State lawmakers have approved legislation that sets up a 45-million dollar incentive fund that will be used to bring more insurance companies to Louisiana that will offer homeowners coverage at much lower rates than the state’s last-resort insurer, Louisiana Citizens. The bill passed on a 37-to-1 vote in the Senate on Friday. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock was the lone no vote; questioning why ANY insurance company would go for it…:

CUT 13(10)      “…hurricane season starts.”

That bill goes to the Governor for his signature. Lawmakers says they’ll have other solutions to the insurance crisis ready when they reconvene in April.

Police in Shreveport seek a man they say sexually assaulted a juvenile. A warrant for First Degree Rape is out for 31-year-old Shawn Betters, and they ask anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to contact SPD right away. If convicted, Betters would face life behind bars.

A Louisiana National Guard unit is preparing to deploy to the Middle East, on a classified support mission. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

Dog lovers may want to visit Baton Rouge Sunday for the annual Krewe of Mutts Carnival Parade. This year’s theme is Jurassic Bark, and organizers encourage participants to dress their pooch up in Mardi Gras dinosaur regalia. The event starts at 10 am in downtown Baton Rouge and benefits pet adoption programs.

At the State Capitol, the Senate has voted approval of the plan to use $45-milion in surplus revenue to incent new private property insurance companies to come to Louisiana and ease financial stress on homeowners struggling to pay the much-higher cost of the state’s last-resort insurer, Louisiana Citizens. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says the goal is to reduce the number of Citizens Property Insurance policyholders who face a 63-percent rate hike this year..:

CUT 12(07)      “…need it.”

Former Southern University baseball coach Roger Cador is being inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Cador led the Southern Jaguars through 33 seasons; including 2 HBCU National Championships, 4 SWAC titles, 11 NCAA tournament appearances and a win/loss record of 913-597-1. Cador retired in 2017.

The Louisiana National Guard held a deployment ceremony Friday in New Orleans, as they prepare to head for the Middle East. The “3-6-7-3″ Support Maintenance Company is a combat support unit; tasked with keeping military vehicles and material in working order. Battalion Commander Lt. Colonel Ira Jones says their role is of utmost importance…:

CUT 07(08)      “…their mission is.”

The unit’s destination is classified. The “3-6-7-3” should return home in about a year.

If you love King Cake, a trip to Thibodaux is in order for the city’s inaugural Bayou King Cake Festival. Mayor Kevin Clement says it’s good family fun and all to benefit the Lafourche Parish Education Foundation…:

CUT 11(11)      “…quite remarkable.”

It starts tomorrow in Thibodaux.

The Louisiana National Guard held a deployment ceremony Friday in New Orleans, as they prepare to head for the Middle East. The 140-plus soldiers of the 3673^rd Support Maintenance Company (part of the 139th Regional Support Group) – based in New Orleans -will deploy in aid of the Army’s Operation Spartan Shield. The event was at the World War II Museum in the Crescent City. Captain Mitchel Dougherty is the company Commander…:

CUT 06(08)      “…use this venue.”

The 3-6-7-3 does vehicle and equipment maintenance; keeping the machines of war running in tip-top shape. The unit’s destination is classified. Dougherty says they’ll return in about a year.

On the U.S. Senate floor, Senator John Kennedy says our state needs to overhaul school performance metrics, to assure better student outcomes. He says our schools are doing poorly overall…:

CUT 03  (07)        they are not

He says “powers that be” in education resist attempts at reforms

A man accused of raping LSU co-ed Madison Brooks the night she died in a traffic accident is back in jail; accused of raping a Livingston Parish girl in 2020, when she was a juvenile. Kaivon Washinton’s alleged victim was just 12 at the time. A new eyewitness has reportedly come forward to identify him.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll want to be in Thibodaux Saturday to attend a festival dedicated to the state’s favorite pastry. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Senator John Kennedy wants Louisiana to develop a new methodology to grade public schools. Kennedy made his comments on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He didn’t offer any specifics on how schools should be graded, but expressed the importance of it because it’s vital to the future of Louisiana…:

CUT 05(10)      “…creating tomorrow.”

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has discussed changing Louisiana’s accountability system, but proposed changes have faced criticism from school boards, superintendents, principals, and teachers.

In Thibodaux tomorrow, the first ever King Cake Festival. Mayor Kevin Clement says a kids’ parade kicks it off at 1:30, with 5 marching bands and kids with “wagon floats”…:

CUT 10(09)      “…pretty good.”

A Louisiana National Guard unit is preparing to deploy to the Middle East, on a classified support mission. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

At the Capitol, the state Senate is expected to give final approval to the $45-million Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund, to attract new private property insurers to de-populate the state’s last-resort insurer Louisiana Citizens. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says, without it, thousand could lose their homes. The special session is expected to wrap up later today.

Another candidate has thrown his hat in the ring to be Louisiana’s next governor. He is Jeff Istre, an Army vet and oilfield professional from Kaplan. Istre has never held political office, and is running as an independent. He says the constant choice for voters of either a republican or a democrat is a lot of the reason why Louisiana is in shape it’s in…:

CUT 07  (07)        “…really OF the people.”

Istre joins another independent, Lake Charles lawyer Hunter Lundy, in the race…plus GOP candidates Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt, and Richard Nelson. He is online, if you want to know more, at “facebook.com/JeffIstreforGovernor” Istre is spelled I-S-T-R-E.

More fall election news: on his social media pages, former state Senator Elbert Guillory says he will run for Lt. Governor this fall. Guillory is a black conservative and a Republican. He prides himself on his ability to stand up and speak truth without fear of reprisal. Qualifying for the fall elections isn’t until August 8^th. Guillory joins fellow republicans Clay Schexnayder and incumbent Billy Nungesser in that race.

The son of former Opelousas Police Chief Martin McClendon has been found guilty of 2 counts of 1^st-degree murder. JaMarcus McClendon is convicted of shooting and killing two people in May 2017.

The long-awaited Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project – to help restore the state’s coast – gets the funding needed to get underway…:

CUT 01(32)                  “…Palermo.”

One of three Alexandria area men accused of the murder of Deven Brooks just over a year ago pleads guilty to 2^nd degree murder. Rapides Parish Assistant D.A. Lea Hall says 22-year-old Terry Lavalais changed his plea during jury selection. Two others, Jamaria Randle and Tremaine Veal, have trials set to start soon.

CUT 16  (11)        “…for this victim.”

Police say their motive for killing Brooks was theft.

A Hahnville man will spend at least eight years in prison for his role in a July 4^th 2020 boating fatality on Bayou Des Allemands in St. Charles Parish. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was driving a boat when it collided with another boat…:

CUT 06(09)      “…he was intoxicated.”

36-year-old Audrey Higgins, of Luling, was killed in that boat crash.

Congressman Steve Scalise and U.S. House Republicans pass a bill to bring federal employees back to the office. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State Farm Insurance, the largest auto insurer in Louisiana, says they will no longer cover certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, because the cars and SUV’s are vulnerable to theft. They are all from model years 2015 through 2021. Those already covered will continue to be…but State Farm will write no NEW policies for these models. The Louisiana Department of Insurance said it has not been notified

One of the three men accused in the January 2022 fatal shooting death of Deven Brooks, in Alexandria, has pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Lee Hall says 22-year-old Terrance Lavalais entered the guilty plea during jury selection…:

CUT 15(10)      “…that time.”

Brooks’ body was found on the edge of the Red River in Alexandria. Her body was bound with cable, zip ties and duct tape. Two others are also charged with her murder, Jamaria Randle and Tremaine Veal. Their trials are pending.

Congressman Steve Scalise says it’s time for federal agency workers to stop working from home due to pandemic – which is over – and get back to the office. He and fellow House GOP members passed the SHOW UP Act Wednesday. He says taxpayers are growing impatient with the government they pay for…:

CUT 05(10)      “…go back to work.”

A $1,300 reward is being offered for the safe return of a Shar Pei puppy that was stolen in New Orleans Monday. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.

It’s Groundhog Day and while the rodent in Pennsylvania DID see his shadow, the weather predicting nutria, Pierre C. Shadeaux in New Iberia, did NOT today. That means, as the folklore goes, we’ll see a longer, warmer spring in Louisiana. We always have a long warm spring, am I right?

District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise led colleagues in passing a bill requiring federal workers to return to the office. It’s dubbed the “SHOW UP Act”; an acronym for Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems. On the House floor, Scalise tells members the government should be held to the same standard as taxpayers…:

CUT 03(09)      “…get the job done.”

He says needed government services for taxpayers are going undone because federal offices are un-staffed or badly under-staffed. He says the pandemic is over and it’s time to stop working from home.

A Hahnville man gets 8 years in prison for a July 4^th 2020 DWI boating accident that killed a woman. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was found to be intoxicated while piloting the boat. 36-year-old Audrey Higgins of Luling was killed in the collision. Einck says Comardelle was convicted of vehicular homicide and four counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring…:

CUT 07(09)      “…of the vessel.”

There’s a $1300 reward offered for helping New Orleans student Scott Elston recover his stolen Shar Pei puppy. The dogs can easily cost that much or more to obtain. Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says someone broke in while Elston was in class…:

CUT 09(10)      “…called Toby.”

Shar Peis are hard to miss for all their folds of skin. Call 888-6-HUMANE if you think you’ve seen Toby.

A police officer in the West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis, who caused the death of two teen girls while engaged in a high speed chase on New Year’s Eve, has resigned his job. Officer David Cauthern and officers from other jurisdictions were chasing a car theft suspect, when he broadsided the girls’ vehicle. He has been charged with 2 counts of negligent vehicular homicide.

In Washington D.C. Congressman Steve Scalise and U.S. House Republicans pass a bill to bring federal employees back to the office. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and 19 other state AG’s have warned pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens against mailing abortion pills into their jurisdictions, and imply they will take legal action. The message reads they will (quote) “uphold the law and protect the health, safety, and well-being of women and unborn children.”

A Morgan City man gets life behind bars for the 2021 shooting death of Chance Benoit of Thibodaux. Lafourche parish DA’s spokesman Dave Melancon says 31-year-old Louis Foret had been a friend of the victim…:

CUT 13(10)      “…was shot dead.”

Foret changed his plea to guilty, just as trial was about to start. He was sentenced to life in prison for 2^nd degree murder.

A man in the Lakeview area of New Orleans says there’s a reward offered for the return of his stolen dog; a Shar Pei puppy named Toby. UNO student Scott Elston says someone nabbed the pooch while he in class.

…and now today’s commodities…

Thirty-one-year-old Louis Foret of Morgan City has received a life sentence after admitting to fatally shooting a Thibodaux man multiple times two years ago. Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s spokesman David Melancon says Foret entered the guilty plea as his trial was set to begin…:

CUT 12(10)      “…Pleading guilty.”

Melancon says Foret killed his friend Chance Benoit at his home on a February night in 2021

A Hahnville man will spend eight years in prison for his role in a July 4^th boating fatality in St. Charles Parish. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was driving a boat when it collided with another boat…:

CUT 06(09)      “…he was intoxicated.”

The victim was 36-year-old Audrey Higgins of Luling, she was a passenger in the other vessel and several other passengers received significant injuries.

As lawmakers debate a plan to help alleviate soaring property insurance costs and availability, there is growing support for a plan to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland supports the idea of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program…:

CUT 04(11)      “…insurance premiums.”

In essence, the program would give homeowners grants of up to $10-thousand (paid from a special fund) to retrofit their home’s roof so it is capable of withstanding 150-mile-an-hour winds.

At the Capitol, the Senate Finance Committee is now discussing the $45-million Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund, to help ease the state’s property insurance crisis. Tens of thousands have lost their home insurance in the last couple years, and were forced into Louisiana Citizens. Rates at the state-run insurers are, by law, higher than the private market and they just went up by over 60-percent.