The House Insurance Committee advances a bill to give the insurance commissioner the power to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. House Bill 576 by Amite Democrat Robby Carter advanced on a vote of 13 to 4. It’s supported by Governor Landry but opposed by Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. Landry says since auto insurance is a mandated purchase, free market principles should not apply; and giving the insurance commissioner the ability to reject rates regardless of market conditions should provide relief to policyholders.

Cut 6 (11) “…touch the law.”

Temple says insurance commissioners having too much power over insurance carriers will drive them out of the state.

Cut 8 (10) “…what we want.”

Another bill headed to the full house is one that would make it a crime to intentionally release balloons in the air. Sean Richardson reports it advanced out of the House National Resources Committee.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Another state championship tournament is upon us – this time, it’s the LHSAA baseball championships, as bi-district play begins today. Live Oak, Brusly, Sterlington and Oak Grove are the top seeds in the non-select tournaments. The state championships are held at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

The House Insurance Committee has had a lengthy debate on a proposed change to state law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates. Governor Landry testified in support of the bill, saying insurance companies are charging exorbitant premiums despite taking in 1.4-billion dollars more than they pay in claims. Because of this, Landry says the insurance commissioner should have the ability to clamp down on those premiums

Cut 5 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, also a Republican, testified against the bill, urging the committee to reject it because it would undo all the progress that he’s made with insurance carriers over the last year.

Cut 7 (06) “…direction of California.”

A vote on whether to advance the bill to the House floor is expected soon.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.

Cut 9 (07)  “…released into the air.”

The measure also has the support of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The full House will hear the bill next.

LSU baseball pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Coach Jay Johnson made the announcement following the team’s ten to three win over McNeese last night. Johnson says they wanted to get the junior right-hander on the mound this season, but at least he should be ready for 2026…

Cut 12 (10) “…next year”

The push to overhaul auto insurance in Louisiana is underway. This morning, Governor Landry testified before the House Insurance Committee in support of House Bill 576, which would give the insurance commissioner the ability to reject unreasonable auto insurance rates. Landry said insurers don’t have any valid reason to gouge the people of this state.

Cut 6 (15) “…of the country.”

A Republican state senator has a bill that would provide an alternative to the fortified roof grants. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his proposal is geared towards people who want to take advantage of the grants but have the financial means to install the fortified roof.

Cut 10 (08) “…ten-thousand dollars.”

If campaign finance reports are a telltale sign of voter support, State Treasurer John Fleming will have his work cut out for him against Senator Bill Cassidy. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A student at Minden High School is behind bars for allegedly throwing urine on students during class. Police say 17-year-old LeMario Elkins went into a classroom with a bottle filled with urine and doused one classmate with it, and the contents splattered onto others. Elkins’ bond is set at more than 300-thousand dollars.

A Republican state senator is proposing an alternative to the fortified roof grant program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

At the state capitol…Governor Jeff Landry testified in front of the House Insurance Committee as he continues to urge legislators to pass insurance reform legislation that would put new regulations on trial lawyers and insurance companies.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill to raise the pay poll commissioners by 50 dollars. It would cost the state around three million dollars, so the House Appropriations Committee will likely take a look at the legislation.

Campaign finance reports on the 2026 U-S Senate race shows that Senator Bill Cassidy has seven-point-five million dollars on hand, while State Treasurer John Kennedy has two-point-two million dollars. Casidy raised one-point-three million dollars in the first quarter, while Fleming raised 263-thousand dollars and loaned his own campaign two-million dollars. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and is concerned about Fleming’s chances of unseating Cassidy…

Cut 4 (10) “…in this race”

Fleming would face Cassidy in the Republican Party Primary.

There are numerous bills in this legislative session seeking to address the state’s high auto and property insurance rates. The chairman of the state Senate Insurance Committee Kirk Talbot has a bill that would give a homeowner a ten-thousand dollar tax credit if they install a fortified roof on their home….

cut 12 (07) “….and live here”

A fortified roof can withstand damaging winds from a hurricane, therefore reducing the number of claims an insurance company has to pay following a storm.

It’s Tulane Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. University President Michael Fitts says the school has a five-billion-dollar impact on the state’s economy…

cut 14 (09) “…at the hip”

Fitts says Tulane is working to create scholarship programs to help more Louisiana students attend college in-state.

Several education bills will be heard in the legislative session, ranging from school funding to TOPS Scholarship changes. Sean Richardson has more…

cut 2  (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Bossier Parish is mourning the death of former state lawmaker Billy Montgomery who passed away at the age of 87. Montgomery served in the state House from 1988 to 2008. He helped secure 60-million dollars to build Bossier Parish Community College. He also led the Haughton boys’ basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 1968 to 1969.

If campaign finance reports are a telltale sign of voter support, State Treasurer John Fleming will have his work cut out for him against Senator Bill Cassidy. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A Republican state senator has a bill that would provide an alternative to the fortified roof grants. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his proposal is geared towards people who want to take advantage of the grants but have the financial means to install the fortified roof.

Cut 10 (08) “…ten-thousand dollars.”

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The next Senate election is set for a year from Friday.  It’ll be the first to use a closed primary. And with an electorate that skews much more to the right than in the previous jungle primaries, ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Fleming is hoping to capitalize on Cassidy’s vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Trump in his second impeachment trial, while Cassidy is hoping that voters have a short memory.

Cut 6 (13) “…of people’s minds.”

Today is Tulane Day at the Capitol. The legislature will be honoring the school and its 5.2-billion dollar impact on the state economy. University President Michael Fitts will be on hand for the big day and will meet with lawmakers to discuss how Tulane is helping in the state’s quest to retain talent and grow new industries.

Cut 15 (12) “…really talented individuals.”

This legislative session will see debate on several education bills, ranging from school funding to testing requirements and proposed changes to the TOPS scholarship programs. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says there is also teacher pay, and whether teachers will continue to stay at the same pay level after the failure of Amendment 2.

Cut 7 (11) “…of people wanted.”

A Republican state senator has a bill that would provide an alternative to the fortified roof grants. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his proposal is geared towards people who want to take advantage of the grants but have the financial means to install the fortified roof. It’s a non refundable-credit which means the state wouldn’t be mailing out any checks..

Cut 11 (10) “…dollars in liability.”

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A New Roads mother has been arrested, charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice in the death of her infant child early yesterday.  New Roads police say they got the call just before ten yesterday morning and began efforts to resuscitate the child, who died later at a local hospital.  Officials say the there were inconsistencies in the 19 year old mother’s story and crime lab officials said the mother’s statements did not match up with evidence found at the scene.

While one poll shows State Treasurer John Fleming beating Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary, that’s not the story the latest campaign finance report numbers tell.  According to the official numbers, Cassidy raised 1.36-million dollars in the first quarter of 2025, compared to just over 263-thousand for Fleming. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 4 (10) “…in this race.”

A Republican state senator is proposing an alternative to the fortified roof grant program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is Tulane Day at the Capitol as state lawmakers will honor the school and its 5.2-billion dollar impact on the state economy. University President Michael Fitts says Tulane’s history goes back almost to the time when Louisiana became the 18th state.

Cut 13 (08)  “…time with Louisiana.”

_____________________

One poll has shown State Treasurer John Fleming beating Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary.  But the latest campaign finance report numbers say otherwise.  Fleming is reporting a war chest of 2.2-million dollars, much of which he loaned to himself, while Cassidy is reporting a war chest of 7.5-million dollars. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross  says in terms of fundraising, Fleming has his work cut out for him.

Cut 5 (12) “…trouble matching Cassidy.”

Several education bills are waiting to be debated in the current legislative session.  One would require high school students to attain a minimum ACT score to graduate, eliminating the need for end-of-course exams. HB 243 proposes accountability measures for the LA GATOR voucher program, but Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says it’ll be tough to get it passed.

Cut 8 (10) “…wild about either.”

A bill would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving illegal. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Director Lisa Freeman says texting while driving is tantamount to driving blindfolded.

Cut 7 (13) “…miles per hour.”

H-B 519 was filed by Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso and Covington Senator Patrick McMath.

A Republican state senator has a bill that would provide an alternative to the fortified roof grants. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his proposal is geared towards people who want to take advantage of the grants but have the financial means to install the fortified roof.

Cut 10 (08) “…ten-thousand dollars.”

To be clear – Talbot’s bill would not replace the fortified roof grant program; it would be an addition to it.

Several education bills are waiting to be debated in the session, ranging from school funding to testing requirements and proposed changes to the TOPS scholarship programs. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says there is also teacher pay, and whether teachers will continue to stay at the same pay level after the failure of Amendment 2.

Cut 23 (12) “…of people want.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has struggled to secure a meeting with Governor Landry, despite Landry’s push to address the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates. Temple says he’s made every effort to talk but hasn’t been able to engage in a substantive discussion with the governor.

Cut 12 (12) “…hasn’t taken place.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly this morning for the first time since the death of former Tiger football star Kyren Lacy. Lacy was one of Kelly’s first signees out of the transfer portal after he arrived in Baton Rouge in November of 2021.

Cut 3 (05) “…incredible personality”

Lacy died Saturday night in Houston from an apparent suicide.

Dying eggs is an Easter tradition and the high price of eggs this year is not expected to change the practice. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the Department of Justice was told by the Trump Administration to take a hard look at egg prices.

Cut 10 (09) “…pricing of eggs.”

The average wholesale price in Louisiana was $3.75 per dozen but Strain recommends shopping around for the best prices.

The legislature is taking aim at distracted driving this session. A bill by Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso and Covington Senator Patrick McMath would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving illegal. Studies show using a hand-held cell phone while driving has deadly consequences. Suzanne Salter knows that all too well. Her 31-year-old daughter, Nicole, was killed by a distracted driver in Livonia in 2014.

Cut 6 (14) “…heard the thump.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that the legislative package he supports targets the real cost drivers, excessive bodily injury claims and litigation. Temple stresses the need to “bend the loss curve” to bring down rates, indicating that while there are disagreements, both he and Governor Landry ultimately share a common goal: reducing Louisiana’s oppressive insurance premiums.

Cut 14 (10) “…committed on doing.”