TOPS students and their parents are breathing a sigh of relief as the state has fully funded the scholarship program as a result of renewing .45 percent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. And new Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed forsees TOPS being fully funded for the next several years…
cut 5 (09) “…preparation”

Louisiana’s sales tax rate on Saturday, which is the start of a new fiscal year, will go from five-percent to 4.45 as result of legislation approved in the third special session of the year. But Tax Foundation Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana residents will still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation, when you combine state and local sales taxes….
cut 7 (06) “….ahead of Tennessee”

GOP lawmakers who voted against the final tax bill are speaking out against the legislation that sets the sales tax rate 4.45 percent. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The ex-boyfriend of a 20-year-old woman found dead in her Pointe Coupee Parish home has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. 21-year-old Eric Duhon Junior was booked this morning. Madeline Falgout was found dead inside her home yesterday and officials say a baseball bat appears to be the murder weapon.

Higher ed officials are welcoming the new budget that preserves university and TOPS funding. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Matt Doyle.“

But Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the legislature’s decision to renew nearly half an expiring one-cent sales tax will be bad for Louisiana’s economy….
cut 12 (06) “…thousand jobs”
The new state sales tax rate of 4.45 percent will go into effect Saturday.

The Vatican announces Bishop Michael Duca, the current Bishop of Shreveport, is leaving to replace Bishop Robert Muench, who is retiring as the leader of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Duca has been Bishop of Shreveport since May of 2008.

Homicide detectives in Pointe Coupee Parish are looking to make an arrest in the death of a 20-year-old woman who was found dead in her home in Fordoche yesterday morning. Sheriff Bud Torres says they have a person of interest…
cut 14 (10) “…standpoint”
Torres says they believe a baseball bat was used to kill Madeline Falgout.

New Orleans police arrest a 36-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed two people after his drink was knocked over at a Bourbon Street bar. Authorities say Gomes-Taylor Dumar used a knife to cut a teenager and stabbed a 36-year-old man. Both victims were taken to the hospital, but there has not been an update on their conditions.

Louisiana’s sales tax rate will drop from five-percent to 4.45 percent on Saturday. But Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh takes issue with the governor’s claim that it’s a tax cut, because the sales tax was scheduled to go down to four-percent on July 1st.
Cut 10 (10) “dice it.”

And according to the Tax Foundation, the state’s new combined state and local sales tax will still be the highest in the country at 9.47-percent, slightly higher than Tennessee. But Tax Foundation economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana ranks much lower when it comes to property and state income taxes…
cut 9 (13) “…six percent”

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s office is hoping to make an arrest soon in the the death of a 20-year-old woman. Sheriff Bud Torres says their investigation started yesterday morning….
cut 13 (07) “….foul play”
The victim has been identified as Madeline Falgout and Torres says the murder weapon appears to be a baseball bat and detectives have a person of interest.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies believe a man and woman found shot in a vehicle along I-55 north near Amite is a possible attempt at murder-suicide. At last report, both subjects are in critical, but yet stable condition. And the sheriff’s office says the two individuals are not local residents.

Higher ed officials are welcoming the new budget that preserves university and TOPS funding. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Matt Doyle.“

_____________________________________________

Even with the sales tax plan that will see the state sales tax rate go from 5 percent to 4.45 percent coming up July 1^st, Louisiana residents still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

____________________________________________________

GOP lawmakers who voted against the final tax bill are speaking out against the legislation that sets the sales tax at 4.45 percent. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________

Higher education is celebrating the passage of the budget and tax plan that saves universities and TOPS from further budget cuts. Without the passage of the 4.45 percent sales tax, TOPS was on the block for a 30 percent cut, with higher ed looking at tens of millions in reduced funding. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Reed says a mobilization of students helped push the bill over the finish line.

Cut 4  (09) “phone bank.”

TOPS once again avoided any structural changes, despite early session pushes to raise the academic bar for qualification. The solvency of the scholarship will likely continue to be an issue though, with record numbers of students now qualifying for the program, due to increased test scores in Louisiana high schools. Reed says that shouldn’t deter lawmakers from continuing funding.

Cut 5  (09)  “preparation.”

Reed says now that the system has stabilized funding, they can get to work building on their recent success and increasing the quality of education in the state.

Cut 6 (07) “education.”

___________________________________________________

Even with the sales tax plan that will see the state sales tax rate go from 5 percent to 4.45 percent coming up July 1^st, economist from the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says residents still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation.

Cut 7 (12)  “…ahead of Tennessee.”

Drenkard says often it’s the local retailers that feel the biggest negative impact when it comes to the high sales tax rate.

Cut 8 (07)  “…sales tax areas.”

While the sales tax rate being as high as it is in the state, Drenkard says Louisiana does have more desirable tax rates in other areas, such as property taxes and income taxes.

Cut 9 (13)  “…at six percent.”

______________________________________________

The sales tax bill that fully funds healthcare and higher ed passed with two thirds support, but those who voted nay are speaking out against the legislation that raises 466 million dollars and sets the sales tax rate at 4.45 percent. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh takes issue with the governor’s claim that it’s a tax cut, just because it means a half cent lower sales tax than Louisiana had last year.

Cut 10 (10)   “dice it.”

Seabaugh made headlines during the last special session when he filibustered a last second attempt to vote on a tax deal that reportedly would have passed, guaranteeing that another special session would be called.

The tax plan came a long way from February, when it had little to no support from Republican legislators, but many of the GOP caucus members who eventually backed the tax bill say they couldn’t let crucial state services get axed. Despite those public statements, Seabaugh believes many Republicans were strong armed, or bribed into supporting legislation that he says is a tax increase.

Cut 11 (11) “people off.”

More than half of the GOP legislative caucus supported the final tax bill.

Seabaugh says the Governor’s tax plan will end up running people out of the state.

Cut 12 (06) “thousand jobs”

The interview was conducted on a Shreveport radio station.

______________________________________

A 20-year-old girl was found dead in her home in Fordoche, with investigators saying there appeared to be no forced entry. Madeline Falgout was discovered in the residence around 1045AM yesterday. The cause of death has not been officially determined, and Point Coupee Parish Sherriff Bud Torres says he suspects someone else was involved.

Cut 13 (07)  “foul play.” 

As of now, police suspect the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

No arrests have been made, nor are investigators sure what the motive for the crime may have been, but Torres says they may have narrowed down the list of suspects to people who were close to Falgout.

Following two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that as of now provides enough money to fully fund most state services at current levels. The finalizing of a compromise 4.45 percent sales tax last night has many people, including Political Analyst Clancy DuBos, relived to be past the constant threats of deep cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 6 (12)  “permanent fix.”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover.

cut 9 (12)  “…between 100 to 110.”

The legislature has appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says he trusts that, if the new facility gets fully funded, they’ll be able to show the same positive results that have been produced in other states.

Cut 5  (10) “manner.”

Following a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  The St. Landry Parish convenience store has produced other big lottery winners in recent months and word has spread.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail, says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.

Cut 12 (08)   “…somebody got lucky again.”

After two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that as of now provides enough money to fully fund most state services at their current levels. Most of the tax plan has a seven-year sunset, setting up another round of budget battles in 2025, unless a permanent tax reform plan can be enacted. There’s growing interest in a constitutional convention to facilitate that reform, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says many opponents are worried about just who would run the convention.

cut 8 (11) “for everybody”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover. Keim does recommend to utilize caution with such intense heat in the area.
Cut 11 (07) “…just a bit”

The legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will provide funding to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  This particular convenience store has produced other big winners in recent months and news of the luck of the establishment appears to have gotten around.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.  The ticket sold over the weekend has yet to be claimed.  Sohail explains that although this particular winner didn’t match up all the numbers with the recent drawing, it was enough to land the sizable prize.
Cut 13 (10) “…with a power play.” 

The newly passed budget and tax plan has Louisianans taking stock of the two brutal years of fiscal uncertainty that led to last night’s compromise deal. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A man and woman are in critical condition after being found shot on the side of I-55 in the Amite area.  First responders were dispatched for a welfare check and found the two wounded by a vehicle on I-55 North.  The man was airlifted to the hospital and the woman was taken by ambulance.  The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting.

The legislature has appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and emphasize rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says the new location will build on modern therapeutic research that shows better outcomes for kids who get a good education while being treated, and receive specialized care.

Cut 4  (09) “the dorm.”

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  The St. Landry Parish store has produced other big winners in recent months.  Among those that have found luck there is The 1 Stop store owner himself, Nasir Sohail, who in December won $350,000 playing the Louisiana Lottery.  He is also expecting a kickback from this most recent win at his store.

Cut 14 (08)  “…still getting lucky.”

After two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that as of now provides enough money to fully fund most state services at their current levels. The finalizing of a compromise 4.45 percent sales tax last night has many people, including Political Analyst Clancy DuBos, relived to be past the constant threats of deep cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 6 (12)  “permanent fix.”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover. Keim does recommend to utilize caution with such intense heat in the area.
Cut 11 (07) “…just a bit”

The budget approved last night in the legislature OK’d four million dollars to get a new juvenile justice facility up and running in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and utilize the Missouri Model that emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says he trusts that if the new facility gets fully funded, they’ll be able to show the same positive results that have been produced in other states.
Cut 5  (10) “manner.”
High school diploma programs, and vocational training will be offered.

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  This particular convenience store has produced other big winners in recent months and news of the luck of the establishment appears to have gotten around.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.  The ticket sold over the weekend has yet to be claimed.  Sohail explains that although this particular winner didn’t match up all the numbers with the recent drawing, it was enough to land the sizable prize.
Cut 13 (10) “…with a power play.”