8:30 am Newscast

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 next Saturday, but polls are closed tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving.

A Tangipahoa Parish Jail escapee who’d been on the run since mid May, is back in custody this morning.  20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail back on May 16th; he was arrested Wednesday in Hammond. Hammond. Sheriff Gerald Sticker…

Cut 6 (06) “…with a gun.”

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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 rate. The standard deduction would triple $12,500 dollars. Leesville Senator Mike Reese says this tax change will help grow the economy…

Cut 12 (12) “…to our state.”

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. 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.

 

 

 

9:30 am Newscast

Meta cleared its first hurdle Wednesday on moving forward with its five-billion-dollar A-I Data Center in Richland Parish.  The Alliance for Affordable Energy, though, has voiced concerns about the project’s dependence on fossil fuels.  Executive Director Logan Burke says prioritizing clean energy could better serve both the climate and residents.

Cut 12 (13) “…in our state.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is speaking out after the second deadly mass shooting in the Crescent City in five days, saying the city is safe. The latest shooting happened at the intersection of Iberville and Royal, just one block south of Bourbon Street leaving one dead and three others injured…

Cut 6 (07) “…not look random.”

A suspect is in custody in connection with yesterday afternoon’s shooting.

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Governor Landry not pulling any punches with his opinions on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Speaking before the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, Landry said not only would the project cost the state a lot of money, but he believe it would also destroy Coastal Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 8 (14) “…to oyster fish.”

Amanda Moore, the senior director of the gulf program for the National Wildlife Federation, disagrees and says without the project, communities along the coast would be more vulnerable.

Cut 10 (13) “…from storm surge.”

8:30 am Newscast

New Orleans Police want people to know the city is safe, despite a second deadly mass shooting in five days.  One person was killed and three others were injured yesterday in what investigators are calling a targeted shooting in the French Quarter. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says while violence usually picks up during the holiday season, murders are still down in New Orleans compared to last year.

Cut 4 (10) “…us to nine.”

LSU will host Vanderbilt tomorrow as they look to bounce back from a three-game losing streak. Head Coach Brian Kelly says his team and coaching staff have been just as disappointed as Tiger fans, but his team is committed to playing better…

Cut 16 (17) “…Vanderbilt team.”

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Governor Landry had some choice words about one of the state’s massive coastal restoration projects. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Collen Crain.”

Today’s the first day of early voting for the December 7th general election in Louisiana.  Registered voters will be able to cast their ballots today through next Saturday.  Polls are open from 8:30 am until 6 pm, except on Sunday.

 

7:30 am Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry is speaking out about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Speaking before the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, Landry said the project would cost the state a lot of money.

Cut 7 (15) “…the whole coast.”

The police superintendent in New Orleans is assuring people that the city is safe following the second deadly mass shooting in a five-day span. Yesterday, one person was killed and three others injured in what investigators say was a targeted shooting in the French Quarter. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick…

Cut 5 (10) “…were last year.”

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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 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

State lawmakers could end the special tax session early as they settled on the final details of the Governor’s tax package late yesterday. The Senate is expected to approve the package first today, followed by the house.  Lawmakers technically have until 6 pm next Monday to wrap up the session.

6:30 am Newscast

The police superintendent in New Orleans is assuring people that the city is safe following the second deadly mass shooting in a five-day span. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Meta cleared its first hurdle Wednesday on moving forward with its five-billion-dollar A-I Data Center in Richland Parish.  But the Alliance for Affordable Energy says the facility contradicts the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and could mean higher costs to Louisiana ratepayers.  Exexutive Director Logan Burke.

Cut 11 (11) “…it isn’t necessary.”

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Governor Jeff Landry had some choice words about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Speaking before the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, Landry said the project would cost the state a lot of money and destroy coastal Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 8 (14) “…to oyster fish.”

They’re not on LSU’s football schedule, but the Tigers lost to Michigan last night. The nation’s top recruit for next season, quarterback Bryce Underwood, has decommitted from LSU and will instead play for the Wolverines. Vice president and executive editor of Tiger Rag magazine Todd Horne says Underwood’s move came down to just one thing.

Cut 14 (10) “…next four years.”

9:30 am Newscast

Richland Parish will see a huge economic boost when Facebook’s parent company Meta builds a five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center there. That’s according to Economist Loren Scott, who says one of the biggest impacts the data center will bring is job growth.

Cut 10 (09) “…shot in the arm.”

We’re told the average salary will be around 130-thousand dollars.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has gone up.  In the U.S. News and World Report states ranking, Louisiana has earned its highest national ranking ever, moving up from 46th to 40th. State Education Secretary Cade Brumley on the good news.

Cut 12 (06) “…work to do.”

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The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that have made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil, a Republican, says there are two options on the table when it comes to sales taxes.

Cut 5 (12) “…make everything work.”

If they go the latter route, the state sales tax rate being floated is five-percent. Democrat Jay Luneau says he has concerns about raising sales taxes, which are already among the highest in the nation.

Cut 6 (11) “…clean it up.”

The special session must end by six Monday evening.

8:30 am Newscast

Louisiana continues rising in the national rankings of K-through-12 education. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big news for Baton Rouge General Hospital.  It now ranks in the Nation’s top ten for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says when it comes to the heart, time is muscle.

Cut 14 (08) “…may be necessary.”

The ranking is based on data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

The special session must end by six Monday evening.

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Richland Parish would be a huge economic boost to the region. Meta chose the area due to its location out of the hurricane zone, available land and electricity. Economist Loren Scott.

Cut 9 (11)  “…user they are.”

 

7:30 am Newscast

The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but restored the historic preservation and film tax credits. Sales taxes appear to be the big sticking point to the whole plan, and Foil says there are two options on the table.  Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the state is clearly going in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep pushing forward.”

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A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Baton Rouge General Hospital now ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says the hospital also goes to great lengths on after a heart attack end to set patients up for success when they leave the hospital.

Cut 15 (05) “…leave the hospital.”

6:30 am Newscast

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Economist Loren Scott described the project as transformative for northeastern Louisiana.

Cut 8 (06) “…real game changer.”

Scott says the one of the biggest impacts the data center will bring is job growth, with the average salary being around 130-thousand dollars

A major accomplishment for Baton Rouge General Hospital, as it ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says says the hospital places a strong emphasis on physical therapy following a cardiac event.

Cut 16 (08) “…with heart conditions.”

The ranking is based on data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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The State Senate is slated to vote on several pieces of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has gone up. In the U.S. News and World Report states ranking, Louisiana has earned its highest national ranking ever, moving up six spots to number 50.  State Superintendent Cade Brumley.

Cut 12 (06) “…work to do.”

6:30 am Newscast

The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but restored the historic preservation and film tax credits. Sales taxes appear to be the big sticking point to the whole plan, and Foil says there are two options on the table.  Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 5 (12) “…make everything work.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the state is clearly going in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep pushing forward.”

—————————–

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Baton Rouge General Hospital now ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says the hospital also goes to great lengths on after a heart attack end to set patients up for success when they leave the hospital.

Cut 15 (05) “…leave the hospital.”