A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new all-inclusive playground at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is happening today. Sean Richardson has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
_____________________________________________
Practically no drama in Louisiana’s elections. Andrew Greenstein has the rundown.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
_____________________________________________
Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session gets underway this afternoon. Jeff Palermo looks at what the Landry administration is proposing…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
_____________________________________________
Investigators in Morgan City solve a murder from a quarter century ago and didn’t have to go far to find their suspect. The body of Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia was found on October 8th, 1998, behind Youngs Park. Evidence collected at the time failed to yield a suspect; but at the start of this year, investigators resubmitted evidence to the Acadiana Criminalistics Lab. Police Chief Chad Adams says that led investigators to John Willis Pittman Jr.
Cut 4 (09) “…Miss Garcia’s death.”
Pittman is already serving a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to an unrelated 1998 murder – that of Jennifer Vedol, whose body was found on Duke Street.
Chief Adams says Garcia’s family is relieved and very grateful that her murder has finally been solved.
_____________________________________________
Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville celebrated the opening of a new all-inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this playground is designed to be accessible for children of all abilities, providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone to play together.
Cut 7 (12) “…our state parks.”
The playground includes features like wheelchair-accessible swings, sensory play panels, and various play structures, promoting inclusivity and fun for children with different needs. Nungesser says it’s part of a larger mission to make all parks accessible and inviting to everyone….
Cut 8 (13) “…special needs community.”
Local officials, park representatives, and community members attended the event, highlighting the playground’s importance as a community resource that supports inclusion and outdoor play. Nungesser says this is only the beginning…
Cut 9 (09) “…for that community.”
______________________________________________________
There was no drama in Louisiana in the federal races in Louisiana. Donald Trump carried the state by about 20 percentage points, and all six congressional races went as expected. That includes District 6, where Cleo Fields won the seat with 51-percent of the vote and avoided a runoff. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Fields was set up to win from the start.
Fields’ win flips the seat from Republican to Democrat, and Pinsonat says that could alter the balance of power in the House.
Cut 11 (11) “…from the Republicans.”
While Mike Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance, his seat never did. He easily won re-election, beating a challenge from a fellow Republican. Johnson addressed his supporters after securing his win.
Steve Scalise, Julie Letlow, Clay Higgins and Troy Carter also won re-election. For Public Service Commission District 2, Jean-Paul Coussan beat fellow Republican Julie Quinn and Democrat Nick Laborde. And Constitutional Amendment 1 passed by about a three to one spread.
______________________________________________________
Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session gets underway today at the state capitol at three PM. The governor wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, which will result in lower state income taxes for most Louisianans. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says to make up for some of that lost tax revenue, the state would broaden the state sales tax…
Nelson says services that are currently not taxed would be taxed. For example dog grooming, landscaping, and storage services. Nelson says this much needed tax reform would put more money in people’s pockets and make the state more competitive in attracting businesses
Critics of the plan are concerned the governor’s tax plan will lead to higher taxes for low-income residents and a big tax cut for the wealthy.
Nelson says they also want to eliminate the tax on prescription drugs. He says Louisiana is one of a few states that have a tax on prescription drugs
Cut 15 (08) “…versus their medicine.”
The special session must end on Monday November 25th.
_______________________________________________________________________
The Saints have traded Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a 2025 fifth round pick to the Washington Commanders for a third, fourth and a sixth round selection next year. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints are trying to get younger and shed salary, but they need to make sure this trade brings in new talent…
Cut 16 (09) “….younger players.”
Detillier believes Lattimore goes down as the Saints best cornerback in franchise history….
_Cut 17 (15) “…draft choices.”
The Saints fired Dennis Allen on Monday. Could General Manager Mickey Loomis be next. Detillier says it’s Loomis’ decision…
Cut 18 (11) “…National Football League.”
_____________________________________________________________
The LSU Tigers continue to prepare for Alabama. Both teams had a bye week. The Crimson Tide’s last game was a win over Missouri, while the Tigers lost at Texas A&M. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says they spent the extra time learning from their mistakes…
______________________________________________________________
The Ragin Cajuns, who are closing in on a Sun Belt West Title, will host Arkansas State this Saturday. The Cajuns are big favorites to win and it’s Homecoming. But Coach Michael Desormeaux says none of that other stuff matters…