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.

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

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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 he hopes that the new tax structure will encourage people to consider moving to Louisiana.

Cut 5 (14) “…that does it.”

Erwin, however, says it’s unfortunate that sales taxes, which are already among the highest in the nation, are increasing even further, with the state rate going up to five-percent as of January 1st.

Cut 6 (12) “…citizens the most.”

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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. As such, you should plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get to wherever you’re going, regardless of the mode of transportation.

Cut 8 (14) “…busy airports.”

If you’re traveling by car, you’ll enjoy some of the cheapest gas prices in the nation here in Louisiana, with regular unleaded averaging just over $2.70 a gallon. Redman says it’s the same story throughout much of the Gulf Coast region.

Cut 9 (06)  “…dollars a gallon.”

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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 Jakarta.

Cut 10 (08) “…back here.”

Cicero emphasized New Orleans’ reputation for hosting world-class events and the importance of the post-Olympic year as athletes began preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and emphasized the local excitement for gymnastics due to LSU’s national success.

Cut 11 (15) “…for this event.”

New Orleans previously hosted the championships in 1995, and Baton Rouge hosted it in 1977. Cicero says this event promises to bring significant energy and interest to the Crescent City.

Cut 12 (09) “…what LSU has done.”

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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.”

Koshetz says if your TSA line has CAT-2 technology, there will be no need to show the agent your boarding pass.

Cut 14 (09) “…flying that day.”

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

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

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The LSU football team missed out the number one high school prospect in the Class of 2025, but Bryce Underwood’s decision to sign with Michigan, allows for the NIL dollars dedicated for Underwood to be spent elsewhere. Coach Brian Kelly said on Monday the Tigers will be very aggressive in the transfer portal, especially after not being aggressive last year…

Cut 16 (17) “…very aggressive.”

LSU has played most of its season without junior linebacker Harold Perkins. Although Perkins is eligible for the draft, Kelly hopes he returns for his senior season.

Cut 17 (17) “…and his family” 

Saturday’s game marks the final regular-season game of the year, and it’s Senior Night. Kelly and the program will say goodbye to 21 seniors.

Cut 18 (20)   “…great things.”

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ULM can become bowl-eligible with a win over in-state rival U-L Lafayette on Saturday in Monroe. The Warhawks are also looking to snap a five-game losing streak. Coach Bryant Vincent says his team will be ready…

Cut 19 (15) “..long time.”  

Kick off is at 11 AM on ESPN U. Vincent says the morning kick-off should not bother his team…

Cut 20 (13) “…ask for.”

Governor Landry is speaking out about the tax reform package that the legislature passed during the special session. The legislature cut income taxes and eliminated the franchise tax. However, it opted to raise the state sales rate instead of adding additional services to the tax base. Landry says the special session fulfills a campaign promise of growing Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 11 (14) “…Louisiana home.”

Business groups are hailing the tax reform package. Will Green, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says Louisiana’s corporate income tax rate will now be lower than those in neighboring states.

Cut 4 (11) “…and for talent.”

The legislature last week approved two bills to make temporary pay raises for public K-12 teachers and support staff permanent, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment in March.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

McNeese has fired head football coach Gary Goff after three seasons. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says two former McNeese players – Slade Nagle and Kerry Joseph – are possible replacements…

Cut 13 (08)  “…rally around.”

Two bills have been approved by the Louisiana Legislature to make temporary pay raises for public K-12 teachers and support staff permanent, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment in March. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill, requires school districts to use the savings created by eliminating the retirement debt payment in Emerson’s Bill to fund the permanent raise.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the local side.”

After three seasons, McNeese Football’s head coach Gary Goff has been fired. He was 10-and-23 and had one year left on his contract. He arrived in Lake Charles in 2022 after leading Valdosta State to the Division Two national championship game in 2021. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says despite inheriting a program that was not in good shape, he didn’t win enough games fast enough

Cut 14 (12) “…up to that.”

Business groups are applauding the tax reform package approved by the legislature in the just-ended special session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Starting January 1^st, Governor Jeff Landry says the state’s three-tiered income tax system will be replaced by a flat three-percent tax and the standard deduction will be increased to $12,500 in 2026.

Cut 9 (11)  “…working poor.”

The special legislative session is done and starting January 1st, most Louisiana residents will pay lower income taxes as the new 3 percent flat tax and $12,500 standard deduction becomes effective. In exchange, the state sales tax rate will increase to five percent. But Governor Landry says in the end, Louisiana residents will pay less taxes…

Cut 10 (15) “…against you.”

Will Green, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says Louisiana’s lower income tax rate will make it a more attractive state for people to move.

Cut 5 (08) “…jobs and talent.”

Legislation to make temporary pay raises for K-12 teachers and support staff permanent passed, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment. The legislation allocates funds from protected education trusts to reduce nearly $2 billion in teacher retirement system debt. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala (back-a-la) says this free up around $287 million annually for local school districts, enabling a $2,000 raise for teachers and $1,000 for support staff.

Cut 6 (12) “…give pay raises.”

Head coach Gary Goff didn’t win enough football games at McNeese and after three seasons he was fired today. The Cowboys went six and six this season after failing to win a game on the field last year. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says there were many who thought Goff won enough games this season to keep his job…

Cut 12 (06) “…little surprised.”

Business groups are hailing the tax reform package passed last week. Will Green, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says thanks to the reform, Louisiana’s corporate income tax rate is lower than those in neighboring states.

Cut 4 (11) “…and for talent.”

Governor Landry says Louisiana is made more competitive and can attract more jobs and higher wages because of the reforms including the elimination of the corporate franchise tax on businesses. He believes this special session fulfills a campaign promise of growing Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 11 (14) “…Louisiana home.”

Two bills have been approved by the Louisiana Legislature to make temporary pay raises for public K-12 teachers and support staff permanent, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment in March.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisianans are spending less than other state residents for their Thanksgiving dinner this year. A classic turkey dinner with vegetables, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie costs just under 46 dollars compared to the cost for the rest of the country at just over 58 dollars. The American Farm Bureau reports Grocery prices have dropped for the second year in a row, but they are still historically high.