Louisiana lawmakers are looking to cut taxes for oil producers with a package of bills that would bring the state’s tax code in line with those of neighboring states.  It passed through the house easily on Thursday but could face opposition in the Senate as some are questioning the long-term financial impact to the state.  One bill would cut the severance tax rate on crude oil taken from new wells nearly in half. Louisiana’s severance tax is the highest in the country and hasn’t changed since 1973.

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

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A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he’s proud to represent Louisiana and being the first in may categories for this role.

Cut 11 (11) “…from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans and reflected on her dreams of entertaining, despite feeling impostor syndrome.

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit makes a huge drug bust. Major Tommy Carnline

Cut 3 (11) “…subsequent arrest.”

31-year old Dequavious Wagner is facing multiple charges. The street value of the drugs confiscated is estimated at up to one and a half million dollars.

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year.  The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

Speaking of wins, the LSU baseball Tiers won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning for the second time this season as they outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a headfirst slide into home. Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

The Saints have signed six of their nine draft picks, including offensive lineman Kelvin Banks who’s reportedly inked a four-year deal, worth almost 28 million dollars. New Orleans is holding a rookie minicamp this weekend.

The FBI said Tuesday that it continues to believe that the man who slammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day acted alone.  That’s despite new reports that Iraqi officials arrested an alleged ISIS member for inciting the attack. In a statement, the agency said yesterday though the investigation is ongoing, they believe Shamsud Din-Jabbar acted alone in carrying out the attack that left 14 people dead and injured dozens.

A man who has spent more than a quarter century on death row in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s nearly two-year-old daughter has had his first-degree murder conviction thrown out.  Jimmie Duncan was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1993 death of little Haley Oliveaux. Richard Webster, who’s been covering the story for ProPublica, says Duncan’s conviction was due in large part to testimony experts now say is junk science.

Cut 8 (14) “…to Jimmie Duncan.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is hailing the 17-and-a-half-billion-dollar investment that Woodside Energy Group is making in Louisiana. The Australian-based company announced yesterday that it is putting up a greenfield liquified natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish. Cassidy says this is the first greenfield LNG export facility to advance since President Trump rolled back the Biden administration’s pause on LNG export permits.

Cut 13 (14)  “…celebrate 100 days.”

Amtrak will launch a new intercity train service, the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, this summer, running twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. The trains will offer scenic travel with morning and evening departures. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the service aims to boost tourism, improve regional connectivity, and support local economies.

Cut 15 (12) “…from Baton Rouge.”

Amtrak is getting set to launch the Mardi Gras Service running twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is hailing the 17-and-a-half-billion-dollar investment that Woodside Energy Group is making in Louisiana saying it will bring thousands of new jobs to Calcasieu Parish.

Cut 11 (11) “…year once operational.”

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A bill that would ban the sale of kratom has been approved and moves to the Senate floor. David Lebrano supports the bill and spoke to the dangers of the drug.  Lebrano’s son died from an apparent kratom overdose, and he hopes to prevent others from experiencing this pain.

Cut 5 (11) “…gas station, headshops, anywhere.”

But some critics say the ban will hurt those who use the product medicinally to help manage pain.  Adam Peak who owns Bella Sunrise Smoke Shop, says kratom has been a net positive, helping with overcoming addiction to other drugs and alcohol.

Cut 7 (11) “…an issue of kratom.”

A first-degree murder conviction against a death-row inmate has been thrown out. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The FBI said Tuesday that it continues to believe that the man who slammed a truck into revelers on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day acted alone.  That’s despite new reports that Iraqi officials arrested an alleged ISIS member for inciting the attack. In a statement, the agency said yesterday though the investigation is ongoing, they believe Shamsud Din-Jabbar acted alone in carrying out the attack that left 14 people dead and injured dozens.

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A bill that would ban the sale of kratom was approved and moves to the Senate floor. Senate Bill 154 is authored by Monroe Republican Jay Morris.

Cut 4 (12) “…and to individuals.”

Proponents of the bill say kratom is dangerous and deadly but others say a ban on the drug would hurt others who use the product medicinally and help manage pain.

Australian-based Woodside Energy Group has announced a 17-and-a-half-billion-dollar investment building a greenfield liquified natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish. The news comes as several other major companies have committed to huge Louisiana investments. Senator Bill Cassidy

Cut 12 (11) “…can be brighter.”

Big night for the LSU baseball Tigers as they came back from a 3 to nothing deficit in true Tiger fashion, scoring six runs in the 9^th inning to take down Tennessee. Coach Jay Johnson on the Jared Jones three run homer that clinched it.

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

Today is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The conviction of a Louisiana Death Row inmate was set aside this week by a Ouachita Parish district judge.  Jimmie Duncan, whose 1998 conviction for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter was based in part on bite mark evidence that experts now say is junk science.  Judge Alvin Sharp pointed to new testimony during a September appeals hearing that such bite mark analysis is “no longer valid”.  Experts have says it’s still unclear whether  Duncan will be set free as the possibility of a re-trial on lesser charges remains.

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

The Louisiana National Guards 256^th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo. Sean Richardson has details.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Big comeback for the LSU Tigers last night against Tennessee. They were down 3-to-nothing in the 9th inning and scored six runs to win! Jared Jones won the game on a three-run homer over the center field wall.  And in Ruston thirty-one runs were scored last night as Dallas Baptist defeated La Tech 16 to 15 in 12 innings.
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The Saints have added a quarterback to their roster. They used a second-round pick to select Tyler Shough (Shuck). He’s 25 years old, played seven seasons of college football with three different schools, and suffered three significant injuries. Shough says it’s been a long journey to get to this point so it was surreal when he got the call from the New Orleans Saints ….

Cut 17 (15)  “…earn it.”

Today is national drug take-back day as the DEA will be collecting expired or unwanted medications across the country, to make sure they don’t end up in the wrong hands. Keith Bakewell, assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says the agency has been holding drug take-back events successfully for years.

Cut 5 (10) “…or unwanted medication.”

Big night for the LSU baseball Tigers last night as they came back from a 3 to nothing deficit in true Tiger fashion, scoring six runs in the 9^th inning to take down Tennessee.  Jared Jones hit the three run home that made it happen.  Coach Jay Johnson

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms that auctions tables at restaurants without their knowledge, often at very very high prices.  Republican Troy Hebert sponsored the bill that carries a fine of a thousand dollars a day for taking reservations without the restaurants’ consent.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

The bill also allows the state attorney general to seek restitution for misled consumers.

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Today is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says this prevents the drugs from being used for illicit purposes.

Cut 4 (15) “…or whatever else.”

About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa.  Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the goal of both deployments is to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

Today is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big comeback for the LSU Tigers last night against Tennessee. They were down 3-to-nothing in the 9th inning and scored six runs to win! Jared Jones won the game on a three-run homer over the center field wall.  And in Ruston thirty-one runs were scored last night as Dallas Baptist defeated La Tech 16 to 15 in 12 innings.

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About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

With a critical nursing crisis in Louisiana, LSU is set to open a new instructional site in Baton Rouge for its top-ranked Nursing Program. Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. The funeral service will begin nine days of mourning. And Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge says after that, work will begin on selecting a new pope.

Cut 6 (07) “…elect a pope.”

Pope Francis had served since 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict the 16th.

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Will Campbell has become the second LSU offensive lineman ever to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. And as nearly all prognosticators predicted, he was selected 4th overall by the New England Patriots. Campbell saays ever since Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf came to one of his practices, he knew he wanted to play in Foxborough.

Cut 15 (14) “…to meet everybody.”

The Saints chose to bolster their offensive line with the 9th overall pick in the NFL Draft by taking tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas.

Banks says he’s looking forward to playing for another rookie – rookie head coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 17 (14)  “…team win games.”