Straight out of Monroe: A Louisiana teenager is trying to become the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the globe, and he took off on his journey yesterday. The News Star reports Mason William Andrews, 18, took off from the Monroe Regional Airport and is attempting to beat the record of Australian pilot Lachlan Smart. Andrews’ flight should take between 30 and 40 days. He says weather is his biggest concern. He’s studying professional aviation at Louisiana Tech University. Read the full story.
Bye-bye tax breaks: The tax deal struck by lawmakers and Gov. John Bel Edwards to balance this year’s budget will end Louisiana’s state sales tax holidays for seven years. When lawmakers renewed 0.45% of an expiring 1% state sales tax, they also reworked sales tax breaks. Louisiana’s revenue department says that means shoppers won’t see annual state sales tax holiday weekends through mid-2025. Gone are the general sales tax holiday on the first Friday and Saturday in August, a hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday on the last Saturday and Sunday in May, and a Second Amendment sales tax holiday on the first Friday through Sunday in September. Read the full story.
Fried potatoes: Louisiana won a spot alongside seven other U.S. regions featured in Lay’s new attempt at spotlighting famous local flavors as part of “Tastes of America.” Cajun spice chips will compete with Zapp’s from July 30 through Sept. 23, NOLA.com reports. Local flavors will only be available in their own regions. Read the full story.
