Amid reports that our state has some very unsafe drivers, 2021 saw an alarming increase in traffic fatalities and an all-time high for pedestrian deaths…:

Cut 01  (32)      “…Thorington.”

After a high speed chase through two parishes – Lafayette and Vermillion – one of Acadiana’s most wanted was nabbed by lawmen this week. 200-year-old Gavin Garnica, of Abbeville, was wanted for numerous drug offenses, carjacking, domestic battery, witness intimidation and more. He’s now behind bars.

Three children were tragically killed in a Gretna house fire this morning. Jefferson Parish Sherriff Joe Lopinto says a 3-year-old, 7-year-old, and a 15-year-old victim were all from the same family…:

CUT 11(11)      “…to those injuries.”

He says they do not suspect arson at this time, but investigators are still doing their thing.

Seven Louisiana schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. The winning schools are located in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette. St. Landry and St. Tammany parishes. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s exciting news…:

CUT 06(07)      “…our schools.”

Three Louisiana schools are recognized as “Exemplary High Performing.” They are the LSU Lab School and St. James Episcopal Day School in Baton Rouge and South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Caddo Parish.

An LSU student was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds this morning in her car near Baton Rouge’s downtown area. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says 21-year-old Allison Rice’s vehicle was found on Government Street near railroad tracks…

Cut 9 (09)  “…in her car”

Rice was from Ascension Parish. She was a senior at LSU majoring in marketing.

According to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation in 2021 an all-time high of 185 pedestrian were killed in Louisiana, up 27-percent from 2020.  Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Mark Lambert says if you are walking along a roadway, always walk against traffic not with it.

Cut 5 (09) “…against the traffic.” 

New US Census information shows Louisiana had the highest poverty rate in the country from 2019 to 2021 at nearly 20-percent. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says thanks to food stamps and enhanced unemployment during the pandemic, the state’s poverty rate actually decreased…

Cut 15 (12)  “…improved.”

Moller says national data shows poverty, especially among children fell to historic lows when the expanded Child Tax Credit was available.

972 people were killed in 2021 on Louisiana roads according to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Mark Lambert says the number of impaired driving crashes increased a disturbing 32 percent.

Cut 4 (07) “…seatbelts.” 

Last year there was also an all-time high of 185 pedestrians being killed by motorists.

New US Census information shows Louisiana had the highest poverty rate in the country from 2019 to 2021 at nearly 20-percent. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says thanks to food stamps and enhanced unemployment during the pandemic, the state’s poverty rate actually decreased…

Cut 15 (08)  “…families.”
Moller says national data shows poverty, especially among children fell to historic lows when the expanded Child Tax Credit was available.

The state-run property insurer of last resort requests a rate hike of over 60 percent. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 
Governor Edwards issued a statement praising the state’s third consecutive month of record-breaking low unemployment. The unemployment rate in Louisiana is 3.5 percent, the lowest in the state’s history.  He also encourages those looking for work to reach out to the Louisiana Workforce Commission for employment opportunities.

972 people were killed in 2021 on Louisiana roads, that’s a 17-percent increase from 2020 according to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Mark Lambert says the numbers are disturbing.
Cut 3 (09) “…of COVID.”
The 972 fatalities are the most since 2007 and the numbers out of LSU show a 32-percent increase in DWI fatal crashes.

The state-run property insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, requests permission to raise rates by 63 percent. The insurer says higher reinsurance costs and a significant increase in policies are the reasons needed to raises dramatically. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has an idea on how to reduce the number of Citizens policies…:
Cut 11 (09) “…after Katrina.”
Donelon says he and his staff have yet to go over the rate increase proposal.

There’s good and bad news on how Louisiana residents fared financially in 2021 according to new Census data. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 30 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU says one of its students was fatally shot in an off campus incident early this morning. The body of 21-year-old Allison Rice was found insider her vehicle in the Mid-City area of Baton Rouge. Police say the senior from Ascension Parish was shot multiple times. A possible suspect or motive is unknown at this time.

The debate over whether New Orleans should receive a 39-million dollar line of credit for a flood protection project because city leaders oppose the state’s abortion ban is over.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a house fire in Delhi that killed two adults in their late 70s early Wednesday morning. While the exact cause is still to be determined a space heater is the suspected cause.

The Federal Highway Administration approves Louisiana’s $73 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan. The funds will be distributed to private companies that will own and install charging stations. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says they expect the private sector to be responsive.

Cut 9 (12)  “…do that.”

Census Bureau data indicates how the Bayou State fared during the pandemic. Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project, Jan Moller says there’s good news and bad news when you look at the numbers. Among the bad is the state’s poverty rate.

Cut 14 (11)  “…in the country.”

But when you factor in supplemental benefits like the child tax credit and SNAP Louisiana’s poverty rate decreased.

Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation has filed a 63-percent rate increase with the Louisiana Insurance Department. The insurer cites rising reinsurance costs and the number of policies growing from 35-thousand to 114-thousand. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’ll go over the propsoal thoroughly with his staff. If approved it will take effect on January 1st…:
Cut 13 (06) “…what they submitted.”
Donelon says next year he’ll seek legislative approval for an incentive plan to bring more private insurers into the state.

The Louisiana Bond Commission has approved a 39-million dollar future line of credit for a power plant that would energize pumps to reduce flooding in New Orleans. Attorney General Jeff Landry led an effort to withhold the future dollars over city leaders pledging now to enforce the state’s abortion ban. But Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says after not voting for the funding at the last two meetings, it’s time to approve it…
cut 7 (09) “…I feel”
The vote was eleven to one in favor of the future line of credit.

Louisiana does not have many electric vehicle charging stations compared to other states, but the federal government has approved the state’s plan to bring more charging stations to Louisiana, which will result in 73-million dollars in federal funding over the next five years. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they will distribute grants to private businesses who want to install, own and operate the E-V charging stations…
cut 10 (04) “….public 24-7”
Wilson expects to distribute the funds by the summer of 2023.

New US Census information shows Louisiana had the highest poverty rate in the country from 2019 to 2021 at nearly 20-percent. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says thanks to food stamps and enhanced unemployment during the pandemic, the state’s poverty rate actually decreased…
cut 15 (12) “….improved”
Moller says national data shows poverty, especially among children fell to historic lows when the expanded Child Tax Credit was available.

After failing on two previous occasions, the Bond Commission approved a 39-million dollar future line of credit for a new power plant for New Orleans drainage pumps. Attorney General Jeff Landry pushed to delay the funding, because he says New Orleans officials pledged not to enforce the state’s abortion ban. Angelique Freel, Civil Director of the Louisiana Department of Justice, spoke on Landry’s behalf…
Cut 4 (10) “…physical cost.”
After a spirited discussion, the Bond Commission voted 11-to-1 to approve the future line of credit. It’s money the city will not see for at least a year, but Franklin Senator Bret Allain says if they keep delaying a vote on this project, it will impact others….
Cut 6 (07) “…is ridiculous”

Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation, the state’s insurer of last resort, has requested a 63-percent rate hike. The insurer says reinsurance costs have risen and the number of properties they cover has grown considerably as Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon spells out…
cut 12 (14) “….114-thousand now”
Donelon says his actuaries will take a long look at Citizens request before approving.

The Federal Highway Administration approved the state’s Electric Vehicle infrastructure plan which will result in $73 million in federal funding over the next five years. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, says this money will be distributed to private companies that will own, install, and operate EV charging stations.
Cut 8 (10) “…the requirements.”