In 2020, when lawmakers approved legislation that changed how the courts would handle lawsuits involving car accidents, supporters said it would lead to lower auto insurance rates. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said during a task force meeting on Affordable Automobile Insurance that rates are actually going up

 cut 6 (06) “…through October” 

LSU-Health Shreveport is helping parents by making it as convenient as possible to have children ages five to eleven get vaccinated at schools in north Louisiana. Hospital K-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says they already had established relationships with the schools when they did COVID testing, and now they are providing vaccines.

Cut 13 (08) “…atmosphere.”

Deason says they are requiring both written and verbal consent from parents for the children to be vaccinated.

Voters statewide approved Constitutional Amendment Two, which will lower state income tax brackets, cap the highest brackets, and remove the deduction for federal income taxes paid. With that done, what comes next? State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Lewis they’ll immediately put out new state withholding tables that reflect the new rates.

Cut 10 (15)  “…effective January 1.” 

A deer that entered Our Lady of the Lake Hospital Monday afternoon in Baton Rouge has been euthanized. Wildlife officials say drivers saw the deer in the median near the hospital with blood coming from its nose and believe it was hit by a car before it stumbled into the building and made its way up the elevator. State Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the deer suffered severe internal injuries from being hit and would not recover and so it was euthanized.

Days after voters said no to Amendment One to create a single tax collection system, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force the change. Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says Louisiana’s collection system is one of two in the nation that’s overly complex and possibly unconstitutional.

Cut 5 (08) “…we’re the worst”

Voters did approve Amendment Two, which will lower state income tax brackets, cap the highest brackets and remove the deduction for federal income taxes paid. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Lewis says state legislators worked with her department to create a tax reform that would have minimal impact on small business and individual taxpayers.

Cut 12 (10) “…all income levels.”

A Legislative Audit found the Louisiana Workforce Commission made $2.9 million in payments that might have violated state and federal unemployment rules. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says while the agency acknowledges the mistake, they also had to process a huge number of claims with little federal guidance.

Cut 7 (11) “…win for us.”

LSU-Health Shreveport is helping parents by making it as convenient as possible to have children ages five to eleven get vaccinated at schools in north Louisiana. Hospital K-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says understandably many are apprehensive about getting a shot and so they try to ease their fears and even ask if they’ve ever been pinched by their sibling.

Cut 15 (09)  “…relatable.”

Parental consent is required.

Louisiana’s Mitch Landrieu will be a senior advisor on the implementation of President Biden’s historic infrastructure bill. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

President Biden is scheduled to sign the infrastructure bill at 2 pm and Governor John Bel Edwards will be in attendance. Edwards will also lobby lawmakers in DC for more funding for southwest Louisiana’s recovery from hurricanes Laura and Delta. And the state reports 196 COVID hospitalizations the lowest daily total since stats began in March of 2020.

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9 million in overpayments. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says the audit found incidents where the overpayments had not been identified. He says LWC already has already flagged some cases of overpayment and is working with those individuals to recapture funds.

Cut 4 (05) “…done that.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be next to act on the Louisiana Pardon Board’s unanimous recommendation to pardon the late Homer Plessy. Plessy a 19th-century civil rights pioneer was arrested for trying to sit in the White section of a segregated train bound for Covington. Keith Plessy, Homer’s first cousin, three generations removed, appeared before the Pardon Board, Friday.

Cut 15 (10)  “…Homer Adolph Plessy.”

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson is in the nation’s capital for the President’s signing of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Wilson says it’s going to make a big impact in Louisiana in terms of guaranteeing revenue for projects.

Cut 7 (11) “…on bridges.”

Governor Edwards, along with the mayors of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are also in DC for the bill signing.

Only Amendment two of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot received voter approval. A Tax policy expert says amendment two will bring the state real tax reform. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says voters have amendment fatigue…

Cut 5 (08) “of it”
There are no constitutional amendments on the December ballot.

The Supreme Court will decide if those convicted on non-unanimous juries will get a new trial. The New Orleans-based 4^th Circuit Appeals Court ruled in favor of re-trials, but the Lake Charles-based 3^rd Circuit ruled against new trials. Defense attorney Hardell Ward who represents two men – one in each court district says it’s the only correct thing to do…:

Cut 11 (08) “…criminal justice system.”

The AG’s office says retrials will create chaos.

Governor Edwards will be next to act on the Louisiana Pardon Board’s unanimous recommendation to pardon the late Homer Plessy. A 19th-century civil rights pioneer was arrested for trying to sit in the White section of a segregated train bound for Covington. Orleans Parish D-A, Jason Williams, spoke in favor of Plessy’s pardon.

Cut 13 (12) “…in this country.”

For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Polls are open today until 8pm in Louisiana but what’s available to vote on depends on your parish. Orleans Parish has the most items on the ballot because of municipal races, including the bid by Mayor LaToya Cantrell for a second term. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.
Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”
The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades…
Cut 9 (10) “…St James Parish.”
The bonfire season runs from November 21st to December 27th and the parish will begin issuing permits on November 20th
LRN
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The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41 leading to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says while there has been a slight decrease, he doesn’t expect to see prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.
Cut 7 (11) “….into the winter.”
While OPEC has begun to slowly increase production, commuters won’t see a change in prices soon.
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. Cantrell is expected to win re-election on Saturday as she does not face any well-funded challengers. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one of the major storylines in this election is the expected low turnout…
Cut 14 (09) “..lines.”
There are also races for open legislative seats in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. Alford says the most interesting race is between Republican businessman Jeremy Stine and Democrat Dustin Granger in Lake Charles.
LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Bonfires on the Levee are officially greenlit for this Christmas Eve in St. James Parish after COVID snuffed them out last year. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And Voters are heading to the polls today in Louisiana, but for most, there’s not a lot to cast their votes on. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments.
Cut 3 (09) “….what we have.”
The polls are now open and close tonight at 8 and those who don’t know where their polling location is can visit geauxvote.com to find out
LRN
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. The Mayor is expected to win re-election on Saturday as she does not face any well-funded challengers.
There are races for open legislative seats in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Monroe. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the most interesting race is in Lake Charles as Republican businessman Jeremy Stine is battling with a high-profile Democrat…
Cut 13 (14) “…year ago.”
And a suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the suspect has been identified as Ahmad Green
Cut 15 (08) “…been arrested.”
Green was arrested in Shreveport and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a four-million dollar bond. Officers are still looking for the suspect in the first shooting that occurred on October 13th.
For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Voters across Louisiana are finally getting their chance to vote Saturday after weeks of delay caused by Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
And the National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with holidays around the corner he’s hoping the slight decrease is an indication that prices might be stabilizing for the winter at least…
Cut 6 (11) “…going up.”
Redman says that OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production but we most likely won’t see an impact in prices at the pump for some time.
LRN
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The Louisiana Tradition of Bonfire Lighting is finally back for the first time since the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufrense says canceling it last year was the most difficult thing he’s had to do as parish president and he’s overjoyed the event can finally be held again this year, weather permitting.
Cut 10 (11) “…normalcy.”
Permits will be issued by the parish on November 20th and will be lit on Christmas Eve at 7 pm.
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election. Cantrell also opposes Constitutional Amendment one on the ballot which creates a single commission to collect sales and use taxes. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says business groups support amendment one
Cut 12 (07) “…almost immediately”
Turnout for the election is expected to be relatively low.
For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

A Los Angeles Judge grants a petition to terminate the 13-year conservatorship for pop star and Kentwood native Britney Spears. It’s a victory for the Free Britney movement after Spears father and others have come under fire for an alleged abusive arrangement over her estimated $60 million estate. An attorney for Spears says a safety net for her personal and financial care will be put in place.

A suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. Trooper Michael Reichardt says suspect Ahmad Green has been booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a four-million-dollar bond. Reichardt says they are still looking for Jatavious Carroll of Delhi the suspect in the first shooting, that occurred on October 13th…

Cut  16 (10) “..get your information

Voters head to the polls Saturday in Louisiana. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments. Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.

Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”

The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades.

Cut  11 (08)  “…Christmas morning.”  

The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with holidays around the corner he’s hoping the slight decrease is a sign that prices might be stabilizing for the winter at least…

Cut 6 (11) “…going up.” 

Crude oil prices remain above $80 a barrel.

Sticker shock is not only an issue putting fuel in your car but also shopping for a vehicle and most anything these days. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says there are factors involved, also because of inflation and supply chain problems, that are certain to keep food prices higher for a while.

Cut 6 (09) “…this forward, unfortunately.”

He says meat, poultry, eggs and fish are up 19 percent from a year ago.

Governor Edwards returns to DC next week to lobby for additional relief funding for southwest Louisiana for recovery from Laura and Delta. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire says while he appreciates what the governor has helped with so far, they along with other parts of southwest Louisiana need an additional 600-million dollars in disaster relief funding.

Cut 15 (10)  “…of our residents.”

It was August 2020 when Laura made landfall.

Virtual learning is under the microscope after becoming mainstream during the pandemic. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana Policy Director Steven Procopio says when they examined high school level charter schools and their virtual learning especially among Black and economically disadvantaged students, charter schools outperformed state schools.

Cut 8 (10) “..during the pandemic.”

They are hoping to help set a best practices for virtual learning going forward.

A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

State Police are investigating a home invasion in Grant Parish that resulted in the shooting of the suspect, 39-year old Chad Scott of Pollock Wednesday night. Police say the suspect entered the home of an off-duty wildlife agent, an altercation ensued, and the homeowner fired shots. Scott was transferred to a local hospital and the case remains under investigation.

Governor Edwards returns to DC next week in hopes of garnering more relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire says while things have improved in the area months after the storms, that’s not the case for everyone and every location.

Cut  16 (09) “..on their own”

Abshire says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough

Steven Procopio, Policy director at the Public Affairs Research Council says they are making recommendations for virtual education that should increase transparency, more accurate data on student performance, improved outcomes, and a funding structure to cover the cost of virtual education after the pandemic forced many educators and students to use the platform.

Cut 9 (09)  “…outcomes are.”