DEQ issues an advisory for people who are in sensitive health groups to limit outdoor activities today in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe due to ozone air quality.
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State lawmakers approved legislation requiring public schools to have “In God, We Trust” displayed in the classroom. Brooke Thorington reports an activist is ready to donate signs
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington. ”
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LDWF has confirmed that two Northern Snakehead fish, native to Asia, were observed in a video that was taken in Old River in Concordia Parish. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois says they could impact our native fisheries.
Northern Snakeheads closely resemble Louisiana’s native Bowfin species. They were originally released into the wild through fish markets and aquarium trade. Bourgeois says they likely migrated from Mississippi or Arkansas.
The name comes from the enlarged scales that cover the head and they can grow up to 3 feet in length. Bourgeois says they are safe to eat.
Bourgeois urges fishers not to return the species to the water. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport live snakeheads in Louisiana. To showcase your catch, call 225-765-3977.
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DEQ declares an ozone air quality action day for people sensitive to health effects of air pollutants in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Air Planning and Assessment Division Administrator Jason Meyers says elevated ozone and smoke from wildfires in Canada causing hazardous air quality.
Cut 6 (11) “…activities outdoors.”
When air quality is in this range, people who are in sensitive groups may experience health effects when engaged in outdoor activities. Meyers says some activities should be limited to after-daylight hours…
Monroe’s warning is related to smoke reaching the northeastern part of the state from the Canada fires while Baton Rouge and the rest of the state are just seeing a standard ozone action day alert. There’s no clear end to when levels will stabilize but Meyers urges everyone to pay attention to your body.
Cut 8 (09) “… their activities.”
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Upon the final passage of legislation requiring “In God, We Trust” signs in Louisiana classrooms, a political activist who donated signs in Texas is making the same offer in Louisiana. Signs from Artist Activist Chaz Stevens have a variety of options, they can be in Arabic, Spanish, and even have rainbow-colored backgrounds.
The bill authored by Representatives Dodie Horton and Jack McFarland expanded the original legislation that required the “In God We Trust” motto in schools to each classroom. Stevens believes it crosses the line of the separation of church and state so he’s pushing the envelope.
And because the Bayou State has several foreign language immersion schools, Stevens is offering options in French, Mandarin, and more.
To donate to help defer the cost of the signs or to view them visit chazstevens-dot-store.
Stevens says he will focus on getting signs to colleges and universities first and work down to K-12 schools.
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Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill that would phase out the corporate franchise tax. Tax expert Jason Decuir says it’s a tax that business lobbyists have tried to do away with for years…
According to the Advocate newspaper, petrochemical companies who have headquarters outside of Louisiana would be the biggest beneficiaries because of the amount of equipment and assets that are subject to tax.
The bill’s author, Franklin Senator Bret Allain, has said the corporate franchise tax is the worst tax on Louisiana’s books.
Decuir says the phase out only happens if certain conditions are met
The Legislative Fiscal Office says phasing out the tax would cost the state up to 163 million dollars per year over the four-year phase out. In order to reduce the revenue hit to the state’s coffers, Decuir says a tax break known as the Quality Jobs Program will also be reduced by 50-percent