Several bills aimed at lowering auto insurance rates went into effect on January 1st. Jeff Palermo spoke with an expert in the industry on whether they will help.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Reaction to this weekend’s military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro is predictably split down party lines. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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The Saints head into the 2026 offseason with lots of optimism. Andre Champagne has more.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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A package of auto insurance reform bills went into effect on January 1st. Can they reduce auto insurance premiums? Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana CEO Ben Albright says the modified comparative fault law should help to reduce excessive claims cost. Albright says the law prevents drivers responsible for at least 51-percent of an accident from receiving a damage award to cover their injuries.
Cut 4 (08) “…before this law.”
Albright says the other new laws that went into effect on New Year’s Day are nice to have, but they’re not significant. He says Louisiana still needs to reform how damages are awarded in car crashes with significant medical costs.
Cut 5 (07) “…in the system.”
Lawmakers will have the opportunity to pass more tort reform legislation when it comes to insurance cases. Albright expects insurance reform legislation will be filed, but whether they pass is another story.
Cut 6 (07) “…of those bills.”
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Reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops is, predictably, split down party lines. Republicans like Senator Bill Cassidy are hailing the operation.
Cut 7 (10) “…States for justice.”
But Democrats, like Congressman Troy Carter, say the action was unconstitutional and will ultimately put Americans at risk.
Cut 8 (06) “…it’s the process.”
Cassidy said President Trump decided that enough is enough, and that Maduro needed to be brought to the U.S. to face justice for his crimes.
Cut 9 (12) “…around the world.”
Carter says there is no question that Maduro is a bad man and that the people of Venezuela have suffered under his regime. However, that does not change the fact that the U.S. had no right to act unilaterally.
Cut 10 (10) “…the relationships internationally.”
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For the second year in a row, a major economic development project in Louisiana has been recognized by Business Facilities as the Platinum Deal of the Year. Governor Jeff Landry says Business Facilities has recognized the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish as the nation’s most significant development announcement of 2025.
Cut 11 (07) “…the ground up.”
Hyundai Steel will build its steel mill on a 17-hundred-acre site in Donaldsonville. The project was announced last March at the White House, and it’s expected to generate more than 54-hundred jobs. Landry says the honor follows Louisiana’s 2024 Platinum Award for the Meta AI data center in Richland Parish.
Cut 12 (04) “…open for business.”
Landry says Louisiana is the first state to earn back-to-back top honors.
Cut 13 (06) “…a national level.”
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Today is January 6th; and especially in Louisiana, that means today is Epiphany – the holiday that officially kicks off Mardi Gras season. Arthur Hardy, the founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, says despite this year’s Carnival season being shorter than last year’s, he’s looking forward to a good one.
Cut 14 (08) “…a good year.”
Even though many grocery stores have started selling them when they really should have waited until today to do so, Hardy says today is the day when King Cakes are available in earnest.
Cut 15 (06) “…they’re shipped nationally.”
And, of course, you cannot have Mardi Gras without all the parades; and Hardy says in Orleans Parish alone, there are 35 of them between now and February 17th.
Cut 16 (11) “…to each other.”
Enjoy Carnival while you can – Fat Tuesday is only 42 days away.
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The Saints may not have made the playoffs this season, but the team left its fan base with plenty of optimism and hope for next year after finishing 4-and-1 in its last five games. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough ended his first season in the NFL with a 5-and-4 record as a starter. Shough believes the team is headed in the right direction.
Cut 17 (19) “…to get better.”
In 11 games, Shough completed 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns. The rookie QB also rushed for 186 yards with three touchdowns. Shough believes the best is yet to come from him.
Cut 18 (14) “…and my focus.”
Receiver Chris Olave had to miss the final game of the season against the Falcons after doctors found a blood clot in his lung. Olave says he thought he had a bruised rib after feeling pain near his lung following the game against the Titans.
Cut 19 (16) “…a blood clot.”
Olave says he is expected to make a full recovery and he should be able to participate in offseason training beginning in April.
Kellen Moore finished his first season as an NFL head coach with a 6-and-11 record. Although the Saints didn’t have the most successful season, Olave says the Saints are in good hands with Moore.
Cut 20 (12) “…back to winning.”