Louisiana has the highest average sales tax rate at 9.98 percent according to the Tax Foundation, and some say it’s time for a change. It’s the highest of the 45 states surveyed. Vice President for State Projects Joe Henchman says the state’s range is so high because what the tax applies to is so narrow…:
Cut 8 (11) “everything else”
The report analyzed state rates and average local rates in states where cities and parishes or counties can levy an additional sales tax of their own.

Police in Bossier City have arrested a couple on criminal charges after their children tested positive for illegal drugs. 35-year-old Michael Blake and 30-year-old Victoria Blake of Bossier City were booked on multiple counts of cruelty to juveniles. The two had five kids aged 6 months to 10 years and officials say they tested positive for pot and cocaine.

Operation We Care has shipped 300 king cakes overseas to soldiers..:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

It’s National Signing Day and LSU has already landed a huge commitment from Georgia four-star linebacker Tyler Taylor. The Tigers were already able to flip All-American Jacob Phillips from Oklahoma and Sonny Shipp with Geaux 24-7 says the four-star linebacker will be vital to LSU:
Cut 18 (10) “beef inside”
Jacobs and Taylor join Patrick Queen in the linebacker group for LSU.

Louisiana leaders are reacting to President Donald Trump’s appointment of Neil Gorsuch of Colorado to the Supreme Court. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says Judge Gorsuch is an intelligent conservative. While Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond said President Trump has nominated a judge that is hostile to women’s rights and lenient on police brutality.

The Tax Foundation released data on which state imposes the highest combined state and local sales taxes and Louisiana comes in first at 9.98-percent. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Don Molino”

Operation We Care and Rondazzo’s Camellia City Bakery in Slidell are packing and shipping 300 king cakes to US troops serving in Iraq. Public Relations Director Colleen Smith says they’ve been doing this for 14 years through donations and it’s just a small way to thank those serving our country…:
CUT 12 (09) “for us”
These king cakes are red white and blue instead of traditional Mardi Gras colors.

14 individuals have been arrested after an extensive burglary investigation by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office. Capt. Tommy Carnline says each time a search warrant was conducted, it led detectives to find more information or the recovery of stolen property. He says the suspects were part of what seems to be a huge burglary ring:
cut 4 (09) “big ring”
Carnline says three additional suspects are still wanted.

President Donald Trump nominates federal appellate judge Neil Gorsuch of Colorado to the Supreme Court. Several Democrats have said they will try and block Trump’s nominee from U.S. Senate confirmation. Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana is disappointed Democrats started voicing their concerns, before they knew who the nominee would be..:
Cut 13 (11) “gonna be”
Gorsuch fills the vacancy created by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

A 5-year-old girl has died in a two alarm fire Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge, according to the BRPD Fire Department. They said the blaze happened around 7, and the girl was reported missing by family members who lost her while trying to escape. Officials discovered her body hours later. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The Tax Foundation releases data on what each state imposes when it comes to state and local sales taxes, and Louisiana leads the nation with a rate of 9.98-percent. Vice President for State Projects Joe Henchman says the state’s high rate is also very complicated…:
CUT 7 (10) “of complexity”
Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama and Washington are ranked behind Louisiana in the top five.

The group, Operation We Care out of St. Tammany Parish, has shipped 300 red, white and blue king cakes to U.S. soldiers overseas to celebrate Mardi Gras. Public Relations Director Colleen Smith..:
CUT 10 (10) “very happy”
She says these cakes were specially made by Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery in Slidell for the troops.

Many Republican state lawmakers do not want to use the Rainy Day Fund to solve the 304 million dollar budget deficit and there is also a Democrat opposed to it, as well. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is currently in France promoting tourism to Louisiana. Nungesser is scheduled to return back to the states on Thursday after visiting Lyon, France. The Lt. Governor says we’ve seen a 37-percent increase in international visitation, as overseas visitors are spending more money and staying longer in Louisiana. The cost of the trip has not been released.

There’s been a lot of criticism on social media and nightly news shows over President Donald Trump’s immigration order. But there are public opinion polls, including one from Rasmussen that finds strong public support for the travel ban. But LSU Political Communications Chair Martin Johnson says Rasmusson surveys tend to support conservative candidates and issues…
cut 5 (05) “…policies’

Entergy Louisiana broke ground today on an 869-million dollar power plant in St. Charles Parish. Michael Burns with Entergy says this new power station will be one of the cleanest and most efficient..:
Cut 6 (10) “for customers”

Burns says the plant will begin operations in June of 2019.

Several Republicans oppose using money from the Rainy Day Fund to solve a 304 million dollar budget deficit and there is at least one Democrat who also doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver made the comments to News Radio 7-10 KEEL
Cut 9 (06) “that money”
A special session will likely begin on February 13th to address the budget shortfall.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson credits a strong awareness campaign as the reason more human trafficking victims than ever are reaching out for help. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 104 cases of human trafficking were called in last year, compared to 75 in 2015. Edmonson says getting victims to come forward begins with compassion..:
Cut 13 (08) “the things you’re doing”
Entergy Louisiana began work today on an 869-million dollar power plant in St. Charles Parish. Entergy spokesperson Michael Burns says the plant will produce carbon dixoide emissions 40-percent lower than those of its current gas-fired plants and customer savings will total one-point-three billion dollars over 30 years…
cut 8 (08) “.generation fleet”
The plant is expected to be operational in 2019.

President Trump has signed an executive order to reduce regulations on small businesses. National Federation of Independent Business’ State Director Dawn Starns says this order can only help business owners run and grow their businesses…:
CUT 27 (11) “its neck”
Mr. Trump said he wants to eliminate “a little more than 75 percent” of the regulations now on the books.

We’ve heard republican lawmakers say they oppose using money from the rainy day fund to offset the state’s 304-million dollar budget deficit. There’s also at least one democratic senator who supports that too. Greg Tarver of Shreveport believes revenues will increase soon, because the state’s economy is showing signs of improving as a result of rising oil prices…
cut 10 (10) “…experts says”
A special session will begin February 13th to address the budget deficit.

Entergy Louisiana broke ground today on a new power station that the company says will save customers one-point-three-billion dollars for the next 30 years, because it will be able to produce electricity more efficiently. Spokesperson Michael Burns says the power plant will also produce jobs…
cut 7 (10) “….the plant”
Burns says they expect the plant to begin running in 2019.

Case data has been released on the number of human trafficking reports received in Louisiana in 2016 and it shows a significant increase. Michelle Southern Reports…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

A 63-year-old Gailliano man is facing seven counts of attempted murder after deputies say he fired a 22 caliber rifle into a bedroom of a home. The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office says there were five children inside that bedroom. No one was injured and Francis Lee was taken into custody outside of the home, after he allegedly threatened to kill everyone inside, as result of a dispute.