Plenty of reaction to a federal judge’s preliminary ruling that the state’s Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A woman who claimed her son had been kidnapped is facing charges herself this morning. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Major Mark LeBlanc says Artasia Viges (VEE-zhees) and her son, who’s not even five, actually had a disagreement while she was driving in Eunice.

Cut 10 (09) “…the child’s knees.”
LeBlanc says Viges made up the kidnapping story to cover up the truth.
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The Louisiana House has approved two big pieces of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan. The first bill to head to the Senate for its approval is a measure to reduce individual income taxes to a flat three-percent rate. The Landry administration wants to offset the revenue loss by taxing services currently not taxed and renewing a temporary sales tax that expires next year. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says none of that has happened yet.

Cut 14 (05) “…to it.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is hosting Regional Litter Summits in Louisiana this week to address the state’s litter problem. KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says the summits are an effort to understand the challenges local governments face in managing litter and explore ways to assist them…like citations.

Cut 8 (11) “…bad behavior.”

The Louisiana House has approved two significant pieces of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan. The first bill to head to the Senate for its approval is a measure reduce individual income taxes to a flat three-percent rate. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the sponsor of the bill…

Cut 13 (07)  “…state of Louisiana.”

Plenty of reaction after a federal court judge in Baton Rouge put the state’s Ten Commandments law on hold. Jabarie Walker, the political director at the ACLU of Louisiana, hailed Judge John deGravelles’ (de-GRAVEL) ruling, saying it ensures the separation of church and state.

Cut 4 (17) “…ultimately our democracy.”

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Today Alexandria is having a Regional Litter Conference hosted by Keep Louisiana Beautiful to address the states litter problem.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A woman who claimed her 4 year old son had been kidnapped is now facing charges.  St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Officials say Artasia Vigees told authorities that someone in an older model truck took the boy while she was attending to a flat tire.  But Major Mark LeBlanc says investigators determined that’s not what happened.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the night.”

A new casino resort in Bossier City set to open early next year has the help wanted sign out. Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana is looking to fill more than 750 positions. Human Resources Director Wesley Garcia says most of the jobs are career-level positions with an average pay – including salaries, wages and tips – of about 45-thousand dollars a year.

Cut 10 (15) “…of those gaps.”

Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are seeking reelection to their House leadership roles in advance of the GOP’s internal elections scheduled for next week. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says even though votes are still being counted and a Republican House isn’t official yet… Stockley says current forecasts suggest they should retain it.

Cut 8 (12) “…Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise.”

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We’re learning new information about where the live tiger taking the field for tonight’s LSU game is coming from. The tiger is a one-and-a-half-year-old Bengal tiger named Omar Bradley, and he’s owned by 62-year-old Mitchel Kamlanson of Maitland, Florida, who has a lengthy rap sheet with PETA.  Klayton Rutherford, the associate director of captive wildlife research at the PETA Foundation, says regardless of where it’s coming from, no tiger belongs in a100-thousand-seat football stadium.

Cut 4 (11) “…drop this idea.”

The Tigers and Tide kick off tonight at 6:30.

The Saints will try to end their seven-game losing streak on Sunday when they host the Falcons. Darren Rizzi will serve as the interim head coach and running back Alvin Kamara hopes the change at head coach will lead to a victory…

Cut 14 (13) “…things right.”

Black people across the country, including here in Louisiana, have been receiving hate-filled spam text messages referencing slavery. Louisiana Attorney General Investigators have traced the messages to an encrypted virtual network in Poland but the investigation is ongoing.  Attorney General Liz Murrill says the best thing that people who receive these texts can do is to ignore them.

Cut 16 (04) “….to my office.”

Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are seeking reelection to their House leadership roles in advance of the GOP’s internal elections scheduled for next week. Johnson outlined his agenda to advance conservative policies aligned with President-elect Trump’s administration, emphasizing plans to prioritize American interests, strengthen border security, and expand school choice. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley.

Cut 7 (06) “…for the state.”

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A new casino resort in Bossier City set to open early next year has the help wanted sign out. Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana is looking to fill more than 750 positions. Human Resources Director Wesley Garcia says the jobs run the gamut.

Cut 9 (11)  “…leadership-level positions.”

11^th ranked Alabama meets 15th ranked LSU on Saturday night in what amounts to a College Football Playoff elimination game. The loser will suffer its third loss.  Like the game isn’t important enough, there’s been controversy surrounding the decision to bring a live tiger named Omar in to be on the field prior to the game.  Governor Jeff Landry told Fox News tradition was behind the decision and…

Cut 30 (:07) “…and it’ll be more than Alabama.”

The GOP Leadership election is set for next week and with House control still unclear Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are pushing to make sure their leadership roles are secure.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A new casino resort in Bossier City set to open early next year is looking to fill more than 750 positions. Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana Human Resources Director Wesley Garcia says not everyone will need experience.

Cut 11 (07) “…you don’t know.”

There’s been some social media backlash in response to the live tiger being brought in for the LSU -Bama Game tonight.  The phrase “Omar is not my tiger” has been trending locally.  Bringing Omar in is the brainchild of Governor Jeff Landry, who explained on Fox News it’s not a slight to Mike.

Cut 23 (:14 )…”for Mike the 7^th.”

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While the Tigers take on the Tide tonight, with a lot on the line, the Ragin Cajuns can take firm control of the western division of the Sun Belt Conference with a homecoming win over Arkansas State on Saturday. U-L Lafayette is trying to improve 5-and-0 in the league and 8-and-1 overall. They are a 15 point favorite to beat the Red Wolves, but Coach Michael Desormeaux doesn’t care about the point spread…

Cut 13 (10)  “…for the birds.”

Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are seeking reelection to their House leadership roles in advance of the GOP’s internal elections scheduled for next week. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says their requests come as Republicans face uncertainty over control of the House.

Cut 6 (12) “…national politics.”

Several Black people across the country, including here in Louisiana, have been receiving hate-filled spam text messages referencing slavery. State Attorney General Liz Murrill says her investigators have traced the messages to an encrypted virtual network in Poland. But she says that doesn’t necessarily pinpoint the perpetrator there.

Cut 15 (05) “…to investigate it.”

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We’re learning new information about the tiger being brought into Baton Rouge for LSU’s game tonight – along with its owner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In that game tonight the Tigers will face a quarterback in Jalen Milroe, who ran wild on them last year with 155 rushing yards and four touchdowns. LSU Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 12 (12) “…back end.”

Investigators in Morgan City solve a murder from a quarter century ago and didn’t have to go far to find their suspect. The body of Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia was found on October 8th, 1998, behind Youngs Park. Evidence collected at the time failed to yield a suspect; but at the start of this year, investigators resubmitted evidence to the Acadiana Criminalistics Lab. Police Chief Chad Adams says that led investigators to John Willis Pittman Jr.

Cut 4 (09) “…Miss Garcia’s death.”

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville celebrated the opening of a new all-inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The playground includes features like wheelchair-accessible swings, sensory play panels, and various play structures, promoting inclusivity and fun for children with different needs. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says its part of a larger mission to make all parks accessible to all.

Cut 8 (13) “…special needs community.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session gets underway this afternoon. Jeff Palermo looks at what the Landry administration is proposing…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Nothing unexpected in the federal races after yesterday’s election here.  Donald Trump carried Louisiana, and all six congressional races went as expected, including District 6, which Cleo Fields won outright and could alter the balance of power in the US House. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat.

Cut 11 (11) “…from the Republicans.”

Practically no drama in Louisiana’s elections. Andrew Greenstein has the rundown.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Three employees were injured when a tornado hit a butcher shop in Bazile yesterday morning.  The storm damaged Rhea’s Specialty Meat and Smokehouse. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down and travelled about a mile beginning in Acadia parish and crossing into Evangeline.  We’re told the tornado was about 150 yards wide with 95 mile an hour winds.

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A tax reform special session begins at the capitol this afternoon at three. Governor Landry wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, and broaden the state sales tax to include services like dog grooming and landscaping.   Nelson says the changes would put more money in people’s pockets and help the state attract more businesses.

Cut 14 (10) “…to everybody.”

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville celebrated the opening of a new all-inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this playground is designed to be accessible for children of all abilities, providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone to play together.

Cut 7 (12) “…our state parks.”

There was no drama in Louisiana in the federal races in Louisiana. Donald Trump carried the state by about 20 percentage points, and all six congressional races went as expected. That includes District 6, when Cleo Fields won the seat with 51-percent of the vote and avoided a runoff. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Fields was set up to win from the start.

Cut 10 (12) “…and they did.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session gets underway today at the state capitol at three PM. The governor wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, which will result in lower state income taxes for most Louisianans. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says to make up for some of that lost tax revenue, the state would broaden the state sales tax…

Cut 13 (13)  “…lot of those.”

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new all-inclusive playground at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is happening today.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Investigators in Morgan City have solved a murder from 1998. When Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia’s body was found in October of that year, the evidence did not lead to a suspect.  Investigators resubmitted evidence earlier this year which led them to John Willis Pittman Jr. who’s already serving time on the murder of another woman the same year Garcia was killed. Police Chief Chad Adams.

Cut 5 (07) “…of Miss Garcia.”

The race for Louisiana’s 6^th Congressional District is a close one with Democrat Cleo Fields, Republican Elbert Guillory and three others vying for the redrawn congressional seat.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

As you head to the polls today, be assured that the State of Louisiana goes to great lengths to ensure the integrity of the election. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says only certain people are allowed to handle the voting equipment.

Cut 4 (12) “…touch our equipment.”

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Analysts say today could be a big day for Republicans, based on early voting totals. Louisiana’s early voting turnout set records for in-person voting, with almost a million ballots cast early. JMC Analytics highlighted a drop in Black voter participation, especially in East Baton Rouge Parish. Owner John Couvillon says in 2020, Black voters comprised 30% of early voters; in 2024, they make up only 25% — numbers that he says should bode well for Donald Trump.

Cut 10 (14) “…60 percent.”

Polls will stay open until eight p-m; anyone still in line at that time will indeed be able to vote.

Tropical Storm Rafael is predicted to reach hurricane intensity as it passes over the Cayman Islands overnight tonight before entering the gulf of Mexico later this week.  Weather models suggest the storm’s center could eventually make landfall between Louisiana and the western edge of the Florida Panhandle, but conditions could weaken the storm.