Despite strong opposition from truckers, the House and Senate Transportation committees approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use a combination of federal and state dollars, plus tolls, to build a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Director for the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Renee Amar, says truckers look at tolls as an additional tax…
Cut 7 (10) “…toll is.”
But supporters of the project say a new bridge is desperately needed in Lake Charles and there’s just not enough federal and state tax dollars available to fund the two-point-one billion dollar project. The State Bond Commission still has to give its support.

A state audit of the LSU athletics department finds it finished the fiscal year that ended last June with almost a four-million dollar deficit. But John Tiebaud with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office says the department would have finished in the red, if did not take five-million dollars in revenues and give it to the academic side of the university…
cut 14 (06) “…transfer”

Should the state phase out its personal and corporate income taxes? Gov. Jeff Landry’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council thinks so. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Should the state phase out its personal and corporate income taxes? Gov. Jeff Landry’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council thinks so. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The House and Senate Transportation committees give the green light for the state to use tolls to help pay for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Michael Graham Jr., who spent 14 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit and was denied compensation, died in poverty in his Virginia home last week. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Jeff Landry’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council has recommended the state should begin the process of phasing out corporate and personal income taxes. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson, who lobbied for this as a lawmaker, says this is music to his ears.

Cut 4 (09) “…that puzzle.”

Louisiana’s corporate and personal income tax brings in nearly $5 billion a year that supports health care, higher education, public safety, and other programs. While the state’s total tax burden is competitive with our neighbors, our tax structure is not, ranking 40^th in the latest Tax Foundation ranks.

The former state representative says Louisiana’s tax code is outdated, and complex, and keeps the Bayou State from reaching its full economic potential. When asked what his solutions are to offset the lost revenue to the state treasury…

Cut 5 (11) “…rid of.” 

Nelson hopes his tax reform proposal will find support in a Republican super majority Legislature. But he says it will not be a quick process to end this trend and join other states in economic prosperity.

Cut 6 (09) “…overnight.”

This tax policy will not be addressed by lawmakers until the fiscal regular session in 2025.

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Despite strong opposition from truckers, the House and Senate Transportation committees approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use a combination of federal and state dollars, plus tolls, to build a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Director for the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Renee Amar, says truckers look at tolls as an additional tax…

Cut 7 (10) “…toll is.”

The CEO of Frisard’s Trucking Company, Cully Frisard, says it will cost his trucks $8.25 every time they cross that bridge under the proposal laid out by the Landry administration

Cut 8 (09) “…you buy at the store.” 

Local residents would pay 25 cents to cross the proposed bridge, for non-local automobiles and medium-sized trucks it would be around three dollars. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham knows tolls are unpopular, but necessary because there are not enough federal and state dollars available…

Cut 9 (13)  “…on funding.”

The State Bond Commission still has to give its approval. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says it will take seven years to build the bridge and during that time the Landry Administration will look for additional funding to lower the cost of the tolls…

Cut 10 (10) “…or form.”

The price tag for the new bridge is 2.1 billion dollars. The state has secured 225 million in federal dollars and has 975 million dollars in state money set aside for the massive project.

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Exonerated Death Row Survivor, Michael Graham Jr died in poverty last week. After serving 14 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit, Graham was released from Angola in December of 2000 with the clothes on his back, $10, and a bus ticket. Executive Director of Death Penalty Action, Abe Bonowitz says the wrongfully incarcerated deserve compensation…

Cut 11 (07) “…of that.” 

Graham and Albert Burrell were wrongly convicted of murdering a Union Parish Couple in 1986 and sentenced to death but prosecutors later acknowledged the case should never have been brought to a grand jury. Later DNA proved that blood found in the victims’ home was not Graham’s or Burrell’s. Bonowitz says it was a miscarriage of justice…

Cut 12 (08) “…it through.” 

Graham struggled and was not able to work after being diagnosed with a respiratory illness. Both Graham and Burell were recently denied compensation for the 14 years they spent in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. Bonowitz says the Michael Graham Legacy Fund via a GoFundMe page has been set up to help Graham’s family with final expenses and then help other wrongfully convicted individuals denied compensation.

Cut 13 (04)  “…be enough.”

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An audit of the LSU Athletic Department finds a deficit of almost $4 million. But John Tiebaud (Tee-Bow) with the Louisiana Legislative Auditors office says it’s not as bad as it sounds because you have to consider the department transferred $5 million to the university.

Cut 14 (06) “…transfer.

For the 2023 fiscal year LSU’s football program generated the majority of the department’s revenue with almost $106 million, which is almost $18 million more than the previous year. Tiebaud says football turned a profit of $54 million, almost a 50% increase from 2022.  He says football profits are returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Cut 15 (07) …their numbers.“

And even after winning their first National Championship, the women’s basketball team showed a deficit of close to $8 million. Tiebaud says the Lady Tigers collected around $2.5 million but expenses were more than $10 million, which included coaching salaries and bonuses.

Cut 16 (12) “…the program.” 

For fiscal year 2023, the university paid approximately $5 million in severance to coaches who are no longer with the program.  An audit for fiscal year 2022 indicated $6.7 million in severance was paid and the department overpaid head football coach Brian Kelly close to $1 million.

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LSU third baseman Tommy White and junior right-hander Luke Holman have been named to D-1 baseball’s preseason all-American team. White led the nation in RBIs last season and Holman is a transfer from Alabama. He was the Crimson Tide’s top starter last season, going 7-4 with a 3.67 ERA with 87 strikeouts. Coach Jay Johnson says getting Holeman to transfer to LSU was a huge get…

Cut 17 (12) “…this year.” 

Holeman is expected to be a weekend starter at LSU along with Thatcher Hurd. Another potential weekend starter is UCLA transfer Gage Jump…

Cut 18 (18)  “…the season.” 

LSU led the nation in runs scored last year with 634. White believes LSU’s offense can be just as potent…

Cut 19 (20) “…for that” 

Cut 20 (16) “…process though.”

A big vote went down at the state capitol today as the House and Senate Transportation Committees approved Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use tolls to help fund the construction of a new I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Truckers oppose the use of tolls. The CEO of Frisard’s Trucking Company, Cully Frisard, says it will cost his trucks $8.25 every time they cross that bridge…
Cut 8 (10) “…you buy at the store.”
The State Bond Commission still has to give its approval. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says it will take seven years to build the bridge and during that time the Landry Administration will look for additional funding to lower the cost of the tolls…
Cut 10 (10) “…or form”
The price tag for the new bridge is 2.1 billion dollars.

The owner of Bittersweet Confections in New Orleans feels violated after a thief broke into her store last week, stole some vodka, cash and at least seven king cakes. Cheryl Scripter says the offender should receive jail time and also have to do dishes…
cut 4 (08) “….clean them all”
And King Cake Drive Thur says someone stole 100 king cakes from one of their delivery vans. The break-in happened when the van was parked outside of the owner’s home in New Orleans.

LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says Louisiana is seeing a high level of flu-like illnesses. Lopez says COVID cases have also peaked.
Cut 15 (11) …out there.“
Lopez encourages individuals to get their COVID booster shots.

Despite having new election laws that will go into effect by 2026, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he plans to run for re-election. He says changing to party primaries is too costly with an estimated price tag of $61 million over three years and $135 million over ten years.

Cut 11 (11) “…$60 million.”

About 28 percent of Louisiana voters who are unaffiliated will be able to vote in the party primary of their choice but not both. The change to party primaries will only apply to Congressional, state school board, Public Service Commission, and state Supreme Court judicial elections.

The LSU women’s basketball team lost to unranked Mississippi state bulldogs 77-73. It the Lady Tigers first two-game losing streak since 2022. Coach Kim Mulkey says the team is missing that experience that last year’s championship team possessed…

Cut 10 (10) “…things get tough.”

The ninth-ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide jumped two cents from the day before to $2.82, that’s up by seven cents from a week ago. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman…

Cut 7 (11) “…the summer.” 

This time last year regular gas was $3.25 a gallon.

A king cake burglar broke into Bittersweet Confections bakery in New Orleans last week and stole several items including seven king cakes. Owner Cheryl Scripter…

Cut 3 (10) “….and creepy”  

While the action is disheartening, Scripter says the support from the community has been overwhelming.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a fatal boating incident. Agents recovered the body of 42-year-old Derek Green of Pineville from Vernon Lake Sunday Afternoon. He was not wearing a personal floatation device. 2 minors in the boat with Green reported him missing immediately after a wave knocked him out of this boat Sunday morning. The two say Green resurfaced a few times but then wasn’t seen again. Several agencies assisted in the search.

There’s a point-four-five cent state sales tax that will sunset next year and Senator Bill Cassidy says this is not the time to add expenses to the state budget when they could be losing income.

Cut 13 (12) “…pocket.” 

The change to party primaries will only apply to Congressional, state school board, Public Service Commission, and state Supreme Court judicial elections.

Despite opposition from truckers, the House and Senate Transportation Committees approve of Governor Jeff Landry’s funding plan for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A king cake thief broke into Bittersweet Confections bakery in New Orleans last week and stole cash, a case of vodka, and seven king cakes. Owner Cheryl Scripter says while the action is disheartening, she says the support from individuals who stop by the store is overwhelming…

Cut 5 (12) “…my face.”  

We’re seeing a slight uptick in gas prices. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says the oil market is also reactionary to world news and depending on the United States’ response to three servicemen being killed in a drone attack in Jordan, we could see even higher prices.

Cut 8 (12) “…world stage.” 

With the recent closed primary changes in Louisiana, about 28 percent of Louisiana voters who are unaffiliated will be able to vote in the party primary of their choice but not both. Individuals who are registered as an Independent, Libertarian, or Green Party will not be allowed to vote in the primary elections. Senator Bill Cassidy says this excludes thousands of voters from the primaries.

Cut 12 (09)  “…the election.”  

Bittersweet Confections bakery social media post reminded followers of operating hours to purchase their sweet treats but one individual paid the bakery a visit on his own time. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

The LSU Lady Tigers lost to Mississippi State 77-73. The loss drops LSU’s record to 18-4 and 5-3 in the SEC. The Lady Tigers returned two starters from last year’s national championship team. Coach Kim Mulkey…

Cut 10 (10) “…things get tough.”

While Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s not making a formal announcement, he does plan to seek re-election in 2026. The moderate Republican will have to win his party primary with new election laws in effect then.  He says changing to party primaries is too costly with an estimated price tag of $61 million over three years and $135 million over ten years.

Cut 11 (11) “…$60 million.”

We’re seeing a slight uptick in gas prices with the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas at $2.82, that’s up two cents from the day before and seven cents from a week ago. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says we usually see an increase in gas prices as refineries transition to summer-grade gasoline and demand goes up.

Cut 7 (11) “…the summer.” 

The defending champion LSU women’s basketball team has its first two-game losing streak since 2022 as the Lady Tigers lost last night to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey says they are not executing defensively…

Cut 9 (12) “…doing it”

Bittersweet Confections bakery’s motto is “Let them eat cake” but not without paying for them. A king cake thief broke into the New Orleans bakery last week and stole cash, a case of vodka, and seven king cakes. Owner Cheryl Scripter says she’s not flattered the thief returned.

Cut 4 (12) “…king cakes.”