Louisiana is being sued by an out-of-state retailer because of the state’s burdensome tax collection system that’s costing it more than double what it cost to collect a dollar in sales taxes for the state.  More from Dave Brannen.

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Voters pass Constitutional Amendment Two; bringing changes to the state income tax code. So what comes next? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

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LSU Shreveport is providing COVID vaccines for children ages five to eleven at schools in north Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains

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Just days after voters said no to amending the state’s constitution to create a single tax commission in Louisiana, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force change to the tax collection system in the state.  Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the current system conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Wayfair decision.

Cut 4 (08) “…have to do. “

The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of a small online Arizona jewelry and craft supply company that estimates the current tax system in Louisiana costs it two-dollars-28-cents for every dollar it collects in taxes.

Erspamer says Louisiana’s tax collection system is only one of two in the nation that is considered overly complex and possibly likely federally unconstitutional.

Cut 5 (08) “…we’re the worst”

Instead of having one tax collection commission, there are more than 50 such entities in the Bayou State.

Erspamer says the goal is to have the courts decide whether Louisiana is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision to streamline tax collection in U.S. states.

Cut 6 (13) “..here in Louisiana.”

Named as defendants in the case are the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Lafourche, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.

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A Legislative Audit found the Louisiana Workforce Commission made $2.9 million in payments that might have violated both state and federal unemployment rules. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says while the agency acknowledges the mistake, they also had to implement a huge number of claims with little federal guidance.

Cut 7 (11) “…win for us.”

The audit found that three percent of the $10-billion paid out by LWC was in overpayments. Fiore says an overpayment of unemployment benefits happens in normal times also.

Cut 8 (11) “…circumstance.”

Fiore says it’s important that LWC come to the aid of Louisianans. He says LWC is so much more than unemployment, they help put people to work but at the height of the pandemic…

Cut 9 (10)  “…times before.”

If you believe you might have received an overpayment of unemployment benefits Fiore says you can call LWC or check your My Hire account for notification.

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Voters statewide approved Constitutional Amendment Two, which will lower state income tax brackets, cap the highest brackets and remove the deduction for federal income taxes paid. With that done, what comes next? State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Lewis they’ll immediately put out new state withholding tables that reflect the new rates…:

Cut 10 (15)  “…effective January 1.” 

The Amendment lowers the income tax brackets to 1.85-percent for the lowest income earners, 3.5-percent for middle incomes and 4.25-percent for the highest. Lewis says will mean a great number of taxpayers will find they owe the state less when they file their 2021 state taxes…:

Cut 11 (10) “…to the rate change.”

Remember that the state tax deduction for federal income taxes paid is also going away, and this will also affect how much you may owe – or get back from – the state. Lewis says state legislators worked with her department to create a tax reform that would have minimal impact on small business and individual taxpayers…:

Cut 12 (10) “…all income levels.”

Lewis says to be prepared for the tax changes brought by Amendment Two when you file state taxes in the spring.

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LSU-Health Shreveport is helping parents by making it as convenient as possible to have children ages five to eleven get vaccinated at schools in north Louisiana. Hospital K-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says they already had established relationships with the schools when they did COVID testing, and now they are providing vaccines.

Cut 13 (08) “…atmosphere.”

To be vaccinated, Deason says all children must present a signed parental consent form and they are also taking another step to confirm parental or guardian permission.

Cut 14 (08)  “…the shot.”

After each injection students are observed by nurses for 15 minutes to see if they have any adverse reaction and for those students who have epi-pens they are observed for 30 minutes as a precaution.

Understandably, Deason says many of the children are apprehensive about getting a shot and so they try to ease their fears and even ask if they’ve ever been pinched by their sibling.

Cut 15 (09)  “…relatable.”

They will visit schools in three weeks to follow up with a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and also offer flu shots on second visits. Parental consent will be required once again.

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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Max Johnson will start at quarterback against ULM. Johnson started in the loss to Arkansas, but freshman Garrett Nussmeier played most of the game. Orgeron says Nussmeier showed flashes but the Tigers still lost the game

Cut  16 (20) “..redshirt”

If Nussmeier plays in another game this season, he will lose the ability to declare this a red-shirt season and lose a year of eligibility.

Orgeron was once again critical of the play calling following Saturday night’s loss to the Hogs. Coach O was asked on Monday if he regretted hiring offensive coordinator Jake Peetz and passing game coordinator DJ Mangas, who are calling plays for the first time…

Cut 17 (20) “ this job” 

LSU is 4-and-6 and needs to win the final two games of the regular season for a chance to play in a bowl game. Orgeron expects his players to remain motivated….

Cut 18 (25) “..stop then”  

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The Saints suffered a gut-wrenching loss Sunday to Tennessee as the Titans held on for a 23-21 victory. New Orleans made too many mistakes, but Coach Sean Payton says there were some positives.

Cut 19 (19)  ” struggled” 

After a big win at home against NFC South leader Tampa Bay, the Saints have lost two consecutive tight ball games. Payton says they will look to end the losing streak this Sunday at Philadelphia…

Cut 20 (20) “..that’s important.” 

Former New Orleans Mayor and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu will serve as President Biden’s senior advisor on the distribution of Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act funding that was signed into law this afternoon. The decision to tap Landrieu as a senior advisor on the investments being made under the historic infrastructure bill is being lauded by UNO political analyst Ed Chervenak.

Cut 7 (10) “….it’s really great.”  

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9 million in payments that potentially violated both state and federal unemployment rules. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says when you look at overall unemployment payments during the height of the pandemic, the overpayments are only a small percentage, and he acknowledges it was a very difficult time for the agency.

Cut 5 (09) “…effective.”

The audit found $898,000 in improper payments.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating to see if the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans is also in whitetail deer.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

A new report from Bank-rate-dot-com finds Louisiana ranks as the second-worst state for drivers. Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says a main reason for the high ranking is that Louisiana is expensive for drivers, the state’s average car insurance rates are the highest in the country at 27-hundred dollars…

Cut 12 (06) “…a driver”  

Foster says in addition to the high cost for drivers, Louisiana has a high fatality rate.

The decision to tap Louisiana’s Mitch Landrieu as a senior advisor on the investments being made under the historic federal infrastructure bill is being lauded by UNO political analyst Ed Chervenak.

Cut 7 (10) “….it’s really great.”  

The infrastructure bill is being signed into law by President Biden this afternoon.

Louisiana is beginning to test whitetail deer for the presence of COVID-19 after the same animals tested positive for the virus in Iowa. LDWF Deer Program Manager Jonathan Bordelon:

Cut 9 (12) “…within those samples.”

Bordelon says the state is now joining with the USDA Wildlife Services to collect blood for testing from whitetail deer harvested by hunters in Louisiana. It’s not known if the deer can transmit the virus to humans.

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9 million in payments that potentially violated both state and federal unemployment rules. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says when you look at overall unemployment payments during the height of the pandemic, the overpayments are only a small percentage, and he acknowledges it was a very difficult time for the agency.

Cut 5 (09) “…effective.”

A new report from Bank-rate-dot-com finds Louisiana ranks as the second-worst state for drivers. Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster says a main reason for the high ranking is that Louisiana is expensive for drivers, the state’s average car insurance rates are the highest in the country at 27-hundred dollars…

Cut 12 (06) “…a driver”  

Foster says in addition to the high cost for drivers, Louisiana has a high fatality rate.

Voters head to the polls tomorrow in Louisiana, but for most, there’s not a lot to cast their votes on. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments.  Ardoin says if you aren’t sure where your polling location is, or what’s on your ballot, you can visit the website geauxvote.com.

Cut 5 (11) “…experience, I promise.”

The statewide average price of regular gas in the Bayou State is $3.16 a gallon. Down about a penny. And even though most of us tend to dislike the time change, Triple A’s Don Redman says it might have one redeeming quality, especially right now, because it’s darker on your commute home.

Cut 8 (11) “…the price.”

Redman doesn’t expect to see gas prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.

The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades…

Cut 9 (10) “…St James Parish.”

Four people from Larose are facing drug charges following an investigation that, among other things, led to a loaf of bread that had been hollowed out and stuffed with 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The Lafourche Parish sheriff says the discovery by a drug agent’s K-9 was made during a traffic stop earlier this week. Among the four arrested was suspected drug dealer, 46-year-old Reggie Estay.  The three others were arrested during a search of Estay’s West 11^th Street home, all of them said to be in possession of meth.

Voters head to the polls tomorrow in Louisiana. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments. Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.

Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”

The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has dropped by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average in the Bayou State is $3.16 a gallon. He says he doesn’t expect to see prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.

Cut 7 (11) “….into the winter.”  

Redman says while OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production he says we most likely won’t see an impact in prices at the pump for some time.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana’s study of virtual learning hopes to help create best practices for remote education in the future. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Now a check on commodity prices for this Friday afternoon.

Governor Edwards officially dedicated the Never Forget Garden this Veteran’s Day. The dedication of the garden adjacent to the State Capitol grounds also commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Edwards, who served in the Army himself, reminded attendees to remember family members of vets who often miss having their vet present for the holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions because they are off serving.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and LSU are joining together to survey the commercial seafood industry about the economic impacts suffered during the last two hurricane seasons. LDWF administrator, Jason Froeba says it’s important they get a good reading on the economic impacts of the storms from a variety of folks working in the commercial seafood industry.

Cut 5 (11) “…commercial fishing industry.”

He says at this point there is no dollar estimate of the damage done to the industry.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is suggesting you honor a veteran by casting your ballot Saturday. Ardoin says you can also display your appreciation with their Honor Vets Vote Program by visiting sos.la.gov/honorvets. And, in addition to sharing your participation on social media, Ardoin says you can also show your appreciation for vets in other ways too.

Cut 7 (07) “….lapel pin.”  

Polls open at 7 AM Saturday.

McNeese State’s decision to stay in the Southland Conference will provide a positive economic impact for the Lake Charles area. McNeese considered joining the Western Athletic Conference because the WAC would help the school become an FBS football institution. AS Heath Schroyer says that’s still the goal, but by staying in the Southland they can help the Lake Charles community.

Cut 14 (09) “..pass up.” 

McNeese will host the Southland basketball, baseball, and softball tournaments from 2023 to 2026.

Governor Edwards officially dedicated the Never Forget Garden this Veteran’s Day. The dedication of the garden adjacent to the state capitol grounds also commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Edwards says visiting the tomb in DC, that’s representative of all souls lost in the war is a very moving experience.

Cut 9 (12) “…of America.”

Today is Veteran’s Day and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin suggests you honor a vet by casting your ballot Saturday. Ardoin says you can also display your appreciation with their Honor Vets Vote Program by visiting sos.la.gov/honorvets.

Cut 6 (12) “…social media.” 

Polls open at 7 AM on Saturday and close at 8 PM.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and LSU are joining together to survey the commercial seafood industry about the economic impacts suffered during the last two hurricane seasons. LDW administrator, Jason Froeba:

Cut 3 (10) “….the federal government.”

McNeese State’s decision to stay in the Southland Conference will provide a positive economic impact for the Lake Charles area. McNeese considered joining the Western Athletic Conference, but by staying in the Southland, the school will host multiple conference tournament championship events over a four-year period. McNeese A-D Heath Schroyer…

Cut 12 (10) “…Lake Charles”  

McNeese will host the Southland basketball, baseball, and softball tournaments from 2023 to 2026.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and LSU are joining together to survey the commercial seafood industry about the economic impacts suffered during the last two hurricane seasons. LDW administrator, Jason Froeba:

Cut 3 (10) “….the federal government.”

The questionnaire takes a few minutes to fill out, with the information requested from the likes of seafood producers, harvesters, dealers and charter boat operators.

A study commissioned by the State of Louisiana shows military spending in the Bayou State has climbed to a more than nine-point-six billion dollar annual impact. Don Pierson, the state’s Economic Development Secretary explains why it’s important to keep track of military spending in Louisiana and what the impact is.

Cut 12 (12) “…inside the Pentagon.”

State law mandates an in-depth assessment every four years of the military’s impact in Louisiana.

53-year-old Jason Miller of Covington is in the East Baton Rouge Jail, charged with the rape of a teen and impersonating a police officer. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Hicks says the victim was walking in the Gardere area Sunday when Miller allegedly approached her said he was in law enforcement, flashed a badge, and began questioning her.

Hicks says they are asking for the public’s help to see if Miller may have committed such heinous crimes before.

Cut 15 (08)  “…law enforcement.”

A man is dead and three other men and a 14-year-old are hospitalized after an ambush-style shooting Tuesday night in front of a grocery store in St. Charles Parish. Sheriff Greg Champagne says the gunfire occurred in Killona and it hasn’t been confirmed how many shooters there were. Champagne says they’ve been working with authorities in St. James and St. Johns parishes who have encountered similar types of criminal activity.

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The investigation is continuing.

Insured losses from the 2020 hurricane season have reached $10.6 Billion in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Barring any major developments, Mardi Gras 2022 is a go for next year in New Orleans as the pandemic appears to further wane. Arthur Hardy who publishes the annual guide to Mardi Gras says he expects strong efforts will be made to ensure that the major parades, such as Endymion, are allowed to use their traditional routes

Cut 5 (11) “…be done safely.”

Last year’s parades were canceled because of the raging pandemic.

Centenary College hasn’t played a football game since 1941, but today the Shreveport school announced plans to return to the gridiron and compete on the football field in 2024. Also, applications to join a conference will begin immediately. Centenary will celebrate its bicentennial in 2025 and Board of Trustees Chairman Archer Frierson says bringing back football will only enhance the higher education experience at Centenary…

Cut  11 (11)  “…the community.”  

Entergy Louisiana is looking to increase its green power-generating portfolio. Jonathan Bourg, director of resource planning for the utility, says Entergy will seek to purchase several hundred megawatts of solar power by around 2024. He says the four new solar facilities are important in Entergy’s efforts to provide clean energy.

Cut 13 (07) “…an affordable manner.”

The new solar facilities will be located in Allen, St. James and Washington parishes.