Five teenager were injured and one fatally in a fire at a deer camp in Natchez Mississippi. One of the teenagers were trapped inside the deer camp and was unable to escape. The other four teenagers were transported to a hospital with cuts and burns. The principal of Neville High School in Monroe where the teenagers attended school dismissed class for the day. The teenagers have not been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

A nationwide survey of small businesses finds labor quality is a major concern. Regional National Federation of Independent Business Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.

Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”

Thirty-three percent of owners say they have job openings for skilled workers and 14 percent have openings for unskilled labor.

2023 was not the best year for real estate with rising interest rates after an unprecedented hot market during the height of the pandemic. But Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris believes things will improve with mortgage rates expected to settle in between five and six percent.

Cut 3 (10) “…buyers and sellers.”

Morris says the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage right now is 6.75%.

King cake season kicks off this Saturday and Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says the sweet Mardi Gras tradition comes in many variations when it comes to fillings, but when it comes to the most popular…

Cut 7 (12) “…the tradition.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says in 2020 the Democrat from Tangipahoa Parish had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…

Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”

During his eight years, Cross says Edwards also navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling.

If you’re a king cake connoisseur, get ready to find the baby. One of the tastiest seasons in the Bayou State is upon us – King cake season begins tomorrow. Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says they’ve been busy between local sales and shipping out orders nationwide.

Cut 6 (13) “….on Friday.” 

Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on the 79-year-old who is retiring from politics…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Thibodeaux Police Department has issued a statement in response to the officer-involved fatal shooting of a loose dog on Christmas Day. TPD says it was justified because the dog bit the officer. You can read the full statement at LouisianaRadioNetwork-dot-com

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangipahoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.
Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”
Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. It took a sales tax increase and other budgetary moves to get the state out of the red.

Edwards first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2017 Edwards pushed criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing the state’s prison population, some of those initiatives could be rolled back in an anticipated special session on crime next month.

The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…
Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”
But property insurance rates began to escalate again after Hurricane Laura in 2020 and Ida in 2021.

As we start a new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…
Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office comes to an end Monday. Brooke Thorington looks back at his administration’s accomplishments and a major controversy that had the governor on the defensive…
Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Moderate to heavy rain will fall across the state today. Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a storm system that will hit the state on Monday, Inauguration Day.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s long political career comes to a close on Monday. Donelon has been the state’s insurance commish since 2006. He leaves office at a time when property insurance rates have seen dramatic jumps. He’s hopeful an incentive program to bring more insurers to the state and a grant program to strength roofs will help…
cut 11 (12) “…program”

A new law that went into effect this week requires Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients or those facing medical treatment that render them sterile. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis authored the legislation and remembers the emotional testimony from citizens pushing for this new law…
cut 9 (12) “…a family”

A new state law that went into this week requires health insurance plans to cover fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatments could keep them from having a child.  Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (25)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner will leave office on Monday after 17 years.  When Jim Donelon entered office, the state had some of the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country and despite his best efforts…

Cut 12 (08) “…House Insurance Chairman.” 

—–

Labor quality remains a big concern for small businesses in 2023. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they’ve been unable to fill some positions for a couple of months. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 15 (12) “…those sectors.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ leaves office Monday after two terms as governor. During his eight years, the Edwards administration navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Edwards tenure will be marred most notably by the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene while in State Police custody.

Cut 6 (12) “…the carpet.”

Louisiana health insurance providers must now pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week.  The new law went into effect this week.  The mandate does not apply to Medicaid or health insurance plans through the state health care exchange. And the bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says coverage is limited.

Cut 8 (08) “…own expense.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday. Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. As governor his first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2020 he had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…

Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”
———————————————-

Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on Jim Donelan’s retirement.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Labor quality is the top concern among small businesses again this year. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.” 

The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…

Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”
Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangiaphoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.

Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”

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A new law requiring Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says it applies to new health plans and existing health care plans.

Cut 7 (11) “…is completed.”
As we begin the new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.

Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”

The next chapter in Governor John Bel Edwards’ career will be written at the New Orleans law firm of Fishman Haygood. Senior partner Kerry Miller says Edwards will continue to focus on the economic and environmental benefits of green energy via their firm.
Cut 4 (09) “…of Louisiana.”
As governor, Edwards announced more than $50 billion in renewable energy projects for the Bayou State.

The Dash Diet is once again ranked as one of the best diets a person can do to keep that New Year’s Resolution of a healthier lifestyle. Doctor Cathy Champagne is a nutritionist at the LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center….
cut 11 (10 “…Pennington Center”
The Dash Diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry, while reducing lean red meat and sweets.

Several state laws went into effect with the new year, one of them requires State Police to keep track of the demographics of the individuals involved in traffic stops with troopers. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the race, age and gender of the individuals go into a database…
cut 13 (12) “….be available”
The U-S Justice Department is conducting an investigation into LSP after reports of unlawful force and racial discrimination against blacks.

Another new law requires Louisiana health insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, says it applies to new health plans and existing health care plans.
Cut 7 (11) “…is completed..”

Governor John Bel Edwards used his final public address to highlight his accomplishments last night in Amite. Edwards says the state’s unemployment rate is well below the national average and the state’s economy is growing…

Cut 7 (12) “…laughter) 

Edwards will leave office Monday and wishes his successor Jeff Landry the best of luck and he’s rooting for him…

And Edwards, who was an accomplished attorney before his political career, will join the New Orleans law firm of Fishman Haygood. Senior partner Kerry Miller…

Cut 5 (11) “ …that knowledge.” 

State Police collect and report racial data of individuals from traffic stops under a new law that went into effect this week. Since the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene in 2019, State Police have been under the microscope. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle authored the legislation, and she believes this will make the agency more transparent.

Cut  14 (06) “..they’re doing.”

DASH Diet, developed in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been ranked the second-best diet overall of 2024, according to U.S. News and World Report. Pennington Biomedical Registered Dietician Cathy Champagne says the eating plan includes…

Cut 9 (12) “… dairy products.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards touted his accomplishments during a farewell address last night. Edwards says he entered office with a historic budget deficit, but now the state enjoys surpluses that resulted in investments into teacher pay, higher education and roads. He believes the state is better off than it was eight years…

Cut 6 (14) “…Laughter)

Edwards will be joining the New Orleans-based law firm Fishman Haygood. Senior partner Kerry Miller says Edwards, who was an accomplished attorney before his political career, will mesh well with their firm.

Cut 3 (10) “…throughout the state.”
Miller says in his new role as special counsel, Edwards will focus on renewable energy.

If you’re looking for a healthy eating plan as part of your New Year resolutions, the DASH diet has been ranked number two overall, according to U.S. News and World Report. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

If you’re using the diabetes medication Ozempic the FDA is looking into reports of hair loss, suicidal thoughts and aspiration linked to the medication. Off-label the drug is widely popular for weight loss. The FDA evaluating the need for regulatory action on the medication