One person is dead, and 3 others injured in a shooting in the French Quarter this afternoon. New Orleans Police Officers say they have good video of the incident. The shooting appears to be targeted as the video shows a vehicle holding 3 individuals pulled up to the group and opened fire. The vehicle has been recovered and a person of Interest has been taken into custody. The shooting occurred around 12:30 at the intersection of Iberville and Royal streets. The identity of the person killed has not yet been released. One of the other victims was taken to surgery.

To draw attention to youth homelessness, New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is participating in the Covenant House Sleep Out by sleeping outside tonight. He says by sleeping outside, he and other participants can feel the pain that homeless people go through every night.

Carter says tonight’s frigid weather will further shed light on the issue.

Cut 8 (07) “…with being unhoused.”

Louisiana voters will decide on four constitutional amendments in a Dec. 7 election, two of the amendments address legislative budgeting.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Alexandria International Airport is using a federal grant to lure United Airlines back. The airport is receiving one-million dollars through the Small Community Air Service Development Program. England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says they’ve wanted to lure United back ever since the airline left in 2022 due to the effects of the COVID pandemic.

Cut 12 (08) “…new air service.”

Currently American and Delta airlines serve the airport in Alexandria.

One person is dead after a shooting in the French Quarter this afternoon. The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the shooting of four people that occurred at the intersection of Iberville and Royal streets. Few details have been released. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person killed or the condition of the other three victims.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter hopes to draw attention to youth homelessness tonight. He will be sleeping outdoors as he participates in the Covenant House Sleep Out. He says the problem of homelessness is growing.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana and America.”

Carter says by sleeping outside, he and other officials who will be joining him can feel the pain that homeless people, especially children, go through on a nightly basis and work to bring resources to help get them off the streets. Overnight lows in New Orleans are expected to be in the upper 40s to lower 50s

Four constitutional amendments are on the December 7^th ballot. In response to rushed budget approvals in 2023, Amendment 2 would mandate a 48-hour review period for budget bills. Amendment 3 complements Amendment 2 as it would allow lawmakers to extend sessions by up to six days to finalize budgets. Extensions would require a two-thirds vote. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio says a rush to finalize is often an issue.

Cut 4 (11) “…end of the session.”

A potentially life-saving hand-held device that could better detect cancer cells during surgery is under development at LSU. Inventor of SafeMargin, electrical engineering professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO) says there are still many steps before it can gain FDA approval…

Cut 10 (05) “…this into market.”

The December 7 election has four amendments that Louisiana voters will vote on.  Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure. It would also give the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges for misconduct, including malfeasance. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges…

Cut 3 (12) “…Judiciary Committee.”

Researchers at LSU are developing a hand-held device to better detect cancer cells during surgery. It’s called SafeMargin, and it was invented by LSU electrical engineering associate professor Dr. Jian Xu (JAN ZHOO). He says the purpose of the device is to quickly detect a clean margin during cancer surgeries.

Cut 9 (08)  “…of the cancer.”

A Louisiana congressman will be sleeping outside tonight to shed light on a growing problem. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil, a Republican, says tax reform is always a tricky thing to accomplish.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

Democrat Jay Luneau says he proposed a bill to make corporate tax credits non-refundable.

Cut 7 (11) “…back to you.”

The biggest question is regarding sales taxes. One idea is to add fewer services to the sales tax base and raise the state sales tax to up to five-percent. The special session must end Monday evening.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the state is clearly going in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep pushing forward.”

Brumley says the steady rise is a testament to the work of everyone involved.

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Economist Loren Scott described the project as transformative for northeastern Louisiana.

Cut 8 (06) “…real game changer.”

Meta chose the area due to its location out of the hurricane zone, available land and electricity. The data center would create up to 500 jobs, many of which would pay in six figures, and it could be up and running in three years.

The State Senate is slated to vote on pieces of Governor Landry’s tax reform plan that made it out of the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The biggest question, though, is regarding sales taxes. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil says one idea is to add fewer services to the sales tax base and raise the state sales tax to up to five-percent.

Cut 23 (06) “…those small adjustments.”

Democrat Jay Luneau says raising sales taxes is not a guarantee that any revenue loss would be made up.

Cut 24 (06) “…in the past.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says it’s a testament to the work of everyone involved.

Cut 13 (12)  “…teachers are doing.”

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Baton Rouge General Hospital ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says the hospital places a strong emphasis on physical therapy following a heart attack.

Cut 16 (08) “…with heart conditions.”

Richland Parish will see a huge economic boost when Facebook’s parent company Meta builds a five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center there. That’s according to Economist Loren Scott, who says one of the biggest impacts the data center will bring is job growth.

Cut 10 (09) “…shot in the arm.”

We’re told the average salary will be around 130-thousand dollars.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has gone up.  In the U.S. News and World Report states ranking, Louisiana has earned its highest national ranking ever, moving up from 46th to 40^th. State Education Secretary Cade Brumley on the good news.

Cut 12 (06) “…work to do.”

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The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that have made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil, a Republican, says there are two options on the table when it comes to sales taxes.

Cut 5 (12) “…make everything work.”

If they go the latter route, the state sales tax rate being floated is five-percent. Democrat Jay Luneau says he has concerns about raising sales taxes, which are already among the highest in the nation.

Cut 6 (11) “…clean it up.”

The special session must end by six Monday evening.

Louisiana continues rising in the national rankings of K-through-12 education. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big news for Baton Rouge General Hospital.  It now ranks in the Nation’s top ten for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says when it comes to the heart, time is muscle.

Cut 14 (08) “…may be necessary.”

The ranking is based on data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but it restored the historic preservation and film tax credits, and they inserted an option for local governments to tax pharmaceuticals. Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

The special session must end by six Monday evening.

A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Richland Parish would be a huge economic boost to the region. Meta chose the area due to its location out of the hurricane zone, available land and electricity. Economist Loren Scott.

Cut 9 (11)  “…user they are.”

The Louisiana Senate is expected to vote on the tax reform bills that made it through the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The committee kept the income tax plan at a flat three-percent, but restored the historic preservation and film tax credits. Sales taxes appear to be the big sticking point to the whole plan, and Foil says there are two options on the table.  Committee Chairman Franklin Foil.

Cut 4 (07) “…run their cities.”

For the third year in a row, Louisiana’s statewide school performance score has increased, and it is now at its highest level under the current scoring system. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the state is clearly going in the right direction.

Cut 11 (07) “…keep pushing forward.”

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A five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center that Facebook parent company Meta is planning in Holly Ridge, near Monroe, would be a huge economic boost to the region. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Baton Rouge General Hospital now ranks in the top ten nationwide for fewest return days following a heart attack. Chief Medical Officer Keith Kellum says the hospital also goes to great lengths on after a heart attack end to set patients up for success when they leave the hospital.

Cut 15 (05) “…leave the hospital.”