Louisiana voters will decide on four constitutional amendments in a Dec. 7 election, two of the amendments address legislative budgeting.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Louisiana congressman will be sleeping outside tonight to shed light on a growing problem. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The December 7 election has four amendments that Louisiana Voters will vote on, addressing judicial ethics, legislative budgeting, and property tax processes. Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure, and give the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges for misconduct. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges…

Cut 3 (12) “…Judiciary Committee.”

Amendment 2 mandates a 48-hour review period for lawmakers before voting on budget amendments. This responds to rushed budget approvals in 2023.  Procopio says Amendment 3 complements Amendment 2 by allowing a two-thirds legislative vote to extend sessions by up to six days to finalize budgets. Procopio says it’s rare when time is not an issue.

Cut 4 (11) “…end of the session.”

Amendment 4 proposes replacing Louisiana’s tax sale process for delinquent property taxes with a tax lien auction, Procopio says it addresses potential due process violations highlighted in recent court rulings.

Cut 5 (15) “…debt amount.”

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter will be sleeping outside tonight to draw attention to youth homelessness in the city, the state and the country. Congressman Carter will be participating in the Covenant House Sleep Out tonight.

Cut 6 (09) “…issue of homelessness.”

Carter says the problem of homelessness is growing.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana and America.”

Carter says the fact that it’s expected to be a frigid night in New Orleans – at least, in New Orleans standards – will further shed light on the issue.

Cut 8 (07) “…with being unhoused.”

Carter says by sleeping outside, he and other officials who will be joining him can feel the pain that homeless people, especially children, go through on a nightly basis and work to bring resources to help get them off the streets.

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Researchers at LSU are developing a hand-held device to better detect cancer cells during surgery. It’s called SafeMargin, and it was invented by LSU electrical engineering associate professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO). He says the purpose of the device is to quickly detect a clean margin during cancer surgeries.

Cut 9 (08)  “…of the cancer.”

Dr. Xu says there are still many steps that need to happen before it can gain FDA approval, but he hopes to bring it to market by the end of the decade.

Cut 10 (05) “…this into market.”

Xu says the device is not only a game-changer, but it is also a life-saver.

Cut 11 (04) “…globally every year.”

Xu says not only would SafeMargin be a time-saver, but it would also be a money-saver. While traditional technology to detect clean margins would cost close to 42-hundred dollars, using SafeMargin would cost only about 100 dollars per surgery.

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Alexandria International Airport is using a federal grant to lure United Airlines back. The airport is receiving one-million dollars through the Small Community Air Service Development Program. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says they’ve wanted to lure United back ever since the airline left in 2022 due to the effects of the COVID pandemic.

Cut 12 (08) “…new air service.”

Hennessy says if the airport is successful in bringing United back, the money would be put to good use.

Cut 13 (12)  “…into the market.”

Hennessy says it will ask United to operate three daily non-stops to and from Houston. He says United returning to Alexandria will have other benefits for passengers.

Cut 14 (05) “…other two airlines.”

American and Delta are the other two airlines that fly out of Alexandria.

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Breaking news out of New Orleans, as there has been a deadly shooting in broad daylight in the French Quarter. It happened at the intersection of Iberville and Royal, just one block south of Bourbon Street. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says this was not a random shooting.

Cut 15 (13) “…a confirmed homicide.” (One killed, three others injured)

Kirkpatrick says a person of interest is in custody.

Cut 16 (13) “…person of interest.”

The shooting happened just weeks after a person was targeted outside a hotel not too far from the scene. Kirkpatrick says it’s too early to tell whether the shootings are connected. It also comes just four days after two people were killed during a second line parade in the St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood.

Louisiana voters will decide on four constitutional amendments in a Dec. 7 election, two of the amendments address legislative budgeting.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Louisiana congressman will be sleeping outside tonight to shed light on a growing problem. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The December 7 election has four amendments that Louisiana Voters will vote on, addressing judicial ethics, legislative budgeting, and property tax processes. Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure, and give the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges for misconduct. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges…

Cut 3 (12) “…Judiciary Committee.”

Amendment 2 mandates a 48-hour review period for lawmakers before voting on budget amendments. This responds to rushed budget approvals in 2023.  Procopio says Amendment 3 complements Amendment 2 by allowing a two-thirds legislative vote to extend sessions by up to six days to finalize budgets. Procopio says it’s rare when time is not an issue.

Cut 4 (11) “…end of the session.”

Amendment 4 proposes replacing Louisiana’s tax sale process for delinquent property taxes with a tax lien auction, Procopio says it addresses potential due process violations highlighted in recent court rulings.

Cut 5 (15) “…debt amount.”

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter will be sleeping outside tonight to draw attention to youth homelessness in the city, the state and the country. Congressman Carter will be participating in the Covenant House Sleep Out tonight.

Cut 6 (09) “…issue of homelessness.”

Carter says the problem of homelessness is growing.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana and America.”

Carter says the fact that it’s expected to be a frigid night in New Orleans – at least, in New Orleans standards – will further shed light on the issue.

Cut 8 (07) “…with being unhoused.”

Carter says by sleeping outside, he and other officials who will be joining him can feel the pain that homeless people, especially children, go through on a nightly basis and work to bring resources to help get them off the streets.

______________________________________

Researchers at LSU are developing a hand-held device to better detect cancer cells during surgery. It’s called SafeMargin, and it was invented by LSU electrical engineering associate professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO). He says the purpose of the device is to quickly detect a clean margin during cancer surgeries.

Cut 9 (08)  “…of the cancer.”

Dr. Xu says there are still many steps that need to happen before it can gain FDA approval, but he hopes to bring it to market by the end of the decade.

Cut 10 (05) “…this into market.”

Xu says the device is not only a game-changer, but it is also a life-saver.

Cut 11 (04) “…globally every year.”

Xu says not only would SafeMargin be a time-saver, but it would also be a money-saver. While traditional technology to detect clean margins would cost close to 42-hundred dollars, using SafeMargin would cost only about 100 dollars per surgery.

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Alexandria International Airport is using a federal grant to lure United Airlines back. The airport is receiving one-million dollars through the Small Community Air Service Development Program. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says they’ve wanted to lure United back ever since the airline left in 2022 due to the effects of the COVID pandemic.

Cut 12 (08) “…new air service.”

Hennessy says if the airport is successful in bringing United back, the money would be put to good use.

Cut 13 (12)  “…into the market.”

Hennessy says it will ask United to operate three daily non-stops to and from Houston. He says United returning to Alexandria will have other benefits for passengers.

Cut 14 (05) “…other two airlines.”

American and Delta are the other two airlines that fly out of Alexandria.

If you owe a delinquent debt to the Office of Motor Vehicles, there’s relief in store for you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU looks to end its two-game losing streak on Saturday and keep alive its slim chance of playing in the SEC Championship game.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you might want to consider taking in the St. Tammany Collectors Convention in Mandeville. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Those of you who owe fees and unpaid fines to the Office of Motor Vehicles, the state is offering some much-needed relief. The OMV has recalled fees previously referred to the Office of Debt Recovery and has reset them to their original amounts. Commissioner Dan Casey says the goal is to get driver’s licenses reinstated once and for all.

Cut 4 (09) “…rewrite this program.”

Casey says some of the reasons that some fees went to the ODR may have been beyond the driver’s control, and that sent the amount owed spiraling out of control, making the matter worse.

Cut 5 (15) “…to four-thousand.” 

Casey says the state wants to help in any way it can.

Cut 6 (06) “…an individual basis.”

The OMV says more than 350-thousand Louisiana drivers will benefit from this change, and they need to contact the OMV immediately to pay the original fine in its entirety or to work out a payment plan. All unresolved fees more than 180 days past due will be referred back to the ODR.

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Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is set to visit the UK to promote Louisiana spices, meet agricultural officials, and tour farms and other agricultural sites. Strain highlights the UK’s extensive agricultural land, with 71% dedicated to farming, focusing on staple crops like wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes. He also notes that UK’s top export is…

Cut 7 (05) “…a few other things.”

Strain’s enthusiasm for Louisiana’s vibrant food culture and his excitement about his upcoming trip reflect his commitment to expanding Louisiana’s agricultural influence and fostering cultural exchange through food.

Cut 8 (04) “…sell stuff to the U.K.”

Strain says he will be touring, looking at the U.K.’s agriculture, and meeting with their officials.

Cut 9 (05)  “…veterinarians and their scientist.”

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Louisiana lawmakers have delayed a vote on a crucial sales tax bill within Governor Jeff Landry’s ambitious tax reform plan. The package aims to cut around $2 billion in income and corporate taxes but has faced opposition regarding a proposed sales tax expansion on services like lawn care, tattoos, and coin-operated laundries. This tax would raise an estimated $500 million to offset the lost revenue from the tax cuts. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says resistance in the House has cast doubt on the bill’s future, as 70 votes are needed for passage.

Cut 10 (12) “…be a tough sell.”

Some legislators doubt the bill’s viability. Meanwhile, Landry has denied a lack of support, urging patience. A separate bill making a temporary .40% sales tax permanent passed down from .45%, expected to generate $820 million annually, Pinsonat says that’s good news for tax payers.

Cut 11 (07) “…good news for consumers.”

Other tax reform measures advancing include reducing the corporate income tax and eliminating the franchise tax. Pinsonat says these proposals aim to improve Louisiana’s tax competitiveness, with Landry citing models from states like Texas, though the package’s full impact remains uncertain.

Cut 12 (10) “…eventually counts.”

Final Adjournment for the legislature is November 25.

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not take in the St. Tammany Collectors Convention in Mandeville? It will take place tomorrow and Sunday at the Castine (CAST-een) Center. Convention owner and director Ben Robert (ro-BEAR) says there will be about 150 vendors in the 40-thousand-square-foot facility.

Cut 13 (11)  “…type stuff”

There will also be vintage record vendors and trading card vendors. Robert says there will also be costume groups on hand.

Cut 14 (12) “…Star Wars groups.”

And Robert says there will be some special guests on hand.

Cut 15 (16) “…in Scream 3.”

General admission is 15 dollars tomorrow and 10 dollars on Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free, as is parking. More information is on their website at StTammanyCollectorsCon.com.

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Former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston returns to the Superdome this Sunday when the Black and Gold host the Cleveland Browns. Winston spent four seasons in New Orleans and signed with Cleveland as a free agent in the offseason and has started the last two games for the Browns. Safety Tyrann Mathieu is looking forward to the reunion…

Cut 16 (14) “….up there.” 

After missing the last seven games due to a groin, starting center Erik McCoy is expected to return this Sunday. McCoy says he returns just in time to face a very good defensive line…

Cut 17 (17) “…successful game.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns can win a Sun Belt Conference Western Division championship tomorrow with a win over South Alabama. It would be U-L Lafayette’s fifth division title in seven years. The Cajuns were picked to finish third in the West, but Coach Michael Desormeaux says they expected to play in the Sun Belt Championship game…

Cut 18 (11)   “…ever mattered.”

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The LSU Tigers will attempt to snap their two game losing streak tomorrow as the Bayou Bengals visit Florida in Gainesville. The Tigers are ranked 113th in the country in rush offense. Offensive tackle Emery Jones says they are doubling down on their effort to get the ground game going…

Cut 19 (16) “…make it work.”  

The last six quarters have been rough for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but Jones says Nuss still has a positive mindset…

Cut 20 (09) “…him for that.”

Kick off is at 2:30.