New Senate President Page Cortez says the legislature is ready to tackle tort reform in the upcoming legislative session as Republican lawmakers seek to change the legal climate to reduce the number of lawsuits against insurance companies. But trial lawyers have historically been major funders in Louisiana politics and stand to lose work if proposed jury trial limits pass. Cortez says he’s not concerned their cash will derail the effort.
Cut 8 (06) “…wants.”
The session begins on March ninth.

The story of Keiosha Felix, a 15-year-old who vanished in 2012 from Duson, gets the national spotlight tonight on the show “In Pursuit with John Walsh,” which airs on Investigation Discovery. Show producer Michelle Sigona says authorities believe Keiosha is still alive…
Cut 10 (13) “…someone knows something.”
The show airs at 9 PM.

Gulf Coast aquifer usage is up 578 percent from 1951 and the Legislative Auditor is calling for a plan to protect the future of one of Louisiana’s most valuable resources…
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.

A large fireball lit up the nighttime sky over the ExxonMobil refinery in north Baton Rouge last night. But firefighters say the blaze did not result in any injuries and the fire was contained in the location where it started. ExxonMobil says it’s monitoring air quality at the fence line.