The chance of you getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller. Eric Gill reports.

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The Legislative Black Caucus calls on Governor Bobby Jindal to stay in Louisiana and deal with the state’s budget crisis. Eric Gill has more…

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The chances of you getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller. The IRS audit rate dropped to its lowest level in at least ten years last year and is expected to drop further this year. Since 2010, the number of IRS audits have fallen by over 20-percent. John Theriot, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says one reason for the drastic drop in the number of audits is money…

CUT 3 (10)  “qualified people”

He says drops in IRS funding is a leading cause in the decline in the number of audits. The IRS audited more than 162,000 fewer individual tax returns in 2014 than in 2013. Theriot says another reason for fewer audits could be that more individuals are having their taxes professionally done…

CUT 4 (11)  “better returns”

Theriot adds that tax preparation software has helped individuals file more accurate returns. He says this will probably have a bigger effect on the IRS and their ability to collect taxes from people they do audit than on the taxpayers themselves…

CUT 5 (10)  “then it’s going to re-freeze”

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The snow has arrived in north Louisiana and State Police urge residents to stay home and don’t travel unless it’s absolutely necessary. Trooper Matt Harris says if you do have to drive somewhere in areas where snow has fallen…take it easy

CUT 6 (09)  “destination”

Harris says there’s been dozens of weather related accidents on the highways, because of the snow

CUT 7 (10)  “of control”

Harris says if you drive on a snowy road, don’t panic and slam on the brakes at a slick spot. He says the snow may look pretty, but it doesn’t mix well with cold pavement and drivers who are NOT used to the snow…

CUT 8 (08)  “in a crash”

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The Department of Motor Vehicles is urging citizens to be sure their local driver education program is properly certified through the state — and now there’s a way you can check online. State Police Sgt Nick Manale says the OMV regulates driver education programs throughout Louisiana to make sure education is up to par and that they have a license to operate…:

CUT 9 (12)  “that’s required”

Manale says the new web resource is offered through expresslane.org and it provides information on state licensed driver education providers so new drivers can verify theirs has met all applicable standards and certifications…:

cut 10 (09)  “criteria too”

Manale says only applicants who have attended a properly licensed education provider will be eligible to receive a learner’s permit or new license….:

cut 11 (08)  “that permit”

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The Legislative Black Caucus calls on Governor Bobby Jindal to stay in Louisiana and deal with the state’s budget crisis. Monday, Jindal spoke against President Obama at a press conference outside the White House. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the governor needs to set aside his presidential aspirations and concentrate on problems facing Louisiana…

cut 12 (10)  “budget crisis”

It is reported that Jindal spent 45-percent of his time outside of Louisiana in 2014. Jackson says Jindal is overly concerned with party politics and issues that are irrelevant in regards to the state’s budget shortfall…

cut 13 (07)  “education close”

Jackson says they are reviewing tax credits in an effort to bring money back into the state. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says Louisiana is in the governor’s rearview mirror and is not optimistic that Jindal will have much bearing in his last months in office…

cut 14 (10)  “last session”

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Snow has blanketed several parishes in north Louisiana and as far south as Jonesboro. Forecasters predicted as much as four inches. Travis Washington, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says cold air  was already in place and it mixed with the right amount of precipitation to create the snow

cut 15 (10) “what happened”

Washington says they expect the snow to leave the state at 4 PM. He says at noon today, Shreveport reported two inches of snow and more was on the way…

cut 16 (09) “around there”

Today is the deadline for the three physician team to be assembled that will perform the court ordered psychiatric examination of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Eric Gill reports…

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North Louisiana could get multiple inches of snow today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Viking Cruises announces they’ll begin offering trips along the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Today is the deadline for the three physician team to be assembled that will perform the court ordered psychiatric examination of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson in the legal fight involving his former heirs. Legal analyst Tim Meche says doctors will first sit down with Benson and ask him questions to test his memory…

cut 4  (10)  “ruled that out”

Meche says there will be no neurological testing on Benson. The physician team has until March 13 to report their findings. He says these examinations are meant to determine whether Benson is capable of making reasonable decisions concerning his care of his person and his property…

Cut 5  (12)  “he trusts”

He says the tests will consist of a series of questions and a free-flowing interview. The physician team will consist of one doctor chosen by Benson, one by his former heirs, and one agreed upon by those two doctors. Meche says when doctors know other doctors are looking over their shoulder, it’s rare for one to diverge from the group…

Cut 6 (12)  “differing opinions”

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The parishes along the Louisiana-Arkansas border are under a winter storm warning today as a significant snowfall is expected. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says they are expecting more than a light dusting…

CUT 7 (09)  “we can expect”

Traveling along I-20 has not been easy the last couple of days, and Mayeaux says the situation will only get worse with more sleet and snow

Cut 8  (08)  “still there” 

Several parishes along I-20 and to the south of the interstate are under a winter weather advisory. Natchitoches,  Lincoln, Ouachita, Grant, Franklin and La Salle are included in this advisory.  Mayeaux says these areas could also see snow…

Cut 9 (04)  “north Louisiana”

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The Board of Regents approved a plan which would create a uniform policy for Louisiana’s colleges in how they deal with sexual assault claims. Higher education commissioner Joe Wallo says higher ed institutions have to develop a protocol to follow when someone comes forward with a sexual assault allegation…:

Cut 10 (08) “fair treatment”

Wallo says all of their campuses are engaging in some type of education and prevention programs with their students when it comes to sexual assault, but they wanted to work to create a common expectation. He says they are all about letting the students know leaders are there to help and to listen…:

cut 11 (08) “be recourse”

Wallo says colleges must work with local law enforcement on response efforts and also ban retaliation against someone who files a sexual misconduct complaint. He says the policy is a process that first starts with the evaluating the complaint…:

cut 12 (07)  “by campus”

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Viking Cruises announces they’ll begin offering trips along the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans. The plan is to have the operation going by 2017 when two boats launch per year taking passengers on a journey upriver from The Big Easy to stops in Louisiana, Memphis, Tennessee, Minnesota and more. Port of New Orleans President Gary LaGrange:

Cut 13 (11)  “our restaurants”

The move means hundreds of jobs and a boost to the state’s tourism industry according to Governor Bobby Jindal. The specialty-built riverboats will have a full complement of luxury amenities and host up to 300 passengers. LaGrange says there will be amazing itineraries planned…:

Cut 14 (07) “that they can reach”

Viking’s new service will result in the creation of 417 new direct jobs for Louisiana-based operations and vessel crews with an average salary of $40,000. LaGrange says Viking’s cruises are renowned for their locally oriented educational and entertainment programs. He says the folklore will bring a lot to heart as the Mississippi River has a powerful history…:

Cut 15  (12)  “and maybe Asia”

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LSU basketball took care of business last night by easily beating Auburn 84-61. It was the Tigers 20th win of the year and Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it was important for them to avoid another bad loss to Auburn as they look to lock-up an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament

Cut 16  (12)  “resume killers”

LSU got another big game last night from Jarell Martin, who scored 25 points. Worsham says has been attacking the rim more lately

Cut 17 (11)  “closer to the rim”

LSU’s next game is Saturday at home against Ole Miss. The Tigers beat the Rebels on their home floor earlier this season and Worsham says it will not be easy to sweep the season series

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Gas prices have been on the rise for one month now. Jeff Palermo on the reasons why you are paying more at the pump…

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State Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents have arrested a Campti man for allegedly running an illegal bar out of his home. Eric Gill has more…

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Winter storm advisories remain in effect for North Louisiana today, as the National Weather Service says there’s the potential for 4 inches of snow to fall in Northwest Louisiana after midnight. NWS-Shreveport meteorologist Mario Valverde says lower temperatures look to continue and interact with the moisture in the sky…:

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Valverde says a winter storm warning is in effect for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster and they could be looking at a close to 4 inch accumulation of snow…:

CUT 4 (10)  “inch or two”

Several parishes south of I-20 and into the Monroe area and Northeast Louisiana are under a winter weather advisory or winter storm watch. Valverde says, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like temperatures will get too far away from freezing to melt the north Louisiana ice away…:

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The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reaches $2.15 cents, after jumping two cents from the previous day.  American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices have been on the rise for a month and it’s not a surprise

CUT 6 (08)  “spring time”

The statewide average a month ago was a $1.88. Redman says gas prices are expected to keep rising, but a return to three-dollars a gallon for gasoline is not expected

CUT 7 (08)  “coming months”

Refineries switching from a winter grade gasoline to summer gas is one reason for the rise at the pump. He says union strikes at two Louisiana refineries are also factoring into the price, but it shouldn’t lead to large price increase…

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State Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents have arrested a Campti man for allegedly running an illegal bar out of his home. 42-year-old Robert Williams was arrested and booked into the Nachitoches Parish Detention Center. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says the program Williams was running from his home was quite simple…

CUT 9 (09)  “that’s illegal”

Hebert says they were tipped after seeing Williams’ establishment advertised on social media. He says undercover agents were able to pay to enter Williams’ residence and buy beer and mixed drinks…

cut 10 (09)  “wind of it”

Williams faces charges of operating without a high-alcohol permit and operating without a low-alcohol permit. Hebert says these types of situations happen more than you would think. He says this type of illegal bar is called a “good house”…

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The four candidates for governor were in Shreveport for a forum today and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne was the only candidate to come out in support of Common Core. When asked about the education standards, Dardenne said, “Now is not the time for Louisiana to retreat.” UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this may be a good move for Dardenne right now…

cut 12 (07)  “abandoned it”

Cross says this clearly separates  Dardenne from the other candidates. He says that while there is a lot of negativity around Common Core, education leaders and chambers of commerce statewide support the education standards. Cross says Dardenne is keeping his ears and mind open when it comes to this issue…

cut 13 (08)  “right now”

Cross predicts that Common Core will be one of the bigger issues during this gubernatorial election. Cross says Dardenne’s stance on Common Core is not something he took lightly…

cut 14 (09)  “might occur”