 By KELLY P. KISSEL | Metro editor Louisiana is looking at ways to possibly end the state income tax. There's no concrete plan yet, but those who back the idea say growing states like Florida and Texas don't tax income, and Louisiana should consider joining them. Lawmakers can take up tax-related issues in odd-numbered years, like next year, but 2023 is also an election year. Broad changes in tax policy aren't likely to take place quickly.
The mayor-president says her "Summer of Hope" initiative helped bring crime down over the past three months. Data show that homicides are down, and there are drops in other kinds of criminal activity, too.
Officials say an informant was raped twice while working undercover in an unmonitored drug deal. Officials in Rapides Parish say they didn't have a way to listen in remotely and never knew the woman was in trouble. | 
