A recent poll, paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign, shows the attorney general with a huge lead among Republicans and independents in the race to be the next Governor. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says these type of candidate-paid voter polls are not uncommon, and conservative voters’ responses to such polls are also predictable…:
Cut 9 (08) “…a great deal.”
The poll, done by KA Consulting for the Landry Campaign, shows Landry leads with 48-percent of the republican and independent vote.

Governor Edwards’ proposed $46-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July draws scrutiny from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI head Stephen Waguespack says a fiscal cliff looms in 2025, as sales taxes – passed to solve the last shortfall – expire…and the governor wants to give permanent pay raises to all public school teachers. He says lawmakers need to plan for that…:
CUT 30 (07) “…over time.”
The regular session of the legislature starts April 10th.

Baton Rouge Police continue to search for the gunman who killed a 17-year-old girl who was driving on Interstate 1- 10 on Saturday night. Nykobia Keller died at the scene in what authorities call a targeted attack. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says they do not believe Keller was necessarily the intended target, but they believe the shooter was specifically shooting at her vehicle and her passenger…
cut 4 (05) “….that vehicle”
McKneely says the passenger was unharmed.

Pineville Police are taking to the skies in an effort to curb crime. Chief Darrell Basco says their newest drone won’t require an operator to be called in when needed and it’s accessible for the patrol division 24/7. And it’s not your average drone, he says it allows them to see things in real-time…:
CUT 13(09) “…consumer drone.”
The drone is valued at $12-thousand.

A 17-year-old who was with Madison Brooks prior to her death has been indicted for first and third-degree rape. Desmond Carter of Walker will also be tried as an adult for a sexual assualt that allegedly occurred last month after Brooks and four men left a bar near the LSU campus. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it’s appropriate for Carter to be tried as an adult based on his age and charges…
cut 5 (03) “….as an adult”
A grand jury has yet to hand down indictments against Carter’s three co-defendants.

There’s an uproar over the Orleans District Attorney’s office decision not to prosecute 19 individuals for illegal gun possession during Carnival. Metropolitian Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says it undermines efforts by the police to eliminate guns from the French Quarter and parade routes…
cut 6 (06) “….prosecutors”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is upset there are no consequences for the individuals arrested.

Tax reforms passed in 2021 now have Louisiana ranked among the lowest state income tax rates, where they were once among the highest….
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Record highs could be set today with temperatures in the low 80s. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temps will continue to run about 15-degrees above normal in south Louisiana for the next week…
cut 10 (08) “….into the weekend”

An East Baton Rouge grand jury indicts a 17-year-old with first and third-degree rape in the Madison Brooks case. Authorities allege four males were involved in raping Brooks before she died last month . Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a first-degree rape conviction carries a life sentence…
cut 3 (12) “….set of facts”
The 17-year-old defendant will also be tried as adult and has been identified as Desmond Carter from Walker.

The Biden Administration has proposed the first ever lease sale for offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico. One of the boundaries is a 102-thousand acre area south of Lake Charles. Interim Executive Director of the Center for LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton, says we are not too far off from seeing wind turbines in the Gulf…
cut 5 (09) “…wind farm”
The wind energy lease sales cover a smaller area than what was proposed last year to help out the fishing and shipping industry.

Tax reforms passed by state lawmakers have Louisiana ranked sixth in the country for the lowest income tax rate among states that levy an income tax. That data comes from a new report by the Tax Foundation. Baton Rouge tax attorney and consultant Jason DeCuir says our state was among the highest at 6-percent…
Cut 7 (08) “…where we have been.”
The state income tax rate is now 4.25 percent.

Mardi Gas is done for another year. It was a carnival season that revelers enjoyed after it was canceled in 2021. That year we saw the creation of float houses in New Orleans and elsewhere. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says it’s a new trend that might be here to stay…
cut 12 (06) “….of the streets”
Mardi Gras Day will be February 13th next year.

The Biden administration announces plans to hold the first ever lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico for renewable energy companies interested in building wind farms. Interim Executive Director of the Center for LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton says the move is promising for investors.
Cut 4 (10) “…that project.”
One of the boundaries is a 102-thousand acre area south of Lake Charles.

The Tax Foundation says Louisiana has the sixth lowest income tax rate in the country among states that levy an income tax. Tax consultant Jason Decuir credits a 2021 state law that eliminated the federal income tax deduction…
cut 8 (08) “….4.25 percent”
There will be discussion in the upcoming regular session to eliminate income taxes.

After being canceled in 2021 and smaller parade routes in 2022 how was Mardi Gras this year? Brooke Thorington asks Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Charges have been dropped against LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers who was arrested in New Orleans this week for a misdemeanor count of illegal carrying of a weapon on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Prosecutors decided to drop charges on the condition that Nabers does not get the gun back.

An East Baton Rouge grand jury has handed down two counts of rape, including first-degree rape against a 17-year-old who was one of four males involved in the alleged sexual assault of LSU student Madison Brooks before she died. Desmond Carter of Walker will be tried as an adult.

The Biden Administration proposes the Gulf of Mexico’s first ever wind farm lease sale. Teiko Foxx has more….
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

According to the Tax Foundation, out of the 43 states and the District Columbia that have income taxes, Louisiana has the sixth lowest income tax rate at 4.25 percent. Tax attorney and co-owner of Advantous Consulting, Jason Decuir, says tax reforms approved in 2021 helped lower the income tax rate and should help spur economic development…
cut 9 (07) “….one of the highest”
Despite the lower tax rates, Louisiana is still on track to collect about 40-percent of its annual revenue from income taxes and other declaration and withholding taxes.

The No La Toya Cantrell campaign turned over more than 49-thousand signatures yesterday to the Registrar of Voters Office in Orleans Parish as they attempt to recall the mayor of New Orleans. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross….
cut 15 (12) “…in small town”
Orleans officials have until March 14th to verify the signatures before we know for certain we’ll have a recall election.