The Louisiana House convenes at 1 PM today and they are expected to vote on several bills of note, including a measure that Governor Jeff Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple do not see eye to eye on. That proposal would give the Insurance Commissioner more authority to block excessive rate hikes. The House is also expected to take up a measure that would increase the tax on vaping and e-cigarette products.

State lawmakers are also attempting to ban the sale of kratom. Sean Richardson has more on that…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Morris’s bill will be heard tomorrow in a Senate Committee.

Construction is underway on two new facilities on the Louisiana Tech campus that university leaders say will transform the campus in Ruston. Ground has been broken on the Orgin Bank Center for Student-Athlete Success which La Tech President Jim Henderson says will produce world-class academic, wellness and leadership resources for student-athletes. And Henderson says on Tech’s South Campus, ground has been broken on the Forest Products Innovation Center…

Cut 8 (10) “….using yellow pine”

If you’ve ever said you could do a better job balancing the budget than the elected officials, you’re now invited to put your money — make that the state’s money — where your mouth is. PAR, LSU and The Advocate have all teamed up to launch the online game, “Solve The Budget.” Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio

Cut 10 (10) “…things like that.”

The Louisiana House is set to meet today at 1 PM, and a bill up for discussion is the measure that would give Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner the ability to block excess insurance rate increases.. Governor Jeff Landry is urging the Louisiana Legislature to approve…

Cut 21 (20) “…necessary”

Landry testified in favor of the bill when it was heard in the House Insurance Committee earlier this month. Landry says the legislation is not designed as a hammer for the insurance commissioner, but the bill is designed to be a safeguard.

But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, elected and not appointed by the governor, opposes the legislation…

Cut 28 (20) “…California”

Temple believes the best way to lower rates is to reduce the losses insurance companies incur. He says the high payouts car accident victims are receiving are the main reason why the state’s rates are so high.

Tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear a bill that seeks to ban kratom. The Drug Enforcement Administration lists kratom as a drug and chemical of concern, because it can cause seizures, nausea, vomiting and hallucinations. But some use kratom to self-treat chronic pain much like an opioid, but Morris says that’s a problem…

Cut 6 (12) “…as a drug”

The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association support Morris’s bill.

Big night for the LSU baseball Tigers as they came back from a 3 to nothing deficit in true Tiger fashion, scoring six runs in the 9^th inning to take down Tennessee. Coach Jay Johnson on the Jared Jones three run homer that clinched it.

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

Today is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The conviction of a Louisiana Death Row inmate was set aside this week by a Ouachita Parish district judge.  Jimmie Duncan, whose 1998 conviction for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter was based in part on bite mark evidence that experts now say is junk science.  Judge Alvin Sharp pointed to new testimony during a September appeals hearing that such bite mark analysis is “no longer valid”.  Experts have says it’s still unclear whether  Duncan will be set free as the possibility of a re-trial on lesser charges remains.

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

The Louisiana National Guards 256^th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo. Sean Richardson has details.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Big comeback for the LSU Tigers last night against Tennessee. They were down 3-to-nothing in the 9th inning and scored six runs to win! Jared Jones won the game on a three-run homer over the center field wall.  And in Ruston thirty-one runs were scored last night as Dallas Baptist defeated La Tech 16 to 15 in 12 innings.
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The Saints have added a quarterback to their roster. They used a second-round pick to select Tyler Shough (Shuck). He’s 25 years old, played seven seasons of college football with three different schools, and suffered three significant injuries. Shough says it’s been a long journey to get to this point so it was surreal when he got the call from the New Orleans Saints ….

Cut 17 (15)  “…earn it.”

Today is national drug take-back day as the DEA will be collecting expired or unwanted medications across the country, to make sure they don’t end up in the wrong hands. Keith Bakewell, assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says the agency has been holding drug take-back events successfully for years.

Cut 5 (10) “…or unwanted medication.”

Big night for the LSU baseball Tigers last night as they came back from a 3 to nothing deficit in true Tiger fashion, scoring six runs in the 9^th inning to take down Tennessee.  Jared Jones hit the three run home that made it happen.  Coach Jay Johnson

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms that auctions tables at restaurants without their knowledge, often at very very high prices.  Republican Troy Hebert sponsored the bill that carries a fine of a thousand dollars a day for taking reservations without the restaurants’ consent.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

The bill also allows the state attorney general to seek restitution for misled consumers.

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Today is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says this prevents the drugs from being used for illicit purposes.

Cut 4 (15) “…or whatever else.”

About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa.  Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the goal of both deployments is to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

Today is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big comeback for the LSU Tigers last night against Tennessee. They were down 3-to-nothing in the 9th inning and scored six runs to win! Jared Jones won the game on a three-run homer over the center field wall.  And in Ruston thirty-one runs were scored last night as Dallas Baptist defeated La Tech 16 to 15 in 12 innings.

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About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

Saturday is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says there are reasons for turning in your unwanted medications to the DEA instead of simply throwing them out.

Cut 3 (10) “…hands into everything.” 

A bill passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader. Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear) emphasized that the legislation targets elite restaurants being exploited without consent and says the penalty without written consent would be one thousand dollars a day.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

About 700 soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

The NFL Draft continues through Saturday, culminating with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant. Thursday night, the Saints used their first round draft choice to select offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. First year head coach Kellen Moore says he chose Banks to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

One down, six to go. The NFL Draft continues tonight and wraps up tomorrow, culminating with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant. Last night, the Saints took Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. First-year head coach Kellen Moore says it feels great to get the first pick out of the way.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

Prior to the draft, several draft experts had the Saints taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth pick. The Saints passed on him – and so did everyone else. The second round opens with Deion’s son’s name still on the board.

It’s the most anticipated series of the college baseball season: Number-seven LSU against number-six Tennessee – the last two College World Series champions. LSU will start Kade Anderson on the mound tonight and Anthony Eyanson will start on Saturday. Sunday’s starter is to be announced. Tigers left hander Connor Ware is a possibility; he started the final game of the Alabama series. Ware was asked about the LSU-Tennessee rivalry…

Cut 20 (14) “….they’re not.”

LSU enter the series on a two game losing streak, as they lost in the final game of the Alabama series and suffered an ugly 13-3 defeat to in-state foe Northwestern State.

LSU’s women’s basketball team just scored a big name in the transfer portal as MiLaysia Fulwiley has announced that she will be playing for Kim Mulkey next season. The guard joins the Tigers from South Carolina.

The House unanimously passed a bill that could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through third party apps. Rep. Troy Hebert says the bill would protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices like an Antoine’s reservation that sold for over $2000 during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says both deployments are to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

Saturday is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sites throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The first draft pick of Kellen Moore’s head coaching career is in the books, as the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. Moore says it feels great to get the first one nailed down.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Saturday is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites in Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says this way, the drugs can’t be used for illicit purposes.

Cut 4 (15) “…or whatever else.”

The process will be anonymous.

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting Former LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. David Guzick, who, under pressure, resigned this week, wasn’t without a job for long. Guzick, in a newly created role, is the LSU System’s Chief Research officer. At a board meeting in September, LSU Board of Supervisors member Esperanza Moran called for Guzick’s dismissal. He resigned from his LSU Health position, Wednesday and Friday, the LSU System board unanimously named Guzick to his new position.

The Louisiana National Guards 256^th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo to support operations. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A bill that could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX passed the House. Rep. Troy Hebert’s the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices because they profit from bid percentages, but Hebert says apps like OpenTable that operate with restaurants will continue to operate.

Cut 11 (10) “…with your company.”