Governor Landry says people can expect a bigger refund when they file their state income tax returns this year, thanks to the legislation approved during the 2024 Tax Reform Special Session. Landry says among other things, the reform doubled the retirement income exemption to 12-thousand dollars, allowing a married couple over 65 to earn nearly 49-thousand dollars tax free

Cut 7 (09) “…every single year.”

He says the typical middle class working family will save nearly 500-dollars as a result of tripling the standard deduction.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Foestry has tracked more than 170 wildfires across Louisiana this month. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Doctor Mike Strain says it’s dry and windy…

Cut 10 (12) “….long ways away”

Most of the state is classified as either high to extreme risk for wildfires.

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It looks like Ramesh Kolluru is the sole finalist to be the next president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The University of Louisiana System board will interview Kolluru on Friday and will likely announce he’s the next president. Kolluru has served as interim president since November.

Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana taxpayers should see higher refunds after they file their state income taxes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It looks like Ramesh Kolluru is the sole finalist to be the next president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The University of Louisiana System board will interview Kolluru on Friday and will likely announce he’s the next president. Kolluru has served interim president since November.

Wildfires continue to be a problem in Louisiana. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Doctor Mike Strain says the relative humidity is improving, so the air is not as dry, but strong winds continue to be a factor in fueling the fires…

Cut 10 (12) “….long ways away”

Strain says that means do not do any outdoor burning today.

Louisiana has officially kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky mudbug. Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven, caught and selected the lucky crawfish, who was named Tony after the legendary Tony Chachere, and Samantha Carroll with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board read the proclamation.

Cut 14 (11) “…onions and garlic.”

Crawfish producers are predicting a good crop of mudbugs this year.

A 14-year-old girl is shot and killed in Hammond. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A scary moment occurred in a Baton Rouge classroom today as a gun went off at Istrouma High School. No injuries reported as the East Baton Rouge school system says the gun was accidentally discharged and the bullet went through the ceiling. Local TV stations report the student has been detained.

A New Orleans-area lawmaker has offered up a proposed constitutional amendment for the upcoming legislative session that would place a lifetime limit of two terms on a person who has served as governor. St. Bernard Parish Republican Michael Bayham’s legislation would mean that former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not serve as governor again.

Cut 10 (08) “…across the board.”

Bayham says Louisiana should not have to “recycle” its governors.

The debate over whether the state should raise the minimum wage which has stood at $7.25 since 2009 will also occur in the upcoming session. State Representative Delisha Boyd says with no increases to the minimum wage in almost 17 years, some people can no longer afford to live in the state, especially in her New Orleans district.

Cut 6 (08) “…to be here.”

Pro business groups argue a higher minimum wage will lead to job losses and higher costs for consumers.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s the approach one New Orleans lawmaker is taking in proposing a minimum wage increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Republicans and pro-business lobbyist groups have been successful in defeating minimum wage hike proposals in previous years. They argue a higher minimum wage will result in job losses and higher costs for consumers.

A Saint Bernard Parish lawmaker has filed a bill for the upcoming session that says once a governor serves two terms, he or she can not run for a third term. The legislation would mean Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards could not run for governor again. Republican Mike Bayham says Louisiana should not have to recycle its governors…

Cut 12 (07) “.,.a former governor”

Edwin Edwards and Earl Long served more than two terms as governor in the state’s history. It’s already against state law to serve more than two consecutive terms as governor.

After a chilly night last night, high temperatures will be returning to around the 80-degree mark for the foreseeable future. Todd Fontenot with the LSU Ag Center says that means the supply of crawfish will go up, and prices will go down…

Cut 15 (11) “…to grow more’

There’s been a desire for a long time to build a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but finding the funding for the projected three-billion dollar project has been difficult. A state lawmaker has come up with a idea that could lead to the necessary federal funds and that is name the new bridge after President Donald Trump….

Cut 9 (12) “….done for Louisiana”

That is Monroe Representative Michael Echols who has filed a bill calling on the proposed bridge to be named after the current president.

The United Cajun Navy is now involved in the search for the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, during the early morning hours on February 1st. Incident Commander Josh Gill is on the ground in Tucson.

Cut 6 (08) “…the sheriff’s department.”

Gill says he and his team are canvassing the area near the 84-year-old’s home with flyers and are speaking to as many people as they can.

As the Louisiana Lottery celebrates one milestone, it celebrates a second milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight is the State of Union and House Speaker Mike Johnson from Bossier Parish says the plan is to have the Gold Medal men’s U-S Hockey team in attendance…

Cut 19 (12) “…America’s team”

The women’s US Hockey team declined Trump’s invitation to attend the State of the Union.