Flying with some of your Thanksgiving feast is possible but you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says if it can be sprayed, smeared, or poured, it will have to be in checked baggage but there are items you can take in your carry-on.

Cut 11 (08) “…fresh fruit.”

International flights have other restrictions.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says having a post office named after her late husband in his home community is a meaningful tribute to his dedication to public service and his enduring impact on Louisiana.

Cut 14 (09) “…who Luke was.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the new tax reform package is transformative. And She says good riddance to the franchise tax.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax was dramatic.”

Bourgeois says simplifying the tax code is attractive for re-investment and new investment.

There are a few things to consider when making a choice between a real or artificial Christmas tree. Co-owner of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish, Kevin Steele Sr.  says one thing to consider is artificial trees are made from PVC, which generates pollution during production and is challenging to recycle. In contrast, real Christmas trees are a renewable resource.

Cut 7 (08) “…and it’s biodegradable.”

The newly passed tax reform package is a game-changer, says Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois. She says it positions Louisiana more competitively to take advantage of everything Louisiana offers.

Cut 5 (13) “…years and generations.”

President Biden has designated the Rayville Post Office on Benedette Street as the Luke Letlow Post Office commemorating the life and legacy of the congressman-elect, who passed away from COVID-19 complications in 2020, days before being sworn into office.  His widow, Congresswoman Julia Letlow…

Cut 13 (11)  “…finding connections.”

If you’re planning on flying with food this Thanksgiving holiday, there are some important things you’ll need to know. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Whether you put your Christmas tree up early or leave it up till January 6^th, it’s time to choose a real fragrant tree or a convenient artificial. Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm Co-Owner Kevin Steele Sr. says by choosing a locally grown tree over an artificial one you’re not just making a sustainable choice for the planet, but creating memories…

Cut 8 (10) “…the memories we’re creating.”

Two bills have been approved by the Louisiana Legislature to make temporary pay raises for public K-12 teachers and support staff permanent, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment in March. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill, requires school districts to use the savings created by eliminating the retirement debt payment in Emerson’s Bill to fund the permanent raise.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the local side.”

After three seasons, McNeese Football’s head coach Gary Goff has been fired. He was 10-and-23 and had one year left on his contract. He arrived in Lake Charles in 2022 after leading Valdosta State to the Division Two national championship game in 2021. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says despite inheriting a program that was not in good shape, he didn’t win enough games fast enough

Cut 14 (12) “…up to that.”

Business groups are applauding the tax reform package approved by the legislature in the just-ended special session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Starting January 1^st, Governor Jeff Landry says the state’s three-tiered income tax system will be replaced by a flat three-percent tax and the standard deduction will be increased to $12,500 in 2026.

Cut 9 (11)  “…working poor.”

The special legislative session is done and starting January 1st, most Louisiana residents will pay lower income taxes as the new 3 percent flat tax and $12,500 standard deduction becomes effective. In exchange, the state sales tax rate will increase to five percent. But Governor Landry says in the end, Louisiana residents will pay less taxes…

Cut 10 (15) “…against you.”

Will Green, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says Louisiana’s lower income tax rate will make it a more attractive state for people to move.

Cut 5 (08) “…jobs and talent.”

Legislation to make temporary pay raises for K-12 teachers and support staff permanent passed, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment. The legislation allocates funds from protected education trusts to reduce nearly $2 billion in teacher retirement system debt. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala (back-a-la) says this free up around $287 million annually for local school districts, enabling a $2,000 raise for teachers and $1,000 for support staff.

Cut 6 (12) “…give pay raises.”

Head coach Gary Goff didn’t win enough football games at McNeese and after three seasons he was fired today. The Cowboys went six and six this season after failing to win a game on the field last year. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says there were many who thought Goff won enough games this season to keep his job…

Cut 12 (06) “…little surprised.”

Business groups are hailing the tax reform package passed last week. Will Green, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says thanks to the reform, Louisiana’s corporate income tax rate is lower than those in neighboring states.

Cut 4 (11) “…and for talent.”

Governor Landry says Louisiana is made more competitive and can attract more jobs and higher wages because of the reforms including the elimination of the corporate franchise tax on businesses. He believes this special session fulfills a campaign promise of growing Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 11 (14) “…Louisiana home.”

Two bills have been approved by the Louisiana Legislature to make temporary pay raises for public K-12 teachers and support staff permanent, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment in March.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisianans are spending less than other state residents for their Thanksgiving dinner this year. A classic turkey dinner with vegetables, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie costs just under 46 dollars compared to the cost for the rest of the country at just over 58 dollars. The American Farm Bureau reports Grocery prices have dropped for the second year in a row, but they are still historically high.

Louisiana lawmakers have approved a tax reform package that will result in lower income taxes for working individuals, but a higher state sales tax rate. The film tax credit program has been capped at 125-million dollars, down from 150 million. Legislators also voted to repeal the corporate franchise tax. Senator Franklin Foil says this tax penalized businesses

Cut 14 (07) “…concerned.”

The tax section of Louisiana’s constitution has also been changed, which will require voter approval in March.

Today is the first day of Early voting for the December seventh election. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says turnout is expected to be low, which would be unfortunate since everyone will have something on their ballot…

Cut 4 (10) “…big mayor’s race”

Early voting will continue through November 30^th, but polls will be closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and next Friday.

As the proposed five-billion-dollar Meta A-I Data Center near Monroe gets closer to final approval, it is receiving some pushback. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 26 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being shot by a patient at a psychiatric treatment facility. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says there was a disturbance between the patient and hospital employees, and the patient started fighting with a deputy who was trying to de-escalate the situation.

Cut 9 (12)  “…shot the suspect.”

Both were taken to hospitals. The deputy was treated and released. The psychiatric patient remains hospitalized

A disturbance at a psychiatric treatment facility led to a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy and a patient being shot. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says while the deputy was trying to de-escalate the situation, the patient started fighting obtaining the deputy’s weapon and shooting the deputy in the leg. Another deputy then returned fire hitting the patient. They were both taken to hospitals.

Cut 10 (11) “…of this time.”

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

A prison escapee’s run for freedom comes to an end. 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail back on May 16th; and on Wednesday, he was arrested at an apartment complex in Hammond. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says deputies were executing a search warrant in connection with a shooting at another apartment complex.

Cut 6 (06) “…with a gun.”

Louisiana lawmakers have approved a tax reform package that will result in lower income taxes for working individuals, but a higher state sales tax rate. The individual income tax rate would be a flat three percent. Even though the state sales tax rate will increase from 4.45 percent to five percent for the next five years, most Democrats also supported the tax code overhaul. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux is the Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus

Cut 13 (12)  “…additional adjustments.”

The film tax credit program has been capped at 125-million dollars, down from 150-million and Legislators also voted to repeal the corporate franchise tax.

Early voting is underway in the December 7th election. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says what’s unique about this early voting period is that it goes straight through Thanksgiving; and as such, there are some days when the polls will be closed.

Cut 3 (11) “…their voice heard.”

Early voting ends Saturday, November 30th.

The state Legislature has approved a major change to Louisiana’s tax laws, which will result in a cut in income taxes in exchange for higher sales taxes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Early voting is underway in the December 7th election. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says the Baton Rouge mayor’s race may be the highest profile runoff race, but it’s not the only high-profile item on the ballot.

Cut 5 (08) “…debt amount.”

Early voting ends Saturday, November 30th.

A prison escapee who was serving time for armed robbery has been recaptured. 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail back on May 16^th. He was found Wednesday, hiding in a Hammond apartment. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says during his six months on the lam, Cyprian was traveling in and out of Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “…some family there.”

And Sticker says Cyprian was likely committing several crimes in Dallas while he was there.

A Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot in the leg when a patient disarmed him while he was trying to de-escalate a disturbance at a psychiatric treatment facility. The Patient was shot, and both were taken to the hospital. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says this could have ended much worse for everyone involved.

Cut 11 (03) “…injured too bad.”

The patient remains hospitalized. The deputy was treated and released. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

A Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being shot by a patient at a psychiatric treatment facility. Tommy Carnline with the sheriff’s office says there was a disturbance between the patient and hospital employees, and the patient started fighting with a deputy who was trying to de-escalate the situation.

Cut 9 (12)  “…shot the suspect.”

Both were taken to hospitals. The deputy was treated and released. The psychiatric patient remains hospitalized

He escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail 6 months ago but Jamarcus Cyprian is back behind bars. He was discovered Wednesday hiding in a closet in Hammond. He was serving time for armed robbery and Sheriff Gerald Sticker says while out, Cyprian was traveling in and out of Louisiana likely committing crimes in Dallas. He adds, Cyprian was going to great lengths to change his appearance.

Cut 7 (07) “…of his hair.”

Early voting is underway in the December 7th election. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The tax reform package is heading to the governor’s desk after the house approved it today. Working individuals will see lower income taxes, but a higher state sales tax rate. The individual income tax rate would be a flat three-percent rate. The standard deduction would triple $12,500 dollars. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says this tax change will help grow the economy…

Cut 12 (06) “…in this state.”

The state sales tax rate will go up from 4.45 percent to five percent for the next five years.

A deadly midday shooting in the French Quarter has left one person is dead, and 3 others injured. New Orleans Police Superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick says they have video showing a vehicle driving up to a group and opening fire.

Cut 16 (13) “…person of interest.”

The shooting occurred around 12:30 at the intersection of Iberville and Royal streets.

Alexandria International Airport hopes to lure United Airlines back using one-million dollars from the Small Community Air Service Development Program. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says they will ask United to operate three daily non-stop flights to and from Houston. He says United returning to Alexandria will benefit passengers.

Cut 14 (05) “…other two airlines.”

American and Delta are the other two airlines that fly out of Alexandria.

A Louisiana congressman will be sleeping outside tonight to shed light on a growing problem. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The December 7 election includes four constitutional amendments addressing judicial ethics, legislative budgeting, and property tax processes. Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure, and giving the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges…

Cut 3 (12) “…Judiciary Committee.”