Tax Day has arrived and Colleen Crain has some tips from a tax professional…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A bill that would force a TOPS Opportunity or TOPS Performance recipient to repay their state funded scholarship makes it out of House Education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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A second LSU football player has suffered a season-ending injury this spring. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Tax Day is here and hopefully you are ready. It can be a daunting task to gather documents and work through returns or get all the required information to a tax preparer on time. If you find yourself unprepared, CPA John Therio with Malcom Dienes in Metairie says you can file form 4868 for an extension.

Cut 4 (13) “…that extension.”

If you don’t send payment, he says, IRS penalties can be up to 5% per month.

Theriot says if you’re rushing to complete your return to beat today’s deadline, don’t forget to fund your IRAs and HSAs. And remember there are new laws that allow exclusions of some tip income and overtime income if you qualify…

Cut 5 (09) “…your employer.”

With the new deductions and income exclusions, Theriot says, some taxpayers seem to be getting bigger refunds this year. He says tax rates are down but that’s not the only reason for the bigger refunds.

Cut 6 (12) “…bigger refunds.”

He says he hasn’t seen the same for self-employed individuals but adjusting their quarterly payments could make a difference.

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New vehicles now sell for an average of nearly 50-thousand dollars according to a report from the Associated Press. That’s up 30-percent in six years. UNO economist Walter Lane says most of the vehicles that come off the assembly line have all the new technology designed to make you a safer driver

Cut 7 (13) “…the cars.”

Lane says several years ago, the consumer could choose not to have the latest technology advances, now the vehicles are already fully loaded.

Lane says tariffs have also driven up the price of a new vehicle…

Cut 8 (09) “…in the cars.”

Lane says spreading out the payments over a five- or seven-year period  can help reduce the monthly note, or just hang on to what you are currently driving…

Cut 9 (06)  “…historically have.”

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TOPS Opportunity and Performance award recipients would pay back their state-funded scholarship if they lost their scholarship under a bill that barely got out of the House Education Committee. Bossier City Representative Dennis Bamburg is the author of the bill…

Cut 10 (09) “…those dollars”

Bamburg says TOPS Opportunity and Performance award students would be exempted from repaying if they had to drop out of school because of a life event or circumstances like parental leave, temporary or permanent disability, religious commitment or death of an immediate family member.

Executive director of the Taylor Foundation, James Caillier, testified against the legislation, telling lawmakers, a student who loses a merit scholarship should not be forced to pay it back

Cut 11 (14) “…a scholarship.”

If this legislation becomes law, TOPS Opportunity and TOPS performance recipients would repay the scholarship dollars they have used up, even though the scholarship money goes to the university not the student. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson supports the legislation…

Cut 12 (11) “…to be repaid.”

The measure passed on a six-to-five vote. Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor asked Bamberg if L-A Gator Scholarship recipients should repay the state if they funk out of the private school they attended on taxpayer dollars…

Cut 13 (10)  “..everything.”

The measure heads to the House floor. The state spends 320-million dollars on TOPS scholarships.

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Today is the last day to register to vote or make changes to an existing registration in person or by mail ahead of the May 16 closed party primary election. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says that means if you want to vote in the Senate Republican Primary or a Congressional GOP primary, you have to registered as a Republican or “No Party”…

Cut 14 (09) “…vote in.”

To participate in a Democratic primary, you have to be registered as either Democrat or no party. Landry says if you can’t register or switch your party affiliation in person, you still have until April 25th to do it online at geauxvote.com.

Cut 15 (11) “…those days.”

Any updates submitted by mail must be postmarked by April 15. Third party voters, such as members of the Green or Libertarian parties, cannot participate in Democratic or Republican primaries but may vote in eligible races, propositions, and constitutional amendments.

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LSU football’s defense has dominated the offense so far in spring practice. Coach Lane Kiffin says he was discouraged by his offense’s performance in Saturday’s scrimmage, where the quarterbacks combined to throw five interceptions, but he also acknowledged there will be growing pains with transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt not currently participating.

Cut 16 (17) “…doesn’t happen overnight.”

One of the biggest surprises of LSU’s spring practice has been fifth-year senior offensive lineman Bo Bordelon taking first-team reps at left guard. Coach Lane Kiffin said Bordelon has been very impressive this spring.

Cut 17 (18)  “…go in there and start.”

One of the most competitive positions this spring has been defensive tackle. Kiffin says true freshman Deuce Geralds has stood out and believes he will be a productive player for the Tigers this season.

Cut 18 (11)  “…going on there.” 

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The Pelicans finished 26-56 in Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars’ first season with the franchise. Dumars dismissed Willie Green 10 games into the season, and assistant coach James Borrego took over on an interim basis to close out the year. Dumars says Borrego has proven himself as a strong candidate for the permanent job and will be under consideration.

Cut 19 (19) “…good job with that.”

Zion Williamson has become a potential trade candidate this offseason, but Dumars said he wants to keep the star in New Orleans and has no plans to move him.

Cut 20 (19) “…we said no.”

In an effort to reduce traffic crashes, a Louisiana lawmaker is proposing that drivers take a short test when they renew their driver’s license. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee votes in favor of legislation that would shield the dollar amounts student athletes receive from public universities. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The House Transportation Committee has put the brakes on a bill that seeks to require drivers to take a driver’s knowledge test when they renew their driver’s license every six years. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says the test would provide drivers with a refresher on the rules of the road…

Cut 3 (09) “…who goes first.”

Several House Transportation members have reservations about the proposed legislation. Lawmakers are all for safer roads, but Monroe Representative Pat Moore says requiring drivers to take a test every six years is too much…

Cut 4 (11) “…in the 70s.”

McMakin says Louisiana has its share of bad drivers and requiring regular driving tests can result in fewer crashes…

Cut 5 (11) “…too high.”

Moore says requiring drivers who need to renew their license to watch a video that would contain basic rules of the road and tips on how to be a safer driver is a better solution…

Cut 6 (15) “.or anything.”

McMakin says he’ll look at revising his proposed legislation and bring it up for debate at a later date.

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Former LSU star Flau’jae Johnson was the eighth overall selection by the Golden State Valkyries in Monday night’s WNBA draft. Shortly after, Johnson was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the draft rights to Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round pick. Johnson says being drafted is a dream come true.

Cut 7 (14) “…go make an impact.”

Johnson immediately becomes a key piece for Seattle and is expected to see significant playing time right away. The former national champion knows the pressure that comes with being a WNBA rookie, but Johnson says she is confident that her skills will translate to the next level.

Cut 8 (10) “…is going to elevate.”

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved legislation that would prohibit the public from seeing how much student-athletes receive from a public university as part of a revenue sharing deal. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell, who has a nephew on the LSU football team, supports the legislation…

Cut 9 (08)  “…maturued.”

Attorney Scott Sternberg spoke in opposition to the legislation. He’s representing three media members in a lawsuit against LSU seeking information on the revenue share deals. Sternberg says these are public dollars going student-athletes and the public has the right to know how that money is being spent…

Cut 10 (09) “… might be interesting .”

But many lawmakers believe shielding the financials of a revenue sharing deal between a student and the university is best for their safety. Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain…

Cut 11 (07) “…stalked”

A federal settlement involving a lawsuit against the NCAA gave universities the ability to pay athletes directly. The Public Affairs Research Council spoke in opposition. PAR president Steven Procopio says athletic departments now receive tax revenue from online gambling, so the taxpayer should have the right to know how the school spends it…

Cut 12 (09) “…to know.”

This bill has now been approved by two different House committees and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

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The father of a student was shot by his 13-year-old son in front of the Tangipahoa Alternative School in Hammond this morning. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron says the father was dropping his son off at school, when his son refused to leave the vehicle. Bergeron says the father decided to take his son back home and that’s when he was shot…

Cut 13 (08) “…living room.”

Bergeron says after the father’s vehicle hit a home across the street, the armed 13-year-old started walking to the school, but the school resource officer acted quickly to disarm the teen

Cut 14 (06) “…take him into custody.”

The adult victim is in stable condition at a local hospital. The 13-year-old shooter was taken to a juvenile facility. And Bergeron is calling the school resource officer a hero for preventing more violence…

Cut 15 (12) “…may hold.”

Significant changes are happening at the University of New Orleans as the school prepares to move into the LSU System. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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The House Appropriations Committee has a approved a budget for next fiscal year. Joe Gallinaro reports spending on education initiatives is a major priority…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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New English language arts standards have been approved for public schools to further reinforce the fundamentals of reading and writing. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A lot is happening behind the scenes at the University of New Orleans is preparing to move from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System. One major change is the name of the school. University president Kathy Johnson says starting July 1^st, UNO will be known as LSU New Orleans…

Cut 4 (12) “…as well.”

The school is eliminating nine degree programs, five undergraduate programs, and four graduate programs. But Johnson says less than two percent of students will be affected, and faculty members will move to other programs.

But Johnson says the changes are intended to strengthen academic opportunity, not reduce them…

Cut 5 (09) “…get jobs.”

Johnson says some of the new programs under development include engineering management, hospitality and tourism, data science, and healthcare management.

She says one of the advantages of joining the LSU system is that it will expand the number and types of courses UNO can offer online…

Cut 6 (12) “…few weeks.”

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The House Appropriations Committee has approved an operating budget of 47 billion dollars for next fiscal year. Even though it’s a standstill budget, areas of state government will see an increase in funding. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they are pouring more dollars into public schools…

Cut 7 (08) “…need to.”

There’s also a proposed increase in funding for K-through-12 public school tutoring services.

An additional 50-million dollars from the state general fund is also going to economic development projects. McFarland says it’s part of an effort to grow the state’s economy….

Cut 8 (12) “…community colleges.”

House legislative leadership is also going along with Governor Landry’s request to double the funding for the Louisiana Gator Scholarship program, from 44 million dollars to nearly 88-million dollars. McFarland says there is a desire for expanded school choice…

Cut 9 (09)  “…by the governor.”

Senate President Cameron Henry does not support increasing the funding for LA Gator. He’s concerned the voucher program that would help families pay for private school tuition and other educational expenses will become too costly. The budget bill will be discussed on the House floor on Thursday and then it goes to the Senate for its consideration.

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The Louisiana Department of Education says it’s strengthening English language arts in public schools to reinforce skills essential to help students read, write and communicate. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the updated standards place a stronger emphasis on the science of reading so that students are confident, independent readers…

Cut 10 (08) “…along that path”

Brumley says students will continue to develop handwriting skills, including cursive, as part of a complete approach to literacy…

Cut 11 (07) “…important step.”

Brumley points out that many of the founding documents of our country are written in cursive.

He says another major focus of the updated English standards is grammar. Brumley says the standards reinforce progression in grammar, usage, and writing so students can communicate clearly in academic, professional and everyday settings…

Cut 12 (05) “…positive results.”

The revised standards will take effect in the 2027-28 school year. It’s the first time they’ve been updated since the 2015-16 school year.

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The document that finalized the Louisiana Purchase will be on display at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge starting today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says this remarkable piece of history is on loan from the National Archives in Washington D-C as part of America’s 250^th anniversary celebration…

Cut 13 (09)  “..to see.”

Landry says the document is available for the public to see through July 11^th  in an exhibit called “Bought for a Song”….

Cut 14 (08) “…the document.”

To make an appointment go to louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.

The Louisiana Purchase resulted in the United States acquiring 828-thousand square miles of land from France in 1803, doubling the nation’s size for about three-cents an acre. The transaction is often described as “Bought for Song.”

Napoleon Bonaparte was the military dictator of France at the time and Landry says you can see his signature on this critical piece of American and Louisiana history…

Cut 15 (08) “…our history.”

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Louisiana Tech baseball has now won six straight games after sweeping Middle Tennessee this past weekend. Just two weeks ago, the Bulldogs had lost eight straight, but head coach Lane Burroughs says he is proud of how his team has turned things around recently.

Cut 16 (12) “…win the ballgame.”

Tech looks to make it seven straight tonight when it hosts Little Rock at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech only used seven pitchers out of the bullpen this weekend as the Bulldogs pen only gave up one run throughout the entire three-game series. Burroughs says he has plenty of options to choose from, which is a strength of the team.

Cut 17 (13)  “…before the season started.”

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Senior wide receiver Jayce Brown was one of nine wide receivers who chose to take his talents to Baton Rouge. Brown, who is rated as the No. 26 wide receiver in the portal according to 247Sports, says his decision to transfer to LSU came down to several factors, including the success Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. have had over the years.

Cut 18 (10)  “…for me to make.” 

Brown said practices at LSU under Kiffin have been much more intense than what he was used to, but he believes it will pay off in the long run.

Cut 19 (17) “…structurally”

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After missing most of the 2024 season, Zion Williamson appeared in 62 games this year, averaging 21 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Williamson still has two years remaining on his contract, and he says he has no intention of leaving New Orleans anytime soon.

Cut 20 (17) “…19-years-old.”