In two different speeches in north Louisiana this week, Governor Jeff Landry talked about the need for tax reform. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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AccuWeather is predicting 6 to 10 named storms during what it calls “Supercharged September.” Mel Bridges has the details.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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State and federal transportation officials meet in Baton Rouge today to discuss proposed changes to the I-20 Tarbutton exit interchange and service road to accommodate the construction of a Buc-ee’s. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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This week, Governor Jeff Landry said for Louisiana to experience generational change it needs to reform its tax code by eliminating tax breaks for special interest groups. What does he mean by special interest groups? Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that’s the oil and gas industry, petrochemical and farming industries….

Cut 4 (10) “…if at all.”

There has been talk of a tax reform special session in early 2025 and an interest to lower the state’s personal income tax. The elimination of certain tax breaks could offset the loss of revenue from a lower personal income tax. Alford says we’ll have to wait on the details

Cut 5 (12) “…that direction.”

Tax reform has been a buzz word at the state capitol for decades. Alford says Landry is not the first governor to propose a major change to the state’s tax code that would include the elimination of certain tax breaks…

Cut 6 (06) “…very issue.”

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Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has opened the application process for Phase 3 of SUN Bucks. This program is designed to provide financial assistance of a one-time benefit of $120 dollars to families with children who would have received free or reduced-price meals if schools were open. Eligible families can receive benefits for the summer of 2024, aimed at helping cover the cost of meals during school closures. DCFS Economic Stability Director Tim Jenkins says they have received over two thousand applications so far…

Cut 7 (06) “…September 20th.”

Phase 3 applications are open for households with children who attended CEP schools that receive free school meals without having to complete a form. Each eligible child receives the one-time payment on a EBT card, which can be used to purchase food at stores that accept SNAP benefits. Jenkins says the child will have 122 days to use the funds…

Cut 8 (07) “…the account.”

DCFS has made the application process straightforward, accessible online, and urges those in need to take advantage of this opportunity to ease the financial burden of feeding their children during the summer months. Jenkins says parents can reach out with any questions or to check the status of their application…

Cut 9 (10)  “…8:30 till 2:30.”

To apply, families need to provide basic information such as the child’s name, school attended, and household income. Go to louisiana-dot-summer-ebt-app.com.

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After a quiet August, AccuWeather is predicting 6 to 10 named storms during what it calls “Supercharged September.” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter says we didn’t see many named storms in August due to the Saharan Air Layer and favorable wind shear…

Cut 10 (10) “…persistent problem.”

With mitigating factors clearing up, Porter says we can expect storms to start appearing as early as Tuesday. He says the Gulf’s record-high water temperatures create the perfect environment to make storms worse…

Cut 11 (10) “…other concerns.”

Besides wind and coastal flooding, Porter says hurricanes can cause tornadoes and inland flooding days after the storm blows through. Porter recommends you start preparing for hurricanes now so you’re not caught unaware if one threatens Louisiana…

Cut 12 (11) “…September 10th.”

AccuWeather is also predicting an abnormally long Atlantic hurricane season that could end as late as December.

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Buc-ee’s, the popular Texas-based chain of travel centers, has cleared a significant hurdle in its plan to open a new store in Ruston. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says a critical meeting scheduled today in Baton Rouge to discuss the I-20 Tarbutton interchange design to accommodate the project.

Cut 13 (09)  “…will be about.”

The proposed Ruston store will be located near the I-20 corridor. The store is expected to boost the local economy by creating ja minimum of 200 jobs and increasing sales tax revenue. Walker says they plan to break ground on the site soon, with construction anticipated to take 12-15 months.

Cut 14 (12)  “…other places.”

Local officials and residents have largely welcomed Buc-ee’, viewing it as a significant development for Ruston. The store is expected to draw visitors from across the region, enhancing Ruston’s reputation as a travel destination. With this latest approval, Buc-ee’s is one step closer to making its Louisiana debut.

Cut 15 (07)  “…entire state.”

There are also plans to build a Buc-ee’s off of I-10 in Lafayette.

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The Saints conclude the preseason on Sunday by hosting the Tennessee Titans. With roster cuts just around the corner, Dennis Allen and the coaching staff will look for players to stand out. With 11 wideouts on the roster, Saints analyst Mike Detillier says one of they’re one of the most competitive battles…

Cut 16 (17) “…to play.” 

The Saints defense is expected to be a strength again this year with the success of free agent edge rusher Chase Young and progression of defensive tackle Brian Bresee. The starting safety spot alongside Tyrann Mathieu is still up for grabs but Detillier says this secondary is one of the most talented he’s seen

Cut 17 (20) “…stand out.”

The ongoing backup quarterback battle between Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler will headline the game, but Detillier has bigger offensive concerns…

Cut 18 (17)  “…question mark today.”

Trevor Penning and Oli Udoh have been splitting reps at right tackle while veteran Lucas Patrick has taken over starting reps at left guard with Nick Saldiveri sidelined. Patrick left practice with cramps Wednesday, and undrafted rookie Kyle Hergel has climbed the depth chart.

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McNeese will be one of the first college football teams to take the field this year as they kick off their season tomorrow against Tarleton State. The Cowboys are led by redshirt senior quarterback Cliffton McDowell. McDowell won Big Sky Newcomer of the Year last season as he led Montana to the FCS National Championship game. McNeese Head Coach Gary Goff says he brings experience to a young squad

Cut 19 (17) “…what he’s doing.”

The Cowboys finished winless in the regular season last year and were picked to finish 6^th in the nine-team Southland Conference this season. The Texans hope to build on an 8-and-3 season last year. Goff says the week zero game against Tarleton State is a great opportunity to bring attention to the program, but he won’t let pressure get to his players…

Cut 20 (19) “…hard work in.”

Grambling State University has made history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

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Baton Rouge police made the largest fentanyl seizure in state history yesterday. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.” 

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Grambling State University made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says keeping everything online gives everyone access to the most recent, relevant information.

Cut 3 (08) “…minutes.”

The digital library has no physical material. Instead, it provides access to more than one-point-six million digital books and pieces of research material. Webber says this ensures students are prepared not only for research in higher education, but also for the tech-forward workforce.

Cut 4 (09) “…this information.”

Webber says purely online material removes the need for multiple physical copies or constantly purchasing current research material. Additionally, she says, the digital library reflects a tech-forward shift not just among students, but among libraries and institutions as well.

Cut 5 (12)  “…with the times.”

The seventeen million dollar facility is also the only one of its kind at an HBCU.

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Baton Rouge Police have seized approximately 181 pounds of fentanyl as part of an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operations involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophimanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). It’s believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in Louisiana history, Lt. L’Jean MckNeely says the drugs seized in this investigation have the potential to save 42 million lives

Cut 6 (09) “…southeast region.”

Keophimanh was arrested last week following another large drug seizure including around 150 pounds of methamphetamine. Detectives conducted another search warrant at a house on Vermillion Drive connected to the suspect. McKneely says Baton Rouge was being used as a midpoint distribution center…

Cut 7 (08) “…and then distributed.”

Also seized were over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, a money counter, an air hydraulic shop press, 42 kilogram stamps and four guns. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in East Baton Rouge Parish and McKneely says they need the public’s help to find find the drug dealers and traffickers…

Cut 8 (13)  “…behind bars.”

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The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill for months. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says an investment group from California owns Regions Tower.

Cut 9 (11) “…five hundred thousand dollars.”

Regions Tower is over 90 days overdue on a building-wide electricity bill totaling around half a million dollars. SWEPCO says they’ve been in contact with the California-based company that owns the building to keep the lights on, and Campbell says the tenants are also trying to make a deal…

Cut 10 (12) “…out in California.”

SWEPCO began posting disconnection notices around Regions Tower yesterday to give tenants time to make plans in case the power does go out. SWEPCO External Affairs Manager Michael Corbin says turning off the power is the last thing they want to do…

Cut 11 (12) ” …moment.”

Building owner Hertz Investment Group of Sherman, California haven’t commented on the situation yet.

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32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. Hicks was arrested in January of 2023 after she and her boyfriend were pulled over traveling on I-12. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found marijuana in open view and several boxes of Fruity Pebbles cereal…

Cut 12 (14) “…ecstasy pills.”

The boxes of cereal were determined to contain almost 8,000 methamphetamine pills weighing over 4 pounds. During a formal police interview Hicks and her boyfriend admitted they had purchased the pills in Texas with the intent of selling them back in Virginia. Dover says this is what the Highway Enforcement Unit is there for…

Cut 13 (11) “…to buy drugs.” 

Hicks’s boyfriend plead guilty prior to the trial and without a criminal history, received a probation sentence. Dover says the judge considered Hicks’s criminal history of firearm, assault, larceny, fraud, forgery, drug, ad prostitution convictions when passing down the 35-year sentence…

Cut  14 (10) “…state of Florida.”