There’s a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says residents in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles should be weather aware today

Cut 12 (10) “…heavy rain.”

Jacquemin says showers and storms may produce intense rainfall over short durations, potentially causing localized flash flooding.

As it gets set to begin year number two, the Landry administration will focus on making state government run more efficiently. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says one way to accomplish that is by reining in government contracts. He says contrary to popular belief, the legislature does not get to approve contracts; it only gets to review them. 

Cut 7 (08) “…to fund them.”

Lowe’s Home Improvement donates 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Thanks to a new initiative, Louisiana State Parks and cultural sites will become more accessible to foster families. Eligible families will receive a DCRT Foster Caregiver annual day-use pass, granting free entry to Louisiana’s 21 state parks, 14 historic sites, and nine museums for the pass-holder and his or her guests.

One of the goals of the Landry administration in year two is making state government run more efficiently. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says one way to accomplish that is by reining in government contracts.

Cut 6 (08) “…our government’s budget.”

McFarland says more red tape placed on business and industry will also cost more money to enforce.

Lowe’s Home Improvement donates more than 34-thousand 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams praised the partnership, emphasizing the life-saving impact of smoke alarms.

Cut 4 (05) “…several people’s lives.”

At more than 1-million-dollars, that makes it the largest donation in its history. It was initiated by a Lowe’s store in Slidell.

New laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will be going into effect next Wednesday, when the calendar flips to 2025. For starters, the minimum age to purchase these products goes from 18 to 21, with no grandfather clause for those who are between those ages. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says the state will also be cracking down on companies selling THC-laced gummies in packages that resemble those of popular candies, so that they are not marketed to children.

Cut 11 (09) “…rather than ambiguity.”

CBD or THC products will also no longer be available at gas stations, except for truck stops.

Lawmakers are honing their agendas in advance of the 119th Congress that gets underway a week from tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says a fire on Christmas Day has resulted in the death of an 11-year-old child. Investigators say an electrical heater may have been the cause of the blaze. The sheriff’s office is asking the public to pray for the family.

When the calendar flips to 2025 next week, new laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will go into effect. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says one of those changes has to do with where you can buy those products.

Cut 12 (13) “…to June 2024.”

Also, THC-laced beverages will only be allowed to be sold in no more than four-packs, and each 12-ounce beverage will be limited to five milligrams of THC.

The State Fire Marshal says Lowe’s Home Improvement has donated over 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to their Operation Save-A-Life program. State Fire Marshall Bryan Adams says since 2012, over 120-thousand alarms have been installed through the program.

Cut 3 (09) “…working smoke alarm.”

The donation by Lowe’s, valued at more than one-million dollars, is the largest in the Save-A-Life Program’s 12-year history.

Scores of new tax laws go into effect next Wednesday. The state income tax will be reduced to a flat three-percent following a 12,500-dollar standard deduction. Manish Bhatt (BOT), the senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, says a major goal is to reverse the trend of the state having a net loss in population.

Cut 5 (07) “…economic growth.”

The legislature will once again try to rein in soaring auto insurance premiums in their next regular session. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, says one of the biggest factors is the cost of litigation.

Cut 14 (14) “…than other states.”

Real Reform Louisiana says limiting drivers’ ability to sue will only benefit the insurance companies and will hurt victims.

New laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will be going into effect next Wednesday, when the calendar flips to 2025. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says starting January 1st, the minimum age to purchase these products goes from 18 to 21, with no grandfather clause for those who are between those ages.

Cut 10 (12) “…doing with alcohol.”

A week from tomorrow, we say goodbye to the 118th Congress and inaugurate the 119th Congress. Senator John Kennedy says one of his priorities in the new session is securing the southern border, restoring policies set forth by former and future President Donald Trump.

Cut 8 (14) “…where they are.”

Next year, the legislature will take another stab at reining in soaring auto insurance premiums. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, says two things that are NOT factors in our large auto insurance premiums are natural disasters and the conditions of our roads.

Cut 13 (08)  “…not the case.”

Firment points out that Louisiana litigates bodily injury claims at a much higher rate than the national average. Ben Riggs, the executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says limiting drivers’ ability to sue is not the answer. He says a bigger factor is auto insurance companies basing their premiums on credit scores, which he says have nothing to do with whether someone is a good driver or not.

Cut 16 (13) “…premiums in Louisiana.”

Lawmakers either returning to Capitol Hill for the 119th Congress or going there for the first time are honing their agendas for the session that starts a week from tomorrow. That includes Senator John Kennedy, who says one of his priorities is energy independence, saying he thinks Congress will move quickly on policies so that America won’t have to rely on other countries for energy.

Cut 7 (05) “…with our friends.”

Kennedy says he also wants to secure the southern border and to renew the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are set to expire.

When the calendar flips to 2025 next week, new laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will go into effect. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says one of those changes has to do with where you can buy those products.

Cut 12 (13) “…to June 2024.”

Lawmakers are honing their agendas in advance of the 119th Congress that gets underway a week from tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There’s a slight risk for severe weather today for most of north, central and southwest Louisiana. There’s another slight risk for strong storms on Saturday for most of the state. The Mega Millions jackpot on Friday night is an estimated one-point-15 billion dollars. It would be the fifth largest jackpot in the game’s history.

New THC regulations go into effect on January first. Starting in 2025, the age to purchase hemp-THC products will go up from 18 to 21 and THC products will also no longer be sold in gas stations. Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier says the state will also crack down on selling THC-laced gummies in packages that resemble those of popular candies…

Cut 11 (09) “…rather than ambiguity”

Also, THC-laced beverages will only be allowed to be sold in no more than four-packs.

Expect Louisiana lawmakers to look at passing legislation next year to lower auto insurance rates. But executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, Ben Riggs, says combating the rising cost to fix vehicles, makes it difficult for legislators to come up with a solution….

Cut 15 (13) “….more to replace”

It remains to be seen if there will be a special session devoted to insurance reform for auto and homeowners.

Strong storms are possible this afternoon for a large portion of Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has a preview of what we can expect…

Cut 28 (13) “…one and two inches”

There’s another good chance for rain on Saturday too.

There’s a good chance Louisiana legislators will pass legislation next year that will seek to reduce auto insurance rates, which are among the highest in the country. Republican Pollock Representative Gabe Firment is the chairman of the House Insurance Committee and says one of the biggest factors in our high premiums is the cost of litigation…

Cut 14 (14) “…than other states”

Firment says transparency is the key, making sure a judge or jury know the exact cost of the medical bills of the injured party.

Earlier this fall, the legislature passed a sweeping package of tax reforms. Next Wednesday, they go into effect. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy says one of the top priorities of the 119^th Congress that convenes for the first time next week is renewing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Cut 9 (10) “….did work”