The House Insurance Committee advances a bill to give the insurance commissioner the power to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. House Bill 576 by Amite Democrat Robby Carter advanced on a vote of 13 to 4. It’s supported by Governor Landry but opposed by Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. Landry says since auto insurance is a mandated purchase, free market principles should not apply; and giving the insurance commissioner the ability to reject rates regardless of market conditions should provide relief to policyholders.

Cut 6 (11) “…touch the law.”

Temple says insurance commissioners having too much power over insurance carriers will drive them out of the state.

Cut 8 (10) “…what we want.”

Another bill headed to the full house is one that would make it a crime to intentionally release balloons in the air. Sean Richardson reports it advanced out of the House National Resources Committee.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Lawmakers will reconsider a bill by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd which would allow abortion exceptions for minors under 17 who become pregnant due to certain sex crimes. Current state law only allows exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or serious health risks to the pregnant woman.

The House Insurance Committee advances a bill that would give the insurance commissioner the authority to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. It’s one of several bills aimed at lowering skyrocketing premiums. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple testified against the bill, saying it would undo all the progress that he’s made with insurance carriers over the last year.

Cut 7 (06) “…direction of California.”

Another bill advancing to the full House is one banning the release of balloons outdoors. That passed in the House Natural Resources Committee today. The author, Harahan Representative John Illg, says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.

Cut 9 (07)  “…released into the air.”

While lawmakers concede that the bill would be tough to enforce, those who are caught would be fined up to 150 dollars for a first offense, should it get Governor Landry’s signature.

Lawmakers will reconsider New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd’s bill, which would allow abortion exceptions for minors under 17 who become pregnant due to certain sex crimes. Currently, Louisiana’s abortion law only allows exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or serious health risks to the pregnant person. Boyd says this is a personal journey for her, referencing her mother being a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 15.

Cut 4 (11) “…before she was 30-years-old” 

Boyd narrowed the scope of this year’s proposal after a similar bill failed in 2024.

Who says there’s no appetite for hockey in Louisiana? The Monroe Moccasins concluded their first season in the Federal Prospects Hockey League by breaking the league’s attendance record. The Mocs drew more than 126-thousand fans to the Snake Pit for their 28 home games, averaging more than 45-hundred per contest.

An auto insurance reform bill advances to the full House, with the support of the governor and despite the opposition of the insurance commissioner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Office of Juvenile Justice confirmed today that a 17-year-old male in custory briefly escaped during an on campus transport.  .  The juvenile was beign transported by vehicle between the north and sound campuses when the escape occurred.  OJJ security protocols were activated immediately after notified, and on site staff initiated a search, and the juvenile was apprehended without incident.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser supports the bill and admitted that the law would be difficult to enforce, but they are hoping that having the law will encourage people not to release balloons into the air.

Cut 11 (12) “…won’t release them.”

LSU pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Guidry has the most experience on LSU’s staff pitching in SEC games, so he was an important piece to this season. But the Lake Charles native never pitched this season after sustaining an back injury in February. Johnson says despite treatments and medicine, they could not get him healthy enough to pitch…

Cut 13 (09)  “…can’t do it.”

LSU will begin an SEC series tomorrow night against Alabama.

The legislative session is in full swing in Baton Rouge. Today, the House Insurance Committee advanced a bill that would give the insurance commissioner the power to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. Governor Landry supports it, saying it would be a useful tool to gain the upper hand on runaway premiums.

Cut 5 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Also, the House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says animals can become entangled in balloon strings or ingest balloons, mistaking them for food, which can lead to death.

Cut 10 (06) “…but with balloons.”

Nungesser admitted that the law would be difficult to enforce, but they are hoping that having the law will encourage people to change the culture in the state.

Lawmakers will reconsider New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd’s bill, which would allow abortion exceptions for minors under 17 who become pregnant due to certain sex crimes. Boyd says the bill includes offenses such as rape, sexual battery, and molestation.

Cut 3 (04) “…young as 9-yeas-old” 

Currently, Louisiana’s abortion law only allows exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or serious health risks to the pregnant person. Boyd narrowed the scope of this year’s proposal after a similar bill failed in 2024.

LSU pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Coach Jay Johnson made the announcement following the team’s ten to three win over McNeese last night. Johnson says they wanted to get the junior right-hander on the mound this season, but at least he should be ready for 2026.

Cut 12 (10) “…next year.”

The House Insurance Committee advances a bill to give the insurance commissioner the power to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. House Bill 576 by Amite Democrat Robby Carter advanced on a vote of 13 to 4. It’s supported by Governor Landry but opposed by Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. Landry says since auto insurance is a mandated purchase, free market principles should not apply; and giving the insurance commissioner the ability to reject rates regardless of market conditions should provide relief to policyholders.

Cut 6 (11) “…touch the law.”

Temple says insurance commissioners having too much power over insurance carriers will drive them out of the state.

Cut 8 (10) “…what we want.”

Another bill headed to the full house is one that would make it a crime to intentionally release balloons in the air. Sean Richardson reports it advanced out of the House National Resources Committee.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Another state championship tournament is upon us – this time, it’s the LHSAA baseball championships, as bi-district play begins today. Live Oak, Brusly, Sterlington and Oak Grove are the top seeds in the non-select tournaments. The state championships are held at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

The House Insurance Committee has had a lengthy debate on a proposed change to state law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates. Governor Landry testified in support of the bill, saying insurance companies are charging exorbitant premiums despite taking in 1.4-billion dollars more than they pay in claims. Because of this, Landry says the insurance commissioner should have the ability to clamp down on those premiums

Cut 5 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, also a Republican, testified against the bill, urging the committee to reject it because it would undo all the progress that he’s made with insurance carriers over the last year.

Cut 7 (06) “…direction of California.”

A vote on whether to advance the bill to the House floor is expected soon.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.

Cut 9 (07)  “…released into the air.”

The measure also has the support of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The full House will hear the bill next.

LSU baseball pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Coach Jay Johnson made the announcement following the team’s ten to three win over McNeese last night. Johnson says they wanted to get the junior right-hander on the mound this season, but at least he should be ready for 2026…

Cut 12 (10) “…next year”

The push to overhaul auto insurance in Louisiana is underway. This morning, Governor Landry testified before the House Insurance Committee in support of House Bill 576, which would give the insurance commissioner the ability to reject unreasonable auto insurance rates. Landry said insurers don’t have any valid reason to gouge the people of this state.

Cut 6 (15) “…of the country.”

A Republican state senator has a bill that would provide an alternative to the fortified roof grants. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his proposal is geared towards people who want to take advantage of the grants but have the financial means to install the fortified roof.

Cut 10 (08) “…ten-thousand dollars.”

If campaign finance reports are a telltale sign of voter support, State Treasurer John Fleming will have his work cut out for him against Senator Bill Cassidy. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A student at Minden High School is behind bars for allegedly throwing urine on students during class. Police say 17-year-old LeMario Elkins went into a classroom with a bottle filled with urine and doused one classmate with it, and the contents splattered onto others. Elkins’ bond is set at more than 300-thousand dollars.