A bill that would allow non felon adults to conceal a handgun without a permit or training is heading to the governor’s desk. The full House gave final legislative approval to the measure today. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry expressed concern about numerous individuals possessing guns in large crowds…
cut 5 (11) “….Bourbon Street”
Supporters of the legislation say permitless carry will give law abiding adults a chance to defend themselves.

LSU Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels will not work out at the NFL Draft combine in Indianapolis this week. WWL Radio football analyst Mike Detillier says it’s not a big deal that Daniels does not throw, he says the physical exam and interviews with NFL teams are more important…
cut 11 (08) “…for the NFL”

The LHSAA has stripped Opelousas High School of its first football state title, which they won last December. The Association says Opelousas used an ineligible player in the Division Two non-select state championship game and during the 2023 season. The school plans to appeal the ruling next month.

The piglet tossed around like a football at a Mardi Gras parade has a new home and made Louisiana history today. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation to allow permitless carry in Louisiana is the first bill in the crime special session to receive final legislative approval. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

And there are reports that serious negotiations are in the works to bring the beloved Beaver Buc-ee to Lafayette. That Bucee’s to be constructed along I-10 would be the second in Louisiana, a store near Ruston is scheduled to open next year.

A record number of 124 wildfires were reported in Louisiana, Friday to Monday. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says if you plan to burn any brush piles anywhere in Louisiana with the current conditions, do not leave them unattended.

Cut 15 (11) “…on fire.”

There are burn bans in effect in Beauregard, Morehouse, Union, Washington, and Calcasieu Parishes.

The piglet that was tossed around like a football after a Mardi Gras parade received a full pardon from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser today and “Earl the Pig Long” has been officially adopted by East Baton Rouge Representative Lauren Ventrella. And even though the piglet was assured a cruelty-free remainder of his life, Nungesser and Ventrella hinted at possible career options Earl could entertain.

Cut 9 (09) “…lobbying efforts.” 

Louisiana adults who are not felons will soon have the ability to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training as a result of a bill given final legislative approval by the House today. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says crime is a major problem and this legislation will give law abiding residents a chance to defend themselves
Cut 3 (09) “…a gun”
Governor Jeff Landry plans to sign it and it will go into effect on July 4th.

In Louisiana more than one in four rural hospitals are struggling financially, putting them at risk for closure. That’s according to a report from a national health care consulting firm. Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says closure isn’t the only risk…
Cut 10 (12) “…communities.”
Chemotherapy is another service disappearing from some rural hospitals.

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says from Friday to Monday there were 124 fires in Louisiana. Strain says people are burning brush piles and they are getting out of control because of dry vegetation and high winds….
Cut 14 (09) “…get away from you.”

State officials are urging residents to be extremely cautious about lighting anything on fire after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over four days. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says from Friday to Monday there were 124 fires in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (07)  “…four-day weekend.”

There are burn bans in Beauregard, Morehouse, Union, Washington, and Calcasieu Parishes.

Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says independent rural hospitals are at the highest risk of closing and cutting services. He says those owned by hospital systems may fare better because they benefit from the size of the system.

Cut 12 (11) “…rural hospitals.” 

More than one in four Louisiana rural hospitals are at risk of closing or having to cut services according to a report from Chartis.

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Chalmette Republican, Representative Mike Bayham says serving as governor is one of the highest honors any civilian can have in the state.

Cut 7 (07) “…already served?”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is talking about the upcoming regular legislative session, saying he wants to cut down on the number of regulations insurance companies face in Louisiana, so more providers will want to do business here. Temple says he’ll lobby for the end of the three-year rule, which prohibits insurers from dropping a customer they’ve insured for three years…

Cut 5 (05) “…in the state.” 

The regular session begins March 11^th.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is discussing his agenda for the upcoming regular legislative session. Temple says he’ll ask lawmakers to put more state dollars towards the popular fortified roof program, which gives homeowners in south Louisiana ten thousand dollars to strengthen their roofs.

Cut 4 (11) “…stay dry.”

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Chalmette Republican, Representative Mike Bayham. When asked if the legislation is to keep former Governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards from running again, Bayham says its about changing the political culture in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (12)  “…political past.”

The regular session begins March 11^th.

More than one in four Louisiana rural hospitals are at risk of closing or having to cut services according to a report from Chartis, a national health care consulting firm. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana is at the top of another list and it’s not a good one. A new study based on FBI data shows we’re among the top states in the nation when it comes to the number of aggravated assaults. Louisiana ranked fifth on the list, behind only Tennessee, Arkansas, Alaska and New Mexico.

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is making plans for the upcoming regular session. Temple wants lawmakers’ help to give insurance companies more freedom to adjust their rates and he also wants to see new guidelines for the appraisal process in an effort to reduce lawsuits. He says these measures will not immediately lower rates, but it will keep them from spiking…

Cut 6 (08) “…affordability.”

State officials are urging residents to be extremely cautious about lighting anything on fire after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over four days. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Srain says if you plan to burn any brush piles anywhere in Louisiana with the current conditions, do not leave them unattended.

Cut 15 (11) “…on fire.”

There are burn bans in affect in parts of Louisiana this morning after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over the weekend. State Ag and Forestry officials say there were 124 fires in Louisiana from Friday to Monday. Commissioner Mike Strain says dry vegetation and high winds allowed brush piles that were being burned to quickly get out of control and others who were burning timber.

Cut 14 (09) “…get away from you.”
As rural hospitals across the country struggle to maintain services and some even to survive, Louisiana is right there as one in four here are at risk.   But Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says Louisiana has taken some steps that may put us in a better position than other states.

Cut 11 (08) “…expanded Medicaid.” 

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple will push for fewer regulations as part of his agenda for the regular legislative session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
The number are in on Mardi Gras and law enforcement is reporting they made 383 arrests in New \Orleans and removed 143 guns from the French Quarter and Downtown Development District during a twelve day period leading up to Fat Tuesday. That’s a slight increase over last year. Meanwhile New Orleans Emergency Medical Services saw a 41 percent increase in calls this year over the same time last year.

Rural hospitals across the country are in precarious financial situations and in Louisiana more than one in four are struggling financially, putting them at risk for closure. Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says closure isn’t the only risk…

Cut 10 (12) “…communities.”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is talking about the upcoming regular legislative session, saying he wants to cut down on the number of regulations insurance companies face in Louisiana, so more providers will want to do business here. Temple says he’ll lobby for the end of the three-year rule, which prohibits insurers from dropping a customer they’ve insured for three years…

Cut 5 (05) “…in the state.” 

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Ahead of the upcoming special legislative session, there’s buzz about setting lifetime limits on our state’s top job. As it stands now, a governor can serve two consecutive terms and then must sit out the next election cycle but can run again in four years. Chalmette Republican Representative Mike Bayham’s measure would limit gubernatorial terms to two and no more.

Cut 8 (09) “…for Louisiana?” 
State officials are urging residents to be extremely cautious about lighting anything on fire after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over four days. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says from Friday to Monday there were 124 fires in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (07)  “…four-day weekend.”

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Chalmette Republican, Representative Mike Bayham says serving as governor is one of the highest honors any civilian can have in the state.

Cut 7 (07) “…already served?”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is discussing his agenda for the upcoming regular legislative session. Temple says he’ll ask lawmakers to put more state dollars towards the popular fortified roof program, which gives homeowners in south Louisiana ten thousand dollars to strengthen their roofs.

Cut 4 (11) “…stay dry.”

_________

More than one in four Louisiana rural hospitals are at risk of closing or having to cut services according to a report from Chartis, a national health care consulting firm. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
LSU’s star gymnast, Olivia Dunne, is getting more prominent endorsement deals, with her latest NIL contract earning her a spot on a billboard in Manhattan’s Times Square, according to our partners at Nola.com. Dunne’s ad for Nautica appeared in Times Square on Monday. Earlier this month, Nautica announced it signed a deal with Dunne, making her a brand ambassador for women’s sportswear.

51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who escaped when he was being transported back to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center from the hospital Sunday, is back in custody. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Ruffin, who pepper-sprayed a female deputy and stole her vehicle was located Tuesday afternoon in an East New Orleans hotel. He says it was a group effort by multiple agencies.

Cut 13 couple of days. :13

Lopinto expects there will be multiple arrests and the investigation of his escape is far from over.

The National Safety Council says Louisiana saw a ten-percent decline in the number of highway deaths in 2023.  Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says fewer drunk driving wrecks has led to the decrease…

Cut 3 (05) “…alcohol fatalities”  

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper is not seeking a fourth-term Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson.

Cut 9 (11) “…came on.” 

Davidson says this ends Harper’s 25 years of service with the federation, having also served as first vice president and a board member. Delegates will elect a new president at their annual convention in June.

Dr. Martin Lemelle has been chosen to serve as Grambling State University’s 11^th president. As a graduate of GSU, Lemelle says he’s looking forward to leading the university in its next chapter. He says he wants the HBCU to continue to grow programs launched under former president Rick Gallot, like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and nursing.

Cut 7 (10) “…of history.”