11:30 LRN Newscast

There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the department is looking to open up two additional bear areas along with Bear Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…Terrebonne, Iberia.”

Hanks says the number of tags would go up from 11 last year to 26 for the season that would run from December 6th to the 21st.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms in Louisiana are working. Temple says since the legislature passed his package of property insurance reform bills last year, rates are starting to trend in the right direction.

Cut 10 (09) “…overall reinsurance market.”

Temple says this year the state has approved seven rate decreases from residential insurers. That is more than what was approved between 2022 to 2024.

A third suspect involved in the hazing death investigation of Southern University student Caleb Wilson has surrendered to authorities. Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Smith along with 23-year-old Caleb McCray and Kyle Thurman are facing felony charges for their role in Caleb Wilson’s death. Authorities say Wilson died after being punched in the stomach during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

One lucky crawfish will not go into the boiling pot this crawfish season.  Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”