With the most recent congressional map facing litigation, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund believes a map with two majority-Black districts will be used for the fall election.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Despite being awarded $210 million in federal funding last year, DOTD calculated a $19 billion backlog of state highway and bridge needs. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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In Louisiana, filing taxes typically comes after Mardi Gras and that’s right around the corner so Colleen Crain looks at filing those 2023 returns.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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With the most recent congressional map containing two majority-Black districts facing litigation from 12 plaintiffs, who identify as non-Black voters, NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans believes it or a previous map they endorsed in Fall 2021 will be used for the 2024 election. He says the Secretary of State wants a map in place by the end of May.
Cut 4 (09) “…for 2024.”
Evans says the map passed by the Republican-controlled legislature and endorsed by Governor Jeff Landry in January, reflects the political priorities of securing re-elections for Congresswoman Julia Letlow, Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
Cut 5 (13) “…Black districts.”
The map that was introduced in September 2021 with two majority-Black districts, District 2, which is Congressman Troy Carter’s, had District 5 as the second majority-minority district. Evans says it reflected the re-districting principles of compactness and communities of interests together.
Cut 6 (12) “…the road.”
As for which map will be the final map, remains to be seen, Evans says the courts have previously stated redistricting is the sole responsibility of the legislature, it is only in the most extreme circumstances that a court will step in and draw a map.
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Louisiana’s new Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says the state faces a $19 billion backlog in highway and bridge needs. Donahue says once the department find ways to cut costs and identify savings…
Cut 7 (10) “…that backlog.”
Under Governor Landry’s administration, the newly approved Calcasieu Bridge project has an estimated price tag of $2.1 billion.
Donahue says the department will have start making wise investments in long- and short-term infrastructure projects. He says when the total budget related to the amount of revenue spent on state projects come out – cost always increase…
Cut 8 (13) “…was assessed.”
Last year, DOTD received $210 million, the largest amount on record, in federal highway funding from the Federal Highway Administration under the former Governor Edwards administration.
Donahue says the backlog of projects continues to grow due to an aging fuel tax and rising inflation. And to have a safe and efficient transportation system throughout the state…
Cut 9 (13) “…most impact.”
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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has implemented a change to help parishes and local governments receive an extra ten percent of eligible reimbursement from their agency and going forward 90-percent versus 80-percent. Director Jacques Thibodeaux says the change will also speed up an estimated 500 requests.
Cut 10 (10) “…dollar count.”
Thibodeaux says the policy change is retroactive and it is welcome news for those that incurred large expenditures from Hurricanes Laura and Delta.
Cut 11 (12) “…economy.”
Expenses like debris removal and overtime for first responders.
Thibodeaux says this will have a tremendous domino effect on local economies and just by giving them an additional ten percent there’s no risk to GOHSEP. He says all the legal, regulatory, and advisory requirements set by FEMA are still met.
Cut 12 (11) “…on GOHSEP’s part.”
The policy change will expedite the reimbursement process for disaster and mitigation-related expenses and provide financial relief to affected communities.
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Time to think about the tax man but it’s not all bad news says CPA Kevin Willis and while there are no major changes this year the standard deduction has gone up and if use your vehicle for work, kept track or your milage, and can deduct your milage there’s welcome news…
Cut 13 (08) “…ever remember”
A bill headed to the U.S. Senate after passing the House of Representatives Friday, would change the child tax credit by making more of it refundable and increasing the refundable amount over three years, but for now, Willis says…
Cut 14 (07) “…is refundable.
The IRS started accepting online tax returns on January 29th, but many Louisianans don’t think about taxes until after Mardi Gras. Willis says if you’re going to hire a tax preparer, be sure you vet them carefully…
Cut 15 (08) …advantage of you.“
You can check CPA credentials on the Louisiana CPA Board’s website.
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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team won their seventh straight game on Saturday as they dribbled past South Alabama 80-60. Three players recorded a double-double, Hosana Kitenge, Kobe Julien and Joe Charles. Coach Bob Marlin the connection between the five guys on the court has led to consistent basketball…
Cut 16 (16) “…talked about”
The Cajuns are 7-3 in the Sun Belt and the six-game homestand continues Wednesday night when they host Georgia State.
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The ninth ranked LSU women’s basketball team set a school record yesterday by scoring 106 points in an SEC game as the Lady Tigers cruised to 106-66 win over Florida. Six players scored in double figures led by Hailey Van Lith, who rebounded from a four-point performance in a loss to Mississippi State. Van Lith says she decided to be herself on Sunday…
Cut 17 (20) “…can’t complain.”
LSU is at Vanderbilt on Thursday.
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The LSU men’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a dominating 95-74 win over Arkansas. The 21-point win ties the largest victory in program history over the Razorbacks. Seven-footer Will Baker led the way as he had a season-high 24 points and four three-pointers…
Cut 18 (18) “…create some momentum”
Coach Matt McMahon made a line-up change at point guard as Trae Hannibal made his first start and Jalen Cook came off the bench. The two combined to score 27 points, seven assists, and only one turnover. McMahon says they had terrific point guard play….
Cut 19 (13) “…came from it”
Cook scored 20 points in 21 minutes, while Hannibal was productive on both ends of the floor. McMahon says Hannibal helped spark an early 10-nothing run early in the game…
Cut 20 (20) “…on winning”