Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is hailing the tax reform package. She says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

Cut 4 (08) “…they can create.”

Bourgeois said Louisiana was one of a small handful of states that still have a franchise tax, but that will go away on January 1st.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says her family is deeply touched by the honor that her late husband has received…

Cut 12 (05) “…about it.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 complications in 2020, just days before he was to be sworn into office.

Many Louisiana residents are opting for a real Christmas tree rather than an artificial one. Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm Co-Owner Kevin Steele Sr. says beyond their environmental benefits, real trees offer the season’s sights, smells, and tactile joy.

Cut 6 (09) “…Washington Parish.”

Steele says artificial trees, on the other hand, are made from PVC, which generates significant pollution during production and is challenging to recycle, whereas real Christmas trees are a renewable resource.

If you’re flying with food this Thanksgiving, be aware that some of those items will need to go into your checked baggage. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says those are foods that you can smear or pour.

Cut 10 (12) “…syrup and soup.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the tax reform package is a game-changer for the state. She says good riddance to the franchise tax.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax was dramatic.” 

Bourgeois says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

If you’re planning on bringing food for your Thanksgiving feast with you on the airplane, keep in mind that you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says those items will need to be in your checked baggage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…smear or pour.”

Those include cranberry sauce, gravy, beverages, canned fruits and vegetables, maple syrup and soup. On the other hand, baked goods, meats, stuffing, casseroles and fresh produce can go into your carry-on bag.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and many people are going out and finding that perfect Christmas tree. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

More groups are praising the tax reform package that the legislature agreed to. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein

The special session also resulted in legislators paying down about two-billion dollars in debt to the teachers’ retirement system and using those savings to fund a permanent two-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala…

Cut 27 (10) “….making it permanent”

Triple-A projects a record 71-million people will travel by car over the Thanksgiving holiday, a two percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says gas prices are about ten-cents cheaper than a year ago…

Cut 9 (06) “…a gallon”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.71.

Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a record as Triple-A projects nearly six million people will fly domestically this holiday. The Transportation Safety Administration says its doing what it can to get travelers to their gate as fast as possible and that includes what is called CAT-2 technology. Sari Koshetz with TSA says with CAT-2 technology, there will be no need to show your ticket while going through security…

Cut 14 (09) “…flying that day”

If you’re heading out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, you will be in good company.

Cut 7 (08) “…airplane or cruising.”

Don Redman with Triple-A says nationwide, almost 80-million people are expected to head out of town this week; almost 72-million by car.

A growing number of airports across the country, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, are rolling out new technology to make getting through security a little easier. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says it’s called CAT-2 technology, and it uses travelers’ IDs.

Cut 13 (15)  “…flying that day.”

And Koshetz says soon, you’ll be able to use your digital ID with the CAT-2 machines.

The U.S. Gymnastics Championship is coming back to New Orleans for the first time since 1995.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The transfer portal in college athletics will re-open next month and LSU Coach Brian Kelly expects the Tigers to be aggressive in adding talent from the portal…

Cut 16 (17) “…very aggressive”

LSU concludes the regular season on Saturday by hosting Oklahoma.

More groups are hailing the tax reform package. The Council for a Better Louisiana says the lowering of personal and corporate income taxes and the elimination of the franchise tax will make Louisiana a better place to live and to do business. President Barry Erwin, however, says it’s unfortunate that sales taxes, which are already among the highest in the nation, are increasing even further.

Cut 6 (12) “…citizens the most.”

The U.S. Gymnastics Championships will return to New Orleans for the first time in 30 years. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says this event promises to bring significant energy and interest to the Crescent City.

Cut 12 (09) “…what LSU has done.”

The event will be held August 7th through the 10th at the Smoothie King Center.

If you’re traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, you will by no means be the only one. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Avoyelles Parish. It happened on Scallan Street near MLK Drive in Marksville. State Police did not release any information on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, only to say that the subject is hospitalized in critical condition. No officers were hurt during the incident.

The Council for a Better Louisiana applauds lawmakers for approving legislation in the special session that they believe makes major improvements to the state’s tax structure. CABL President Barry Erwin says reductions in the state personal and corporate tax rates and elimination of the franchise tax will make Louisiana’s tax structure more competitive…

Cut 5 (09) “….that does it”

Erwin says if there’s a downside, Louisiana’s highest in the nation combined state and local sales tax rate will go even higher.

Triple-A projects a record 79.9 million travelers this Thanksgiving holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says that’s two million more travelers than what we saw in 2019…

Cut 8 (11) “….busy airports”

Airports will be very busy this weekend as an estimated five-point-eight million people will fly domestically this Thanksgiving holiday. The Transportation Safety Administration says a growing number of airports, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, are rolling out CAT-2 technology, which allows you to just show your driver’s license and not your boarding pass to the ticket agent…

Cut 15 (07) “…mobile driver’s License”

That’s Sari Koshetz with TSA.

New Orleans will host the 2025 US Gymnastics Championships next August in the Smoothie King Center. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says the success and popularity of the LSU’s gymnastics program helped them land this event…

Cut 11 (15) “…for this event’

Tickets for the 2025 US Gymnastics Championships will soon be announced.

You can add the Council for a Better Louisiana to the groups hailing the tax reform package. CABL President Barry Erwin says the lowering of personal and corporate income taxes and the elimination of the franchise tax will make Louisiana a better place to live and to do business.

Cut 4 (11) “…and for people.”

Erwin says the state’s new corporate income tax would put Louisiana in the middle of the pack of Southern states for that tax.

The special session also resulted in legislators paying down about two-billion dollars in debt to the teachers’ retirement system and using those savings to fund a permanent two-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala…

Cut 27 (10) “….making it permanent”

Triple-A projects a record 71-million people will travel by car over the Thanksgiving holiday, a two percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says gas prices are about ten-cents cheaper than a year ago…

Cut 9 (06) “…a gallon”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.71.

Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a record as Triple-A projects nearly six million people will fly domestically this holiday. The Transportation Safety Administration says its doing what it can to get travelers to their gate as fast as possible and that includes what is called CAT-2 technology. Sari Koshetz with TSA says with CAT-2 technology, there will be no need to show the ticket agent a boarding pass…

Cut 14 (09) “…flying that day”

More groups are praising the tax reform package that the legislature agreed to. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Will Green says lawmakers made great strides over the last two weeks towards improving the state’s business climate…

Cut 22 (13) “…corporate income tax rate”

If you’re heading out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, you will be in good company.

Cut 7 (08) “…airplane or cruising.”

Don Redman with Triple-A says nationwide, almost 80-million people are expected to head out of town this week; almost 72-million by car.

The U.S. Gymnastics Championships will return to New Orleans for the first time in 30 years. The event will be held August 7th through the 10th at the Smoothie King Center. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says the Smoothie King Center will showcase the nation’s top gymnasts competing for national titles and spots on the U.S. National Team, which will help determine the roster for the 2025 World Championships in Indonesia/…

Cut 10 (08) “…back here.”

Tickets for the 2025 U-S Gymnastics Championships will be announced soon.