If you haven’t updated your driver’s license to a Real ID, time is running out. Andrew Greenstein is at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport with more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two Louisiana high school football teams have been disqualified from the playoffs. Kace Kieschnick tells us why…

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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At the beginning of the special session on tax reform, the state’s film tax credit program was on the chopping block. But Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says there’s an effort to preserve it. Connick says they are looking to lower the amount of credits distributed to film producers each year from 180-million to 125-million dollars…

Cut 3 (07) “…jobs here.”

Governor Landry wants to scale back the film tax credit program and several other tax credits, so the state can afford to lower the state’s income tax rate on individuals. Connick says there has been healthy dialogue between legislators and those in the film industry…

Cut 4 (12) “…fluid over here.”

Film industry leaders have told legislators if the film tax credit program is eliminated, hundreds of jobs will go away. But Connick says these tax credits mostly benefit producers who do not live in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (13) “…and New York.”

The special session must come to a conclude next Monday night.

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Starting May 7th, you will need to upgrade your ID to a Real ID in order to board a flight. During a news conference at Baton Rouge Municipal Airport, Dan Casey, the commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles, says just a small percentage of those without Real ID would represent a lot of travelers.

Cut 6 (12) “…unable to travel.”

Casey says getting a Real ID is easy. All you need to do is to go to your local OMV office and bring with you a birth certificate or passport and two pieces of mail, and your ID will be upgraded to a Real ID.

Cut 7 (10) “…they meet requirements.”

Casey says Louisiana has a long way to go to get everyone updated to Real ID.

Cut 8 (07) “…are real ID.”

The difference between a regular ID and a Real ID is that Real ID verification records are kept by the state. There is no additional charge to update your ID to a Real ID.

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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has been a loud voice in Washington D-C for flood insurance reform. Cassidy says Risk Rating 2.0 has led to flood insurance premiums that are no longer affordable. He has new numbers on how costly flood insurance has become. Cassidy says premiums in Louisiana have increased by 234 percent.

Cut 9 (14)  “…last year.”

Cassidy criticized FEMA saying its creating a program that is going bankrupt, and he has a plan to make NFIP affordable, accountable, and sustainable…

Cut 10 (06) “…find away forward.”

Cassidy says NFIP has been in desperate need for reform for years and Republicans will have an opportunity to to deliver for the American People next year…

Cut 11 (05) “…next congress.”

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Starting in May, you can fly nonstop between Shreveport and Nashville. Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says Allegiant Airlines is offering twice-weekly non-stop flights between the two cities on a seasonal basis.

Cut 12 (07) “…things go well.”

Crawford says they had been trying to get daily nonstops between Shreveport and Nashville for about eight years due to the demand.

Cut 13 (08)  “…every single day.”

And Crawford says if you plan properly, you can actually get a round-trip flight for less than 100 dollars.

Cut 14 (04) “…for that price”

The flights begin May 22nd and will be offered Thursdays and Sundays.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has been a loud voice in Washington D-C for the need for flood insurance reform. Cassidy says Risk Rating 2.0 has led to flood insurance premiums that are no longer affordable. He has new numbers on how costly flood insurance has become. Cassidy says premiums Louisiana residents are paying have increased by 234 percent.

Cut 9 (14)  “…last year.”

Cassidy says he has a plan to make NFIP affordable, accountable, and sustainable

We are less than six months away from the Real ID deadline. Starting May 7^th, in order to fly domestically, you’ll need a REAL ID or you’ll need to present a passport or some other federally acceptable document. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Dan Casey says most Louisiana residents do not have a REAL Id…

Cut 8 (07) “…are real ID”

Casey urges Louisiana residents to visit their local OMV office to upgrade their current driver’s license or state ID to a real ID, if you have not done so already.

Two Louisiana high school football teams have been disqualified from the playoffs. Kace Kieschnick tells us why…

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

There was speculation Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves could be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Transportation Secretary. But Trump has nominated former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy for that post.

Starting next May, Allegiant Airlines will fly direct from Shreveport to Nashville on Thursdays and Sundays.

There’s an effort to preserve film tax credits, which are on the chopping block with the tax reform package. Film industry leaders have told legislators if the film tax credit program is eliminated, hundreds of jobs will go away. But Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says these tax credits mostly benefit producers who do not live in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (13) “…and New York.”

Starting May 7th, you will need to upgrade your ID to a Real ID in order to board a flight. During a news conference at Baton Rouge Municipal Airport, Dan Casey, the commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles, says just a small percentage of those without Real ID would represent a lot of travelers.

Cut 6 (12) “…unable to travel.”

Real IDs have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. There is no additional charge to obtain one.

Governor Landry awards nearly 1.4-billion dollars in grants to bridge the digital divide. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 23 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

At the State Capitol, there are a lot of discussions happening behind closed doors about a tax reform plan. There appears to be enough resistance against a proposal to tax 41 services that are currently not taxed. State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says legislators are now looking at raising the state’s sales tax from 4.45 percent to five percent…

Cut 5 (10) “…trade off”

The House convenes this afternoon, and we’ll see if they pass a bill that raises the state sales tax to five-percent.

Governor Landry wants to scale back the film tax credit program and several other tax credits, so the state can afford to lower the state’s income tax rate on individuals. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says there has been healthy dialogue between legislators and those in the film industry about lowering the film tax credit program cap from 180-million dollars to 125…

Cut 4 (12) “…fluid over here.”

A second line shooting left two dead and 11 injured in the St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood of New Orleans on Sunday. City officials say the shootings disrupted a cultural tradition. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two high school football teams have been booted from the playoffs. The LHSAA says Ferriday is disqualified because of a brawl that broke out during the second quarter of their game against Lake Arthur. The Trojans were set to play at Welsh this Friday. And University High has lost its court hearing and a judge has sided with the LHSAA that the Cubs played two ineligible players this season.

What’s the latest with the special session on tax reform? Bills to reduce state income taxes have already cleared the House and State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says the House is now looking to raise the state sales tax to offset the loss of revenues from lower income taxes…

Cut 6 (07) “…11-cent sales tax”

The eleven-cent sales tax is when you combine local sales taxes with a proposed five-cent sales tax.

At the beginning of the special session on tax reform, the state’s film tax credit program was on the chopping block. But Marrero Senator Patrick Marrero says there’s an effort to preserve it. Marrero says they are looking to lower the amount of credits distributed to film producers each year from 180-million to 125-million dollars…

Cut 3 (07) “…jobs here”

Governor Landry has announced the deployment of nearly 1.4-billion dollars to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gur), the executive director of Connect L-A, says most of that money is staying local.

Cut 10 (07) “…in their communities.”

The governor’s office says this broadband deployment will expand connectivity to 140-thousand locations across the state, supporting 100 thousand households and 35-thousand small businesses.

Two people dead and eleven were injured in a mass shooting on Sunday during a second line parade in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans. Still no arrests. New Orleans Councilman Eugene Green says is confident law enforcement will bring those involved to justice…

Cut 8 (14) “…deserve justice’

Is Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal in jeopardy? The House once again delayed a vote on House Bill 9 pushing it to today. That’s the bill that would broaden the sales tax base to include 41 services not currently being taxed. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the House may be discussing a plan “B” – raising the state sales tax rate from the current 4.45-percent to five-percent.

Cut 4 (11) “…point-four-five.”

If that can’t pass, Landry’s whole plan could go up in smoke.

The fatal shootings during a second line parade in New Orleans disrupted a cultural tradition, leaving residents concerned about safety during public events. Councilman Eugene Green pledged to enhance community safety and strengthen local enforcement strategies.

Cut 9 (09)  “…mostly safe”

Governor Landry awards nearly 1.4-billion dollars to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gur), the executive director of Connect L-A, says the vast majority of that money is going to Louisiana-based companies, and the broadband lines they’ll be installing will be buried underground.

Cut 12 (08) “…be built underground”

Iyengar says this funding will create between eight-thousand and ten-thousand new jobs in Louisiana in the next three to four years.

Deer hunting season is temporarily closed in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area. Shane Granier (gran-YAY) with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says when a tide gauge reaches a certain level, deer hunting is automatically closed.

Cut 13 (13)  “…deer herd.”

Granier says it will reopen when levels drop below 2.5 feet.

What’s the latest with the special session on tax reform? Bills to reduce state income taxes have already cleared the House and State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says the House is now looking to raise the state sales tax to offset the loss of revenues from lower income taxes…

Cut 6 (07) “…11-cent sales tax”

The eleven-cent sales tax is when you combine local sales taxes with a proposed five-cent sales tax.

Deer hunting season has been put on hold in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which covers parts of Ascension, Livingston, St. John and St. James parishes. L-D-W-F’s Shane Granier says flood waters in the area have reached three feet…

Cut 14 (12) “….day or two”

But we’ve seen a lot more rain fall in this area yesterday and into the overnight hours.

Governor Landry awards nearly 1.4-billion dollars in grants to bridge the digital divide. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

There was speculation Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves could be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Transportation Secretary. But Trump has nominated former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy for that post.

Starting next May, Allegiant Airlines will fly direct from Shreveport to Nashville on Thursdays and Sundays.

There are seven days left in the special session and Andrew Greenstein is reporting the Louisiana House is looking at raising the state’s sales tax from 4.45 percent to five percent, so that income taxes can be lowered…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Former LSU star and Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has been named the N-L Rookie of the Year. Skenes had 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.

Governor Landry has announced the deployment of nearly 1.4-billion dollars to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gur), the executive director of Connect L-A, says most of that money is staying local.

Cut 10 (07) “…in their communities.”

The governor’s office says this broadband deployment will expand connectivity to 140-thousand locations across the state, supporting 100 thousand households and 35-thousand small businesses.

New Orleans City Councilman Eugene Green is speaking out against a mass shooting at a second line parade in the St. Roch neighborhood on Sunday that left two people dead and 11 injured. Green is optimistic the New Orleans Police Department homicide unit will find the individuals who caused this heart ache…

Cut 7 (11) “…this crime”

At the state capitol, there are a lot of discussions happening behind closed doors as lawmakers try to approve Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. There appears to be enough resistance against a proposal to tax 41 services that are currently not taxed now. State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says legislators are now looking at raising the state’s sales tax from 4.45 percent to five percent…

Cut 5 (10) “…trade off”

The House convenes this afternoon, and we’ll see if they pass a bill that raises the state sales tax to five-percent.

Governor Landry has announced the state will deploy one-point-three billion dollars in federal dollars to support broadband access throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar, director of Connect L-A says two local companies are part of a group getting 450-million dollars in funding.

Cut 11 (06) “…and T-Mobile.”

A second line shooting left two dead and 11 injured in the St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood of New Orleans on Sunday. City officials say the shootings disrupted a cultural tradition. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two high school football teams have been booted from the playoffs. The LHSAA says Ferriday is disqualified because of a brawl that broke out during the second quarter of their game against Lake Arthur. The Trojans were set to play at Welsh this Friday. And University High has lost its court hearing and a judge has sided with the LHSAA that the Cubs played two ineligible players this season.

Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal is ambitious to say the least, with every component of it needing to work together in order for it to work. And one component of it appears to be a hard sell in the House, potentially putting the whole thing in jeopardy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A second line shooting left two dead and 11 injured in the St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood of New Orleans. City and state officials are saying the shootings disrupted a cultural tradition. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Governor Landry awards nearly 1.4-billion dollars in grants to bridge the digital divide. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The House has passed much of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. But one component of it is proving to be a hard sell in the house, and it could derail the whole thing. The House did not vote on House Bill 9 yesterday, pushing it to today. That’s the bill that would broaden the sales tax base to include 41 services not currently being taxed. The vote was previously delayed last week when there was not enough support for it. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says taxing new services appears to be dead, so the House may be discussing a plan “B” – taking the sunsetting point-4-5-percent sales tax and raising it to a full penny.

Cut 4 (11) “…point-four-five.”

Pinsonat says those proposing such a move are saying that people would actually come out even given the reduction of the state personal income tax, which has already passed the House and is being considered by the Senate.

Cut 5 (10) “…tax trade-off.”

Pinsonat says the potential proposal to increase the sales tax would raise the average state sales tax to among the highest in the country.

Cut 6 (07) “…11-cent sales tax.”

As part of House Bill 10, the House voted to make the sunsetting point-4-5-percent sales tax increase permanent, lowering it to point-4-0. That bill has now moved to the Senate, but it could end up being moot if this plan that Pinsonat says could be floated gets approved.

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City and state officials react to two tragic shootings during a second line in New Orleans’ St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood, which left two dead and 11 injured this past weekend. New Orleans Councilmember Eugene Green called the incident “heartbreaking” and emphasized the need for collective community efforts to prevent such violence.

Cut 7 (11) “…this crime.”

Green expressed condolences to the victims’ families, vowing to support law enforcement in ensuring justice.

Cut 8 (14) “…deserve justice.”

The shootings disrupted a cultural tradition, leaving residents concerned about safety during public events. Green pledged to enhance community safety and strengthen local enforcement strategies.

Cut 9 (09)  “…mostly safe”

The investigation is ongoing, and the public is encouraged to contact NOPD with tips.

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Governor Landry has awarded nearly 1.4-billion dollars to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gur), the executive director of Connect L-A, says most of that money is staying local.

Cut 10 (07) “…in their communities.”

The money is part of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment – or BEAD – program by way of the state’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities – or GUMBO – 2.0 program. Iyengar says two local companies are part of a group that will be getting 450-million dollars in funding.

Cut 11 (06) “…and T-Mobile.”

Together, those three companies comprise the Louisiana Local Fiber Consortium. And Iyengar says most of the lines that the consortium will be building will be underground.

Cut 12 (08) “…be built underground”

And Iyengar says this funding will create between eight-thousand and ten-thousand new jobs in Louisiana in the next three to four years, yielding up to three-billion dollars in GDP growth in Louisiana.

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Deer hunting season is temporarily closed in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which spans parts of Ascension, Livingston, St. John the Baptist, and St. James parishes, about 25 miles west of New Orleans. Shane Granier (gran-YAY) with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says when a tide gauge reaches a certain level deer hunting is automatically closed.

Cut 13 (13)  “…deer herd.”

The area automatically closes to deer hunting when water levels reach three feet, and Granier says it will reopen when levels drop below two and a half feet.

Cut 14 (12) “…day or two.”

Once reopened, visitors must have a WMA access permit, a senior hunting/fishing license, a Louisiana sportsman’s paradise license, or a lifetime hunting/fishing license. Granier asks hunters to check in with LDWF after harvesting a deer…

Cut 15 (13) “…validate those deer.”

For updates, individuals can check water levels online or contact the Hammond Field Office at 985-543-4777.

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LSU will be playing for pride the last two weeks of the season after their SEC Championship hopes were dashed in a 27-16 loss to Florida. At 6-and-4 the Tigers have failed to live up to expectations under third-year Head Coach Brian Kelly, but he says three close losses have defined their season…

Cut 16  (20)  “…the job done.” 

After the loss, Kelly took blame for needing to be more involved in play calling. With new helmet communication this season, he says eliminating confusion is key…

Cut 17 (18) “…particular game.” 

The Tigers will be looking ahead to next season and its third-ranked 2025 recruiting class, but LSU is also expecting some key departures. Kelly says his teams need to be built around recruiting talent, but his staff will look to the transfer portal to fill in the gaps…

Cut 18 (12)   “…invested in that.”

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After losing seven straight, the Saints have won back-to-back games with Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi. With injuries to offensive weapons, production has come from unlikely sources like hybrid tight end Taysom Hill and veteran wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Rizzi says Scantling, who has over 200 yards and three touchdowns, has been invaluable since starting his first game three weeks ago…

Cut 19 (17) “…the offense.”  

The Black and Gold will enter their bye week at 4-and-7, still in position for a top-10 draft pick but only two games back from the division-leading Falcons. Rizzi says getting healthy will be the first priority but his team needs to stay focused…

Cut 20 (18) “…recovery in.”