to consider the proposal during this special session. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham says given the complexity of the proposal and all of its components, that likely will not be enough time to consider everything.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the state.”

The U.S. political landscape remains in flux as the House of Representatives awaits resolution, but former President and President-elect Donald Trump holds a strong mandate and influence over the Republican-controlled Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy says even with G-O-P control, he and other members of his caucus will still need to reach across the aisle…

Cut 3 (11) “…than the minority.” 

Louisiana’s oil and gas industry is hailing Donald Trump’s re-election. Mike Moncla, the president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, says it will be good to have a President who will ease up on regulations, since according to him the Biden administration was not friendly to the industry.

Cut 4 (14) “…off-shore leasing plan.”

It’s day two of the special session on tax reform. Governor Landry told the legislature that the ultimate goal is to create a tax structure that will put more money in people’s pockets and attract businesses to the state.

Cut 12 (12) “…your hardwork.” 

Landry’s plan includes lowering the income tax rate to a flat three-percent across the board and boosting the standard deduction to 12-thousand-500 dollars, compensating for it by taxing services not currently taxed. Some groups, like Invest in Louisiana, are sounding the alarm. Director Jan (YAHN) Moeller is concerned the governor’s tax plan will dramatically reduce what the state collects in taxes, resulting in fewer dollars for the state to spend on public services, like higher education. He says that means tuition will go up at Louisiana colleges and universities…

Cut 14 (08) “…what we pay.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has congratulated Donald Trump on his re-election to a second non-consecutive term. Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in his impeachment trial following the January 6th riot at the Capitol, says he’s looking forward to the Trump Administration unlocking domestic energy production, which will create jobs and provide economic security…

Cut 9 (11)  “…energy insecurity.”

Another group hailing Trump’s return to the White House is the state’s oil and gas industry. Mike Moncla, the president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, says President Biden’s policies, including putting a pause on issuing export permits for liquefied natural gas, stifled business in the state.

Cut 6 (17) “…our state’s GDP.”

Louisiana’s oil and gas industry is hailing the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy congratulates President-Elect Donald Trump on his victory and says the future looks bright for the country and Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana’s special session is underway, with Governor Jeff Landry making the case for significant tax reform. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana’s oil and gas industry is hailing the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Mike Moncla, the president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, says it will be good to have a President who will ease up on regulations, since according to him the Biden administration was not friendly to the industry.

Cut 4 (14) “…off-shore leasing plan.”

Moncla says the Biden administration finally came up with a plan guaranteeing anywhere from zero to 11 leases.

Cut 5 (08) “…a lease sale.”

Moncla says Biden’s other policies, including the pause on liquefied natural gas, stifled business in the state.

Cut 6 (17) “…our state’s GDP.”

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has congratulated President-elect Donald Trump. It’s the first time in over 100 years a president has won after being out of office for four years, taking the Electoral College and the popular vote.  Cassidy says the future looks bright for the country and Louisiana…

Cut 7 (11) “…see becoming reality.”

Cassidy voted in February 2021 to convict Trump of inciting a riot on the U.S. Capitol building in January of that year.

The Louisiana Republican Party censured Cassidy for that vote. Earlier this year Trump called Cassidy one of the worst U.S. Senators and said he was total flake.

Cassidy says despite what many think, he and Trump have been closely aligned on many issues Including healthcare and energy…

Cut 8 (10) “…point that out.”

Cassidy says he’s looking forward to the Trump Administration unlocking domestic energy production, which will create jobs and provide economic security…

Cut 9 (11)  “…energy insecurity.”

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Governor Jeff Landry opened a special session on tax reform by making the case the state’s current tax code is the reason why Louisiana ranks last on so many lists. Landry says change is desperately needed…

Cut 10 (13) “…state back.”

Landry says his tax reform plan would produce the biggest tax cut in Louisiana’s history. A flat income tax rate of three percent is at the center of Landry’s proposal. He says it would result in the biggest tax cut in Louisiana’s history as the income taxes would be lowered for most working citizens…

Cut 11 (11) “…our labor.”

To offset the loss of tax revenue from lower income taxes, the governor is proposing to tax many services that are not taxed. He’s also proposing to eliminate several sales tax exemptions. He says this will create a tax structure that will put more money in people’s pockets and attract businesses to the state. He promises this tax plan will transform Louisiana

Cut 12 (12) “…your hard work.”

The special session must end at 6 PM on November 25^th.

______________________________________________________

Invest in Louisiana has real concerns about Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan. Director Jan (YAHN) Moeller says it will result in the poor paying a higher percentage of their income taxes…

Cut 13 (11)  “…in the budget.”

Moeller is concerned the governor’s tax plan will dramatically reduce what the state collects in taxes, resulting in fewer dollars for the state to spend on public services, like higher education. He says that means tuition will go up at Louisiana colleges and universities…

Cut 14 (08) “…what we pay.”

Landry cites North Carolina as an example of a state that modernize its tax code and it’s resulted in thousands of new jobs and more income for the state’s citizens. But Moeller says tax reform did not improve North Carolina’s economy, instead it was investment in higher education…

Cut 15 (11) “…to that state.”

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Louisiana Tech returns to playing football on the weekends as they’ll host Jacksonville State on Saturday. The Gamecocks are 4-and-0 and they are led by Tre Stewart, who has 914 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie says Stewart will be tough to stop…

Cut 16 (14) “….on defense.” 

Tech enters the game with a 3-and-5 record, 2-and-3 in Conference USA. Cumbie and the Bulldogs are trying to win their final four games to finish with a winning record…

Cut 17 (11) “…our football team.”

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A big key for LSU this Saturday when they face Alabama is to keep Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe from beating the Tigers with his legs. In last year’s game against LSU, he rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns. And  two weeks ago in a loss to Texas A&M, LSU couldn’t stop a running quarterback. Bama coach Kalen DeBoer expects LSU will be prepared…

Cut 18 (17)   “…their best.”

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The Darren Rizzi era for the Saints is underway. The Saints held their first practice today led by their new interim head coach after Dennis Allen was fired. Rizzi, who was the special teams coordinator, says the new role will take a little getting used to.

Cut 19 (15) “…the same page.”  

Rizzi was selected to be the interim head coach, in part because of the relationships he has built with the players, including Quarterback Derek Carr.

Cut 20 (17) “…to your face.”

Rizzi, Carr and the rest of the Saints will try to snap a seven-game losing streak Sunday against the Falcons. Kickoff at the Superdome is at noon.

Governor Landry opened a special session on tax reform by making the case that the state’s current tax code is the reason why Louisiana ranks last on so many lists. Landry says change is desperately needed…

Cut 10 (13) “…state back.”

It’s now possible that Hurricane Rafael could miss the U.S. altogether. The original forecast track had Rafael turning north and heading straight towards Louisiana. But LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that has now changed.

Cut 7 (15) “…a northwesterly track.”

Rafael made landfall in Cuba this evening as a Category Three hurricane.

Stock markets rose sharply after Donald Trump won re-election last night to a second non-consecutive term. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

If you have an EBT card, the Department of Children and Family Services is urging you to change your PIN immediately. This, after several skimming devices were discovered at various retail locations across the state. DCFS says as a precaution, it’s sending text alerts to cardholders, urging them to change the PINs right away. Local and federal authorities are investigating the incidents.