With hurricane season now just two months away, insurance companies are urging you to consider putting on a fortified roof. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Entergy Louisiana will build an additional seven new natural-gas fueled power plants to supply the energy needed for Meta’s massive data center its building in Richland Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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New LSU coach Will Wade has already brought excitement back to the men’s basketball program. Andre Champagne has more on what Wade had to say at an entertaining introductory press conference.
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An effort to move Louisiana to a centralized sales tax system is dead for the session. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson brought his legislation up for discussion in the House Ways and Means Committee and made the argument that it is difficult for small business owners in particular, to deal with multiple tax collectors.
Cut 4 (09) “…it more efficiently.”
Carlson voluntarily withdrew the bill for consideration because of opposition from local governments who are concerned that a centralized sales tax system run by the state would result in fewer tax dollars for local services. Carlson argues they are already missing out on tax revenue, especially from small out of state online retailers.
Cut 5 (09) “…of the complexity.”
Monroe Representative Michael Echols told Carlson that when he brings his bill back up for another vote, there needs to be a mechanism in the legislation to make sure local governments do not lose out on revenue.
Cut 6 (08) “…from these collections.”
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With hurricane season just two months away, insurance brokers are urging you to consider putting a fortified roof on your home. Beth Swanson, an analyst with insurance comparison website The Zebra, notes that starting July 1st, insurers will be required to give discounts for homes with fortified roofs; and depending on where you live and the level of fortification, those discounts can be substantial.
Cut 7 (08) “…that they can.”
Swanson says even if your roof doesn’t rise to the level of basic fortification, you can still get a discount on your homeowners insurance if you use certain materials in building your roof.
Cut 8 (09) “…policy for that.”
Swanson says once you put a fortified roof on your house, your insurance company will ensure that you will always have a fortified roof on your house.
Cut 9 (11) “…to fortified standards.”
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Entergy Louisiana has reached an agreement with Meta to build seven new natural gas-powered plants, plus new transmission lines and nuclear power updates, so that there’s enough electricity to power the massive A-I data center under construction in Richland Parish. Entergy President and CEO Phillip May says the agreement will help keep electricity rates affordable.
Cut 10 (12) “…top of that.”
There are concerns that Meta’s need for a huge amount of power will raise rates for utility customers. May says that will not be the case, and the technology giant is taking steps to make sure low income individuals can pay their bills.
Cut 11 (14) “…provide them assistance.”
May says Meta is also investing 140-million dollars for energy efficiency initiatives for vulnerable customers and providing support for additional solar power plants. May says the project represents a significant opportunity to strengthen grid reliability.
Cut 12 (10) “…of this contract.”
When the Meta project was first announced, Entergy said it would build two natural gas turbines and a third power plant in the Baton Rouge area. Plans to build seven more natural gas powered plants are on top of the original plans.
The Public Service Commission still has to approve this plan for new gas and solar plants.
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The House Civil Law Committee advances a bill that would require both people in an in-person conversation to know if they are being recorded. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says there’s been a growing trend in which influencers wearing smart glasses approach women and record them without their knowledge, and those clips end up getting posted onto social media.
Cut 13 (11) “…broadcast to millions.”
Schlegel says this bill is intended to protect those who do not expect to be recorded while in public, so there are exceptions for those who have no reasonable expectation of privacy, such as elected officials or law enforcement officers.
Cut 14 (11) “…and law enforcement.”
Schlegel says if her bill becomes law, those who violate it would not only face criminal charges, but they would also open themselves up to substantial civil penalties.
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There are also exceptions for public meetings, emergencies, or situations where footage could capture evidence of a crime.
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Saints head coach Kellen Moore spoke to the media at the 2026 NFL owners meeting yesterday, addressing Alvin Kamara’s future for the first time since New Orleans signed Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Moore says he expects Kamara to remain in the running back room in 2026 and believes the entire group of backs can complement each other well.
Cut 16 (10) “…develop this team.”
Another major topic for the Saints this offseason is whether they will extend wide receiver Chris Olave to keep him in New Orleans long-term. Moore says the front office is engaged in ongoing conversations with Olave, noting that several factors go into negotiating a long-term deal.
Cut 17 (16) “…about his future.
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Will Wade was formally introduced as LSU’s new men’s basketball coach during an entertaining press conference yesterday. Wade says strong alignment and prior working relationships with current LSU president Wade Rousse and incoming senior deputy AD Heath Stroyer will help him build on the success he had at McNeese and elevate it in Baton Rouge.
Cut 18 (17) “…a national force.”
Wade says his teams at LSU will have a dedicated identity.
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Wade left North Carolina State after just one season in Raleigh. He says he stopped worrying about public perception long ago and is now embracing the “villain” role in college basketball after making the move to return to Baton Rouge.
Cut 20 (11) “…mistake about that.”
Wade said that he plans to attack the transfer portal when it opens April 6th.