A national report finds Louisiana’s poor and congested roads are costing drivers thousands of dollars a year. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says we can do better, but it will cost money…
cut 14 (08) “….in the process”
The DOTD is pushing a higher gasoline tax.

The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against Lafayette Consolidated Government after one of their police officers allegedly confiscted a woman’s phone and deleting a picture. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the lawsuit seeks an injunction prohibiting Lafayette P-D from interferring with the rights of individuals to photograph police activities in public…..
cut 13 (07) “…that right”
Lafayette PD has no comment on the suit.

Louisiana business groups are raising concerns over Governor Edwards tax plan that would shift the tax burden from most Louisiana residents to your bigger and more profitbable businesses. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says many corporate tax incentives have already been reduced, making it more expensive to do business. He says companies are struggling to keep up with that cost, and it’s causing job loss…
cut 10 (10) “…will do”
Edwards points out that in 2015, 129-thousand of 149-thousand corporate tax filers in Louisiana paid no taxes to the state.

The finance website Bankrate.com finds Louisiana is the 5^th worse state to retire. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed Commercial Activity Tax is raising concern with business groups. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The American Civil Liberties Union files a federal lawsuit on behalf of a Lafayette woman who claims a police officer deleted a picture off of her phone. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana is the 5^th worst state to retire in the country, according to a report from the finance website Bankrate.com. Analyst Claes Bell says the Pelican State scored near or at the bottom in several areas.

Cut 4  (09) “not great”

Louisiana has the third worst crime rate in the study, and also scored near the bottom for cultural vitality. Bell says that means funding for the arts is low, which is discouraging to seniors.

Cut 5  (07)  “as retirees”

Not surprisingly, Bell says Louisiana did score well for our weather, but unfortunately it’s not enough to make up for the shortcomings in other areas.  He says another positive rating is affordability for retirees, who live on a budget.

Cut 6 (09) “social security check”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on businesses to pay their fair share of taxes. That’s why he’s proposing the Commercial Activity Tax, which would levy a gross receipts tax on businesses with one-point-five million dollars a year in sales or more. Edwards says a vast majority of businesses paid no state taxes in 2015….

Cut 7 (12)  “their part”

President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack says this is a harmful tax if you’re trying to create jobs and grow your economy…

Cut 8 (11) “other states”

Edwards says the CAT would exempt businesses making less than $1.5 million a year. He says small businesses would instead pay the minimum fixed rate of $250 to $750. He doesn’t believe higher taxes will discourage businesses in the Bayou State, because they want a stable and predictable tax structure.

Cut 9 (09)  “it’s stable”

Waguespack says many corporate tax incentives and deductions have already been reduced in recent years, making it more expensive for companies to do business in Louisiana. He says businesses are struggling to keep up with that cost, and it’s causing job loss in the state.

Cut 10 (10) “will do”

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The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of a Lafayette mother who allegedly had a photo deleted from her phone by a police officer. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the photo was of her minor son sitting in the back of a police car, but the woman had every right to take and keep that photo…

Cut 11 (08) “this lawsuit”

Esman says everyone has a right to photograph what they see, including actions of police as long as they don’t interfere. She also says cellphones are by law private..

Cut 12 (08) “without a warrant”

The Lafayette Police Department has no comment on the lawsuit at this time. Esman says the lawsuit seeks an injunction prohibiting Lafayette police from interfering with the rights of individuals to photograph police activities in public…

Cut 13 (07) “that right”

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More revenue is needed to repair Louisiana’s crumbling roads and decrepit bridges. That’s according to Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, who says it’s been 30 years since the state has made any real investment in transportation. The transportation research group TRIP found 26 percent of major roads in Louisiana are in poor condition. Wilson says we have to provide better infrastructure for our people.

Cut 14 (08) “in the process”

Wilson says DOTD invests the available dollars in the best way they can, but at the end of the day, there’s not enough to do what needs to be done. There’s already talk of raising the state’s gasoline tax in the regular session. Wilson says his department needs a $700 million annual increase in funding to meet the transportation needs.

Cut 15 (10) “asked to deliver”

TRIP finds 13 percent of Louisiana bridges are structurally deficient. Wilson says he’s closed 16 bridges around the state this year alone. He says without more funding, it’s more than likely additional bridges will be shut down. He says DOTD inspects every bridge in the state annually.

Cut 16 (07) “closed bridge”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on businesses to pay their fair share of taxes. That’s why he’s proposing the Commercial Activity Tax, which would levy a gross receipts tax on businesses with one-point-five million dollars a year in sales or more. Edwards says a vast majority of businesses paid no state taxes in 2015….
cut 7 (12) “…their part”
President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack says this is a harmful tax if you’re trying to create jobs and grow your economy…
cut 8 (11) “…with other states”
The debate will intensify when the session begins April 10th.

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of a Lafayette mother who allegedly had a photo deleted from her phone by a police officer. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the photo was of her minor son sitting in the back of a police car, but the woman had every right to take and keep that photo…
Cut 11 (08) “this lawsuit”
The Lafayette Police Department has no comment on the lawsuit at this time.

Louisiana State Police is investigating the death of a 3-year-old who was found dead in her mother’s car outside of a nursing home in Ville Platte. Trooper Brooks David says authorities are working to determine a timeline of how long the toddler was in the car.
Cut 3 (08) “coroner’s office”
David says the identity of the child has not been released.

Governor John Bel Edwards released his plan today for a new tax structure. It calls for lower sales taxes, but more services would be subject to a sales tax and there would be adjustments to the income tax bracket, which he says would benefit a majority of residents….
cut 11 (13) “….federal income taxes’
Edwards is also calling for a new tax called the Commerical Activity Tax, which would tax large businesses. The governor points out that 129-thousand businesses did not pay any state taxes during the 2015 tax year.

Business groups are already expressing concerns. President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack says Louisiana’s economy is in a recession and the governor seems tone deaf to the economic reality.

The governor has released his legislative package dealing with public education. One of the measures would prohibit the use of corporal punishment in public schools for students with disabilities. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil is the sponsor of that legislation….
cut 9 (10) “….vulnerable”
The state Education deparment found over 500 students with disabilities received some kind of corporal punishment last school year.

A report from the national transportation research group TRIP finds Louisiana drivers are paying an additional $6.5 billion annually because of poor highways. Research and Policy Manger Rocky Moretti.
Cut 5 (11) “traffic crashes”
Moretti says Louisiana has the 7th highest rate of traffic fatalities in the country.

Governor Edwards has unveiled his tax plan that he would like lawmakers to approve in the upcoming legislative session. The centerpiece of the plan is the Commerical Activity Tax, which would raise nearly a billion dollars a year. Edwards says it’s a way to make sure companies are paying their fair share of taxes….
cut 12 (12) “….state income taxes”

A national report came out today that says Louisiana drivers pay an additional six-point-five billion dollars annually because of poor roads. The report also points out that Louisiana has the 7th highest rate of traffic fatalities in the country. Rocky Moretti with a group called TRIP says roadway safety features could help…
cut 6 (11) “…fatal crashes’

Governor Edwards has released his legislative package designed to improve public education. Michelle Southern has details on some of the proposals…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A report released by State Police says the man involved in a fatal shooting of a East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy earlier this month had a gun concealed on him. Brandon Wiley and deputy Shawn Anderson both died from gunshot wounds during an encounter at a hair salon. The coroner says both men were shot between the shoulder and waist.

Governor John Bel Edwards unveiled his proposed tax changes. It calls for lower income and sales taxes, but services currently not taxes would be under the plan. Edwards is also calling for a Commericial Activity Tax, which would raise nearly a billion dollars. The governor says these changes to Louisiana’s tax code will stablize Louisiana’s budget. He looks forward to working with state lawmakers in getting it approved
cut 13 (12) “….currently on”
The plan will be debated once the session starts April 10.

The final episode of Duck Dynasty Airs tonight on A&E. The popular reality show based in West Monroe produced 11 seasons and has been on cable tevision for the last five years. At one time it was one of the most popular shows on televisioon and made it popular to have a face full of hair.

Poor quality roads are costing Louisiana motorists an additional $6.5 billion annually, according to a report from the national transportation research group TRIP. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The weather has only recently started to warm up, and Louisiana has already seen a hot car death. State Police say a 3-year-old died in her mom’s car in Ville Platte. Trooper Brooks David says they are still investigating why the child was left alone in the vehicle…:
Cut 4 (04) “visiting there”

Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his plan today for a new tax structure in Louisiana. It calls for lower sales taxes, but more services would be subject to a sales tax and there would be adjustments to the income tax bracket, which he says would benefit a majority of residents….
cut 11 (13) “….federal income taxes’
While many citizens would see a tax cut under this plan, businesses would be hit with what would be called a Commerical Activity Tax, which would raise nearly a billion dollars a year. The governor’s tax plan will be debated in the upcoming session.

Sabine, Allen, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Calcasieu and Beuregard Parishes are under a tornado watch until 9 PM tonight. A strong cluster of storms is moving in from Texas.

A bill has been filed as part of Governor Edwards education legislative package that would prohibit the use of corporal punishment in public schools for students with disabilities. The author of the bill is Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil….
cut 10 (09) “….to do”
Foil says this just deals with students who have disabilities. The department of education found over 500 students with disabilities received some kind of corporal punishment during the last school year.

Mining and logging jobs in Louisiana, which includes the oil and gas sector, saw over the month gains for the first time since October 2014. That’s according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission who says employment in this sector rose by 200 from January to February. LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott…
cut 13 (09) “…in half”