A small business group is reacting to Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The American Red Cross of Louisiana needs disaster shelter volunteers for national disaster relief efforts focusing on Hurricane Helen’s recovery.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A small business group is reacting to the tax reform plan that Governor Landry outlined in his news conference yesterday. Part of his plan would be to tax services that hadn’t previously been taxed, in an effort to make up for any shortfall caused by lowering or eliminating income taxes. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would present a challenge for small business owners.

Cut 3 (09) “…business sometimes doesn’t.”

Long gives an example of how a small business owner would be affected.

Cut 4 (09) “…deal with that.”

Long says while lowering personal income taxes is certainly a good thing, it shouldn’t be done at the expense of small business owners.

Cut 5 (05) “…small business owners.”

The special session to tackle Landry’s tax reform plan is expected to get underway next month.

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The American Red Cross of Louisiana is urgently seeking volunteers to support emergency shelters for national disaster relief efforts, with a focus on Hurricane Helene’s recovery. Regional CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles says candidates must complete training and commit to a two-week deployment. Those with management, organizational, or supervision skills are encouraged to apply.

Cut 6 (08) “…skills as well.”

St. Charles emphasizes volunteers’ vital role, who comprise 90% of the Red Cross workforce. During disasters, they provide necessities and support services in shelters.

Cut 7 (12) “…in those communities.”

Currently, over 1,000 responders are deployed across 10 states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. St. Charles emphasized more than 2,500 people are in 82 emergency shelters, with needs expected to grow as more areas become accessible.

Cut 8 (12) “…can really help.”

Visit red-cross-dot-org to learn how you can volunteer.

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Governor Landry signs an executive order requesting that the Board of Regents make recommendations on improving free speech on po-secondary public college campuses. In a speech at LSU, Landry says some students feel that they’re not at liberty to freely discuss their beliefs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…with this country.”

Landry noted that at several college campuses across the country, conservative personalities, including Charlie Kirk, Riley Gaines, Allen West and others have been, in his word, cancelled because of their viewpoints – and he says that’s wrong.

Cut 10 (12) “…rather than indoctrinated.”

Landry says his executive order asks the Board of Regents to clearly establish a free speech policy.

Cut 11 (11) “…not consistently changing.”

Landry’s event was held in conjunction with the school’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.

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A major component of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan is lowering the state’s income tax rate. The highest tax rate in Louisiana is 4.25 percent for workers who earn 50-thousand dollars or more. Landry is proposing a flat three-percent tax for everyone who earns above $12,500

Cut 12 (07) “…income tax.”

Anyone who makes less than $12,500 dollars would not pay any income taxes.

The governor says the state’s ranking with the Tax Foundation is getting worse and if this tax reform plan is approved, it would move Louisiana into the Top 10. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says that will help Louisiana compete with other southern states for jobs

Cut 13 (07) “…this plan.” 

To offset the loss of revenue from lower income taxes, the Landry administration is proposing to expand the sales tax base. Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says they are looking at several services that are currently not taxed…

Cut 14 (06) “…for example.”

TV Streaming services is another service that could potentially face a state tax under this plan.

A small business group is expressing concern about the effects that Governor Landry’s tax reform plan will have on small businesses. Landry’s plan calls for drastically reducing income taxes and making up for the lost revenue by taxing services like lawn care and pet grooming. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would create an extra burden on those owners.

Cut 5 (05) “…small business owners.”

Currently, the highest income tax rate in Louisiana is 4.25 percent for workers who earn 50-thousand dollars or more. Landry is proposing a flat three-percent tax for everyone who earns above $12,500.

Cut 12 (07) “…income tax.”

Anyone who makes less than $12,500 dollars would not pay any income taxes.

The American Red Cross of Louisiana is urgently seeking volunteers to support emergency shelters for disaster relief efforts, with a focus on Hurricane Helene’s recovery. Regional CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles says volunteers provide necessities and support services in shelters.

Cut 7 (12) “…in those communities.”

Currently, over 1,000 responders are deployed across 10 states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.

A 16-year-old shot in Natchitoches last week has died. The teen was shot last Tuesday evening in a subdivision. Detectives intercepted a private vehicle rushing the teen to the hospital and drive the teen the rest of the way. Investigators found more than 40 bullet casings at the scene. The shooters left by the time they arrived; and so far, no arrests have been made.

A small business group is reacting to the tax reform plan that Governor Landry outlined in his news conference yesterday. Part of his plan would be to tax services that hadn’t previously been taxed, in an effort to make up for any shortfall caused by lowering or eliminating income taxes. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would present a challenge for small business owners.

Cut 4 (09) “…deal with that.”

Landry, meanwhile, signed an executive order requesting that the Board of Regents make recommendations on improving free speech on po-secondary public college campuses. In a speech at LSU, Landry says some students feel that they’re not at liberty to freely discuss their beliefs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…with this country.”

The American Red Cross of Louisiana needs disaster shelter volunteers for relief efforts focusing on Hurricane Helene’s recovery.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A toddler is among two people killed in a mobile home fire in Catahoula Parish this morning. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says firefighters learned that there were eight people in the home at the time and that a man and the toddler were trapped inside and were unable to escape. Unfortunately, they did not survive. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

In the next two years, Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, now the challenge begins. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is again expressing his desire to see a live Tiger in Tiger Stadium. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs in a two year period, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. However, the upcoming presidential election will likely affect the economic outlook, according to Economist Loren Scott’s latest Louisiana Economic Forecast…

Cut 4 (10) “…areas of the state.”

Scott views the November election as “highly consequential” for Lake Charles’ economy, given the contrasting positions of the candidates on fossil fuels, which are critical to the state’s industries like chemical manufacturing and LNG exports. Any regulatory changes could significantly affect utility costs and economic growth.

Cut 5 (08) “…but have not.”

Scott says Shreveport and Monroe area is ripe for data centers, due to the area’s access to reliable electric power and open spaces…

Cut 6 (10) …600 new jobs.”

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Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, what are its chances of passing in the legislature? Jeremy Alfred, the publisher of LaPolitics Weekly, says now Landry’s task is to gain enough support from the legislature.

Cut 7 (13) “…from Governor Jeff Landry.”

Park of Landry’s plan is to eliminate certain tax breaks and tax incentives as a way of making up for the revenue lost through cutting personal and business income taxes across the board. Alfred says that might be a hard sell.

Cut 8 (09) “…much larger businesses.”

Alfred says those business groups will have their lobbyists out in full force as the legislature considers changes to their tax breaks.

Cut 9 (11)  “…their own turf.”

Alfred says even though Landry is a conservative Republican and Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature, getting this tax reform plan passed is not a foregone conclusion.

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The Governor wants to see a live Tiger in Tiger Stadium. Governor Landry made his desire known again Tuesday to mixed reaction on LSU’s campus.

Cut 10 (08) “…(crowd cheering).”

Landry didn’t specifically ask for Mike VII to be brought into the stadium, saying only “a tiger.” In 2017, LSU agreed it would not take the new tiger, Mike VII, into the stadium on game days.

Landry has received push-back from animal rights groups and some veterinarians but he says Tigers in sanctuaries live much better lives that those in the wild.

Cut 11 (09) “…academically and athletically.”

Landry reminisced about Mike VI who died in 2016 after the tiger’s cancer returned…

Cut 12 (10) “…(clapping).”

LSU has said that responsible care for live exotic animals has evolved throughout the years.

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Starting January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage of the inmates and their families.

Cut 13 (13)  “…had somebody incarcerated.”

Campbell says until the FCC stepped in and established the maximum per-minute rate, sheriffs had no motivation to make any changes themselves.

Cut 14 (06) “…run the jail.”

Campbell says sheriffs were motivated by just one thing.

Cut 15 (10) “…G-R-E-E-D, greed.”

The upcoming change comes after Congress unanimously passed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, named after the crusading grandmother of an inmate in Virginia. Along with setting rates, the act added intrastate calls to the FCC’s jurisdiction over interstate calls.

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Training camp is underway for the New Orleans Pelicans. This year’s Pelicans team lacks a true big man, but general manager Bryson Graham says they make up for it, with size at the wing and guard positions…

Cut 16 (22)   “…athleticism.”

Graham says 24-year-old Zion Williamson had a great offseason and is hungry to appear in his first postseason.

Cut 17 (20) “…driving him.”

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LSU may have a bye week this week, but you wouldn’t know it by watching practice yesterday. Coach Brian Kelly said the team was on the field in full pads.

Cut 18 (12)  “…to be done.”

Kelly says the players will have some off time on Friday – but until then, practices will be intense, even though their next game isn’t for another week and a half.

Cut 19 (15) “….of this week.”  

True freshman Caden Durham had a big game last week, scoring two touchdowns, including on the first offensive play from scrimmage. He nearly had another one on the team’s second offensive play, but he was stopped a yard short of the goal line. Kelly says Durham is making the most of his opportunity.

Cut 20 (19) “…given to him” 

The SEC has announced that next Saturday’s game against Ole Miss at Death Valley will kick off at 6:30.

With Louisiana facing a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall, Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan. In a news conference at the Capitol, Landry said in order to compete economically with states like Texas and Tennessee, which have no state income tax, Louisiana needs to eliminate the income tax.

Cut 7 (10) “…free by 2033.”

Beginning today, a person could face a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison for possessing mifepristone and misoprostol without a prescription. Despite concerns from opponents, Attorney General Liz Murrill says the law includes protections for pregnant women obtaining these drugs for personal use.

Cut 11 (11) “…violating federal law.”

Union dockworkers went on strike this morning at ports across the country.  Experts say we could see similar supply chain issues like we did during Covid.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (00) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates a major milestone today – its 100th year. University President William Wainwright says there will be a special beer to celebrate the occasion.

Cut 5 (05) “…few short weeks.”

The school put on a big celebration in the Student Union breezeway, including a video message from one of its most famous alumni – Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts.

With Louisiana facing a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall, Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan. In a news conference at the Capitol, Landry said in order to compete economically with states like Texas and Tennessee, which have no state income tax, Louisiana needs to eliminate the income tax.

Cut 7 (10) “…free by 2033.”

Landry’s plan involves lowering income taxes across the board and imposing new taxes on services not previously taxed.

Beginning today, a person could face a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison for possessing mifepristone (miff-uh-PRISS-tone) and misoprostol (mize-uh-PROSS-tall) without a prescription. Opponents have expressed concern this will negatively impact the health care of pregnant women, but Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is fearmongering from the pro-abortion activists…

Cut 9 (09)  “…for women.”

Union dockworkers hit the picket lines early this morning, including those at the Port of New Orleans. The International Longshoremen’s Association is demanding better pay for workers and a complete ban on automated cranes, gates and container-moving trucks. Some 25-thousand workers at 36 ports, including New Orleans, have walked off the job.

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates a major milestone today – its 100th year. To mark the centennial, the school is putting on a big celebration in the Student Union breezeway with several speakers, along with a video message from one of its most famous alumni – Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts. University President William Wainwright says you’ll be able to drink to the milestone too!

Cut 5 (05) “…few short weeks.”

And soon, the school will award its 100-thousandth degree. The celebration was originally scheduled for the middle of September, but Hurricane Francine forced those plans to change.

Governor Landry is holding a press conference this morning to discuss tax reform. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the administration’s goal is to simplify the state’s tax code

Cut 4 (14) “…state income tax.”

Rolling Stone magazine is out with an in-depth article profiling Governor Landry. Author Lorena O’Neil refers to Landry as the most extreme governor in the country. It’s a description that ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley would stop short of.

Cut 14 (13) “…his conservatism? Absolutely.”

O’Neil says if Trump wins the election next month, he may ask Landry to join his cabinet.

A traveler reported a suspicious looking rolled up tarp on Hwy 51 in Northern Tangipahoa Parish Sunday which led authorities to a grisly discovery. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Union dockworkers hit the picket lines early this morning, including those at the Port of New Orleans. The International Longshoremen’s Association is demanding better pay for workers and a complete ban on automated cranes, gates and container-moving trucks. Some 25-thousand workers at 36 ports, including New Orleans, have walked off the job.

Governor Jeff Landry is holding a press conference today at 10 AM to discuss tax reform.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A traveler reported a suspicious looking rolled up tarp on Hwy 51 in Northern Tangipahoa Parish Sunday which led authorities to a grisly discovery. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana’s governor is featured in the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry holds a press conference today to discuss tax reform. The Landry Administration is interested in lowering the state’s income tax rate for everyone and offset the revenue loss by eliminating certain tax breaks. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the administration’s goal is to simplify the state’s tax code

Cut 4 (14) “…state income tax.”

Landry is set to provide more details at a 10 AM press conference on the fourth floor of the state capitol. Pinsonat says Louisiana residents will support a lower state income tax rate, but the tax reform plan will call for a sales tax on services that are currently not taxed and the elimination of certain tax breaks

Cut 5 (06) “…some.”

Pinsonat says the Landry Administration is eying a November special session on tax reform. He says it’s an issue that will be difficult for the public to understand, but the governor will make the case that it needs to be done to improve Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 6 (11) …tied to that.”

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America has its first centenarian president, as Jimmy Carter turns 100 years old today. Carter was elected as the 39th president in 1976 and served a single term in office from 1977 to 1981. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell served in the Louisiana State Senate during Carter’s presidency.

Cut 7 (07) “…not serving himself.”

Carter is viewed by many to be America’s greatest ex-president through his work with Habitat for Humanity and other humanitarian causes, including fighting disease all over the world.

Cut 8 (13) “…cured night blindness.”

Campbell says even after Carter ascended to the top of the political mountain in the 1970s, he never forgot or abandoned his roots.

Cut 9 (08)  “…in Plains, Georgia.”

Carter taught Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains up until a few years ago, when his health prevented him from continuing to do so. Not only does Carter have the longest lifespan of anyone who ever served as President, but he also has the longest post-presidential retirement at almost 44 years and counting.

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The body of a Baton Rouge man was found rolled in a tarp on the side of Highway 51 between Fluker and the Village of Tangipahoa Sunday morning. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff, Gerald Sticker says the man identified as 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham was a victim of homicide by blunt force trauma…

Cut 10 (08) “…our end.”

Sticker says they do not believe Abraham was killed where his body was found due to the way it was wrapped. He says they are working their way back from the discovery scene to determine where the heinous crime occurred and find those responsible.

Cut 11 (10) “…up to his death.”

A passerby traveling along the highway first reported a suspicious looking rolled-up tarp on the side of a rural part of Hwy 51. Sticker says the highway parallels I-55 from Manchac to Mississippi but there are only a few houses and businesses near where Abraham was found…

Cut 12 (10) “…our victim’s body.”

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Rolling Stone magazine is out with an in-depth article profiling Governor Landry, In it, author Lorena O’Neil details his moves that she says is taking Louisiana to the far right. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley read the article and says O’Neil’s portrayal is accurate.

Cut 13 (14)  “…State of Louisiana”

O’Neil outlined the moves Landry has made in his first year in office that has garnered national headlines, including signing a bill to require the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms, criminalizing medications used in abortions and allowing surgical castration for certain sex crimes against minors. The story calls Landry the most extreme governor in the country, a notion that Stockley says he would stop short of.

Cut 14 (13) “…his conservatism? Absolutely.”

O’Neil goes on to say that if Trump wins the election next month that he may ask Landry to join his cabinet. Although Landry has stated that he intends to serve as Governor of Louisiana, Stockley says he could see Landry bolting for Trump’s cabinet.

Cut 15 (14) “…to the wayside.”

And Stockley agrees with O’Neil that he could see Landry make a run for the White House one day.

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The Ragin Cajuns won a wild game over Wake Forest on Saturday, beating the Demon Deacons 41 to 38. Coach Michael Desormeaux is glad to see his team win a tight game

Cut 16 (16)   “…we did.”

The 3-and-1 Cajuns are at 1-and-3 Southern Miss this Saturday.

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LSU has this Saturday off, giving the Tigers an extra week to improve before their much anticipated clash with Ole Miss on the night of October 12th. Coach Brian Kelly has been rotating several players in at safety, but now it’s time to pick two or three guys and let them be the guys to lead the back end of the defense…

Cut 17 (13) “…should be starting.”

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The Saints are two and two and in both losses New Orleans could not hold on to a late lead. The Saints are 8-and-14 in score games under coach Dennis Allen. Allen stuck with a man to man defense in both cases, instead of going zone. Allen defended the decision when he met with reporters on Monday…

Cut 18 (19)  “…play defense.”

The Saints are at Kansas City on Monday.

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ULM is 3-and-1 after hard fought 13 to nine win over Troy on Saturday. Coach Bryant Vincent likes the identity of his team…

Cut 19 (19) “….around”  

The Warhawks will host undefeated James Madison in what is one of the biggest games at Malone Stadium in years. Vincent says it should be a special night in Monroe on Saturday night…

Cut 20 (20) “…it’s now” 

Kick-off is at 6 PM.

There’s the possibility of another named storm in the Gulf of Mexico this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Hurricane Center is watching a disorganized area of low pressure in the western Caribbean that has a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. There’s the possibility of this potential storm following a similar path as Hurricane Helene, but Keim says it’s way too early to tell.

Cut 7 (12) “…all over the place.”

Speaking of Helene, the Louisiana Fire Service has been mobilized to support rescue and recovery operations in South Carolina following that storm. Baton Rouge Fire Chief Mike Kimble says teams with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal have thoroughly built a robust unit to support emergency responses nationwide.

Cut 5 (08) “…as we speak.”

A young child is killed in a crash in Claiborne Parish. Trooper Eddie Thomas says 31-year-old Jordan Burton of Homer drove her SUV across the center line on Highway 146, crashing into a pickup, killing a five-year-old and seriously injuring a ten-year-old. Thomas says impairment appears to be a factor.

Cut 13 (12) “…investigation.” 

Thomas says neither child was properly restrained; Thomas says had they been properly restrained, the five-year-old likely would have survived.

Nearly every Louisianian is waiting with baited breath on potential word of a special session on insurance reform. Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, cautions that it’s not as easy as the legislature telling insurance carriers to lower their rates – the only way that can happen is by having companies offer competitive quotes – and he says the way to do that is to make Louisiana a more attractive state to do business.

A 5-year-old was killed and a ten-year-old injured in a crash in Claiborne Parish over the weekend. State Trooper Eddie Thomas says 31-year-old Jordan Burton of Homer crossed the centerline on Highway 146, hitting another vehicle.

Cut 12 (08) “…local hospital.”

While toxicology test results are still pending, Thomas says it appears that Burton was impaired at the time of the crash.

Will there be a special session on insurance reform? That’s what nearly every Louisianian saddled with sky-high auto and property insurance rates wants to know. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee ,cautions that there’s almost nothing that the legislature can do to lower your insurance rates.

Cut 10 (11) “…a competitive quote.”

Here we go again – we’re keeping an eye on the tropics for another potential storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Fire Service is mobilized to support rescue and recovery operations in South Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Baton Rouge Fire Chief Mike Kimble says teams with the Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal have built a robust unit capable of urban rescue and swift water rescue.

Cut 5 (08) “…as we speak.”

The teams arrived last week.