Insurance reform will be a major focus during this regular session. Teiko Foxx looks at a couple of proposals the new Insurance Commissioner is pushing for…
cut 2 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

State Police has arrested a Lafayette truck driver for his role in last October’s deadly fog-related I-55 crash. Authorities say 61-year-old Ronald Britt of Lafayette failed to stop his truck in time before slamming into the back Cadillac, killing 60-year-old James Fleming. A total seven people died in the chain reaction crash that involved 168 vehicles.

Governor Jeff Landry told legislators on the opening day of the legislative session that it’s time to streamline the state’s constitution, which he says has become bloated because of more than 200 amendments since it was enacted in 1974. Public Affairs Research Council President Stephen Procopio on why there is an effort to streamline the state constitution…
cut 10 (12) :,,,,should work”

LSU’s Tiger Athletic Foundation is looking to build a new arena on campus that would not only host sports events, but also concerts. But LSU does not want to compete with the Raising Cane’s River Center in downtown Baton Rouge for concerts. Trey Godfrey with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber says the E-B-R metro council will consider transforming the River Center into a bigger convention center…
cut 5 (12) “…ordinance passes”

The 2024 legislative session is underway and insurance reform is a major focus. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says reducing regulations will lead to a more competitive market which should lower rates. Temple says one of the bills he’s favoring would allow insurers to adjust rates without his approval. But he says the department is still involved…
Cut 7 (11) “…unduly discriminatory.”

Major changes could be coming to the state’s constitution as Governor Landry is looking to take items out of the constitution and put them into state law. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says legislators are unable to make many changes to the state’s tax code without voter approval…
cut 12 (12) “…they did”
A bill calling for a constitutional convention has yet to be filed.

Big plans for a new sports and entertainment arena on LSU’s campus along with changes to the Raising Cane’s River Center are on the agenda for the East Baton Rouge Metro Council today. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Republican-controlled legislature could consider creating Education Savings Accounts to provide taxpayer dollars to families if the school they’re attending is not right for them. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin…

cut 8 (12) “…right now”
Critics says ESAs will mean a loss of funding for public schools.

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would toughen penalties against porch pirates. Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens’ legislation will give judges the authority to sentence a thief to 60 days if they steal packages from several homes. Major Willie Stewart with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says it’s a big problem.

Cut 13 (11)  “…at a time”

Among the issues Governor Jeff Landry wants lawmakers to address is constitutional reform. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio agrees that the 1974 state constitution, which has been amended more than 200 times, needs to be streamlined.

Cut 10 (12) “…should work.”

To hold a constitutional convention to revise one of the country’s longest constitutions with more than 72,000 words, Procopio says the legislature must first approve a bill to hold one, and delegates, which could be lawmakers, would hold hearings and vote on proposed changes.

Cut 11 (09) “…vote on it.” 

As for the particulars of what would be changed to the state’s constitution remains to be seen.

Governor Jeff Landry is asking state lawmakers to create an Education Savings Accounts program, to use taxpayer dollars to help families send their child, to a different school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says former Governor John Bel Edwards was an opponent because it would take money away from public education.

Cut 7 (10) “…consequences.”

He says an Education Savings Account bill has yet to be filed.

State Police has provided more information on a fatal shooting involving a Calcasieu Parish Sherriff’s deputy. Trooper Derek Senegal says during a traffic stop last Thursday on I-10 between Lake Charles and Iowa, 37-year-old Quinton Baker of Gadsden, Alabama, was killed when he attempted to drive off while a deputy was searching inside his SUV.

Cut 12 (05)  “…struck Baker.”

Advocating to move from their existing 60-year-old headquarters, New Orleans PD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick describes the myriad of issues plaguing the current facility.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Agile Cold Storage plans to build a 46-million dollar cold storage facility in St. Tammany Parish which will create 100 jobs. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says the space will have highly automated, multi-temperature and conventional warehousing and logistics support. He says the building will primarily house poultry for export every week.

Cut 10 (07) “…of New Orleans.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick spoke to city council committee members in a plea for a new facility. She described the wretched building conditions with inoperable elevators, air conditioning, plumbing, and high marijuana evidence eating rats in the 60-year-old headquarters.

Cut 5 (12) “…not acceptable.”

A 10-year lease for a proposed building would cost $7.6 million.

Governor Jeff Landry has told lawmakers Louisiana is failing its students and cited a report that ranks the state 46th in education. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says Landry is asking legislators to create an Education Savings Accounts program, which would use taxpayer dollars to help families send their child to a different school.

Cut 6  (08) “…other options” 

Agile Cold Storage announces plans to invest 46 million dollars in the first cold storage facility in St. Tammany Parish. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says it will create dozens of jobs…

Cut 9 (09) “…particular project.” 

The company estimates the project will result in a total of 195 potential new jobs. The new facility, will be located in Pearl River, will prepare fresh food for transportation by blast-freezing and packing it for shipment.

More is known about the fatal shooting involving a Calcasieu Parish Sherriff’s deputy last week. Louisiana State Trooper Derek Senegal says during a traffic stop on I-10, 37-year-old Quinton Baker of Alabama, was killed when he drove off with the deputy while he was inside the SUV conducting a search. The vehicle struck a concrete barrier, crossed three lanes of traffic before striking several trees. Baker was pronounced dead at a Lake Charles hospital. Senegal says the deputy responded appropriately.

Cut 13 (05) “…incident.”  

Approximately two kilos of cocaine were recovered from the vehicle.

State Police has provided more information on a fatal shooting involving a Calcasieu Parish Sherriff’s deputy. Trooper Derek Senegal says during a traffic stop last Thursday on I-10 between Lake Charles and Iowa, 37-year-old Quinton Baker of Gadsden, Alabama, was killed when he attempted to drive off while a deputy was searching inside his SUV.

Cut 12 (05)  “…struck Baker.”

While addressing the New Orleans city council committee members in a plea for a new facility, Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the wretched building conditions and reminded members of a recent tour of the evidence room.

Cut 3 (13) “…all high.”  

Kirkpatrick stressed the need to move to another building and their proposal to lease two floors of the DXC building on Poydras Street.

Get ready to hear about Education Savings Accounts during the legislative session. Jeff Palermo explains what they do…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Friday is senior night for the 2^nd ranked LSU Gymnastics squad including Olivia Dunne who Dunne only competed in four meets last year because of injuries, but she says a more focused approach to all of her responsibilities has led to better results.

Cut 16 (15) “…on it” 

LSU hosts North Carolina Friday.

It’s the first full day of the legislative session and lawmakers will look at ways on how to improve student achievement. It’s expected the Republican controlled legislature will create Education Savings Accounts that will provide taxpayer dollars to families if the school they are attending is not right for them…
cut 8 (12) “….right now”
Critics are concerned ESAs will mean a loss of funding for public schools.

Agile Cold Storage announces plans to build a 46-million dollar cold storage facility in St. Tammany Parish which will create 100 jobs. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says the building will be built on ten acres in Pearl River….
cut 11 (09) “…for them”
Agile Cold Storage serves North American food manufacturers, processors and growers.

Advocating to move from their existing 60-year-old headquarters, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick describes the myriad of issues plaguing the current facility.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A fan favorite of the Saints is moving on as Jameis Winston has reportedly agreed to a one year contract with the Cleveland Browns. Winston spent four seasons in New Orleans appearing in 21 games and throwing 20 touchdowns. And the second ranked LSU softball team improved to 23-0 today with a seven to four win over third ranked Texas.

Governor Jeff Landry is asking state lawmakers to create an Education Savings Accounts program, to use taxpayer dollars to help families send their child, to a different school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says former Governor John Bel Edwards was an opponent because it would take money away from public education and give it to private schools.

Cut 7 (10) “…consequences.”

He says an Education Savings Account bill has yet to be filed.

While addressing a New Orleans city council committee in a plea for a new facility, Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the wretched building conditions which include rats that are high from eating marijuana in the evidence room. And it goes far beyond that…

Cut 4 (10) “…their desks.” 

The committee approved a $7.6 million 10-year lease for headquarters to move to another building.

Governor Jeff Landry challenges state lawmakers to be bold on the opening day of the legislative session. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 24 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

Insurance and education reform were two main themes of Governor Jeff Landry’s address to state lawmakers on the first day of the legislative session. The governor is also calling for a constitutional convention..
cut 11 (11) “….cheering”
Landry wants to move certain items out of the constitution and into state law, giving the legislature more flexibility to address the state’s problems.

Good news for the thousands of people who suffer from sickle cell disease. Children’s Hospital New Orleans has been designated as Louisiana’s only treatment center for a newly approved sickle cell disease therapy. Pediatric Oncologist Doctor Zachary Leblanc says the ground breaking gene therapy takes several months and at least a couple of hospital stays…
cut 15 (07) “….non-sickle heoglobin”

The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction has added three new inductees to its ranks. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A laundromat in St. Tammany Parish where a woman fought off an attack from a twice convicted sex offender burned down last night. No word on the cause of the blaze. Authorities say on March 3rd a woman was attacked by 40-year-old Nicholas Tranchant with a sharp weapon. The woman used that weapon to fight back and Tranchant died from his injuries.

Governor Landry opened the 2024 legislative session urging lawmakers to reform public education. Landry says it’s time to give parents more flexibility to decide where to send their students to school. He pointed out the success of two children in the audience who attend a charter school in Baton Rouge…

Cut 10 (10) “…in their area”

Landry also wants legislators to address constitutional reform.

Early voting for the  highly contested Caddo Parish Sheriff race is sending voters to the polls in high numbers. Political analyst Scott Hughes says traditionally Democrats tend to vote early or by mail compared to Republicans who tend to cast their ballot on election day…

Cut 9 (11)  “…Republican voters.”

Hughes says the one-vote margin in the November 2023 sheriff’s election was not only historic in Louisiana, but he believes it’s the largest one-vote margin in the country with more than 40,000 votes cast.

Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction added three inductees to its 2024 class. The award recognizes those who contribute to agriculture in Louisiana. Stephen Crawford of Concordia Parish was recognized for his extensive career in protecting agriculture. He aided the LSU AgCenter’s efforts of developing weed control to prevent and disrupt the growth of intrusive weeds.

Cut 5 (13) “…with them.” 

Crawford has been a key developer of herbicides for cotton, corn, soybeans, and rice.

Pediatric Oncologist, Dr. Zachary Leblanc says Children’s Hospital New Orleans has been designated the only hospital in Louisiana to offer a newly approved gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease.

Cut 13 (11)  “…red blood cells.”