Week five of the 2025 legislative session gets underway as we near the halfway point of the 60-day session. A senate judiciary committee hears several auto insurance bills tomorrow, including those which would require plaintiffs to prove that their injuries were the result of the crash, limit payouts to uninsured injured drivers, limit payouts to those more than 50-percent at-fault and cap pain and suffering damages at five-million dollars. The latter one is believed to have significant opposition among those on the committee.

The House Health and Welfare Committee will soon hear Senate Bill 134, which would cap damages that nursing homes would be responsible for in cases of abuse and neglect. AARP is speaking out against it. Andrew Muhl with AARP Louisiana:

Cut (06) “…they’re responsible for.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says it clarifies existing malpractice law.

Cut (05) “…covered by malpractice.”

All eyes will be on the Senate Insurance Committee Wednesday as it hears House Bill 148. That gives the insurance commissioner the authority to arbitrarily reject rate increases he or she deems to be excessive, regardless of market conditions. Governor Landry supports it, but Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple opposes it. If the bill doesn’t reach Landry’s desk by the end of the session, lawmakers may be forced to try again – Landry says he will call a special session on the issue in that instance.

It’s no secret that Landry and Temple have had an acrimonious relationship, despite both belonging to the same political party. With insurance commissioner being an elected position, all Landry can do is do his best to work with Temple – for now. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will hear a bill Wednesday that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position, filled by someone working at the pleasure of the governor instead of the voters.

The Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion of National Foster Care Month to spotlight the need for more foster families. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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AARP is speaking out against a bill that it says would let nursing home companies off the hook for abuse and negligence. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Shocking news out of the Saints’ rookie camp this weekend as quarterback Derek Carr has retired. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says thousands of kids need good, caring foster families.

Cut 4 (11) “…amazing foster homes.”

Secretary Matlock says foster parents are very special people, and they make a lot of sacrifices.

Cut 5 (09) “…very hard places.”

Matlock says the number of foster families in Louisiana has gone up in recent years, but they could always use more. He says there are certain requirements to become a foster parent.

Cut 6 (07) “…and so forth.”

And the state will provide training to those approved to be foster parents.

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The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation at UL-Lafayette have teamed up to do a comprehensive survey to learn more about the challenges veterans are facing. Gabriella Wilson is the director of the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation and says they want to assess the needs of veterans…

Cut 7 (12) “…needs of everybody.”

The findings will lead to improvements in services and support systems for veterans and their families. Wilson says there are three different surveys and each survey is designed to capture the real-life experiences and challenges veterans face…

Cut 8 (12) “…also education.”

The survey can be found at lchi.louisiana.edu. Wilson says the survey’s is open until June 15…

Cut 9 (12)  “…by the end of November.”

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AARP is urging the House to reject a Senate bill that has advanced to the lower chamber. Andrew Muhl with the AARP of Louisiana says Senate Bill would effectively get nursing homes off the hook for damages caused by abuse and neglect. Muhl points to the incident involving Bob Dean, who evacuated residents in nursing homes he owned to an unsanitary warehouse during Hurricane Ida, in which seven people died.

Cut 10 (12) “…100-thousand dollars total.”

Muhl says he feels that that case spurred the nursing home industry to fight back.

Cut 11 (07) “…a nursing home.”

The bill was written by Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly and is co-authored by Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh. Seabaugh says the bill is not intended to rewrite law; it’s intended to clarify existing law that he says was always intended to include nursing homes in the Medical Malpractice Act.

Cut 12 (08) “…nursing home industry.”

Pressly says his bill is also intended to get healthcare providers to continue providing essential services in the state.

Cut 13 (05)  “…Malpractice Act was.”

On April 30th, the Senate passed the bill 26-to-11. It is now awaiting debate in a House committee.

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The Saints rookie minicamp this weekend got rocked with shocking news that quarterback Derek Carr has retired. The Saints said while healing from a concussion and an injury to his non-throwing hand that ended his 2024 season, Carr developed degenerative damage to his right shoulder, which he determined would prevent him from continuing his playing career. In a statement, Carr said while surgery was an option, it would not have guaranteed him the ability to perform at his prior level. New Head Coach Kellen Moore says Carr will be missed.

Cut 14 (10) “…really, really special.”

Moore says Carr and his family have been very thorough in keeping the team updated on his condition, and that the team will be with him as he navigates this next chapter of his life.

Cut 15 (11) “…an incredible experience.”

Carr’s retirement leaves three quarterbacks in the Saints’ room – 26-year-old Jake Haener, 24-year-old Spencer Rattler and 25-year-old rookie Tyler Shough (“shuck”). Moore says Carr’s injury and subsequent retirement had no impact on the team’s decision to draft a quarterback in the second round.

Cut 16 (10) “…awareness to it.”

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The third-ranked LSU baseball team nearly swept the seventh-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. The Tigers were within one run in the ninth inning yesterday, but Conner Ware and William Schmidt each allowed a run, and the Tigers lost seven to four. LSU’s pitchers issued nine walks on Sunday, but Coach Jay Johnson says it was a good effort by his pitching staff…

Cut 17 (12)  “…get better”

LSU won the first game of the series early Saturday morning in extra innings after another long rain delay on a Friday night. On Saturday, LSU played one of its best games of the year in a 13-3 victory. Johnson says Sunday was a tough loss, but the series helped his team get ready for postseason play…

Cut 18 (06)  “…from this weekend.”

Johnson was ejected in the eighth inning after arguing balls and strikes. It looked like home plate umpire Brandon Cooper was going to call strike three on an Arkansas hitter, but when he didn’t, Johnson came out of the dugout…

Cut 19 (15) “…yeah.”

Derek Carr has announced he’s retiring from the NFL. The Saints Organization announced the news on X this morning.  Carr had was diagnosed with a labral tear in his right shoulder and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff in late March not long after beginning to throw again after the left hand injury he sustained in December.  The report says after consulting with his wife Heather, Carr has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the League.

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates program has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

Honora says the pope’s mother is the only one among her siblings who was born outside of New Orleans.

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Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year.  The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

Speaking of wins, the LSU baseball Tiers won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning for the second time this season as they outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a headfirst slide into home. Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

Derek Carr has announced his retirement. The Saints Organization announced the news on X this morning.  Carr had was diagnosed with a labral tear in his right shoulder and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff in late March not long after beginning to throw again after the left hand injury he sustained in December.  The report says after consulting with his wife Heather, Carr has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the League.

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he didn’t let being homeless define who he was and knew he was meant for something great. He says the Jobs for American Graduates program has taught him patience, responsibility and leadership.

Cut 12 (08) “…different walks of life.”

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If you’re considering crawfish for Mother’s Day, there’s good news!  Crawfish prices have hit their lowest price point for the year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Pope Leo the 14th may be from Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, says the Pope’s mother’s family is from the Crescent City…in fact his mother was the only one of her siblings born outside New Orleans.

Cut 7 (13) “…in New Orleans.”

Louisiana lawmakers are looking to cut taxes for oil producers with a package of bills that would bring the state’s tax code in line with those of neighboring states.  It passed through the house easily on Thursday but could face opposition in the Senate as some are questioning the long-term financial impact to the state.  One bill would cut the severance tax rate on crude oil taken from new wells nearly in half. Louisiana’s severance tax is the highest in the country and hasn’t changed since 1973.

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but he has roots in New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray), a family historian at The Historic New Orleans Collection, started digging into the former Robert Prevost’s family after hearing his last name, and he was amazed at what he found.

Cut 6 (12) “…of New Orleans.”

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A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mother’s car was elected president of the National Youth Program, representing over 80-thousand students.  Austin Small says he’s proud to represent Louisiana and being the first in may categories for this role.

Cut 11 (11) “…from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans and reflected on her dreams of entertaining, despite feeling impostor syndrome.

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit makes a huge drug bust. Major Tommy Carnline

Cut 3 (11) “…subsequent arrest.”

31-year old Dequavious Wagner is facing multiple charges. The street value of the drugs confiscated is estimated at up to one and a half million dollars.

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year.  The Franklin Parish native says ever since she was a kid in Louisiana, playing with her sister that she has always dreamed about entertaining people.

Cut 10 (09) “…make you cry.”

Speaking of wins, the LSU baseball Tiers won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning for the second time this season as they outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a headfirst slide into home. Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

The Saints have signed six of their nine draft picks, including offensive lineman Kelvin Banks who’s reportedly inked a four-year deal, worth almost 28 million dollars. New Orleans is holding a rookie minicamp this weekend.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit makes a huge drug bust. Major Tommy Carnline says following a months-long investigation, RADE Unit agents arrested 31-year old Dequavious Wagner and confiscated scores of drugs and drug paraphernalia, including 65 pounds of powder cocaine and 96 pounds of methamphetamine.

Cut 4 (12) “…has a handgun.”

A Shreveport native and Grambling State University student who was homeless and sleeping in his mothers car was elected president of the National Youth Program representing over 80-thousand students. Austin Small says he’s proud to represent Louisiana and being the first in many categories for this role.

Cut 11 (11) “…from Shreveport, Louisiana.”

Crawfish prices have hit their lowest price point for the year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A historian found that Pope Leo the 14th has ancestors from New Orleans. Jari Honora (zhah-REE AHN-uh-ray) with The Historic New Orleans Collection says Leo’s mother’s family is rooted in the city’s Seventh Ward. Honora says by digging into your family’s history, you never know what you may learn about your family – and yourself.

Cut 8 (06) “…you might uncover.”

A study reveals that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Lana Venable says excessive litigation has led to nearly 40-thousand lost jobs, 2.9-billion-dollars in lost personal income, and over 240-million dollars in annual state revenue losses.

Cut 4 (11) “…retail establishments.”

Louisiana lawmakers in the legislative session are taking another stab at tort reform for car crashes that go to court.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit says it made its largest drug bust when they apprehended 31-year-old Dequavious Wagner of Alexandria. Major Tommy Carnline says not only did they arrest a major drug trafficker, but they also confiscated 65 pounds of powder cocaine, nearly 100 pounds of meth, six pounds of fentanyl and several other types of drugs in large quantities…

Cut 5 (11) “…prosecuting this gentleman.”

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans and reflected on her dreams of entertaining, despite feeling impostor syndrome.

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”