Tax Day may be months away, but there are ways you can prepare before then to cut your tax bill. Gina Rachel is a partner with EAG Gulf Coast CPA firm in Metairie. She recommends business owners pay bills now so they can take those deductions for this year.

Cut 3 (12) “…that liability.”
If you’re spending the day cleaning up after opening presents, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has a few tips. LDEQ spokesperson Greg Langley reminds you to recycle packing materials like cardboard. But when it comes to foam peanuts…

Cut 9 (08) “…recycling agency.” 

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A leading beverage manufacturing, packaging, and distribution company is investing $10.4 million in a new production facility in Caddo Parish. Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Don Pierson says Multipack Services has chosen Shreveport for their newest facility.

Cut 6 (10) “…beyond that.”

As this week rolls on, New Orleans will begin to fill up with college football fans as Texas is set to take on Washington in a College Football Playoff semifinal game. The matchup is this year’s Sugar Bowl contest and Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says there’s a lot of excitement surrounding this game…

Cut 12 (10)  “…great football game.”  

Sad news as Louisiana sees this year’s first pediatric flu death. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Plaquemine Police are looking for a man accused of killing two people while sitting at a red-light early Sunday morning. A warrant has been issued for 22-year-old Markeithan Jamal McGinnis for two counts of first-degree murder after Justin Young and Marcus Williams were killed. Police say it’s the latest in a feud that’s been going on since 2018.

The Red Cross is asking Louisianans to donate to help with growing disaster needs. Regional Disaster Officer Ed Bush says dedicating time and manpower is an incredibly meaningful gift for many residents during local disasters.

Cut 10 (13) “…in helping.”

The Saints could miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season and many in Who Dat Nation would like to see a new head coach. But Ross Jackson, host of the Locked-on Saints Podcast, doesn’t see coach Dennis Allen getting fired unless the team gets blown out in their last two regular season games…

Cut 3 (12) “…their head coach.”

The Saints play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

The flu has taken the life of a Louisiana child. The Department of Health confirms the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says Louisiana and South Carolina have the highest flu activity in the nation…

Cut 6 (06) “…ten years.”

While the state’s flu activity is extremely high, RSV cases are on the decline except for children under one year. Louisiana saw 3 RSV-related deaths this season.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wished everyone a Merry Christmas. The Republican says he’s pleased to be home spending the holidays with his family and friends and that there’s no better place to celebrate the birth of Christ than the Bayou State.

Cut 12 (13) “…than Louisiana.” 

Saints fans are frustrated with their team on this Christmas Day and there’s growing belief among Who Dat Nation that a change in leadership is needed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached $638 million, with an estimated cash value of $321 million. The odds are one in 292 million to win the jackpot but that would be one heck of a Christmas gift wouldn’t it. There have been five Powerball winners in the multistate lottery this year.

Have you started year end tax planning? Getting organized now can help you make the most of tax benefits and minimize tax liability. Teiko Foxx has more

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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If you’re spending the day cleaning up after opening presents, Brooke Thorington has a few tips from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Tax Day may be months away, but there are ways you can prepare before then to cut your tax bill. Gina Rachel is a partner with EAG Gulf Coast CPA firm in Metairie. She recommends business owners pay bills now so they can take those deductions for this year.

Cut 3 (12) “…that liability.”

If you made money in the stock market this year, Rachel says you might consider trimming your portfolio before the end of the year to save on taxes. Rachel says individuals can also help themselves and deserving charities at the same time.

Cut 4 (12) “…that donation.”

Rachel says big life changes such as births, deaths, and marriages can greatly affect your tax filing status and tax bill. And if you plan to prepare your taxes…

Cut 5 (12) “ …for you.”  

________________________________________________________________

A leading beverage manufacturing, packaging, and distribution company is investing $10.4 million in a new production facility in Caddo Parish. Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Don Pierson says Multipack Services has chosen Shreveport for their newest facility.

Cut 6 (10) “…beyond that.”

LED estimates the project will also add 228 new indirect jobs for a total of 69 potential new jobs in Northwest Louisiana.

Pierson says Multipack chose Shreveport because of its location and distribution characteristics. It’s centrally located within large metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas…

Cut 7 (09) “…of products” 

And because Multipack will be moving into an existing facility, once the south Shreveport warehouse and office space are outfitted, Pierson expects the plant to be up and running sooner, than later…

Cut 8 (04) “…underway.″ 

To secure the project Multipack received a competitive incentives package, including a $1.5 million performance-based grant for infrastructure and building improvements contingent upon meeting investment and payroll targets.

__________________________________________________________________

If you’re spending the day cleaning up after opening presents, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has a few tips. LDEQ spokesperson Greg Langley reminds you to recycle packing materials like cardboard. But when it comes to foam peanuts…

Cut 9 (08) “…recycling agency.” 

Even batteries can be recycled. Langley says to visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s website at rbrc-dot-org, to find the closest drop-off location…

Cut 10 (11) “…the environment.”

As for your live Christmas tree, check with your local municipality for seasonal pickup and recycling. And when it comes to wrapping paper, Langley reminds you….

Cut 11 (04) “…fireplace.”

For more recycling tips visit deq.louisiana.gov/recycling

_________________________________________________________________

As this week rolls on, New Orleans will begin to fill up with college football fans as Texas is set to take on Washington in a College Football Playoff semifinal game. The matchup is this year’s Sugar Bowl contest and Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says there’s a lot of excitement surrounding this game…

Cut 12 (10)  “…great football game.”  

Washington is undefeated and Texas has one loss for the Longhorns this is their first-ever college football playoff game. With Texas a state away, expect a lot of burnt orange in the Big Easy, and Hundley says Washington will be well represented too…

Cut 13 (14) “…recent memory.” 

Next year the college football playoff will expand to 12 teams and for the first two years of the new format, the Sugar Bowl will be a quarterfinal game. So it’s unknown when New Orleans will next host a college football national championship or semifinal game. Hundley says the Sugar Bowl is working hard to land a final four match-up or national title game…

Cut  14 (14) “…we’re at.” 

The Saints could miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season and many in Who Dat Nation would like to see a new head coach. Ross Jackson, host of the Locked-on Saints Podcast expects Dennis Allen will be back, but longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael could be let go…

Cut 5 (11) “…Miami Dolphins”

The Saints play Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Flu activity in Louisiana is extremely high right now and state epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says RSV cases are also presenting a problem for vulnerable populations; children and those 60 and older…

Cut 8 (09) “…young infants.” 

Louisiana and South Carolina lead the country in flu cases.

This holiday season, the Red Cross is asking Louisianans to give a gift with meaning and help with growing disaster needs. Regional Disaster Officer Ed Bush says funds are needed to provide safe shelter and meals to thousands of people affected by disasters.

Cut 9 (13)  “…financial support.”

If you received a gift card as a present for Christmas, be sure to put it somewhere where you’ll find it later and hopefully use it. According to Bankrate, about 47% of U.S. adults by July have at least one unspent gift card with an average value of $187, that $23 Billion unspent by mid-year. Most gift cards have years until they expire, but if the store or business closes, the gift card could be worthless. So go spend it and enjoy it.

Louisiana and South Carolina have the highest flu activity in the nation. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says it’s the highest Louisiana has seen in over 10 years. Sokol says the age group most impacted by the flu right now is children between the ages of two and eleven and preventing respiratory illnesses is important to avoid dangerous consequences. She says stay home when you are sick, wash your hands, wear a mask if necessary and…

Cut 7 (09) “…serious complications.”

Red Cross has provided relief and assistance to nearly six thousand Louisianans in time of need this year says Regional Disaster Officer Ed Bush. And with a growing frequency of disasters, he urges everyone to help provide support for those who need it in the face of emergencies.

Cut 11 (12) “…need help.” 

The playoffs may be out of reach for the Saints for a third consecutive season and many in Who Dat Nation want a new head coach. But Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints Podcast, says the Saints have always valued continuity at the head coaching position…

Cut 4 (08) “..franchise history”

Dennis Allen is 14-and-18 in his two seasons.  The Saints next game is on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He says he’s pleased to be home spending the holidays with his family and friends and that there’s no better place to celebrate the birth of Christ than the Bayou State.

Cut 12 (13) “…than Louisiana.” 

Sad news as Louisiana sees this year’s first pediatric flu death.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Red Cross is asking Louisianans to give a gift with meaning this holiday to help with growing disaster needs. Regional Disaster Officer Ed Bush says dedicating time and manpower is an incredibly meaningful gift for many residents during local disasters.

Cut 10 (13) “…in helping.”

The Saints could miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season and many in Who Dat Nation would like to see a new head coach. But Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints Podcast, doesn’t see the franchise firing coach Dennis Allen, unless the team gets blown out in their last two regular season games…

Cut 3 (12) “…their head coach.”

Jackson says the Saints have always valued continuity at the head coaching position…

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He also extended well wishes from his wife Becky, son Preston, dogs Lily Grace and Charlie, and his stuffed alligator…

Cut 13 (13) “…and Alphones.”

The flu has taken the life of a Louisiana child. The Department of Health confirms the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says Louisiana and South Carolina have the highest flu activity in the nation…

Cut 6 (06) “…ten years.”

While the state’s flu activity is extremely high, RSV cases are on the decline except for children under one year. Louisiana saw 3 RSV related deaths this season.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wished everyone a Merry Christmas. The Republican says he’s pleased to be home spending the holidays with his family and friends and that there’s no better place to celebrate the birth of Christ than the Bayou State.

Cut 12 (13) “…than Louisiana.” 

Saints fans are frustrated with their team on this Christmas Day and there’s growing belief among Who Dat Nation that a change in leadership is needed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This holiday season, the Red Cross is asking Louisianans to give a gift with meaning and help with growing disaster needs. Regional Disaster Officer Ed Bush says funds are needed to provide safe shelter and meals to thousands of people affected by disasters.

Cut 9 (13)  “…financial support.”

This year, the Red Cross distributed 108 million dollars in assistance to people after disasters including the power outage in north Louisiana and the Tiger Island wildfire.

Your Christmas Forecast is a mixed bag from Santa… LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says Christmas Eve will be a wet one for most of Louisiana and though the rain will be gone by Monday, if you were hoping for a cold Christmas, well…
Cut 8 (12) “…near 70″ 

LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is headed back to Notre Dame where he’ll take over as offensive coordinator there. Denbrock was a finalist this past season for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach. Weathers says not only is Denbrock an excellent playcaller, he can also recruit…

Cut  14 (11) “..play out”
———–

While the gift of a puppy might seem like the “Best Christmas Ever”, animal advocates want to remind you the commitment goes well beyond the holidays. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And don’t forget, Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway now through January first. Additional law enforcement will be on the roadways looking for impaired drivers. So if you plan to drink at a holiday gathering, remember to designate a driver or have a ride share app at your fingertips to get home safely.

LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is leaving the Tigers and returning to Notre Dame. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says Denbrock helped develop quarterback Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy winner and guided an offense that leads the nation in scoring and total offense…

Cut 13 (13) “…to gold” 

Tis the season for scams and the Better Business Bureau is urging us all to be on guard. Don’t get tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to strangers on social media. BBB President Carmen Million says we should always be on the lookout to spot schemes that aim to steal your cash, personal information or both.

Cut 11 (12) “…is accurate.”

For more information on holiday scams, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams.

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You may not be dreaming of a wet Christmas Eve, but most of Louisiana will be getting one. That’s according to LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin. But there is some good news. Jacquemin says the rain will be gone on Christmas Day…
Cut 8 (12) “…near 70″ 

If you plan to give an animal for Christmas, it’s best to make sure the recipient is ready and prepared for the commitment that comes with caring for an animal. Jeff Dorson with the Louisiana Humane Society…

Cut 4 (08) “…everything in.”

Dorson suggests fostering a pet from a shelter or offering to pay for the adoption fee and let the recipient choose their pet at a shelter instead.