Lawmakers will begin poring over Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed Commercial Activity Tax on Monday. The corporate tax would replace tax revenue scheduled to fall of the books next year when a one-cent sales tax expires. Edwards says the CAT will make sure businesses pay their fair share.

Cut 13 (10) “work for”

A group opposing Governor Edwards tax plan commissioned a poll that shows a majority of Louisiana residents oppose higher taxes on businesses. Truth in Politics Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says respondents listed jobs and the economy as their top concerns.

Cut 9 (09) “find a job”

This week US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy met with White House officials seeking an additional $2 billion for flood recovery. Kennedy says he’s thankful for the financial assistance Congress has provided to flood victims, but it is not enough to help the middle class and the small businesses fully recover.

Cut 5 (07) “hand out”

Congress has already appropriated $1.6 billion in flood recovery.

There is a slight chance for a severe thunderstorm on Saturday as a result of a frontal system that will move through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s cool air behind this front that will drop high temperatures for Sunday and Monday by 10-degrees.

Cut 16 (12) nice weather”

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump administration official this week to seek an additional two billion dollars in federal flood aid. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Police are searching for three armed men who robbed three other men when their vehicle was broken down on Interstate 10 on the Bonne Carre Spillway. Police say them robbers pulled over and offered help to the victims, before pulling a gun and stealing a wallet, cash, and a cellphone.

There is a threat for severe weather on Saturday as a result of a cold front that will provide the state with cool temperatures on Sunday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says eastern portions of Louisiana are under a slight risk of severe weather.

Cut 15 (07) “eye out”

Keim says there’s cool air behind this front.

This weekend law enforcement will be on high alert for people not wearing seatbelts in pickup trucks, as the Buckle Up In Your Truck campaign begins today. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says it’s not only the driver who has to buckle up.

Cut 8 (08) “that seatbelt”

The campaign lasts until next Thursday.

Governor John Bel Edwards admits there’s not a lot of legislative support for his controversial Commercial Activity Tax, which would could help stave off a looming budget crisis. But Edwards says he’s disappointed an alternative plan hasn’t been proposed by House Republican leaders.

Cut 12 (09) “not agreement”

Truth in Politics opposes Governor Edwards’ tax plan, and a recent survey they commissioned finds the public doesn’t want to see their taxes increased. Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says 75 percent of respondents oppose a 23 cent hike on the state’s gasoline tax.

Cut 11 (11) “repair infrastructure”

The survey also finds 80 percent of respondents say government spends too much, taxes too much, or both.

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump Administration official to request an additional $2 billion in federal flood aid. Kennedy says they asked the White House to include the money in a budget bill that needs to pass to keep the federal government running through September.

Cut 3 (09) “disaster”

Congress has already appropriated Louisiana 1.6 billion dollars in flood recovery dollars.

Today police will begin looking out for people in pickup trucks not wearing their seatbelts as part of the Buckle Up in Your Truck campaign. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says they see less seatbelt compliance in pickup trucks than other vehicles. He says some drivers may feel safer in a big vehicle, but they’re not.

Cut 7 (07) “those pickup trucks”

On Monday, lawmakers will have the first legislative hearing on Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed Commercial Activity Tax, which would generate at least 400-million dollars and replace tax revenue scheduled to fall of the books next year, when a one-cent sales tax expires. Edwards says the CAT will make sure businesses pay their fair share.

Cut 13 (10) “work for”

Business groups like Truth in Politics strongly oppose the CAT tax. Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says over half of respondents to their recent survey said they do not support the tax. She says 60 percent also say they expect business conditions to stay the same or get worse in the next 6 months.

Cut 10 (11) “the trend before”

This week US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy met with White House officials seeking an additional $2 billion for flood recovery. Kennedy says he’s thankful for the financial assistance Congress has provided to flood victims, but it is not enough to help the middle class and the small businesses fully recover.

Cut 5 (07) “hand out”

Congress has already appropriated Louisiana 1.6 billion dollars in flood recovery dollars. 

Today begins the Buckle up in Your Truck campaign, when police will be on the lookout for people not wearing seatbelts in pickup trucks. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says for some reason they see less seatbelt compliance in pickup trucks than other vehicles. He says some drivers may feel safer in a big vehicle, but they’re not.

Cut 7 (07) “those pickup trucks”

Pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over in a crash, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Governor John Bel Edwards admits there’s not a lot of legislative support for his controversial Commercial Activity Tax, which would raise hundreds of millions dollars to help stave off a looming budget crisis. But Edwards says he’s disappointed an alternative plan hasn’t been proposed by House Republican leaders…

Cut 12 (09) “not agreement”

A group opposing Governor John Bel Edwards tax plan has paid for a poll that shows a majority of Louisiana residents are concerned about the economy and oppose higher taxes on businesses. Truth in Politics Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says respondents listed jobs and the economy as their top concerns.

Cut 9 (09) “find a job”

Bottgher says the public also does not want to see their taxes go up anymore.

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump administration official this week to seek an additional two billion dollars in federal flood aid. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Now here’s a look at today’s commodity prices…

Cut MiniPig

This week, U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump administration official about providing Louisiana an additional two-billion dollars in federal flood aid. Kennedy says they urged the White House to include the 2 billion dollars in a budget bill that needs to pass to keep the federal government running through September.
Cut 3 (09) “disaster”

Congress has already appropriated Louisiana 1.6 billion dollars in flood recovery dollars.

Police officers will be out in full force over the next week as the Buckle Up in your Truck campaign is underway to make sure pickup truck drivers wear their seatbelts. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer…
Cut 6 (09) “at all times”

Reducing lengthy sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes was on the mind of the hundreds who rallied on the steps of the state capitol yesterday. They are calling on the legislature to pass a justice reform package. Former Angola inmate Norris Henderson…
cut 9 (09) “…present themselves”

The Louisiana Sheriffs Association says they oppose reductions in sentences of violent offenders.

The Orleans District Attorney’s office isn’t pleased Cardell Hayes was only sentenced to 25 years behind bars for a fatal road rage shooting in New Orleans that left former Saints star Will Smith dead and his wife, Raquel, injured. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Judge Camille Buras’ sentence was fair.
Cut 13 (11) “case like this”

The Orleans District Attorney’s office says they are disappointed Cardell Hayes was sentenced to 25 years behind bars for a fatal road rage shooting in New Orleans that left former Saints star Will Smith dead. Legal analyst Tim Meche believes Judge Camille Buras handed down a fair sentence.

Cut 13 (11) “case like this”

Hayes was facing up to 60 years in prison.

Race relations are worsening in eyes of the public, according to a recent LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the share of people who believe race relations are getting worse rose by almost 20 percent since 2014. He says there’s a racial divide in opinions on whether racial equality exists today.

Cut 6 (08) “to that point”

A former personal assistant to U-S District Court Judge Patricia Minaldi has been arrested on charges he stole from her as she was attempting to recover from a condition caused by alcohol abuse. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Kim Myers says 28-year-old Justin Gray’s bond was set at 56-thousand dollars.

Cut 12 (06) “of forgery”

Today marks 7 years since the Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 people, including 28-year-old Gordon Jones. His father, Keith Jones, said on Talk Louisiana the producers of the film Deepwater Horizon met with him to learn more about his son, like his love for golf. He says Gordon’s big scene is when he gives a fossil to Mark Wahlberg, but he was also honored in another small tribute.

Cut 4 (11) “his golf swing”

Today marks 7 years since an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed 11 people off the coast of Louisiana. Twenty-eight-year-old Gordon Jones was one of those. His father, Keith Jones, told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana there were lots of protections against blowouts on the well, but greed caused BP officials to strip those to save money…:
Cut 5 (09) “these bad decisions”
Jones says unfortunately, this kind of tragedy could happen again.

Race relations are worsening in eyes of the public, according to a recent LSU survey. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says the found 75 percent of white residents trust police not to use excessive force. He says whites are also twice as likely to think police will treat blacks and whites equally…:
Cut 7 (09) “excessive force”
He says most black residents don’t feel there is racial equality while most whites believe there is.

Even after the state finally gains access to federal flood recovery dollars, the feud continues between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Congressman Garret Graves. Graves said he would resign if the federal government was the hold up in dispersing the funds. But Edwards says the state didn’t have access to the money until last week…:
Cut 13 (10) “that we need”
Both Edwards and Graves maintain they’ve tried to meet up to chat about this, but the other side wasn’t interested.

North Louisiana is known for its incredible fishing spots which has inspired Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who oversees the state Department of Tourism, to launch the Louisiana Bass Trail. Anglers who sign up at louisianabasstrail.com will be sent, for free, a Louisiana Bassport that they may take to seven lakes at any of eight Louisiana State Parks…:
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According to an LSU survey, perceptions of race relations are worsening, but there’s a stark divide along racial lines. Halen Doughty has more from the LSU Public Policy Research Lab…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police say charges are pending in the case of a fiery 5-vehicle, 18-wheeler involved crash on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish that claimed the life of a man from Alexandria. Trooper Bryan Lee says 26-year-old Ronald Allen was hit by an 18 wheeler from behind while in traffic, then became trapped between two of the big rigs. He says the DA has the case:
CUT 11 (06) “played a factor”

A man who was helping a judge in Lake Charles recover from a condition caused by alcohol abuse is under arrest for allegedly using the woman’s credit cards and checks. Kim Myers with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Justin Gray is accused of racking up charges without permission in excess of $64,000…:
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Gray, who was an assistant to U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, is charged with three counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and 41 counts of forgery. Court records reveal Minaldi was required to get treatment for alcoholism.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed an emergency proclamation declaring the state’s coast to be in “a state of crisis and emergency.” It’s being sent to the White House and Congress to underline the importance of restoration projects.