The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of three panhandlers in Slidell, over an ordinance that requires them to get a permit in order to beg for money on city streets. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the city of Slidell’s requirement violates the panhandlers First Amendment Rights….
cut 12 (11) “…this country”
Slidell city attorney Brian Haggerty says they have no comment on the lawsuit.

Beginning January 1, Amazon will collect sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana residents. State department of revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says both state and local sales taxes will be added to purchase totals…:
Cut 6 (07) “address”
State department make cuts to their respective agencies today as $277 million dollars has been carved from the state’s operating budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these cuts are being made through attrition – by not hiring people to fill vacant positions…:
CUT 8 (10) “current fiscal year”
Dardenne says more cuts this fiscal year are likely and we should know more when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again in January.

A Walker man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder as a result of a road rage incident. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says 31-year-old Bradley Deville fired a nine milimeter gun into the side of a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Johnny Franz….
cut 5 (08) “…Mr Franz”
Sharp says Franz tailgaiting Deville sparked an argument between the two men, which ended up leading to shots fired, but no injuries.

The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the City of Slidell because of an
ordinance that requires a permit to panhandle. Halen Doughty has more..:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Nearly $277 million in cuts go into effect today across state agencies.
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they were glad that
this round higher ed was spared a dramatic cut…:
CUT 9 (10) “very painful”
The full budget picture will be known when the Revenue Estimating
Conference meets again on January 17th.

A man from Walker is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly
shot several times at a man in anger over a road rage incident. Walker
Police Captain John Sharp says 35-year-old Johnny Franz was allegedly
fired upon by 31-year-old Bradley Deville then the two fled onto the
Interstate where they were pulled over. He says cops noticed bullet
holes in Franz’ vehicle..:
CUT 4 (10) “open container”
Deville faces several charges including attempted 2nd degree murder,
illegal use of a firearm, and possession of an open container.

Not surprisingly, the 8 Louisiana electors cast their votes for
President-elect Donald Trump. Chairman of the Republican Party in
Louisiana, Roger Villere, says they got what they expected…:
Cut 1 (10) “and Pence”
Mr. Trump got 301 electoral votes.

The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the City of Slidell to block a panhandling permit requirement. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says Slidell residents have a constitutional right to ask for money…:
cut 11 (12) “to speak”
The suit seeks a declaration that the ordinance is illegal. No comment from the City of Slidell.

State agencies are implementing the first round of budget cuts for the current fiscal year today. It’s to the tune of about $277 million dollars, according to Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne. But he says that’s just the beginning and we’ll get a bigger picture when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets on January 17th…:
CUT 10 (10) “information”
The Department of Health is taking the biggest hit this round, but these are across the board reductions including within State Police and Higher Ed.

If you’re a frequent shopper of Amazon and enjoy not having to pay sales taxes, that’s coming to an end in January. The mega online retailer will begin adding state and local sales taxes to purchases at the start of the year. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says the taxes will be filed and remitted…:
CUT 7 (10) “Louisiana customers”
He says Amazon will be adding the appropriate sales tax based on the purchasers address.

During a Q-and-A session on twitter, LSU’s Brandon Harris said he plans to be back with the Tigers in 2017. The backup QB seems to be excited about new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

State department heads will have to start making cuts to their respective agencies today as $277 million dollars has been carved from the state’s operating budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these cuts are being made through attrition – by not hiring people are not filling already vacant positions…:
CUT 8 (10) “current fiscal year”
Dardenne says we’ll get the full budget picture when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again on January 17th.

Beginning January 1, Amazon will charge sales taxes on purchases made by
Louisiana residents. Byron Henderson with the state Department of
Revenue says both state and local sales taxes will be added to purchase
totals…:
Cut 6 (07) “address”

A Livingston Parish man is charged with attempted murder following a
road rage incident, according to the Walker Police Department. Captain
John Sharp says 35-year-old Johnny Franz and 31-year-old Bradley Deville
got into a heated exchange over tailgating. He says the two stopped and
Franz invited Deville to get out of his car…:
CUT 3 (09) “man’s car”
Sharp says in addition to attempted murder, Deville is charged with illegal use of a firearm, and possession of an open container.

Thirteen parishes in north and central Louisiana have been declared a natural disaster area by the US Department of Agriculture because of
drought conditions during 2016. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…:
cut 2 (07) “service agency”
For more information, farmers can contact their local parish FSA office.

All eight of Louisiana’s electors voted for Donald Trump as the President-elect received 301 elector votes nationwide to secure the presidency. Halen Doughty has reaction from the state G-O-P….
voicer 5 (31) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Shoppers who use Amazon.com can expect to start paying sales taxes on items purchased on their website, after January first. That’s according to a spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Thirteen parishes in Louisiana have been declared a natural disaster area by the US Department of Agriculture because on drought conditions during 2016. The parishes under the designation are in north and central Louisiana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain….
cut 6 (06) “…agency office”
Farmers in eligible areas have eight months from the disaster declaration date to apply for the emergency loans.

Three people in Washington Parish are facing charges after a home invasion that led to the stealing of firearms and the sexual assault of a woman in her 50s. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 48-year-old Robert Lester was the mastermind of the crime and that 17-year-old Deonta Miller of Franklinton executed the break-in…
cut 12 (12) “…the weapons”
Authorities also believe Miller sexually assaulted the female homeowner after taking her from her home.

Donald Trump will officially be the next president of the United States after getting 301 electoral votes Monday. Louisiana Republican Party Chair, Roger Villere, says there was a huge push to get the state’s 8 electors to change their vote, but Mr. Trump would have won anyway..:
CUT 14 (09) “than that”
President-elect Trump easily carried the state in the November 8th election.

A task force charged with coming up with tax reform recommendations feels the code in Louisiana is unfair. That’s according to Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary, Kimberly Lewis Robinson. She says sales taxes should be applied to all retailers…:
CUT 9 (11) “pay sales tax”
Robinson says in order to be competitive, Louisiana needs a 4-percent sales tax, rather than a 5-percent rate.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 10-year-old boy tried to save his mom, while she was allegedly being raped, by hitting the suspect. They say 32-year-old Daniel Hinton is accused of raping the woman while she was sleeping while the child was in the room. He allegedly hit the child who was attempted to stop the assault. Hinton was arrested and charged with second-degree rape.

Three people in Washington Parish were arrested amid allegations of robbery, kidnapping and rape. Sheriff Mike Haley says 17-year-old Deonta Miller is accused of pretending to deliver a package to a home he robbed before kidnapping the woman who lives there and fleeing in her vehicle…:
CUT 11 (10) “the mud”
He says the suspect was apprehended and the victim rescued. The alleged mastermind of the crime and another teen were also arrested.

Tax reform in Louisiana is one of the main recommendations coming out of a task force appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to come up with ways the state could better manage its revenue. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary, Kimberly Lewis Robinson, says currently the largest percentage of the budget comes from sales tax collections, which isn’t fair to consumers or businesses…:
Cut 8 (08) “percent rate”
She says they recommend broadening the sales tax base by eliminating certain exemptions.

Governor John Bel Edwards tomorrow will hold an end of the year news conference to talk about the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen in 2016, according to a release. The remarks will be made at the Governor’s Mansion at 11:30 Wednesday morning.

The Christmas driving season is in full swing and gas prices continue to rise. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.07, up 10 cents from the prior month.

Farmers were affected by severe drought this year and the US Department of Ag has declared natural disasters in 13 parishes in north and central Louisiana…:
Cut 5 (06) “of November”
That’s Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain. He says for more information, farmers can contact their local parish FSA office.

Three Washington Parish residents have been arrested in a robbery, kidnapping, and rape conspiracy. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

President-elect Donald Trump is officially the next President of the
United States with 301 electoral votes. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Thirteen parishes in north and central Louisiana have been declared a
natural disaster area by the US Department of Agriculture because of
drought conditions during 2016. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain…:
cut 4 (07) “service agency”
For more information, farmers can contact their local parish FSA office.

Governor John Bel Edwards has said tax reform will be a major item on
his 2017 legislative agenda. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary,
Kimberly Lewis Robinson, sat on a state Tax Task Force that has provided
recommendations. She says they feel the elimination of some exemptions
and deductions would simplify the system…:
CUT 7 (13) “that clean penny”
Robinson says for a fair tax system, we have to ensure that everyone is
paying their fair share of taxes.

Several parishes across central Louisiana are under a hard freeze
warning until 9 this morning. Temperatuers are hovering in the mid 20s
and conditions could kill cros and other sensitive vegetation acoording
to the NAtional Weather Service. Exposed pipes may be damaged. Pets will
need warm shelter.