At the State Capitol today, the House has – by a vote of 90-to-8 – advanced the bill to create a $45-million fund to help attract new private property insurers to come do business here, and help de-populate Louisiana Citizens, the last-resort state-owned company that costs considerably more than private insurance. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says she likes Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s plan…:

CUT 13(11)      “…insurance crisis.”

The bill – the only one of this special session – now heads to the state Senate.

Deputies in Jeff Davis Parish arrest a 20-year-old nanny for an alleged sexual relationship with a boy under her charge. They say a Jennings man discovered Snapchat messages of a sexual nature between Izabella Quistorf and his 15-year-old son. Officers were called when the argument about that got nasty, and she threatened to hurt herself with a kitchen knife. She’s been booked with carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Who doesn’t love a good cut of beef? I mean besides vegans, of course. Experts say get ready to pay as much as 15-percent more for beef in the months ahead, as the USDA reports the nationwide cattle herd is down by over 39-million head; a reduction of around 6-percent. Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO David Foster says fewer cows means higher prices. What’s more, feed stock costs are also up sharply meaning less food in feeders to fatten up the livestock…:

CUT 04(10)      “…for the consumer.”

Foster says higher prices could mean reduced demand, which could cause beef prices to withdraw.

The Powerball jackpot for tonight is at $653-million, the 8^th-largest jackpot in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says your odds of winning are only 1-in-292-million…:

CUT 11(05)      “…one-in-25.”

Tickets for tonight will be on sale until 9 pm.

At the legislative special session today, the Louisiana House voted for a measure that creates a $45-million incentive fund that would provide grants to insurance companies who write private property policies. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown has reservations, but still voted yes…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to do that.”

The goal of the program is to reduce the number of Louisiana Citizens policyholders, who pay much higher premiums than they would if they had coverage through a private insurer.

Another big Powerball jackpot is on the line tonight; $653-million. A single winner electing a cash-out one-time payoff would get about $351-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says this jackpot has been rolling over since November 21^st…:

CUT 09(05)      “…right now.”

Get your tickets before 9 tonight.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he still has not made up his mind on running for governor…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

After a thorough soaking and some flash flooding Sunday, Louisiana is bracing for another significant rain event tomorrow. Many parishes are making sandbags available for folks worried about high water. Check with your parish government to find out more. Rain chances for Groundhog Day are 90-to-100-percent in most areas.

Let’s start with the fall Governor’s race; Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is still on the fence over possibly running for the state’s Top Job. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge, Graves says he’s gotten plenty of encouragement to run, but has been too busy in Congress to examine the idea…:

CUT 06(11)      “…keep you posted.”

Graves is 51-years-old and has served in the U-S House since 2015.

No doubt about it, Louisiana loves beef…but we should all plan on spending more in the months ahead for the popular protein. Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO David Foster says there are about 6-percent fewer beef cattle around, which drives up cost based on availability. What’s more, feed stock costs are also up sharply meaning less food in feeders to fatten up the livestock…:

CUT 04(10)      “…for the consumer.”

Deputies in Natchitoches Parish arrest two juveniles for breaking into and stealing a parish fire truck. They apparently took it joy-riding before leaving it abandoned along state Highway 3191 near Powhatan. An 11-year-old and 14-year-old have been booked with the crime and released to their parents, due to no room in the parish juvenile facility.

Ready for another big lottery jackpot drawing? Tonight’s Powerball is worth $653-million, with a lump-sum cash payment of $351-million. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says the jackpot has rolled over 31 straight times with no winner…:

CUT 10(08)      “…Louisiana winner.”

Tickets for tonight’s drawing will be on sale until 9 pm. The drawing is at 10. Annison says always sign and date your tickets and you can scan & check them easily by downloading the free Powerball app for your smart phone.

As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, House Democrats call for transparency and accountability from the Department of Insurance. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch, and new policy is called for going forward…:

CUT 05(09)      “…to address it.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still not ready to make a decision on running for governor this fall. Graves is not happy the state GOP has already endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. He says voters are upset a group of Republicans are trying to hand pick the next governor…

Cut 07  (08)      “…strongly encouraged.”

Graves is 51-years-old and has served in the U.S. House since 2015.

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day, and here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says he’ll observe that by personally handing out over $42-thpusand in checks to over 500 people today. He says you should check for yourself if you have cash coming at “LACashClaim.org”…:

CUT 12(11)      “…in this program.”

The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos reach a deal to send former Saints Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton to the Mile High City.  New Orleans will get the Broncos’ first-round pick this year and their second-round pick next year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier thinks it’s a sign that Broncos’ ownership trusts Payton to turn things around…

CUT 09(13)      “…Wilson around.”

At the State Capitol, the legislature’s special session on the insurance crisis passes a first hurdle. A House committee approves a bill to make a $45-million incentive fund to help draw new private property insurers to Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the fund will work, as it did after Katrina & Rita caused another crisis 16 years ago…:

CUT 14(09)      “…emergency room”

Donelon says it could help prevent thousands from losing their coverage and their homes. But Houma Representative Tanner McGee says the last time we did it, there were problems with the companies we did attract…:

CUT 12(09)      “…pay claims.”

The bill movers to the House floor for full debate. The session ends Friday.

Senator Bill Cassidy says federal Infrastructure Act money is bringing broadband internet to the state’s rural parishes, with progress already made in Morehouse Parish…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

An ESPN NFL insider reports the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos have agreed on a deal that would make Sean Payton the Bronco’s next head coach. The Saints would send Payton to Denver in return for the Bronco’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick. The NFL has not made an official statement as yet.

A proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would provide grants to insurance companies willing to write property insurance policies receives approval from the Appropriations Committee and heads to the House floor…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

Southern University in Baton Rouge is mourning the death of 23-year-old business major Reginald Elloie, who was killed Monday night in a single vehicle crash on Interstate 110. He is the fifth Southern student to be killed in the last two months.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is bringing broadband internet to Louisiana’s rural parishes. In his weekly press conference, Cassidy says federal funds from the Infrastructure Act (which he supported) have been flowing into Louisiana to provide expanded, faster internet access. He says Morehouse is a good example of the program’s progress…:

CUT 07(08)      “…reliable internet.”

He says more parishes have broadband project underway and the goal if for fast internet access to be available statewide.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell officially announces that Mardi Gras parade routes will return to pre-pandemic lengths. She says they have secured enough police security to cover everything…:

CUT 03(13)      “…City of New Orleans.”

Fat Tuesday is February 21^st this year.

At the Capitol, a House committee has just passed a proposal to put $45-million in surplus cash into an incentive fund to attract new private property insurers to the state, after about 20 either went insolvent of simply left after the storms of 2020 and ’21. That has forced tens of thousands into the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, which is much costlier than the private market. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there are companies interested in coming here, but Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says he’s unaware of any…:

CUT 13(07)      “…willing to come.”

The bill must also pass the Senate before it can go to the Governor. Lawmakers intend to wrap their business this Friday. A number of lawmakers say further insurance reforms will be explored in the regular legislative session this spring.

Senator Bill Cassidy says federal Infrastructure Act money is bringing broadband internet to the state’s rural parishes, with progress already made in Morehouse Parish. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

Northern Louisiana is on alert as freezing rain and sleet are reported in areas along the I-20 corridor. Expect very hazardous and slippery travel later tonight and into early Wednesday. Better to stay home, if you are able.

There is the potential for light freezing rain across the northern parishes tonight, into the overnight hours and through tomorrow morning. Louisiana Radio Network Meteorologist John Wetherbee says high temperatures will only be in the upper 30s today across north Louisiana and temperatures will approach freezing tonight…:

CUT 09(11)      “…early tomorrow.”

Wetherbee says the Winter Weather Advisory is for parishes along I-20.

Revelers receive welcome news from the City of New Orleans as Mayor LaToya Cantrell officially announces that parade routes will return to pre-pandemic routes and lengths. Interim Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says they are extremely pleased with the collaborative effort of law enforcement across the state to provide adequate security for carnival season…:

CUT 05(08)      “…everyone’s happy.”

Parade routes were abbreviated the last two seasons due to a shortage of police officers.

At the State Capitol today, a House committee advances a proposed 45-million dollar incentive fund that can be used to attract additional private property insurers to the state, but not without some debate.  House Insurance Chairman Mike Huval is an insurance agent in Breaux Bridge and says a similar program after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita helped revitalize the private property insurance market…:

CUT 11(10)      “…come also.”

That plan brought 5 companies to Louisiana when it was done in 2007, but Houma Representative Tanner Magee says several of them have since bailed…:

CUT 12(09)      “…pay claims”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says long-term property insurance reform legislation could be addressed in the regular session that starts in April.

State Police arrest a Lake Arthur man for hitting a bicyclist and killing him earlier this month. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 60-year-old Allen Vincent, of Gueydan, was cycling along state Highway 717 in Vermilion Parish on the night of January 9th, when he was hit by a Toyota pickup driven by 20-year-old Kane LeBlanc. At first, they thought the cyclist was on the wrong side of the road, but the investigation showed it was LeBlanc who crossed the center line. Gossen says a routine blood toxicology sample was taken from LeBlanc and the report meant additional charges…:

CUT 14(11)      “…in a motor vehicle.”

Hammond Police arrest a man for allegedly shooting a woman with whom he was riding in a car. Police Chief Ed Bergeron says 19-year-old Johnny Williams fled the scene after pulling the trigger. The victim died in a local hospital. Bergeron says the shooter had been a passenger in her car, along with her boyfriend…:

CUT 07(11)      “…the girlfriend.”

The victim is ID’ed as 24-year-old Tori Banks.

An attorney for the mother of Madison Brooks says defense lawyers representing the four men accused of her sexual assault, are victim blaming…:

CUT 02(41)      “…Thorington.”

District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins has been named Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Border Security. The Subcommittee is responsible for all aspects of security operations along all federal borders.

An attorney representing the mother of Madison Brooks says lawyers representing the four men accused of her sexual assault are victim blaming…:

CUT 02(41)      “…Thorington.”

The coroner in Caddo Parish identifies the woman’s remains found near a bridge in North Shreveport Sunday. She is 27-year-old Tytierr James, of Bossier City. The cause and manner of her death has yet to be determined, and the case remains under investigation.

Hammond Police arrest a man for allegedly shooting a woman with whom he was riding in a car. Police Chief Ed Bergeron says 19-year-old Johnny Williams was a back seat passenger in the car. The victim, 24-year-old Tori Banks, was driving, when Williams reportedly shot her then got out of the car and ran. Also in the car, her boyfriend, who got police aid…but too late to save her life. They tracked Williams down and took him into custody without a fight…:

CUT 08(07)      “…so fast.”

Now any LSU fan can take part in name, image & likeness deals for athletes via the new Bayou Traditions collective. Bayou Traditions president Brent Cunningham says fans who kick in some money will get special stuff…:

CUT 04(11)      “…football season.”

Information is online at “BayouTraditionsCollective.com”