Thirty-one-year-old Louis Foret of Morgan City has received a life sentence after admitting to fatally shooting a Thibodaux man multiple times two years ago. Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s spokesman David Melancon says Foret entered the guilty plea as his trial was set to begin…:

CUT 12(10)      “…Pleading guilty.”

Melancon says Foret killed his friend Chance Benoit at his home on a February night in 2021

A Hahnville man will spend eight years in prison for his role in a July 4^th boating fatality in St. Charles Parish. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was driving a boat when it collided with another boat…:

CUT 06(09)      “…he was intoxicated.”

The victim was 36-year-old Audrey Higgins of Luling, she was a passenger in the other vessel and several other passengers received significant injuries.

As lawmakers debate a plan to help alleviate soaring property insurance costs and availability, there is growing support for a plan to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland supports the idea of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program…:

CUT 04(11)      “…insurance premiums.”

In essence, the program would give homeowners grants of up to $10-thousand (paid from a special fund) to retrofit their home’s roof so it is capable of withstanding 150-mile-an-hour winds.

At the Capitol, the Senate Finance Committee is now discussing the $45-million Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund, to help ease the state’s property insurance crisis. Tens of thousands have lost their home insurance in the last couple years, and were forced into Louisiana Citizens. Rates at the state-run insurers are, by law, higher than the private market and they just went up by over 60-percent.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that puts 45-million dollars to an incentive fund for insurance companies to provide homeowners coverage. It 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it.

Cut 13 (13)  “….make sense.”

Funding the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program will be debated at the regular session. The program would give homeowners grants to have their roofs updated to withstand 150-mile-per-hour winds and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says it would lower insurance rates.

Cut 5 (14) “…hold the roof down.”

The regular session begins April 10^th.

The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. And LED Secretary Don Pierson says their focus isn’t just on metro areas of the state.

Cut 11 (12)  “…larger companies.”

Antiques Roadshow is coming to Baton Rouge. You can register to win tickets at pbs.org forward slash antiques. Roadshow Producer Marsha Bemko says appraisers will tell participants where the two items were made, a little history about it, and their value. But when experts eye something remarkable the experience is quite different.

Cut 9 (06)  “…cameras are rolling.”

The deadline to register for tickets is March 13^th and the show will be recorded on May 2^nd.

State lawmakers in the House approved a 45-million-dollar fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The vote was 90-8 though some legislatures weren’t thrilled about the bill. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is confident this will help stabilize the homeowner’s insurance market in Louisiana, at least for now. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says the Louisiana Legislature can propose additional ideas for the regular session that begins in April…”
Cut 15 (09) “let’s go”
One idea says Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland is to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. He says the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is similar to one that works in other states…:
Cut 4 (11) “their insurance premiums”
The Incentive fund legislation will be discussed in the Senate starting today.

If you’re a fan of Antiques Roadshow, listen up because the 20-time Emmy Award-winning series is coming to Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

There is growing concern about flooding for much of the state today as more rain is in the forecast after what’s already been a wet couple of weeks. Most of North Louisiana is under a flood watch with some areas under a flood warning today, and sandbag locations are being set up at various locations.

The state House has approved a plan that creates a 45-million-dollar incentive fund to attract more private insurers to the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Now there is growing support to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is a proven plan…:
Cut 6 (09) “and fortifying”

The Antiques Roadshow is coming to Baton Rouge on May 2nd, and two thousand pairs of tickets will be issued to folks who will be able to bring two items to be appraised for free. Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says it’s an opportunity to have experts evaluate your treasures, so bring in something that you can’t look up on the internet…:
Cut 8 (09) “came in”
The deadline to register for tickets is March 13th and participants will be notified in mid-April if they’ve won tickets.

It’s Groundhog Day and while the rodent in Pennsylvania did see his shadow, the weather predicting nutria Pierre C Shadeaux did not in New Iberia today. That means, as the folklore goes, we’ll see a longer spring in Louisiana.

There was no big winner in last night’s Powerball drawing. Saturday’s jackpot is worth $700 million with a cash value of $375.7 million.

Some legislators weren’t happy about it, but the Louisiana House approved a $45 million dollar funding bill to incentivize more property insurers to write policies here. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said if this isn’t done thousands of homeowners below I-10 and I-12 would lose their homes. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown was hoping Donelon would have provided more options…:
CUT 14 (11) “be more competitive”
The measure advanced on a 90-8 vote and now heads to the Senate where it will likely also pass.

The state has topped the $20 billion dollar investment mark for a second consecutive year and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson predicts additional expansion and thus more good news for 2023…:
CUT 12 (10) “for Louisiana”

A Winnfield lawmaker says, instead of paying property insurers to come to Louisiana, why not pay homeowners to make their roofs hurricane-proof…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

It’s Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow this morning. In New Iberia they are still waiting for the weather predicting nutria to make a move. Pierre C. Shadeaux’s foretells longer spring, or shorter summer? One thing is for certain and that is he’ll be one wet nutria as most of the entire state will see rain all day today.

The state House has approved legislation that puts 45-million dollars in a fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The measure passed on a 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it as he’s skeptical the plan will lead to a more affordable insurance market…:
Cut 13 (13) “make sense”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon urged the special session in order to stabilize the insurance market in Louisiana. The measures next face debate in the Senate.

The Addis Town Council passed a motion Wednesday to accept the resignation of the officer involved in the deadly multi-parish police pursuit on New Year’s Eve. David Cauthron reportedly sped through a red light in the chase and struck a vehicle killing two Brusly High students and badly injuring another.

The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. LED Secretary Don Pierson says it was a great year because the state leveraged its unique business advantages, sector diversity, and support for climate action:
Cut 10 (09) “in 24 parishes”

Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow and thought to yourself I wonder what that vase I inherited is worth? Well, here’s your chance, the beloved PBS series will be in Baton Rouge on May 2nd and Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says your odds are good…”
Cut 7 (05) “getting in here”
Two-thousand pairs of tickets will be issued and the deadline to register is March 13th. Visit PBS.org for details.

At the legislative special session today, the Louisiana House voted for a measure that creates a 45-million-dollar incentive fund that would provide grants to insurance companies who write private property policies. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder with the final vote tally

Cut 14 (12)   “..finally passed.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still not ready to decide if he’s running for governor. Graves is not happy the state GOP has already endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. He says voters are upset a group of Republicans are trying to hand pick the next governor…

Cut 07  (08)      “…strongly encouraged.”

Graves has served in the U.S. House since 2015.

Louisiana loves beef, but the USDA’s 2023 Cattle Report predicts higher costs ahead for the popular protein. Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO David Foster concurs with the USDA’s findings the national herd is down over 39 million head from one year ago…:

Cut 3 (10) “…were down 6 percent.” 

Foster says there are fewer beef cattle around, which drives up costs based on availability.

Ready for another big lottery jackpot drawing? Tonight’s Powerball is worth $ 653 million, with a lump-sum cash payment of $ 351 million. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says the jackpot has rolled over 31 straight times with no winner…:

Cut 10 (08) “…Louisiana winner.” 

Tickets for tonight’s drawing will be on sale until 9 pm. The drawing is at 10.

At the State Capitol today, the House has – by a vote of 90-to-8 – advanced the bill to create a $45-million fund to help attract new private property insurers to come do business here, and help de-populate Louisiana Citizens, the last-resort state-owned company that costs considerably more than private insurance. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says she likes Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s plan…:

CUT 13(11)      “…insurance crisis.”

The bill – the only one of this special session – now heads to the state Senate.

Deputies in Jeff Davis Parish arrest a 20-year-old nanny for an alleged sexual relationship with a boy under her charge. They say a Jennings man discovered Snapchat messages of a sexual nature between Izabella Quistorf and his 15-year-old son. Officers were called when the argument about that got nasty, and she threatened to hurt herself with a kitchen knife. She’s been booked with carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Who doesn’t love a good cut of beef? I mean besides vegans, of course. Experts say get ready to pay as much as 15-percent more for beef in the months ahead, as the USDA reports the nationwide cattle herd is down by over 39-million head; a reduction of around 6-percent. Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO David Foster says fewer cows means higher prices. What’s more, feed stock costs are also up sharply meaning less food in feeders to fatten up the livestock…:

CUT 04(10)      “…for the consumer.”

Foster says higher prices could mean reduced demand, which could cause beef prices to withdraw.

The Powerball jackpot for tonight is at $653-million, the 8^th-largest jackpot in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says your odds of winning are only 1-in-292-million…:

CUT 11(05)      “…one-in-25.”

Tickets for tonight will be on sale until 9 pm.

At the legislative special session today, the Louisiana House voted for a measure that creates a $45-million incentive fund that would provide grants to insurance companies who write private property policies. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown has reservations, but still voted yes…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to do that.”

The goal of the program is to reduce the number of Louisiana Citizens policyholders, who pay much higher premiums than they would if they had coverage through a private insurer.

Another big Powerball jackpot is on the line tonight; $653-million. A single winner electing a cash-out one-time payoff would get about $351-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says this jackpot has been rolling over since November 21^st…:

CUT 09(05)      “…right now.”

Get your tickets before 9 tonight.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he still has not made up his mind on running for governor…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

After a thorough soaking and some flash flooding Sunday, Louisiana is bracing for another significant rain event tomorrow. Many parishes are making sandbags available for folks worried about high water. Check with your parish government to find out more. Rain chances for Groundhog Day are 90-to-100-percent in most areas.

Let’s start with the fall Governor’s race; Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is still on the fence over possibly running for the state’s Top Job. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge, Graves says he’s gotten plenty of encouragement to run, but has been too busy in Congress to examine the idea…:

CUT 06(11)      “…keep you posted.”

Graves is 51-years-old and has served in the U-S House since 2015.

No doubt about it, Louisiana loves beef…but we should all plan on spending more in the months ahead for the popular protein. Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO David Foster says there are about 6-percent fewer beef cattle around, which drives up cost based on availability. What’s more, feed stock costs are also up sharply meaning less food in feeders to fatten up the livestock…:

CUT 04(10)      “…for the consumer.”

Deputies in Natchitoches Parish arrest two juveniles for breaking into and stealing a parish fire truck. They apparently took it joy-riding before leaving it abandoned along state Highway 3191 near Powhatan. An 11-year-old and 14-year-old have been booked with the crime and released to their parents, due to no room in the parish juvenile facility.

Ready for another big lottery jackpot drawing? Tonight’s Powerball is worth $653-million, with a lump-sum cash payment of $351-million. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says the jackpot has rolled over 31 straight times with no winner…:

CUT 10(08)      “…Louisiana winner.”

Tickets for tonight’s drawing will be on sale until 9 pm. The drawing is at 10. Annison says always sign and date your tickets and you can scan & check them easily by downloading the free Powerball app for your smart phone.