Today is the state income tax filing deadline. Kevin Gallagher reports on changes and new options for filers…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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If and how teachers will receive pay raises in Louisiana in the state’s budget remains to be seen after changes made by House Republicans. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Does altitude play a role in weight loss? Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center are looking to answer these questions through their latest research. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Ochsner Health’s announcement that it’s laying off 770 employees across its 42 hospitals and 200 urgent care and health centers in Louisiana and Mississippi sent a signal the healthcare industry is struggling. Louisiana Hospital Association President and CEO Paul Salles says hospitals nationwide are facing a tough operating environment largely driven by inflation
Cut 4 (08) “…of expenses.”
Salles says he would not be surprised to see other hospital systems also reduce their workforce.
Salles says regionally labor expenses have increased by over 25-percent and the cost of drugs and other supplies have increased about 20-percent. He says hospitals do not have the ability to raise prices like other industries…
Cut 5 (11) “…that quickly.”
Salles says acute care hospitals are in line with about a three-percent increase in federal dollars, so government funding is not keeping up with the actual costs of running a hospital.
He says the Louisiana Legislature is trying to help as Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud has a bill to create a healthcare workforce fund with surplus dollars…
Cut 6 (13) “…big difference”
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Today is the deadline to file your 2022 state income taxes. Deputy Secretary of Revenue Luke Morris says if you have not filed and feel you need an extension, you no longer have to file with the state to get one…:
Cut 7 (09) “…to file that form.”
Morris says there have been some changes in state income tax that will affect your tax debt or refund. In 2022, the state’s income tax brackets were lowered, but you can no longer deduct your federal income taxes paid on your state income tax return. And federal itemized deductions is now limited to medical expenses only…:
Cut 8 (07) “…a balance due.”
Morris says extensions to a November due date are now automatic without filing for an extension but– if you’re not expecting a refund – you must send the Department of Revenue at least part of what you think you owe today…:
Cut 9 (09) “…to take place.”
You can file your state return electronically or by mail, but it must be postmarked “May 15.” You can pay online at “revenue.louisiana.gov/LaTAP”
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The state budget which had monies earmarked for teacher salary increases of $2,000, has been altered by House Republicans to pay off teacher’s retirement debt instead. Representative Jack McFarland says this solves two problems, decreasing the debt and it frees up monies for local school systems to use for raises.
Cut 10 (08) “…two for one.”
Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s unfortunate that House lawmakers removed not only teacher pay raises but funding for early childhood and higher education. But he’s hopeful they will be restored in the higher chamber.
Cut 11 (09) “…to happen.”
The governor also has plans to increase the teacher pay raises to $3,000 if the Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes additional funds.
By moving funds for pay raises to pay off retirement debts, some worry that school systems won’t give teachers pay raises on the local level. McFarland says the issue can be resolved if needed on the ballot.
Cut 12 (12) “…for them.”
Edwards says he, along with the majority of those in the state, believes investments in education overall should be made while the funding is available.
Cut 13 (12) “…these investments.”
Edwards says he will continue to work with the House on the budget acknowledging that if the Senate makes changes, then it will also have to be approved in the House.
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LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is embarking on a $2.3 million study to determine if altitude plays a role in weight loss. Lead Researcher Claire Berryman says to determine whether low oxygen levels in the air can help obese individuals lose weight , they will have participants sleep in a tent with oxygen levels equivalent to 85-hundred feet…
Cut 14 (10) “…Aspen Colorado.”
Participants of the ‘Low Oxygen and Weight Status” study will sleep 8 hours a night in oxygen tents, also called altitude tents, for a period of four months. Berryman says the controlled effects of oxygen may benefit people struggling with obesity.
Cut 15 (13) “…weight status.”
Participants will also follow a controlled diet for 2 weeks and meals will be provided. Berryman says the underlying goal of this study is to determine whether sleeping in low oxygen tent leads to increases in energy expenditure, decreases in appetite, and greater body weight loss
Cut 16 (12) “…more calories.”
The 2.3 million grant was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
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Saints Coach Dennis Allen confirmed reports that newly signed tight end Foster Moreau could participate in the team’s offseason training activities in two weeks. Moreau has been undergoing treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma since he was diagnosed with the team after taking a physical with the Saints in March. Allen says they are leaning on the doctors to make that decision…
Cut 17 (17) “…his recovery”
After signing Moreau, the Saints are at 86 players and could still add four more. Allen says they’ll keep looking at ways to improve the roster…
Cut 18 (16) “…looking at that”
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The second ranked LSU baseball team dropped its second consecutive SEC Series as the pitching staff is coming unglued after Paul Skenes pitches on Friday night. On Saturday, LSU gave up six runs in the eighth inning in a 9-4 loss and on Sunday, the bullpen blew a nine-run lead as Mississippi State rallied for a 14-13 win in ten innings. Coach Jay Johnson used nine different pitchers yesterday….
Cut 19 (16) “…..right side”
Gavin Guidry, Christian Little, Nate Ackenhausen and Bryce Collins got touched up the most in the comeback loss. The defeat drops the Tigers to 39-12, 17-9 in the SEC with four more regular season games left. Johnson says there’s great character with this group and is confident they’ll bounce back….
Cut 20 (16) “… we have to do”