Louisiana once again ranks number one for the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent. That’s according to the Tax Foundation and policy analyst Janelle Cammenga says Louisiana edged out Tennessee for the top spot, but the Volunteer State does not have an income tax…
Cut 4 (09) “…tax there”
Louisiana ranks second behind Alabama for the highest average local sales tax rates.

According to the American Clean Power Association, 17,500 jobs will likely be created if two wind farms are built off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc says while it’s easier to harness wind energy off the east coast, technology is advancing that will improve the opportunity for offshore wind farms in the Gulf…
cut 11 (05) “…in the Gulf”
Hecht believes Louisaina ports in New Orleans, Avondale and Port Fourchon will benefit from wind operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite Governor John Bel Edwards claims earlier this week that he was not involved in a cover-up of Ronald Greene’s death, a black motorist who died after being beaten by State Troopers, civil rights group still believe the governor should have done more after learning of Greene’s death. Devon Norman, is with the Village 337…
cut 9 (08) “…our state”

The Louisiana Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to vote on new Congressional and state senate district maps today. Black lawmakers are pushing for a second majority-minority Congressional district and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a similar debate is taking place with redrawing state senate district lines…
cut 15 (07) “….the Louisiana Senate”
Currently, 11 of the state’s 39 Senate seats are made up of a majority-black voters, there’s a proposal that redraws the map to include 13 majority-Black districts.

The light winter precipitation that fell last night has moved out of the state, but cold temperatures are here. High temperatures in north Louisiana will be in the upper 30s, and low 40s for central and north Louisiana.

Supporters of the family of Ronald Greene, the Black motorist who died after a beating by white State Police troopers in 2019, held a press conference to respond to statements made by Governor John Bel Edwards. David Grubb has more…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Votes are expected to take place today in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on proposed new Congressional district maps. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 14 (07) “….second congressional district”
Black lawmakers say two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority-minority districts, but Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt says if you do that the black vote will be diluted in those two districts, which risks the chance of not having a minority elected in either district.

There’s discussion of building wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico as another source of energy and Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc says there are already Louisiana firms involved in the engineering, construction, deploying, and servicing farms in the Atlantic Ocean…
cut 10 (11) “….offshore wind”

Areas along the I-20 corridor and north, should prepare for possible rough driving conditions, as a winter weather advisory is posted for the area through 9 tonight. Rain will likely turn to sleet or perhaps freezing rain as temperatures drop. National Weather Service forecaster Charlie Woodburn says be ready for slippery highways…:

CUT 05 (11) “…earlier today.”

—

A psychiatric nurse practitioner has been arrested on human trafficking and narcotics charges after authorities learned he was providing drugs for sexual favors. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office chief of staff Tommy Carnline says 40-year-old Mark Declouet (dih-CLOUT) Jr., of Alexandria, was taken into custody without incident…:

CUT 12 (09) “…sexual favors.”

Declouet apparently worked at health care providers in Lafayette and Alexandria.

—

A Morehouse Parish school teacher is arrested for striking a student. Deputies say 61-year-old Helen Anderson allegedly hit a student at Delta Elementary school in Mer Rouge. She’s charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile.

—

Police in New Orleans report yet another motorist has been shot and killed while driving on Interstate 10. NOPD says the un-named male victim was discovered inside his car, which crashed into a guardrail near Louisa Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshots. A number of people have been shot while on the city’s superhighway in recent months.

—

The cost for a barrel of oil could rise to nearly $100 later this year, but Baton Rouge economist Loren Scott says the first place most Americans will feel the impact of higher oil prices is at the gas pump. With the state average for regular gas at more than $3.13, that could be a major hit, even if it doesn’t last long.

Cut 10 (13)  “…pump go up.”

—

At this hour, Interstates 49 and 220 in the Shreveport area are closed until further notice, as a winter weather advisory remains in effect for the I-20 corridor through 9 pm. National Weather Service forecaster Charlie Woodrum, in Shreveport, says ice accumulations will be mainly less than a tenth of an inch…:

CUT 03(09)      “…this evening.”

An Alexandria psychiatric nurse practitioner is under arrest; accused of trading prescription drugs for sex. Rapides Sheriff’s spokesman Tommy Carnline says 40-year-old Mark Declouet (dih-CLOUT) Jr. paid men to introduce him to women – often drug addicts – who’d go for his trade. Carnline says the women are victims, and they suspect there are more out there..:

CUT 14(11)      “…too long.”

The cost for a barrel of oil could rise to nearly $100 later this year. Increased demand as more and more Americans take to the roads and airways has caused the spike. However, economist Dr. Loren Scott says Louisiana should reap some financial benefits from those higher oil prices, both for the state’s coffers and for businesses…:

CUT 11(13)      “…gas extraction employment.”

He says OPEC is stepping up production which will mean lower oil prices, hence decreasing gas prices.

The state Department of health reports just over 5300 new cases of COVID today; mostly Omicron. Of those, 1890 are in the hospital, and about 70-percent of THEM are not fully vaxxed. LDH also reports another 61 COVID deaths, bringing the pandemic total for the state to 15,841; roughly 1 & 1/2 percent of infections.

I-49 & I-220 in Shreveport are closed until further notice this hour, as slippery road conditions from a winter storm affect the I-20 corridor tonight. Jeff Palermo has the details…:

CUT 01(27)      “…Palermo.”

A weird story out of Baton Rouge. Police there say a California man, arrested for shooting and killing his co-worker and hotel roommate, tells investigators that Santa Muerte told him to do it. Santa Muerte is a Mexican, sort of, folk saint or boogeyman. 45-year-old David Mendez is charged with 2^nd degree murder. He was arrested Wednesday without resistance.

Authorities in Rapides Parish arrest an Alexandria psychiatric nurse practitioner for allegedly trading prescription meds for sex. Sheriff’s spokesman Tommy Carnline says Mark Declouet (dih-CLOUT) Jr. paid men cash to introduce him to females, with which he’d make the trade. He says a good number of those victims are struggling with addiction..:

CUT 13(05)      “…someone in need.”

He says they believe more victims are out there, and they urge them to come forward.

A Morehouse Parish school teacher is arrested for striking a student. Deputies say 61-year-old Helen Anderson allegedly hit a student at Delta Elementary school in Mer Rouge. She’s charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile.

Two sisters from Shreveport have a deal to have their line of men’s & women’s fashion carried at Target stores. Kim & Keyondra Lockett say they first thought the email from the national retail chain was spam or a hack attempt, but it proved real. Their Jolie Noire line of active and casual wear is available now at “Target.com.”

Areas along the I-20 corridor and north, should prepare for possible rough driving conditions, as a winter weather advisory is posted for the area through 9 tonight. Rain will likely turn to sleet or perhaps freezing rain as temperatures drop. National Weather Service forecaster Charlie Woodburn says be ready for slippery highways…:

CUT 05(11)      “…earlier today.”

A psychiatric nurse practitioner has been arrested on human trafficking and narcotics charges after authorities learned he was providing drugs for sexual favors. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office chief of staff Tommy Carnline says 40-year-old Mark Declouet (dih-CLOUT) Jr., of Alexandria, was taken into custody without incident…:

CUT 12(09)      “…sexual favors.”

Declouet apparently worked at health care providers in Lafayette and Alexandria.

Police in New Orleans report yet another motorist has been shot and killed while driving on Interstate 10. NOPD says the un-named male victim was discovered inside his car, which crashed into a guardrail near Louisa Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshots. A number of people have been shot while on the city’s superhighway in recent months.

The Louisiana startup company known for creating interior football helmet cooling fans is now using that tech to help out construction workers. Tigeraire founder and CEO Jack Karavich says the Tornado helmet system is OSHA compliant, designed to work with multiple hardhat designs and the waterproof device weighs only about 3.5 ounces. He says it pumps out air at over 40 miles-an-hour…:

CUT 07(09)      “…gotta tell you.”

The effects of being overheated are connected with on-the-job accidents caused by mental errors.

Slippery road conditions from a winter storm are possible along the I-20 corridor tonight. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Louisiana-based Tigeraire, the company that created cooling fans for athletic helmets has another hit on their hands with helping construction workers beat the heat. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

The entire I-20 corridor is under a winter weather advisory until nine o’clock tonight as freezing rain, sleet, and light snow will be possible through the evening. Charlie Woodrum with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says ice accumulations will be mainly less than a tenth of an inch

Cut 3 (09) “…this evening”

Woodrum says the rain should switch over to winter precipitation near the Louisiana-Arkansas border and icy conditions could start to develop for the Monroe-Shreveport areas around seven and eight o’clock…

Cut 4 (11) “…areas”

Woodrum says with the temperature dropping below freezing across north Louisaina plan on slippery road conditions…

Cut 5 (11) “.earlier today”

_________________________________________

The Louisiana startup company known for creating interior football helmet fans is now helping those in the construction industry cool off. Tigeraire founder and CEO Jack Karavich says their latest design for hard hats known as the Tornado provides the same reprieve for construction workers as it does for athletes.

 Cut 6 (10) “…we’re getting.” 

The Tornado was unveiled recently at the World of Concrete Event in Las Vegas and Karavich says demand for the cooling fan has been overwhelming. The company has plans to build a manufacturing plant in Baton Rouge but in the meantime, fans are being constructed overseas.

Karavich says the Tornado fan is quite the upgrade from the Cyclone that was first designed for athletes. The Tornado is OSHA compliant, designed to work with multiple hardhat designs and the waterproof device weighs about 3.5 ounces. Karavich says it pumps out about 42 miles per hour of airflow.

Cut 7 (09) “…gotta tell you.” 

Tigeraire hopes the Tornado will not only make working in the heat more comfortable but most importantly make it safer. Karavich says construction accidents and fatalities tend to increase in warmer months linked to human error.

Cut 8 (11) “….human beings.”  

The Tornado comes in two models and prices range from $75.00 to $95.00.

_______________________________________________

The cost for a barrel of oil could rise to nearly $100 later this year. Increased demand as more and more Americans take to the roads and airways has caused the spike, but Baton Rouge economist Loren Scott says plans by OPEC Plus, a coalition of oil exporters that includes Russia, should begin to bring prices back down, sooner rather than later.

Cut 9 (12) “…the investigation basically.”

Of course, the first place most Americans will feel the impact of higher oil prices is at the gas pump. With the state average for regular gas at more than $3.13, that could be a major hit, even if it doesn’t last long.

Cut 10 (13)  “…pump go up.” 

While folks may feel a pinch on their pocketbooks for a few weeks, Louisiana should reap some financial benefits from those higher oil prices, both for the state’s coffers and for businesses.

Cut  11 (13)   “….gas extraction employment.”  

_________________________________________

A psychiatric nurse practitioner has been arrested on human trafficking and narcotics charges after authorities learned he was providing drugs for sexual favors. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office chief of staff Tommy Carnline says 40-year-old Mark Declouet (dih-CLOUT) Junior of Alexandria was taken into custody without incident…

Cut 12 (09) “…sexual favors”  

Declouet’s Linkedin page says he’s worked at Axis Behavioral Health and Recovery which is based in Lafayette and he was reportedly an attending clinician at Longleaf Behavior Hospital in Alexandria. Carnline says it’s likely some of Declouet’s victims are recovering addicts…

Cut 13 (05) “…someone in need”

Carnline says they believe there are more victims of this suspect out there…

Cut 14 (11)  “…too long” 

The I-20 corridor is under a winter weather advisory until nine o’clock tonight as freezing rain, sleet, and light snow are in the forecast. National Weather Service forecaster Charlie Woodrum says rain should switch over to winter precipitation near the Louisiana-Arkansas border and icy conditions could start to develop for the Monroe-Shreveport areas around seven and eight o’clock…:

CUT 04(11)      “…of all the areas.”

He says avoid driving tonight, if you can.

The cost for a barrel of oil could rise to nearly $100 later this year. That’s largely due to increased demand, as more people start getting out and about again. That of course means increasing gasoline and diesel prices. Economist Dr. Loren Scott says that could be a major hit, albeit a brief one…:

CUT 10(13)      “…the pump go up.”

Police in Baton Rouge arrest a California man for shooting a man that  – he says – he was ordered to shoot “by spirits.” 45-year-old David Mendez reportedly told officers the folk saint, Santa Muerte, told him to kill his co-worker, 46-year-old Juan Reyes Lugos. Mendez is charged with 2^nd degree murder.

Louisiana-based Tigeraire, the company that created cooling fans for athletic helmets, has another hit on their hands with helping construction workers beat the heat. Here’s Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

High gas prices could be on the horizon as the cost for a barrel of oil could rise to nearly $100 later this year. Increased demand as more and more Americans take to the roads and airways has caused the spike, but Baton Rouge economist Loren Scott says plans by OPEC, plus a coalition of oil exporters that includes Russia, should begin to bring prices back down, sooner rather than later.

Cut 9 (12) “…the investigation basically.”

The Louisiana startup company known for creating interior football helmet fans is now helping those in the construction industry cool off. Tigeraire founder and CEO Jack Karavich say their latest design for hard hats known as the Tornado provides the same reprieve for construction workers as it does for athletes.

 Cut 6 (10) “…we’re getting.” 

Slippery road conditions from a winter storm are possible along the I-20 corridor tonight. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state reports 1,891 people are in the hospital with COVID-related issues, a decline of 21 from the day before and it’s the first time we’ve been below 1900 since January 9^th.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ Climate Initiatives Task Force has approved the state’s first-ever Climate Action Plan. It contains over two dozen strategies to reach the governor’s goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050.

The Louisiana Chemical Association voted in support of the plan but L-C-A President Greg Bowser says they are concerned about possible regulations placed on their industry when the technology is not there to accomplish the demands…
cut 10 (09) “….less stringent”
Harry Vorhoff is the chairman of the Climate Initiatives Task Force says he appreciates the LCA’s concerns…:
Cut 9 (14) “…availability of electricity.”

The entire I-20 corridor is under a winter weather advisory until nine o’clock tonight as freezing rain, sleet, and light snow will be possible through the evening. Charlie Woodrum with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says ice accumulations will be mainly less than a tenth of an inch…
cut 3 (09) “….this evening”
For central and south Louisiana, they can expect periods of heavy rain today.

The state department of wildlife and fisheries is reporting Louisiana’s first suspected case of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer. It was found in an adult buck harvested in Tensas Parish. CWD is 100-percent fatal in deer. LDWF veterinarian Doctor Jim Lacour says they hope the neurodegenerative disease does not spread through the deer population and they ask hunters to monitor…
cut 13 (10) “….is acting abnormally”