Louisiana lawmakers have delayed a vote on a sales tax bill within Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. The package aims to cut around $2 billion in income and corporate taxes but has faced opposition over a proposed sales tax expansion on services like lawn care, tattoos, and coin-operated laundries. This tax would raise an estimated $500 million to offset the lost revenue from the tax cuts. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says resistance in the House has cast doubt on the bill’s future, as 70 votes are needed for passage.

Cut 10 (12) “…be a tough sell.”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is set to visit the UK to promote Louisiana spices, meet agricultural officials, and tour farms and other agricultural sites noting their export with the top being…

Cut 7 (05) “…a few other things.”

If you owe a delinquent debt to the Office of Motor Vehicles, there’s relief in store for you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the St. Tammany Collectors Convention is happening in Mandeville Saturday and Sunday at the Castine (CAST-een) Center. Convention owner and director Ben Robert (RO-BEAR) says there will be about 150 vendors.

Cut 13 (11)  “…type stuff”

A Wednesday evening vehicle pursuit  that began in Ascension Parish with Gonzales Police and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office ended with a tragic murder-suicide in St. James Parish. A preliminary state police investigation revealed that after the pursuit ended it was discovered that the fleeing driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, then a 1-year-old child who was a passenger was found to have suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited a Southwest man for alleged hunter harassment in Vermilion Parish. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says this citation followed a complaint filed on October 24 by a resident of Gueydan (Gay-daan), who reported that 71-year-old Ernest Patin (pa-tan) had repeatedly fired a shotgun and revved an ATV while the resident was deer hunting.

Cut 10 (05) “…other disputes.”

Hunter harassment carries a fine of up to $350.

As the Republicans retain control of the House, Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson was unanimously elected as speaker of the 119th Congress.  In a news conference, Johnson said House Republicans are unified in working on their agenda for the American people.

Cut 3 (14) “…of all that.”

In 2023, Louisiana’s private sector reported 19 thousand nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down from 21 thousand in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen (sha-o-wen) attributed these improvements to employer and worker commitment to safety. She highlighted the state’s achievement as a standard for further progress in creating safe work environments.

Cut 8 (08) “…in the future.”

House Republicans have unanimously selected Shreveport-area Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the 119th Congress.  LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow (SAD-ow) says it’s no surprise that Johnson was voted unanimously by his fellow Republicans as speaker.

Cut 5 (08) “…the Republican Party.” 

In 2023, Louisiana’s private sector reported 9 thousand nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down from 21 thousand in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen says Louisiana had the lowest incidence rate among 41 participating states, second only to the District of Columbia.

Cut 7 (07) “…injuries and illness.”

Schowen attributed these improvements to employer and worker commitment to safety.

A Vermilion Parish man was cited by LDWF for Hunter Harassment.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston returns to the Superdome this Sunday when the Black and Gold host the Cleveland Browns. Winston spent four seasons in New Orleans and signed with Cleveland as a free agent. Safety Tyrann Mathieu is looking forward to the reunion…

Cut 16 (14) “…up there”

A Wednesday evening vehicle pursuit with Gonzales Police and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office that began in Ascension Parish ended with a tragic murder-suicide in St. James Parish. A preliminary state police investigation revealed that after the pursuit ended it was discovered that the fleeing driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, then a 1-year-old child who was a passenger was found to have suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

A 71-year-old Gueydan man faces a fine for Hunter Harassment. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent cited Ernest Patin (pa-tan) after complaints that he repeatedly fired a shotgun and revved an ATV while the resident was deer hunting. LDWF Sgt. Justin Sonnier says Patin admitted his actions were meant to scare deer away from his neighbor’s hunting area due to a personal dispute. Sonnier urges people to cooperate with neighbors so we can all enjoy Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise.

Cut 12 (08) “…someone else’s day”

Control of the House remains with the Republicans and the current speaker remains as speaker. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana’s private sector had the lowest incidence rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses out of 41 reporting states. The private-sector incidence rate declined across several industries from 2022 to 2023. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susan Schowen (sha-o-win) says this was a concerted effort across all industries…

Cut 9 (08)  “…very seriously.”

The Louisiana House will debate the benefits and drawbacks of the Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan as the House Ways & Means Committee approved several bills central to the plan including lowering corporate income tax rates to 3.5%. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says all signs point to the bills passing.

Cut 6 (10) “…be so certain.”

The decision to have a live tiger in Death Valley before the LSU hosted Alabama was not without controversy. The tiger, named Omar Bradley, was wheeled out onto the field about 15 minutes prior to kickoff and was wheeled out a few minutes later and was about two miles from the stadium by the time the team took the field to pyrotechnics. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator said Omar appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Cut 9 (14)  “…was very startled.”

Saturday night’s loss to Alabama was the worst loss the LSU Tigers have suffered since Brian Kelly took over as head coach. There are concerns among the fan base on whether Kelly can make the Tigers a championship contender. Kelly says despite the loss to Alabama, this is a program headed in the right direction…

Cut 17 (17) “…have here” 

The high school football playoff brackets are out and there are 208 schools who have visions of making it to the state championship game. In Division One select, Edna Karr and Alexandria Senior High are the top two seeds, but LHSAA Network reporter Spencer Verrett (veh-RET) says there are three schools from the Lafayette area that could play in the prep Classic…

Cut 14 (14) “…Acadiana.”

After LSU brought a live tiger into Tiger Stadium Saturday, PETA is questioning the legality of bringing the animal from Florida to Louisiana.  PETA claimed in a press release that it was illegal, since the tiger’s owner, Mitchel Kalmanson of Maitland, Florida, did not have a specific exemption. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator has been following this story.

Cut 8 (09) “…into what happened.”

LSU has not yet commented.

The Louisiana House Ways & Means Committee approved several bills central to Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform agenda, moving them to the House floor for further debate. Key elements include reducing corporate income tax to 3.5-percent and repealing the state’s corporate franchise tax. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says supporters believe eliminating this tax will attract more businesses to the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…population exodus.”

The high school football playoffs kick off Friday and the division one brackets are loaded with great teams. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Members of the trucking industry are leaving Louisiana on a weekly and monthly basis says Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Renee Amar (AY-mar). She says among their concerns are soaring insurance premiums, lawsuit abuse and medical costs.

Cut 12 (10) “…up on us.”

Other concerns include the economy, driver shortages, fuel prices and driver distraction.

The Louisiana House Ways & Means Committee approved several bills central to Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform agenda, moving them to the House floor for further debate. Key elements include a corporate income tax rate of 3.5-percent, which would replace the current 7.5%.  Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the question becomes how do we replace that revenue?

Cut 4 (15) “…talking about 70.”

Concerns including soaring insurance premiums are driving truckers out of Louisiana says Renee Amar (AY-mar), Executive Director of The Louisiana Motor Transport Association.

Cut 11 (09) “…and monthly basis.”

Other concerns include the economy, driver shortages, fuel prices and driver distraction.

The spectacle is over, but questions about the tiger brought into Death Valley linger on. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says lack of consistency is what sticks out the most after breaking down the tape of Saturday night’s 42-13 loss to Alabama. The loss to the Crimson Tide likely knocked the Tigers out of playoff contention, but Kelly says the focus for his team the rest of the way is to be more consistent

Cut 16 (08) “….important thing.” 

Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform agenda gets approval from the House Ways and Means committee and moves to the House Floor for debate.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association is out with its biggest current concerns for the trucking industry. Executive Director Renee Amar (AY-mar) says at the top of the list is soaring insurance premiums.

Cut 10 (08) “…next year’s vehicles.”

The live tiger spectacle at Death Valley came and went, but many questions remain – including who paid to import the tiger into Louisiana from Florida. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator has been following this story since she broke it last Thursday, and she says she’s been told that no public money was used.

Cut 7 (09) “…the governor’s spokesperson.”

LSU has not yet commented.

The high school football playoff brackets are out and there are 208 schools who have visions of making it to the state championship game. LHSAA Network reporter Spencer Verrett (veh-RET) says the division four select bracket, which has Vermilion Catholic as the top seed, looks extremely tough…

Cut 13 (12)  “…get to the dome.”

In Division One select, Edna Karr and Alexandria Senior High are the top two seeds.

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 House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that slashes the corporate income tax from 7.5 to 3.5 percent, but it means some popular tax breaks would go away. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints snapped a seven-game losing streak yesterday and running back Alvin Kamara became the team’s all-time leading rusher. He says it’s a huge honor…

Cut 14 (07) “…in New Orleans.”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved components of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan that would lower the corporate income tax. The legislation also eliminates tax credits for the film industry, digital media, software companies, and those involved in the renovation of historic buildings. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson argued these tax credits are not bringing more jobs to the state….

Cut 5 (10) “…not working.” (2x) 

I-20 westbound traffic in Bossier City is transitioning into Phase 3 of its rehabilitation project. Starting tonight, I-20 westbound from I-220 to the Airline Drive interchange will close nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. On Saturday, traffic will shift to new travel lanes from I-220 to Airline Drive, with the remainder of the shift extending toward Hamilton Road in the following weeks. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan…

Cut 10 (08) “…the right place.”

Apparently, many Louisianans are owed money. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Darren Rizzi was a winner in his first game as a head coach in the NFL. Rizzi helped lead New Orleans to a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons to end a seven-game losing streak. Rizzi received a game ball during the postgame locker room celebration, but he says everyone in the organization deserves a game ball…

Cut 12 (11) “…heard a complaint.”