Louisiana ranks 42^nd in tax competitiveness, according to the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana veterans are encouraged to start new businesses.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named the manager of the 2018 USA Collegiate team. Jeff Palermo has more on this big time honor…

Cut 3    (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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According to the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index, Louisiana ranks 42^nd on tax competitiveness. Senior Policy Analyst Jared Walczak says the Bayou State has one of the nation’s most complex tax structures. He says Louisiana has a number of taxes that most states have foregone.

Cut 4  (09) “decision making”

Wyoming ranked number one in the nation when it comes to tax competitiveness and New Jersey came in 50^th. Walczak says Louisiana’s complex tax code makes it difficult for new companies to conduct business.

Cut 5  (11)  “in Louisiana”

The index reports Louisiana ranks 50^th for the state’s sales tax structure. Walczak says Louisiana could benefit greatly if it simplified its tax code.

Cut 6 (08) “worth doing”

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A deadly disease is affecting some palm trees in Louisiana.  Lethal yellowing and date palm lethal decline have been recently confirmed on silver date palms and Chinese windmill palms in Baton Rouge recently.  Previously the disease was only found in Florida. LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh says the pathogen is known to cause decline in more than 35 palm species…

Cut 7 (07)  “queen palm.”

The symptoms usually are manifest in the discoloration of older leaves, which eventually die.  There is an antibiotic to help trees called Oxytetracycline or OTC.  But Dr. Singh says you can’t spray it on…

Cut 8 (07) “just spraying.”

Dr. Singh says they are trying to prevent the spread of the disease so accurate identification of this disease is required for effective disease management…

Cut 9 (10)  “look like.”

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The first class of the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program has started training military vets to run their own business.  State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the class helps veterans wanting to go into business, by taking online classes and boot camp training on the LSU campus…

Cut 10 (13)  “business startups.”

Pierson says they are seeking all veterans young and old to get involved in a business that will be successful for them.  He says some areas of Louisiana are seeing tremendous growth…

Cut 11 (11) “northwest Louisiana.”

Pierson says recent economic growth is making this a good time for veterans to venture out into the small business world…

Cut 12 (07) “or service.”

They hope to train over 100 participants in the first year with a long term goal of creating 100 new jobs through the businesses created from this program.

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A recent survey by Offers-dot-com has revealed the favorite Halloween candy in Louisiana for this trick or treating season.  Shoppers and savings expert Carson Yarbrough says the state follows the nationwide trend in what their favorite Halloween candy is…

Cut 13 (07) “and Twix.”

The average consumer spends 75-dollars a year on candy, costumes and decorations.  Yarbrough says there will be an overwhelming amount of trick or treaters in the streets on Halloween…

Cut 14 (08) “for Halloween.”

It’s not only the kids and adults getting into the fun.  Yarbrough says those furry friends are also taking part…

Cut 15 (05) “Halloween too.”

Favorite Halloween costumes include classic such as witches, mummies and Frankenstein…

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LSU and Ole Miss will meet for the 106th time this Saturday when the two teams get together for a Saturday night kick-off in Oxford. The Tigers have won 11 of the last 15 against the Rebels dating back to 2002. But it’s been 2011 since LSU’s last win at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Fifth-year senior defensive end Christian LaCouture knows what this rivalry is all about

Cut 16  (20)      Ole Miss”

The Rebels are 3-and-3 and won their first SEC game of the year last week as they pounded Vanderbilt 57-45. Ole Miss ranks second to last in the SEC in total defense, but LSU Quarterback Danny Etling says the Rebels “D” presents some challenges

Cut 17 (12)  “over there” 

Ole Miss excels in the passing game. They rank number one in the SEC in pass offense thanks to former Calvary Baptist Quarterback Shea Patterson. But Cornerback Donte Jackson says there’s no added pressure on the defense this week

Cut 18 (20) “staying conditioned” 

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The Pelicans tip off a new season tonight in Memphis. With a healthy Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, along with a full season from DeMarcus Cousins,  there’s a belief New Orleans can be one of the eight playoff teams in the difficult Western Conference. Cousins says he’s ready to prove that two talented big men on the floor can lead to victories in today’s NBA that focuses more on outside shooting….

Cut 19 (20) some noise“

The Pelicans haven’t made the playoffs the last two years and bad starts to the season are a major reason why. New Orleans home opener on Friday is against defending champion Golden State, then a three-game road trip and then a home game against Cleveland. Guard Jrue Holiday says they know it’s important get wins in October and November

cut 20 (13)  “come prepared” 

New Orleans Police say an 18 month old girl is dead after her father stabbed and suffocated her. Chief Michael Harrison says 45-year-old Mark Hambrick told police God made him do it; and the father called to report what he’d done himself. Harrison says Hambrick told officers he’d be waiting on the porch, which makes cops suspect mental illness…:

Cut 8 (07) “not normal”

Hambrick is under arrest.

A Ruston school was destroyed following a fire.  Paul E. Slaton Head Start caught on fire around 6 this morning.  Officials say no one was inside when the fire started.  Power lines were damaged, knocking out power to over 30 homes.  Investigators are trying to determine the cause of fire.

Funeral arrangements have been set for NOPD Officer Marcus McNeil, who was killed in the line of duty on October 13th. Visitation will be held Friday at the D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home Chapel, and Saturday at the Household of Faith Church with services to follow.

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A Clinton man arrested last week tipped police off himself.  The Associated Press says 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe was not a suspect in three murders and one attempted murder in East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge Parishes until he called police and id’ed himself as the suspect.  Officers arrested Sharpe after leading them on a high speed chase.  The murders started in July and were all in a 15 mile radius…

A tiger who became a roadside attraction in Grosse Tete has died. Tony the Tiger had lived at the Iberville Parish Tiger Truck Stop since 2001. There have been legal battles between Tony’s owner Michael Sandlin and the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Sandlin’s attorney Jennifer Treadway says her client plans to get another tiger and he has a permit to do so..:
Cut 4 (08) “LSU does”
The Animal Legal Defense Fund feels Tony’s death demonstrates how the legal system leaves wildlife vulnerable to exploitation.

Louisiana voters will likely be gearing up for a gubernatorial runoff election in 2019.  GOP Chairman Roger Villere says one big name has been mentioned a lot for the election is U.S. Senator John Kennedy.  He says he is a formidable candidate for the position…

CUT 11 (10) “state treasurer.”

Villiere says many other politicians have voiced interest in running for Governor.

A Clinton man arrested last week tipped police off himself.  The Associated Press says 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe was not a suspect in three murders and one attempted murder in East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge Parishes until he called police and id’ed himself as the suspect.  Officers arrested Sharpe after leading them on a high speed chase.  The murders started in July and were all in a 15 mile radius…

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An 18-month old child is dead following a gruesome murder in New Orleans.  Police say the father 45-year-old Mark Hambrick told police “God made him do it.”  The exact motive of why Hambrick killed his daughter is unknown.  Police Chief Michael Harrison says they are seeking any information about Hambrick that will help them with the investigation…

CUT 9 (11) “821-1111.”

Hambrick is in custody with charges to be filed later.

A tiger who became a roadside attraction in Grosse Tete is dead.  Tony the Tiger was euthanized Monday.  He lived at the Tiger Truck Stop for over 17 years.  Senior Staff Attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund Tony Eliseuson has been fighting for Tony’s freedom for seven years.  Eliseuson says they stand ready to prevent another tiger from living there…

(CUT 6) (08) “another tiger.”

Owner Michael Sandlin plans to get another tiger soon.

A Clinton man arrested by police last week tipped police off himself.  The Associated Press says 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe was not a suspect in three murders and one attempted murder in East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge Parishes until he called police and id’ed himself as the suspect.  Officers arrested Sharpe after leading them on a high speed chase.  The murders started in July and were all in a 15 mile radius…

A tiger who became a roadside attraction was put to sleep Monday.  Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

An 18-month-old is dead following a gruesome murder.  New Orleans Police says the father, 45-year-old Mark Hambrick told police “God made him do it.”  Police Chief Michael Harrison says Hambrick called himself into police several hours after he killed the child…

Cut 7 (09) “old child.” 

Hambrick is in custody with charges to be filed later.

Two years from now, Louisiana voters will likely be gearing up for a gubernatorial runoff election. GOP Chairman Roger Villere says they plan to go after current Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in a big away. He says Edwards does not share many of the conservative beliefs of Louisiana voters.

Cut 10 (11) “in there”

Villere says one big name that has been mentioned a lot for the 2019 election is U.S. Senator John Kennedy.

An 18-month-old toddler is dead and New Orleans Police have the father in custody.
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Tony the Tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete has been euthanized due to health issues. Attorney for Tony’s owner Jennifer Treadway says Michael Sandlin plans to get another tiger.
Cut 4 (08) “LSU does”

Louisiana voters will likely be getting ready for a gubernatorial runoff election two years from now. GOP Chairman Roger Villere says current Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t share the conservative beliefs of many in the state. He says U.S. Senator John Kennedy along with a few other strong Republican politicians have voiced interest in running in 2019.
Cut 12 (08) “at it”

Open enrollment for the Medicare program is now until December 7th for 2018 plans. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is the only time of the year when senior citizens can shop around for their plans and compare prices. He says it’s important to find a plan that goes along with your current doctors.
Cut 13 (11) “system.”

An 18-month-old is dead following a gruesome murder.  New Orleans Police says the father, 45-year-old Mark Hambrick told police “God made him do it.” Police chief Michael Harrison says the exact motive is still unknown, however police are seeking any information about Hambrick that can help them with the investigation

Cut 9 (11) “823-1111”.

Hambrick is in custody with charges to be filed later…

Open enrollment for the Medicare program is now until December 7^th for 2018 plans. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is the only time of the year when senior citizens can shop around for their plans and compare prices. Donelon says call L-D-I to reach someone who can help with the shopping process at 1 (800) 259-5300.  He says there are assistance programs to help some individuals pay for healthcare premiums.

Cut 15 (09) “eligible “

A tiger who was a roadside attraction in Grosse Tete was euthanized.  Tony the Tiger had lived at the Iberville Parish Tiger Truck Stop since 2001.  Due to health issues, he was put to sleep on Monday.  Attorney Jennifer Treadway says despite what protestors say, Tony died peacefully and was very loved by his caretakers…

Cut 3 (08) “men weeping.”

Senior Staff Attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund Tony Eliseuson claims Tony lived in deplorable conditions…

Cut 5 (12) “his demise.”

Treadway says her client plans on getting another tiger since he has the legal paperwork to do so.

Tony the Tiger, the roadside attraction who was housed at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, has been euthanized. The Animal Legal Defense Fund fought in court for years to have Tony removed from captivity. Senior Staff Attorney Tony Eliseuson (Ella-susan) says they stand ready to prevent another tiger from living at that truck stop..:
Cut 6 (08) “another tiger”
But truck stop owner Michael Sandlin has a permit like any zoo and plans to get another tiger.

Two years from now, Louisiana voters will likely be gearing up for a gubernatorial runoff election. GOP Chairman Roger Villere says they plan to go after current Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in a big away. He says Edwards does not share many of the conservative beliefs of Louisiana voters…:
Cut 10 (11) “in there”

New Orleans Police say an 18 month old girl is dead after her father stabbed and suffocated her. Chief Michael Harrison says 45-year-old Mark Hambrick told police God made him do it; and the father called to report what he’d done himself. Harrison says Hambrick told officers he’d be waiting on the porch, which makes cops suspect mental illness…:
Cut 8 (07) “not normal”
Hambrick is under arrest.

Investigators are piecing together the strange case of an abandoned baby born to a 13-year-old girl. Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn says the teen secretly gave birth in her room then dropped off the infant on a school teacher’s front porch…:
Cut 13 (07) “right place”
The child weighed 5 pounds and 12 ounces and is now in the custody of the state.

An 18-month-old toddler is dead and police have the father in custody..:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Two years from now, Louisiana voters will likely be gearing up for a gubernatorial runoff election. GOP Chairman Roger Villere says they plan to go after Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards — and a big name out there for the 2019 Election is US Senator John Kennedy…:
Cut 11 (10) “state treasurer”

A tiger who became a roadside attraction in Grosse Tete has died. Tony the Tiger had lived at the Iberville Parish Tiger Truck Stop since 2001. There have been legal battles between Tony’s owner Michael Sandlin and the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Sandlin’s attorney Jennifer Treadway says her client plans to get another tiger and he has a permit to do so..:
Cut 4 (08) “LSU does”
The Animal Legal Defense Fund feels Tony’s death demonstrates how the legal system leaves wildlife vulnerable to exploitation.

Funeral arrangements have been set for NOPD Officer Marcus McNeil, who was killed in the line of duty on October 13th. Visitation will be held Friday at the D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home Chapel, and Saturday at the Household of Faith Church with services to follow.

An 18-month-old is dead following a gruesome murder. New Orleans Police say the father of the baby, 45-year-old Mark Hambrick, told police “God made him do it.” Police Chief Michael Harrison says Hambrick called the cops to tell them what he had done…:
Cut 7 (09) “old child”
Hambrick is under arrest.

The state Department of Children and Family Services has launched a Safe Haven locator website to prevent newborn abandonment…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A popular tiger at a truck stop in Grosse Tete has been euthanized due to medical issues. Jennifer Treadway is the attorney for the owner of Tony the Tiger. She says even though there have been ongoing legal battles with activists who felt Tony shouldn’t have been in captivity, the 17-year-old tiger died peacefully and was very loved…:
Cut 3 (08) “men weeping”
The Animal Legal Defense Fund says they plan to keep fighting for animals they feel are being mistreated, but Treadway says the Tiger Truck Stop plans to get another tiger and they have a permit to do so.

The popular food delivery app founded in Lake Charles, Waitr, is starting a new Thanksgiving food drive to help feed the needy in the communities they serve. Chief Marketing Officer Sonny Mayugba says customers can donate a holiday meal through the app, and Waitr will deliver them to local needy families the week of Thanksgiving…:
Cut 25 (10) “in need”

Numbers released by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program find Louisiana once again leads the nation for murders, with a rate of 11.8 killed per 100,000 persons. But New Orleans based Crime analyst Jeff Asher says even though the state has the highest homicide rate in the county, the number of murders has declined over the last two decades…:
Cut 6 (10) “hundred thousand”
The report found that in 2016, there were 554 homicides in Louisiana.

The Coast Guard says it has suspended the search for a Texas man who disappeared when a platform exploded on Lake Pontchartrain. Authorities said seven people were injured in the Sunday night blast, including three who were in critical condition. The missing man is identified as 44-year-old Timothy Morrison of Katy, Texas.

Investigators are continuing to piece together the strange case of a baby born to a 13-year-old girl in Baker…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The popular food delivery app founded in Lake Charles, Waitr, is starting a new Thanksgiving food drive to help feed the needy in the communities they serve. Chief Marketing Officer Sonny Mayugba says customers can donate a holiday meal through the app, and Waitr will deliver them to local needy families the week of Thanksgiving..:
Cut 12 (09) “excited about”