A federal judge in Baton Rouge heard arguments yesterday over the state law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms. One of the plaintiffs, Unitarian Universalist Reverend Darcy Roake, says it’s not the state’s job to push religion on kids.

Cut 3 (11) “…the school system.”

The state argued that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and is not overtly religious. The hearing included testimony from Steven K. Green of Willamette University, who the plaintiffs called as an expert witness. Attorney General Liz Murrill argued that Green’s testimony be excluded.

Cut 5 (15) “…was admittedly subjective (2x)”

A ruling is expected by November 15^th.

Taylor Swift is about to provide a huge economic boost to New Orleans. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Eighth ranked LSU and 14th ranked Texas A-and-M will battle for first place in the SEC on Saturday night. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly on the Aggies offense

Cut 16 (16) “….weapons”

A new study illustrates the impact on income tax and sales tax reforms on individuals. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

U-S District Judge John deGravelles says he’ll issue a ruling by November 15^th regarding the constitutionality of the state’s new law that says all public schools must display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms. The judge heard six hours of testimony yesterday with the Attorney General defending the law and ACLU attorneys saying it’s unconstitutional.

A Baton Rouge woman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole as 31-year-old Whitney Ard was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of her two-year-old son, Mitchell  Robinson. Mitchell died in 2022 and it’s been determined it’s because he consumed fentanyl-laced opioids. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…

Cut 9 (10) “…which it is”

Louisiana ranks as the least safe state in the country according to a new report from Wallet-hub-dot-com. Wallethub analyst Chip Lupo says the study did not just look at crime rates, they also take into account financial security and emergency readiness…

Cut 11 (12) “…just for starters”

Louisiana also received a workplace safety ranking of 40^th.

What impact will potential changes to sales taxes and personal income taxes have on taxpayers? RESET Louisiana did a comprehensive study on that issue as lawmakers get set to debate Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal in a special session next month. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the study made connections between income levels and changes in tax burdens.

Cut 4 (13) “…slightly less regressive.”

Which means a vast majority of Louisiana citizens will see a tax cut, almost all-in double-digit percentages. But the plan could also leave the state with fewer dollars to spend on education and other state services.

A Baton Rouge woman has been sentenced to life in prison after her two-year-old son, Mitchell Robinson, died from a fentanyl overdose death in 2022. 31-year-old Whitney Ard was found guilty of second-degree murder. Mitchell was hospitalized two other times after overdosing on fentanyl-laced opioids before he finally died from the drugs. The Department of Children of Family Services were notified, but the state agency didn’t act fast enough to get the child out of the home. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…

Cut 8 (11) “…for his death”

In November of 2022, the Secretary for the DCFS at that time, Marketa Garner Walters, resigned as a result of this case and another Baton Rouge infant also dying from a drug overdose.

Wallethub.com conducted a ranking of the safest states in America and Louisiana came in last. Louisiana also ranked 49^th in financial safety. Wallet-hub-dot-com analyst Chip Lupo….

Cut 12 (13) “….would be lower”

Thousands will descend on New Orleans later this week to see pop star Taylor Swift perform at the Superdome. She’s holding three concerts starting on Friday night and Doctor Diego Bufquin, director of the hospitality unit at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, says the Eras Tour could result in Swifties returning to New Orleans….

Cut 14 (07) “….more money here”

A comprehensive study of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan finds that the proposed changes to income and sales taxes would lead to a vast majority of Louisiana citizens seeing a tax cut, almost all-in double-digit percentages. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the income tax becomes modestly more progressive, and the sales tax becomes slightly less regressive…

Cut 5 (08) “…of comfort”

Governor Landry will ask lawmakers to approve his tax plan during a special session that’s expected to be held next month.

WalletHub released its 2024 report ranking the safest states in America, with Louisiana identified as the least safe. WalletHub.com Analyst Chip Lupo say the ranking looked at five key safety factors

Cut 10 (12) “…emergency preparedness.”

A Baton Rouge mother has been sentenced to life in prison as a result of her two-year-old son dying from a Fentanyl overdose in 2022.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Ruston Police say a 20-year-old Shreveport woman’s blood alcohol content was more than twice Louisiana’s legal limit when she hit two men with her car over the weekend on South Service Road. Abby Sterling will face vehicle homicide charges. One of the two men hit, died at a hospital, 21-year-old Jack Mitcham of Ruston, who was also a Louisiana Tech student.

Oral arguments are underway in a federal courthouse in Baton Rouge over the challenge to Louisiana’s controversial Ten Commandments law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Early voting continues today for the November 5^th presidential election. The Secretary of State’s Office reports there have been 171-thousand early in-person voters after two days of early voting. In 2020, there were 155-thousand early votes after two days.

The lone constitutional amendment on the November 5th ballot would dedicate any federal money Louisiana receives from offshore Alternative energy production to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund which funds coastal protection projects. CPRF is constitutionally protected and already receives dedicated OIL and GAS money from federal and state sources, and from the BP Oil Spill settlement. LaRose Representative Joseph Orgeron…

Cut 10 (12) “…energy infrastucture.”

Thousands will travel this week to New Orleans as Taylor Swift will be performing in the Superdome. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says this is a golden opportunity to showcase the city…

Cut 15 (09) “….throughout their lifetime”

Schulz says through her shows, Taylor Swift single-handedly boosts cities’ economies throughout the world.

Oral arguments will take place in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge this morning over Louisiana’s controversial Ten Commandments law.

Cut 7 (14) “…in public schools.”

That’s Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell is defending the law on the state’s behalf and her legal team will make the case that the law is constitutional. The hearing is expected to last one or two days.

Two years from now, U-S Senator Bill Cassidy will likely be seeking re-election, but La Politics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford says he would not be surprised if Cassidy faces a challenger from his own party. Alford says State Treasurer John Fleming is one possibility…

Cut 6 (11) “…direct mail piece”

State Police is investigating two separate crashes in Avoyelles Parish that happened on the same highway on the same day. Both fatal wrecks occurred on Highway 107 on Saturday night. A two-vehicle crash near Center point claimed the life 62-year-old Harold Gaspard of Marksville and a one-vehicle crash near Pinks Lane claimed the life of 37-year-old Terrence Hawkins.

Some 150-thousand Swifties are set to invade New Orleans this week. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana’s new law to have the Ten Commandments posted in every public-school classroom goes before a federal judge in Baton Rouge today. Dane Ciolino, a professor of law at the Loyola University-New Orleans says the plaintiffs, which includes the ACLU, have Supreme Court precedent on their side.

Cut 8 (14) “…in public schools.”

Ciolino says this case will likely go before the U-S Supreme Court and the current make-up of the nation’s highest court gives it a chance that the state’s Ten Commandments law could be ruled constitutional.

KALB-TV reports Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree submitted his resignation on Friday, which means the city council will appoint the next mayor, instead of voters with a special election.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has 5.8 million in his campaign warchest sending a strong signal he will run for re-election in 2026.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Just one constitutional amendment on the November 5^th ballot. A vote for the amendment would send federal dollars from money received from offshore wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. LaRose Representative Joseph Orgeron explains why he authored the amendment to support the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund…

Cut 11 (09) “….in 20231”

Opponents of Amendment 1 say dedicating money from offshore energy production to the CPFR restricts lawmakers’ ability to make budget decisions.