The IRS reports the average federal tax refund so far is down eight percent from 2018, as filers are nabbing about 170 dollars less. The lower refund is the result of the GOP tax reform legislation that went into effect last year. But Frank Holzenthal, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says the lower refund is offset in most cases by higher take home pay during the year…
Cut 10 (11) “…more taxes”

The 19th ranked LSU basketball team pulled off the upset last night as the Bayou Bengals beat 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71 on tip in at the buzzer by Kavell Bigby Williams. Tigers Coach Will Wade felt good about his team’s chances heading into the game…
cut 30 (13) “…confident”
The Tigers are 20-4.

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces his sixth term as sheriff will be his last as he will not pursue re-election. Hilton, whose father also served as a sheriff, has grown up around law enforcement, and says the decision to leave the profession was not an easy one.
Cut 7 (11) “…like to do.”
Hilton began his first term as sheriff in 1992 and this is second time he’s retired. But he says this one will stick.

President of the 5th Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says he’s concerned about the rising Mississippi River. But Minsky says the only place that may see overtopping of the levee system is in Tensas Parish…
cut 15 (09) “…on the outside”

The I-R-S says the average refund this year is down eight percent from last year under the new federal tax code. Many taxpayers are now wondering if their total amount of taxes paid has gone up this year. Frank Holzenthal with the Louisiana C-P-A Society advises filers to compare this year’s tax liability line with last year’s for a better picture…
cut 11 (10) “….little bit”
The I-R-S also notes that the number of returns received for the first official week was down 12-percent from the first week of last year’s tax season.

LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz says this year’s crawfish crop is coming along well and the warmer temperatures recently are helping. Lutz says if you see a decline in production, don’t blame the trappers, blame Mother Nature…
cut 6 (10) “….find em”

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces he will not seek re-election. Hilton was first elected sheriff in 1992, retired in 2008, but was elected again in 2011 and he says this retirement is final…
cut 8 (08) “…when I retired”
Hilton says his proudest accomplishment is supplying each school with a school resource officer.

What a huge win for the 19th ranked LSU basketball team last night. The Tigers came from behind again to beat 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71. They won the game on a tip-in by Kavell-Bigby Williams at the buzzer to earn the program’s second victory over a Top 5 team on the road. LSU is 20-and-4.

March food stamp benefits will arrive early for those who receive the government assistance…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

19th ranked LSU has a chance to make a huge statement tonight when they visit 5th ranked Kentucky. LSU has made a habit of getting behind by double digits and then roaring back to win games. Wade says that strategy will likely not work tonight
Cut 18 (10) to win”
Tip off is at 6 PM.

Allegiant Air will begin non-stop service between Shreveport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida on May 17th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says fares start at 49-dollars each way and flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays…
cut 12 (07) “….in an hour and a half”
The seasonal service is scheduled to run through Monday, September 2nd.

LaFourche Parish deputies have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old, who was struck by a bullet that entered his mother’s home in Lockport on Sunday. Lt. Brennan Matherne says 17-year-old Jyairus Folse fired several shots into the home and one them struck Alton Adams of Bayou Blue in the back…
cut 8 (13) “….in this shooting”
Matherne says they still don’t exact reason why Folse shot at the home.

The race for the governor’s mansion is now just eight months away, with incumbent Democrat John Bel Edwards currently set to face off in a jungle primary against Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone and Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the race has been quiet so far, but that will change soon…
Cut 10 (08) “…they’re spending”
Qualifying for the race is in early August.

The state department of environmental quality has posted an interactive map on its website that will let the public know about which bodies of water are safe to swim in and whether it’s safe to eat the fish. DEQ Scientist Al Hindrichs says a vast majority of the warnings are for mercury…
cut 9 (09) “….for mercury”
Hindrichs notes the majority of the mercury poisoning is not from one source, but from general atmospheric contamination.

Governor John Bel Edwards seven-day trip to Israel last fall cost 100-thousand dollars in taxpayer money according to a NOLA-dot-com report. Edwards met with Israeli government leaders, cyber-security experts and participated in other activities.

The National Retail Federation is forecasting record-setting spending for Valentine’s Day. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Eight months from today is Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary as Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards faces two republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a big part of the debate will discuss state issues and how to move the state forward, but the national climate will bleed over and mix with local issues…
cut 11 (10) “….healthcare”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has responded to Governor John Bel Edwards letter that expressed disappointment with the blown pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. Goodell says the game could not be re-played, but the league will look at whether expanding instant replay to include judgement calls on penalties. Goodell also says the league treasures its relationship with New Orleans as they gear up to host an 11th Super Bowl in 2024.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has an online, interactive map on it’s website that lets anglers see the fish consumption and swimming advisories for rivers, lakes, and bayous in Louisiana. DEQ Scientist Al Hindrichs…
Cut 7 (11) “…advisories.”
Two of the advisories warn against both swimming and fishing and two other warn only against swimming, but the majority are warnings about contaminants in the fish.

Adult fans attending baseball games at Alex Box Stadium can purchase beer and win in a new section called the Yard, which is a tented area in the right and left field corners. Senior Associate Athletics Director Robert Munson says the Yard will have television sets, so you can still watch the game, plus…
cut 15 (10) “….in the season”

You couldn’t tell from how quiet the campaigns have been, but we’re only eight months away for Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

House Republican leadership has once again rejected a recommendation to increase the amount of money the state is projected to receive from tax revenue. House Speaker Taylor Barras’ no vote at yesterday’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting means Governor John Bel Edwards can’t use the extra revenue to help pay for a proposed pay raise for teachers.

The National Retail Federation estimates Americans will spend a record amount of money on Valentine’s Day, with the average person spending 161-dollars…
cut 5 (08) “…planning to spend”
That’s N-R-F spokesperson Katherine Cullen, who says only 51-percent of Americans plan to celebrate the holiday, which is down from 63-percent in 2007.

LSU will sell beer and wine during home baseball games this season in a new section called the Yard. They will be tented areas located in the left and right outfield corners and senior associate athletics director Robert Munson says fans do not have to worry about missing any of the action on the diamond…
cut 14 (08) “…second of it”
To consume beer and wine in the Yard, fans will have to buy a wristband for 20-dollars and that includes two beverages. Additional beverages will cost six dollars.