Congress’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax overhaul has many wondering how this will impact their finances. Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon Lagarde says despite Republican claims, the new changes won’t necessarily make tax season any simpler. He says the new tax code will keep CPAs busy…:
Cut 11 (07) “simplify anything”
Lagarde says business owners in particular will benefit the most from the changes.

A poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds Governor John Bel Edwards has the highest approval ratings since he took office at 65-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says timing has proved to be the key to Edwards popularity.:
Cut 3 (10) “and taxes”
The 65% approval rating beats Edwards previous high of 63, and is much higher than the 54-percent in May.

Nearly 64,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, leading to a decline in life expectancy for the second year in a row, according to the CDC. Addiction Policy Forum President and CEO, Jessica Hulsey Nickel, blames the exploding opioid epidemic..:
Cut 7 (07) “that they need”
According to the World Health Organization, The United states now ranks below several dozen other countries in average life expectancy.

Saints Safety Kenny Vaccaro has been placed on injured reserve as a result of a groin injury, which means he’ll miss the rest of the season. He suffered the injury on November fifth and a source says it never healed correctly and it will require surgery.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Arden Key will not play in the Citrus Bowl. He’s been dealing with injuries all season long. Starters Donnie Alexander and Corey Thompson will also not play as they are also banged up.

Tax reform is in, and that means big changes to the way Louisianans file:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly 64,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, leading to a decline in life expectancy for the second year in a row, according to the CDC. President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, Jessica Hulsey Nickel, blames the exploding opioid epidemic…:
Cut 8 (03) “every single day”

A poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds Governor John Bel Edwards has the highest approval ratings since he took office at 65-percent. He says the first two years have seen it’s share of challenges, but he is looking forward to the future…:
Cut 5 (07) “in 2019″
A 65-percent approval rating eclipses Edwards previous high of 63-percent, and is also much higher than the 54-percent approval rating in May.

Cleco has named Bill Fontenot as the new CEO effective January 1st. He says for Cleco to prosper, they need to keep supporting the communities they serve…:
Cut 14 (08) “going forward”
Fontenot has been with the company for 31 years, working in various capacities including business development, commercial operations and utility operations.

A new poll gives Governor John Bel Edwards his highest approval rating since taking office in January of 2016. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (26) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Congress’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax overhaul has many wondering how this will impact their finances. Baton Rouge area CPA Brandon Lagarde…:
Cut 10 (04) “most people”
The wholesale changes touch everything from investment returns to charitable donations, and radically alters tax season for most Louisianans.

Nearly 64,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, leading to a decline in life expectancy for the second year in a row, according to the CDC. Health officials say the decrease is a result of the exploding opioid epidemic, and President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, Jessica Hulsey Nickel, says the crisis has been building for years, and the country is failing to address it…:
Cut 9 (11) “our patients”
The US now ranks below several dozen other countries in average life expectancy.

Cleco Power has named William “Bill” Fontenot as the new CEO effective January 1st. He says he’s honored to help keep the focus of the utility on their customers…:
CUT 13 (05) “doing so”
Fontenot has been with the company for 31 years, working in various capacities including business development, commercial operations and utility operations.

A poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research Poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating stands at 65%, the highest since he took office. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy received 51 and 45 percent respectively, and Congressman Steve Scalise got a 55-percent approval rating. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards not being in Washington helps him…:
Cut 4 (09) “perfect time”
Governor Edwards said on his monthly call in radio show that he hopes these high numbers help him get his agenda accomplished in Louisiana…:
Cut 6 (08) “against you”
Edwards is grateful for the trust the voters have placed in him and his administration helping him to achieve his highest approval rating thus far.

LSU officials are concerned the federal tax bill will make it more difficult for season ticket holders to purchase their tickets, because the legislation no longer allows fans to deduct 80-percent of the contributions they have to give for the ability to purchase their season tickets. Tiger Athletic Foundation President Rick Perry….
cut 25 (10) “of concern”
Perry says they were hoping Congress would phase out the deduction, instead they completely eliminated it.

Louisiana Tech jumped all over SMU in the first half and ran away with a 51-10 win over the Mustangs in the Frisco Bowl last night.

A poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research finds Governor John Bel Edwards has the highest approval ratings since he took office at 65-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says timing has proved to be the key to Edwards popularity.:
Cut 3 (10) “and taxes”
The 65% approval rating beats Edwards previous high of 63, and is much higher than the 54-percent in May.

Nearly 64,000 Americans died last year from drug overdoses, leading to a decline in life expectancy for the second year in a row, according to the CDC. Addiction Policy Forum President and CEO, Jessica Hulsey Nickel, blames the exploding opioid epidemic..:
Cut 7 (07) “that they need”
According to the World Health Organization, The United states now ranks below several dozen other countries in average life expectancy.

The federal tax reform bill means fans can no longer deduct the donations they make for the right to purchase season tickets for college athletics. Kelley Ray looks at what it means for LSU…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has apologized for the choke gesture he made towards Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. TV cameras caught the incident when the two teams met two weeks ago in Atlanta and the two teams are set to meet again this Sunday. In a conference call with Atlanta reporters, Payton said he let his emotions get the best of him. Freeman says he’s not bothered by Payton’s actions.

Governor John Bel Edwards defends the living arrangements of the former State Police leader who is accused of legal wrongdoing in a state audit. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Honda confirms a Baton Rouge man’s death is linked to a faulty air bag.  It’s the 20^th death nationwide connected to a faulty Takata air bag system.  George Sharp was killed in a wreck while driving a 2004 Honda Civic on Jefferson Highway.  The coroner Sharp died from blunt force trauma due to an exploding air bag…

The head of the Tiger Athletic Foundation is waiting to see what kind of impact the federal tax reform legislation will have on college athletics. TAF President Rick Perry says fans will receive tax breaks elsewhere but it remains to be seen on how it will impact donators ability to buy season tickets…

Cut 11 (12) “stand now.”

Before the changes, donators could deduct much as 80 percent of their gift.  LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has said tax reform could mean a loss of 50 million dollars for the athletic program.

Lottery tickets may seem like a great Christmas gift with adults buying them for children as stocking stuffers. But Quinetta Womack, director of Problem Gambling Services, says it gives the juvenile a false sense of dreams and ideas that can lead to gambling addiction, because in reality…

Cut 5  (06)  “of winning.”

The head of the Tiger Athletic Foundation is waiting to see what kind of impact the federal tax reform legislation will have on college athletics. TAF President Rick Perry says LSU season ticket sales for their major sports could be impacted since fans will no longer be able to deduct 80 percent of their donations to the athletic program for the right to buy season tickets…
Cut 10 (06) “particular donation.”
Perry says the tax overhaul has so many ramifications that’s too early to tell if it will lead to fewer people making donations, therefore fewer season tickets sold.

Do you think the federal tax bill will lower your taxes? According to a statewide poll, only 19-percent of the respondents believe it will. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says this legislation will have a major impact on next year’s midterm elections.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he told former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson he can live in a taxpayer funded home near L-S-P headquarters….
Cut 13 (07) “state police.”
A recent state audit says Edmonson may have violated state law by living at the public home from 2008 to 2017. Edwards says he is concerned about some of the other accusations in the audit that allege Edmonson abused his power and was involved in illegal activity.

The state Office of Behavioral Health recommends against giving lottery tickets or other gambling products to children as Christmas gifts. Director of Problem Gambling Services, Quinetta Womack, says lottery tickets as a stocking stuffer can help promote problem gambling and there are much better gifts to give…
cut 6 (09) “…healthy choices”

A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds only 19 percent of registered Louisiana voters believe their taxes will decrease with the passage of the tax reform bill. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans say the average wage earner will see more money, but taxpayers are skeptical…
Cut 7 (09) “of rhetoric.”
According to the survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, 42-percent believe their taxes will increase.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his office acted quickly once it was learned one of his deputy chiefs of staff was accused of sexual harrassment by a staff member…
cut 15 (09) “…the spot”
Johnny Anderson has denied the sexual harassment allegations and the alleged victim has reportedly resigned from the governor’s office.

Governor Edwards has set a January 19th deadline to reach a deal with legislative leaders on addressing a one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says failure to reach an agreement will mean deep cuts to health care and higher education. If an agreement in principle is reached, a special session will be called in February to make changes to the state’s tax code.

The LSU football team added much needed depth on its defensive line on the first day of the early signing period. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”