Trucking companies are pleading with the legislature to do something about soaring vehicle insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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The legislature will be considering several bills to strengthen elections in the state. Colleen Crain reports.

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LDWF is hosting the free Get out and Fish event this Saturday. at Turner’s Pond in Minden.  Sean Richardson has more.

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Trucking companies are urging the legislature to do something about commercial vehicle insurance rates that are spiraling out of control. Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple say one big driver of the soaring insurance rates is frivolous lawsuits. Jake Minner, the director at Bengal Transportation Services in Ascension Parish, says his company has been hit with very costly frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 4 (10) “…that they’re injured.”

Minner says his company’s insurance rates have soared from six-thousand dollars per truck per year to 23-thousand – increasing almost nine times the rate of inflation.

Cut 5 (08) “…ever seen it.”

Jared Varnado, the owner of Varnado and Sons Towing in Denham Springs, says his insurance premium increased 30-percent this year, which amounts to a lot of money.

Cut 6 (07) “…truck per year.”

Varnado is the third generation owner of the company and says he’d like to pass it down to the fourth generation; but if insurance rates continue in the direction they’re going, that will be, in his words, only a fantasy.

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The legislature will be considering at least seven bills designed to strengthen elections in the state. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says one of them, Senate Bill 109, is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit foreign funding of a political campaign, whether for or against a candidate or a ballot measure.

Cut 7 (14) “…against a candidate.”

Landry says ten states have enacted such a ban. Senate Bill 90 would prohibit wagering on the outcome of an election, which Landry says is already banned in 30 states.

Cut 8 (09) “…of an election.”

Landry says House Bill 223 would boost election commissioner pay.

Cut 9 (16)  “…little bit more.”

Landry says commissioners generally earn 200 dollars per day, which could last up to 16 hours. House Bill 223 would boost commissioners pay by 50 dollars across the board.

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State Representative Larry Bagley from DeSoto Parish has officially announced his candidacy for Public Service Commissioner in the 2026 race. Known for his pragmatic leadership and commitment to fiscal responsibility, Bagley brings over a decade of legislative experience to the table. Bagley says he’s been a server all his life.

Cut 10 (11) “…life in Louisiana.”

Bagley is a Republican and says he’s running to ensure public utilities serve the people, not special interests. His campaign promises a focus on accountability, sustainable energy planning, and protecting consumers from rising costs.

Cut 11 (07) “…here in the state.”

Bagley says he won’t ramp up his campaign until after the 2025 legislative session because he wants to give all his attention to what the voters elected him to do.

Cut 12 (10) “…representative seat.”

Bagley is seeking to replace Fifth District Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, who is term limited.

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Spring has arrived, and so has prime fishing season! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking adult channel catfish at 17 sites statewide, all to be stocked by next Tuesday. LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says “Get out and Fish” is for everyone to enjoy.

Cut 13 (07)  “…nice big catfish.”

To celebrate, LDWF invites families to a free Get Out & Fish! event tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Turner’s Pond in Minden. Williams says no boat, no experience — no problem.

Cut 14 (12) “…that for you.”

Anglers 18 and up need a Louisiana fishing license.  Every license helps fund fishing access, education, and conservation through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Williams says the ponds will be stocked with catfish big enough to fill you up.

Cut 15 (07) “…cooking and eating.”

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LSU football will hold an open practice tomorrow in Tiger Stadium as spring practice is winding down. The Tigers return only one starter on the offensive line, and that’s center DJ Chester. Chester has been the first team center throughout spring practice despite competition from former Virginia Tech center Braelin Moore. Chester says he feels much more comfortable at center this season…

Cut 16 (13) “…again.”

On the defensive line, former Alexandria Senior High star Jacobian Guillory is back practicing in full pads after  suffering a season ending Achilles injury seven months ago. Guillory says the rehab has been difficult, but he’s feeling good now…

Cut 17 (19) “…feet are.”

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The third ranked LSU baseball team goes after its tenth straight win tonight when they visit Auburn. The Tigers rank sixth in the country in batting average and they are doing it with a line-up that looks a little different every night. Jake Brown, Ethan Frey, and Josh Pearson are sharing playing time in right field and designated hitter. Coach Jay Johnson credits how they were raised for their selfless attitude…

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LSU enters the game with a 31-3 record, 10-2 in the SEC. Auburn is ranked 9^th in the country. They are 23-10 overall, 6-6 in the SEC. Auburn’s Friday night starter is former LSU pitcher Sam Dutton, who has emerged as the War Eagles ace. He’ll start tonight opposite of LSU’s Kade Anderson. Dutton transferred after last season and Johnson says there are no hard feelings that he left LSU.

Cut 19 (17) “..by that.” 

Former Auburn Tiger Chris Stanfield has found success at LSU batting in the nine-hole and playing terrific center field. Stanfield is looking forward to seeing his old teammates…

Cut 20 (15) “…for LSU.”

First pitch is at 6 p.m.

Insurance reform will be the overwhelming biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. In a news conference in Ascension Parish, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills, all filed by Republicans, designed to address the soaring cost of auto insurance.

Cut 12 (14) “…families and businesses.”

Governor Landry says since Amendment 2 did not pass, it’s back to the drawing board for preserving teacher pay at its current level. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful that as the budget makes its way through the legislative process, dollars will emerge to keep teacher pay where it is.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

Amendment 2 would have transformed a stipend into a permanent pay increase.

A New Orleans Democrat files a bill that would require all college freshmen and college students joining a Greek organization to complete a one-hour anti-hazing course. Delisha Boyd dubs her bill the Caleb Wilson Act, after the Southern University student who died in a hazing incident in February. Three men are facing charges.

Cut 4 (12) “…join those organizations.”

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at the current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022 permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Governor Landry also unveiled his insurance reform plan yesterday and today Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support of 20 bills for the upcoming legislative session and he says a couple of the things the governor pointed out were not true including the claim that Temple has no authority to deny a rate increase…

Cut 14 (08) “…exercise it.”

Temple also said Landry’s claim that insurers can conceal information that he needs to regulate them is also wrong.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent more than it was designed to house. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

Information about the shelter and adoptable pets is available at St-Tammany-dot-gov-slash-pets

An Alum of ULM back when it was Northeast Louisiana Junior College, has donated two million dollars to the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts to create an endowed chair. Sharon Turrentine says she’s been singing all her life and wanted to give something back to the music department. The donation will help fund scholarships for visual and performing arts students.

Insurance reform is expected to be the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills saying several of the bills deal with frivolous lawsuits that he says are forcing insurance companies to charge high premiums

Cut 13 (08)  “…twice to litigate.”

A Department of Child and Family Services employee was arrested on drug charges Wednesday. Troopers with Troop NOLA say they found marijuana and items consistent with distribution of illegal narcotics in the back seat of 27-year-old Anthony Reed’s car during a traffic stop. Reed was booked in to the Orleans Parish Prison for Possession with Intent to distribute schedule I (marijuana) and traffic related offenses.

In a statement, DCFS Secretary David Matlock expressed gratitude for law enforcement and said the safety and well-being of children and families is their highest priority.

A “mayday” has been called at the St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter due to extreme overcrowding, Sean Richardson has more.

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House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college students joining an organization to complete one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”

A school bus struck and killed a 6-year-old child in New Orleans this morning. Authorities say young Mason Richards was getting out of a car when the bus struck him. It happened on Desire Street around 8 a.m. He was transported to a hospital by EMS and later died as a result of his injuries. No one has been charged in the accident and NOPD says drugs or alcohol are not suspected to have been a factor in the accident.

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have allowed the state to pay down high interest pension debt, freeing up money to make the two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed, the state currently does not have the money to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple unveiled the bills he supports for the upcoming legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports

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St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is critically overcrowded so they are waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says all adopted animals are vaccinated and microchipped…

Cut 11 (07) “…in the first place.”

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. In a letter to teachers, Landry says it’s back to drawing board, because no alternative recurring resources exist to fund the permanent salary increase teachers deserve. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

Extreme overcrowding has St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter waving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Director Rob Bremer says more people have begun to adopt but he stressed the urgency, saying that overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Insurance reform will be by far the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his plan for lowering vehicle insurance premiums in the state. Temple announced his support for 20 bills aimed at addressing the biggest drivers of high premiums in the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…move the needle.”

A bill known as the Caleb Wilson Act has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. The Bill’s namesake, a Southern University student died earlier this year in a suspected hazing incident. House bill 279 Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd expands on the 2018 Max Gruver Law that increased criminal penalties for hazing; the Caleb Wilson Act requires anti-hazing education for anyone joining an organization.

Cut 5 (07) “…affects everybody.”

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at its current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022….permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Landry says improvements have been made to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles computer system since he issued an emergency declaration because of regular computer crashes. Landry says a technical change was made Thursday night and OMV’s 50-year-old mainframe is performing much better…

Cut 12 (09) “…down the road”

The legislative session begins next week and hundreds of bills have been pre-filed, including the Caleb Wilson Act, which is named after the Southern University student who died earlier this year in a suspected hazing incident. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd has filed a measure to require students who join an organization, to complete an anti-hazing course…

Cut 4 (12) “…organizations”

Three people have been arrested in connection with Wilson’s death.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent over capacity. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

The 2025 legislative session begins on Monday and numerous bills will be discussed aimed at lowering the high auto insurance premiums that Louisiana drivers pay. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez has filed a bill called the loser pays legislation. Miguez says if a defendant wins a pretrial dismissal, they can recover attorney fees from the plaintiff and a defendant is also entitled to attorney fees and court costs if all claims are dismissed at a trial…

Cut 14 (06) “….frivolous in nature”

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles antiquated mainframe has led to frustration from customers to Governor Jeff Landry because of constant computer outages. But Landry says a technical change was implemented last Thursday and since then the system has run smoothly…

Cut 11 (11) “…built in 1970”

Landry praised the work of recently appointed OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams.

House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college freshmen to complete a one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”

Baton Rouge police say 20-year-old Caleb Wilson died in February after he was punched multiple times in the chest while pledging Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Southern University.

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have made a two-thousand dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed there is no guaranteed funding to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

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A pair of Republican lawmakers file a bill taking aim at frivolous lawsuits.

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Governor Jeff Landry has released his legislative goals to lower insurance rates. Landry says he supports legislation to make it clear texting and driving is illegal…

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The legislative session begins on Monday.

Governor Jeff Landry says improvements have been made to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles computer system since he issued an emergency declaration because of regular computer crashes that would result in customers having to return another day to renew their driver’s license or perform other tasks. Landry says a technical change was made Thursday night and OMV’s 50-year-old mainframe is performing much better…

Cut 12 (09) “…down the road”

Former Alabama and LSU coach Nick Saban has been added to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2025 Induction Class. Saban was elected to the Hall in 2020, but the ceremonies were postponed because of Covid and Hall Chairman Doug Ireland says they had to wait to honor Saban until he retired. Ireland says Saban is excited to spend the last weekend in June in Natchitoches…

Cut 8 (12) “….the induction festivities”

There is a big concern Louisiana public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because of the failure of Constitutional Amendment Two on March 29^th. Passage of that amendment would have made a two-thousand dollar teacher stipend permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed there is no guaranteed funding to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 22 (07) “….to that”

A pair of Republicans are proposing legislation that would make the plaintiff pay the defendant’s attorney fees and court costs if the lawsuit is deemed to be frivolous. Along with Pineville Representative Mike Johnson, New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is proposing the legislation to help rein in insurance rates.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to other states.”

Miguez says if his bill becomes law, perhaps that will get rogue attorneys to think twice about the cases they take up.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a plan to expand Chronic Wasting Disease Control Area in northeast Louisiana after a deer harvested in Catahoula Parish tested positive for C-W-D…

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Former Alabama and LSU coach Nick Saban has been added to the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction class. Chairman Doug Ireland says they are thrilled to add an iconic sports figure to their hall…

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This year’s induction ceremonies are set for June 26^th to the 28^th in Natchitoches.