This may come as no surprise, but Louisiana ranks top of the lost for the highest sales taxes in America; at a rate of 9.55 percent. That’s according to Tax Foundation’s state and average local sales tax rates for July 2022. Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says it’s a distinction that most people do not find flattering…:

CUT 07(12)      “…to that position.”

In July of 2025, the state sales tax will drop from 4.45 percent to four percent.

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson; acting on a lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws. Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino says Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s defending the state’s abortion ban, most likely will file an appeal…:

CUT 14(09)      “…be illegal.”

Ciolino says eventually the matter will go to the state Supreme Court.

If you are paying more than four-dollars a gallon for regular gasoline, you are paying more than the statewide average. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Rain and thunderstorms are moving through Louisiana at this hour, and are expected to continue – off and on – until about dinner time. The rain does give a cooling break from near-record heat, and we can expect more scattered rain through Sunday.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better”…:

CUT 04(07)      “…get rid of him.”

Cross says, if Kennedy aims to reach the $40-million point, he probably will.

Gasoline prices have dropped to a statewide average of $4-a-gallon for regular; a retreat of some 50-cents over the last month. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says when prices are this high, reality sets in on consumers…:

CUT 11(11)      “…that impact”

Demand for gas has dropped sharply due to high prices, so the prices themselves have dropped.

Another scam alert. Lawmen in Acadiana says don’t be fooled by people claiming to be with Publishers Clearing House. The liars will say you’ve won fabulous prizes or cash, but they need you to pay taxes on it in advance…using gift cards. Just hang up the phone.

The Bayou State ranks at the top of a list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers would be pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

After raising over $29-million for his re-election, Senator John Kennedy says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Shreveport teen is under arrest for possessing and distributing child pornography. Caddo Parish Cyber Crimes deputies followed a tip that led to the evidence the boy had been downloading and sharing those images online. He is now in juvenile detention. More charges may be coming.

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson. A lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws is at the center of the injunction. The order gives both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial, however, Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino believes abortions will stop sooner than later…:

CUT 13(12)      “…district judge.”

A ban on abortions in Louisiana has gone into effect twice and been blocked twice since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24^th.

After hitting a record high of $4.55 a gallon for regular gasoline on June 15th, the statewide average has finally fallen back to four-dollars a gallon according to Triple-A. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the demand for gasoline has led to a drop in prices at the pump..:

CUT 10(07)      “… that demand erode.”

After raising over $29-million for his re-election, Senator John Kennedy says he wants to hit the $40-million mark before Election Day. Brooke Thorington has more…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

The Bayou State ranks at the top of the list, but it’s not necessarily the first place ranking consumers are pleased about. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (34) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

________________________________________________

If you are paying more than four-dollars a gallon for regular gasoline, you are paying more than the statewide average. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better”…:

Cut 4 (07)  “…get rid of him.”

Cross says there’s no reason Kennedy should stop raising campaign donations, because unused funds for this election can be saved and used in a future re-election bid, but only for the Senate. That money could not be used if he decides to run for Governor next year…:

Cut 5 (04) “…in the Senate.”

Cross says that’s a good way to curry favors or support with fellow U.S. Senators.

Kennedy now has a sizeable list of challengers qualified, but his campaign cash far outpaces all of them combined. When asked during qualifying if he’d debate opponents, Kennedy said he has a busy schedule. Cross says there’s no “upside” to him doing that…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…bad in a debate.”

_______________________________________________

Among states with combined state and local sales tax Louisiana ranks at the top of the list at 9-point-55-percent. That’s according to Tax Foundation’s state and average local sales tax rates for July 2022. Tax Foundation’s Janelle Fritts says it’s a distinction that most people do not find flattering.

Cut 7 (12) “…that position.”

Fritts says the most likely reason Louisiana’s local sales taxes are higher than others is due to the fact that there isn’t as much control over the local tax structure compared to other states.

Cut 8 (11)  “…pretty high for states.”

But Fritts says consumption taxes, like a sales tax, tend to be less economically harmful than an income tax or a corporate income tax, but when a sales tax is high it still can be burdensome.

Cut 9 (08)  “…state lines.”

In July of 2025, the state sales tax will drop from 4-point45 percent to four percent.

________________________________________________

After hitting a record high of $4.55 a gallon for regular gasoline on June 15th, the statewide average has finally fallen back to four-dollars a gallon according to Triple-A. Fuel analyst Don Redman says the demand for gasoline has led to a drop in prices at the pump

Cut 10 (07) “…demand erode.”

Redman says travel on our roadways was brisk in June and for the fourth of July, despite record high gas prices. But he says reality has set in on how much it costs to fuel a vehicle when gas prices are above four-dollars a gallon…

Cut  11 (11)  “…that impact” 

The statewide average has fallen 50-cents over the last month. Redman says as long as the price of crude oil falls, gasoline prices will fall as well…

Cut 12 (09) “…in demand.” 

Redman says prices could kick back up if a tropical storm or hurricane slows oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.

_________________________________________________

Abortions remain legal in Louisiana due to a temporary injunction issued by state district judge Donald Johnson. A lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger abortion ban laws is at the center of the injunction. The order gives both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial, however, Loyola University Law Professor Dan Ciolino believes abortions will stop sooner than later.

Cut 13 (12) “…district judge.”

Ciolino says Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s defending the state’s abortion ban, most likely will file an appeal.

Cut 14 (09)  “…be illegal.”

The merits of the case will be heard in state district court, but Ciolino says due to the nature of the issue he believes it will move to the state’s highest court quicker than other matters.

Cut 15 (12)  “… than years.”

A ban on abortions in Louisiana has gone into effect twice and been blocked twice since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24^th.

_______________________________________________

The Southern Jaguars have been picked to win the SWAC Western division based on a preseason poll released by the conference. Center Dallas Black was named to the All-SWAC preseason first team…

Cut 16 (08)  “…of the season”

Southern has two all preseason SWAC performers on the defensive line, Jordan Lewis and Jason Dumas. Lewis was the SWAC defensive MVP last season and Dumas is a transfer from Prairie View. Southern defensive defensive tackle Cameron Peterson is excited about the addition of Dumas…

Cut 17 (20) “…very fortunate.” 

Grambling is picked to finish fourth in the SWAC West Division. Grambling offensive lineman Tyler Thomas says the Tigers are ready to surprise some folks this year…

Cut 18 (12) “ …be seen” 

Grambling only plays three games on its campus this year. First-year coach Hue Jackson hopes future schedules feature more games at Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium…

Cut 19 (21) _“…our university” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school” 

Abortions can continue in Louisiana as a lawsuit challenging the state’s trigger laws remains in litigation. State District Judge Donald Johnson preliminary injunction orders attorneys on both sides 30 days to develop plans for a trial.

The Louisiana Bond Commission withholds funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat not to enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Bayou State is still in its sixth surge that started about two months ago and it’s on track to be one of the longest upticks in COVID cases. And after 28 months Kanter says COVID fatigue has definitely set in.

Cut 5  (11) “…get it again.”

News broke earlier today that President Biden tested positive for COVID and is experiencing mild symptoms.

While some parts of the state are under an excessive heat warning, State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says other parts of the state are seeing rain cooling showers, and thunderstorms in the afternoon. But the standing water attracts mosquitos…

Cut 14 (12)  “…eastern encephalitis.” 

The state Bond Commission votes to withhold some state money from the City of New Orleans; $39-million in sewer & water cash. It’s in response to Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatening she would not enforce the state’s abortion law, which is currently on hold. During arguments for and against, State Treasurer John Schroder wasn’t pleased at using the Bond Commission to send a political message..:

CUT 11(11)      “…to get on.”

The excessive heat is threatening Louisiana crops. State Ag Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says corn and soy farmers are working overtime to assure their crops don’t dry up in the heat…:

CUT 13(12)      “…of the heat.”

Some parts of the state are getting some cooling rain, but that means another problem; mosquitos which transmit West Nile and Eastern encephalitis.

COVID-19. The BA.5 variant means the current surge in Louisiana is on track to be one of the longest. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Tech’s men’s basketball team is headed for Puerto Rico. The Bulldogs travel to San Juan early next month for an NCAA three game summer exhibition tour. Head Coach Talvin Hester says it’ll be a great experience for his guys. Tech has ten players returning from last season.

The Louisiana Bond Commission votes to withhold funding for the New Orleans water and sewerage board over the city’s threat to not enforce state laws that ban abortions. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

In Caddo Parish, a 21-year-old Haughton man gets the longest sentence possible, after pleading guilty to raping a child. Oscar Gonzalez was ordered to 40 years behind bars for the 2020 assault on a 7-year-old. He will also have to register as a se offender for life.

As we hear news that President Biden has COVID, state health officials say we need to be vigilant of the BA.5 variant; more infectious, but less deadly. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 3400 new cases are reported today, but there are likely many more cases yet undetected…:

CUT 04(07)      “…access to testing.”

If there’s an upside, it’s that BA.5 COVID is sending fewer people to the hospital than previous variants.

A Baton Rouge woman told sheriff’s deputies she had to play dead, after being shot by her ex right in front of her kids, in hopes she’d avoid being shot again. The victim says 30-year-old Roy Haynes instead kicked her in the stomach and left. Her children, ages 9 and 15, witnessed the whole thing. She will be OK. Haynes is now in custody; charged with attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a gun.