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 40^th. 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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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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.”

With just a week left in the special session, Louisiana Senators will take up Governor Landry’s tax plan beginning today. Lobbying is underway to prevent the elimination of the state’s film tax credit program and tax credit to restore historic buildings. Senate President Cameron Henry says they are listening to Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois on whether these tax break programs make sense for the state…

Cut 12 (10) “….she’s there”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is not a fan of eliminating the state’s film incentive program nor does he want to see historic building tax credits go away.  Nungesser says these programs have proven their value.

Cut 5 (14) “…preserves the history.”

Lawmakers have until Midnight next Monday to wrap up the special tax session.

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The LSU Student Senate unanimously passes a resolution urging the university never to have a live tiger brought into Tiger Stadium before a football game again.  Ariana Tashakkori, a member of the school’s chapter of the Wildlife Society, says she was disheartened to see LSU cave under pressure from the governor.

Cut 9 (09)  “…involvement with LSU”

The Saints make it two in a row under interim coach Darren Rizzi as they beat the Cleveland Browns at the Superdome, 35-14. After the game, Rizzi said his team played a complete game.

Cut 19 (14) “…all three things.”  

The Saints improve to 4-and-9 on the season as they enter their bye week. Their next game is Sunday, December 1st against the Rams  at the Superdome.

The House and Senate are set to convene this afternoon as the work continues with the rewrite of the state’s tax code. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LSU Tigers dropped their third straight game on Saturday losing to Florida Gators 27 to 16. LSU won nearly every statistical category in the box score, but it didn’t show on the scoreboard. Coach Brian Kelly.

Cut 17 (11) “…explosive plays.” 

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has raised concerns over proposed tax reform measures that would eliminate Louisiana’s film incentive program and historic building tax credits. Nungesser argues that cutting these programs entirely could harm the state’s economy.

Cut 4 (13) “…for the credit.”

Nungesser says these programs have proven their value. But Carencro Representative Julie Emerson, a proponent of the reforms, contends that eliminating these credits is a necessary step to balance the state’s budget.

Cut 6 (08) “…roughly a tradeoff.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is concerned about proposed tax reforms that would eliminate Louisiana’s film inventive program and historic building tax credits. Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Senate gets its turn this week to debate and vote on parts of Governor Landry’s tax plan. The bills up for discussion would cut individual and business taxes and there’s a revenue raising bill which would make the state’s sales tax 4.40 percent. Senate President Cameron Henry.

Cut 11 (08) “…bills forward.”

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The LSU Student Senate unanimously passes a resolution urging the university never to have a live tiger brought into Tiger Stadium before a football game again. Speaker Pro Tempore Ethan Elme authored the resolution,

Cut 8 (13) “…related to that.”

Louisiana Tech kept its bowl chances alive by upsetting Western Kentucky 12 to 7. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie’s defense, which has been strong all season, shut down one of the best offenses in Conference USA…

Cut 15 (15) “…offense down.”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee starts tomorrow hearing the parts of Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal that have passed in the House.  That includes changing the income tax to a flat tax and imposing sales taxes on 41 services that are not taxed now. Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 10 (12) “…strategic about it.”

The LSU Tigers will try to end their two-game losing streak this afternoon when they visit the Florida Gators. Coach Brian Kelly says the team has a had a good week of practice…

Cut 12 (07) “…got to be better.”

Kick-off is this afternoon at 2:30.

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A federal appeals court in New Orleans on Friday temporarily limited the scope of a ruling that Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles’ ruling remains in effect under the order from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But, the appellate court temporarily blocked a part of the ruling that requires state education officials to notify public schools statewide that the law has been struck down.

Grammy-winning country music star and Baskin native Lainey Wilson is performing two live concerts in Monroe this weekend. at the Monroe Civic Center this weekend. The shows mark the final stop on her “Country’s Cool Again Tour” tour. Discover West Monroe CEO Alana Cooper says Monroe is thankful to have Wilson come back home and perform at the Civic.

Cut 8 (05) “…in the Country genre.”

And Cooper says with both concerts sold out, the local economy will see a big boost.

Cut 7 (06) “…weekend to come in.”

Replacing Louisiana’s current income tax structure with a flat tax and imposing sales taxes on 41 services not being taxed now will get a look from the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee tomorrow.  They’ll also hear a measure that removes the sunset for the temporary 0.45–percent sales tax increase and lowers it to 0.40-percent. Chairman Franklin Foil says the biggest challenge is pleasing everyone.

Cut 11 (12) “…pay for it.”

A federal appeals court in New Orleans on Friday temporarily limited the scope of a ruling that Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles’ ruling remains in effect under the order from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But, the appellate court temporarily blocked a part of the ruling that requires state education officials to notify public schools statewide that the law has been struck down.

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It’s been three years now since the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Senator Bill Cassidy, who was one of 19 Republicans who joined all 50 Democrats in voting in favor of it, said in those three years, Louisiana has received ten-billion dollars, most recently,  more  than 63-million dollars for railroad investments.

Cut 4 (14) “…62-mile network.”

The Saints will try to win their second straight on Sunday as they host the Cleveland Browns. The defense put together a good performance last week in a win over Atlanta. Linebacker Demario Davis would like to see that again

Cut 13 (12)  “…improvement.”