Facing a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall, Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan in a news conference at the Capitol. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Union dockworkers went on strike this morning at ports across the country.  Experts say we could see similar supply chain issues like we did during Covid.  Sean Richardson has the story.

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Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates a major milestone today – its 100th year. University President William Wainwright says the Hammond school has come a long way in one century.

Cut 3 (08) “…of higher education.”

And during that time, the school has awarded tens of thousands of degrees.

Cut 4 (11) “…our centennial year.”

To mark the centennial, the school is putting on a big celebration in the Student Union breezeway with several speakers, along with a video message from one of its most famous alumni – Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts. Wainwright says you’ll be able to drink to the milestone too!

Cut 5 (05) “…few short weeks.”

The celebration was originally scheduled for the middle of September, but Hurricane Francine forced those plans to change.

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Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan that he says would close most of a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall. In a news conference at the Capitol, Landry said his plan, which he has dubbed Driving Louisiana Forward, would increase the take-home pay for all Louisiana taxpayers.

Cut 6 (14) “…to 12,500 dollars.”

Landry says in order to compete economically with states like Texas and Tennessee, which have no state income tax, Louisiana needs to eliminate the income tax.

Cut 7 (10) “…free by 2033.”

To make up for that shortfall, Landry’s plan would start taxing lobbying services, eliminate other tax breaks and would impose new sales taxes on services that are currently not taxed, such as house cleaning, pet grooming and TV streaming services. He says the tax structure would shift from taxing labor to taxing choices. Landry says his plan would instantly make Louisiana one of the best states to do business in.

Cut 8 (11) “…forms.”

Landry will be calling lawmakers back to Baton Rouge for a special session next month to take up his tax reform plan. Some components will involve changing the state constitution; that election would be held in March.

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Beginning today, a person could face a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison for possessing mifepristone and misoprostol without a prescription.  Opponents have expressed concern this will negatively impact the health care of pregnant women, but Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is fearmongering from the pro-abortion activists…

Cut 9 (09)  “…for women.”

In May, Governor Jeff Landry signed a law reclassifying the abortion drugs Mifepristone and Misoprostol as controlled, dangerous substances. The law designates them as Schedule IV drugs, making possession illegal without a valid prescription.  Murrill says securing medications that can and have been abused isn’t new…

Cut 10 (08) “…emergency situation.”

Supporters believe this reclassification will prevent coerced abortions, while opponents, including some doctors, argue that it may delay access to medications with other medical uses Despite concerns, Murrill says the law includes protections for pregnant women obtaining these drugs for personal use.

Cut 11 (11) “…violating federal law.”

The drugs are used to induce an abortion, but they also can help manage miscarriages, induce labor, insert IUD’s, and stop hemorrhaging in pregnant women.

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Union dockworkers hit the picket lines early this morning, including those at the Port of New Orleans. UNO Economic Professor Walter Lane says prolonged work stoppage could significantly impact the U.S. economy, potentially raising the cost of consumer goods and causing shortages ahead of the holiday season.

Cut 12 (11) “…saw in Covid.”

Grocery stores, which have limited capacity to store perishable goods, could struggle to restock quickly, leading to empty shelves and price spikes. Lane stresses that affected ports handle 75% of the nation’s banana imports, making this particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.

Cut 13 (13) “…in the Gulf.” 

A one-week strike alone could cost nearly $3.8 billion, according to industry estimates. Lane says the economic fallout would likely move through multiple sectors, with consumers feeling the effects of higher prices and reduced availability of key products.

Cut 14 (09) “…a lot of people.”

Here we go again – we’re keeping an eye on the tropics for another potential storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Nearly every Louisianian is waiting with baited breath on potential word of a special session on insurance reform. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Fire Service has been mobilized to support rescue and recovery operations in South Carolina following Hurricane Helene. An Incident Support Team (IST) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Louisiana arrived last week. Baton Rouge Fire Chief Mike Kimble says some team members will work in the state’s Emergency Operations Center, and others will directly engage in rescue operations.

Cut 3 (11) “…this  county.”

Kimble says their readiness and commitment to assist in these critical situations, emphasizing the strength of the partnership between the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and other agencies.

Cut 4 (08) “…very good spirits.”

Kimble noted that the OSFM teams have thoroughly built a robust unit capable of urban rescue and swift water rescue to support emergency responses nationwide.

Cut 5 (08) “…as we speak.”

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There’s the possibility of another named storm in the Gulf of Mexico this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Hurricane Center is watching a disorganized area of low pressure in the western Caribbean Sea that has a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 6 (09) “…anybody’s guess.”

There’s the possibility this potential storm following a similar path as Hurricane Helene, but Keim says it’s way too early to tell.

Cut 7 (12) “…all over the place.”

Keim says this will be a slow developing system…

Cut 8 (11) “…forms.”

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Will there be a special session on insurance reform? That’s what nearly every Louisianian saddled with sky-high auto and property insurance rates wants to know. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, says reforming property insurance should be the easy part. Auto insurance – not so much.

Cut 9 (11)  “…can accomplish successfully.”

Firment cautions, however, that there’s almost nothing that the legislature can do to lower your insurance rates.

Cut 10 (11) “…a competitive quote.”

Firment says the only way to do that is to make Louisiana a more attractive state to do business. He says in any discussion on insurance reform, the focus has to be on the families and small business owners who have to make tough choices just to afford their insurance premiums.

Cut 11 (12) “…can be successful.”

Louisiana has some of the highest, if not the highest, property and auto insurance rates in the country.

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A 5-year-old was killed and a ten-year-old injured over the weekend in a two-vehicle crash in Claiborne Parish and investigators say impairment is a factor in the wreck. State Trooper Eddie Thomas says 31-year-old Jordan Burton of Homer crossed the centerline on Louisiana Highway 146 hitting another car. Thomas says the five-year-old was not properly restrained and died at a local hospital…

Cut 12 (10) “…the hospital.”

A 10-year-old child, improperly restrained in the front passenger seat of Burton’s SUV also suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized.  Thomas says the 5-year-old child was also improperly restrained…

Cut 13 (04) “…hospital.” 

Thomas says proper restraints and safe driving behaviors can often be the difference between life and death in serious crashes.

Cut 14 (09) “…50-percent.”

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane and make landfall in Florida’s Panhandle by Thursday, and appears Louisiana is out of the crosshairs.  Sean Richardson has more.

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The Natchitoches Christmas Parade has its grand marshal for 2024. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane and make landfall in Florida’s Panhandle by Thursday.  Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grimes says so far it hasn’t developed into a hurricane yet…

Cut 3 (13) “…system.”

The storm is moving northwest near the western Caribbean and is forecasted to intensify due to warm Gulf waters.  Grymes says once in the Gulf it will start to intensify quickly and pick up its forward speed…

Cut 4 (11) “…support development.”

The exact landfall location remains uncertain, but Grymes says impacts to Louisiana are expected to experience a cold front which is what’s keeping Helene out of our hair…

Cut 5 (11) “…bayou state.”

Grymes says to stay prepared but the closer we get to November Louisiana’s risk of hurricanes drops to nearly zero.

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The Natchitoches Christmas Parade has named its grand marshal for 2024.

Cut 6 (06) …we are thrilled.”

Jill Leo, the director of festivals and events with the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association, says the defending national champions has everything that organizers look for in a grand marshal.

Cut 7 (12) “…uphold great values.”

Leo says organizers weren’t sure whether the team would accept its invitation, and they’re thrilled that it has.

Cut 8 (13) “…honor for us.”

This is the 98th year for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, which attracts visitors from across the country.

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The Senate will once again be taking up Senator Bill Cassidy’s RISEE (RISE) Act. RISEE, with two E’s, stands for Reinvesting In Shorelines Economies and Ecosystems Act. Senator Cassidy says the bill amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, or GOMESA.

Cut 9 (13)  “…protection and resiliency.”

Cassidy says removing the revenue-sharing cap will bring tremendous benefits to the state.

Cut 10 (12) “…good-paying jobs.”

Cassidy hopes to bring the bill to the finish line this time around.

Cut 11 (09) “…hard on that.”

The Senate Energy and National Resources Committee is slated to mark up the bill on Thursday.

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With less than six weeks until the 2024 election, voter interest appears to be waning, as indicated by multiple data points. Founder and President of JNC Analytics John Couvillion says some possible indicators are…

Cut 12 (13) “…election cycle.”

Other factors contributing to this disinterest include polarizing candidates, repetitive media coverage, and dissatisfaction with the direction of both major parties. Couvillion says a reason for the lower interest compared to the 2020 election is election fatigue…

Cut 13 (08) “…him and Biden.” 

Additionally, an increasing number of undecided voters and lower-than-expected turnout at campaign events suggest that enthusiasm may be significantly lower compared to previous election cycles. Couvillion says with expectations of mail-in ballots becoming the primary method of voting…

Cut 14 (11) “…October 18th.”