Governor Landry is celebrating Louisiana’s surge up the rankings in the Nation’s Report Card for 2024. It shows that the state’s overall ranking has soared from 43rd to 32nd. Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

Cut 4 (10) “…step to success.”

The state made the biggest strides in 4th grade reading, moving from 42nd all the way to 16th since 2022. Fourth grade math scores have also increased from 50th in 2019 to 38th.

DOTD has secured an additional three-million-dollars from the state legislature for litter pickup along major federal highways. Spokesman Rodney Mallet says litter pickup is not only costly, but it diverts money from road improvement projects…

Cut 8 (07) “…for actual infrastructure.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in the history of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says it started when they pulled over a Chevy Yukon SUV on U.S. Highway 11 last week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pressed fentanyl pills.”

Carboni says the driver was 21-year-old Tawan Anthony, and the passenger was 41-year-old Regginald Henry, both of Pearl River. Both are booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on several charges each.

You can now start filing your state tax return. The Department of Revenue is urging you to do so through the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, or La-TAP. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says by using La-TAP, you will get your refund faster, should one be coming your way.

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at a Baton Rouge elementary school, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place — Louisiana.” (applause fades) 

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish history – 16-thousand pills. The driver was 21-year-old Tawan Anthony, and the passenger was 41-year-old Regginald Henry, both of Pearl River. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says both were on probation.

Cut 11 (11) “…possession of methamphetamine.”

The state will spend an additional three million dollars on litter pickup along major interstates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

You can now start filing your state income tax returns. The Department of Revenue is asking you to submit your return electronically through the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP. The department says by doing so, you will get your refund faster, if one is indeed coming to you. And to minimize any delays, make sure your information is up to date.

The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

Cut 4 (10) “…step to success.”

DOTD has secured an additional three-million-dollars from the state legislature for litter pickup along major federal highways. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says in the coming months, residents statewide will notice litter removal efforts.

Cut 6 (09) “…pick up regularly.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in the history of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says it started when they pulled over a Chevy Yukon SUV on U.S. Highway 11 last week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pressed fentanyl pills.” (Seized 16,000 pressed fentanyl pills, nearly 5 lbs. worth)

Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns today. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP

Cut 12 (11) “…account history.”

Louisiana moves up in a big way in the Nation’s Report Card. Andrew Greenstein is in Baton Rouge with details.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Authorities are looking for a 44-year-old inmate who escaped from the Avoyelles Parish Jail last night. Officials say Carl James Ducote Junior of Hessmer fled from the jail after exploiting a structural weakness in the jail’s ceiling. Ducote was incarcerated on trespassing and burglary charges.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they conducted a record-breaking fentanyl bust during a traffic stop on U-S Highway 11 last week. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says they found 16-thousand pressed fentanyl pills in the vehicle….

Cut 10 (12) “…of this Yukon”

Carboni says 21-year-old Tawan Anthony and the passenger in the vehicle, 41-year-old Regginald Henry, both of Pearl River, were arrested.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is receiving an additional three million dollars from the state legislature to pick up litter along interstates. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they started using this money by cleaning up in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 59…

Cut 7 (08) “…our contract”

Mallet says litter pickup is not only costly, but it diverts money from road improvement projects.

Louisiana moves up in a big way in the Nation’s Report Card. Andrew Greenstein is in Baton Rouge with details.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The state will spend an additional three million dollars on litter pickup along major interstates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place — Louisiana.” (applause fades)

Governor Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

Cut 4 (10) “…step to success.”

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state soared to new heights in all four metrics that went into the Nation’s Report Card.

Cut 5 (12) “…8th grade math.” (applause fades)

The state made the biggest strides in 4th grade reading, moving from 42nd all the way to 16th since 2022. Fourth grade math scores have also increased from 50th in 2019 to 38th.

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DOTD has secured an additional three-million-dollars from the state legislature for litter pickup along major federal highways. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says in the coming months, residents statewide will notice litter removal efforts.

Cut 6 (09) “…pick up regularly.”

This initiative aims to improve the cleanliness and appearance of key transportation routes. Mallet says the effort recently launched in the New Orleans area, coinciding with the upcoming Super Bowl.

Cut 7 (08) “…of our contract.”

Mallet says litter pickup is not only costly, but it diverts money from road improvement projects…

Cut 8 (07) “…for actual infrastructure.”

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A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in the history of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says it started when they pulled over a Chevy Yukon SUV on U.S. Highway 11 last week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pressed fentanyl pills.” (Seized 16,000 pressed fentanyl pills, nearly 5 lbs. worth)

Carboni says the driver was 21-year-old Tawan Anthony, and the passenger was 41-year-old Regginald Henry, both of Pearl River. She says the two went to great lengths to conceal the fentanyl.

Cut 10 (12) “…of this Yukon.”

Anthony and Henry are both booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on several charges each. Carboni says both were on probation.

Cut 11 (11) “…possession of methamphetamine.”

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Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns today. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP

Cut 12 (11) “…account history.”

The La-TAP portal can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Taxpayers may also submit their returns using commercially available tax preparation software. And paper returns that can be mailed in are also available at the department of revenue’s website. Henderson says for those eligible for a refund, you’ll get your money faster if you file electronically

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

Henderson says taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with the Department of Revenue…

Cut 14 (10) “…contact information.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Tawan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested.

Louisiana’s education ranking has skyrocketed in the last two years, moving from 43^rd to 32^nd considering reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades. That’s according to the Nation’s Report Card for 2024. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state soared to new heights in all four metrics that went into the Nation’s Report Card.

Cut 5 (12) “…8^th grade math.” (applause)

The state made the biggest strides in 4th grade reading, moving from 42nd all the way to 16th since 2022.

New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is the day Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP and to minimize delays in receiving refunds make sure contact information is up to date with the Department of Revenue…

Cut 14 (10) “…contact information.”

Investigators with the Shreveport police with the help of tips from Caddo Crime Stoppers located Larry Lewis but released him after an extensive interview.  They were seeking Lewis for questioning in connection with the robbery and homicide of Billy Lee Jamison in a Walgreens parking lot last week. SPD says they are confident in the arrest of Kelvin Lewis as the person responsible for the heinous crime and the investigation is ongoing particularly regarding the involvement of other individuals.

The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place, Louisiana.”

Governor Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

It’s that time of year and today Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns and the Department of Revenue is encouraging filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP. Commercially available tax preparation software and paper returns by mail are also acceptable. Spokesperson Byron Henderson says those eligible for a refund will get them faster if they file electronically.

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Twan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested. Anthony was already on probation for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and Henry was on parole after a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

President Trump proposed dismantling FEMA during his visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.  Senator Bill Cassidy says if you don’t have FEMA you need something because disasters can be too big for states to handle.

Cut 7 (13) “…currently being done .”

Legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Delicious Louisiana Strawberries will be a little late this year. Farmers are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says measures to protect the berries helped the plants but not the berries already on the vine. She says the frigid temps costs them extra and set them back about three weeks.

Cut 11 (07) “…pick good berries.”

She says they will miss out on Valentine’s Day but will be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival.