The state House has approved legislation that puts 45-million dollars in a fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The measure passed on a 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it as he’s skeptical the plan will lead to a more affordable insurance market…:
Cut 13 (13) “make sense”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon urged the special session in order to stabilize the insurance market in Louisiana. The measures next face debate in the Senate.

The Addis Town Council passed a motion Wednesday to accept the resignation of the officer involved in the deadly multi-parish police pursuit on New Year’s Eve. David Cauthron reportedly sped through a red light in the chase and struck a vehicle killing two Brusly High students and badly injuring another.

The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. LED Secretary Don Pierson says it was a great year because the state leveraged its unique business advantages, sector diversity, and support for climate action:
Cut 10 (09) “in 24 parishes”

Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow and thought to yourself I wonder what that vase I inherited is worth? Well, here’s your chance, the beloved PBS series will be in Baton Rouge on May 2nd and Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says your odds are good…”
Cut 7 (05) “getting in here”
Two-thousand pairs of tickets will be issued and the deadline to register is March 13th. Visit PBS.org for details.

In response to the death of LSU student Madison Brooks who was allegedly raped then run over by a vehicle after leaving a bar, two other students created a group to help other girls find rides home…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Baton Rouge leaders announced Thursday the airport in the Capitol City will begin nonstop flights to Washington DC beginning this summer via American Airlines. Tickets go on sale Saturday morning for the direct flight to Reagan International Airport from Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Family Forum is now accepting nominations seeking the state’s longest married couple. President Gene Mills says it’s an annual tradition to find couples who’ve been married for several decades and honor their achievement as the Longest Married Couple in the Bayou State…:
Cut 7 (11) “needs to be told”
You can find an entry form at LAfamilyforum.org.

The state transportation department is mourning the death of a DOTD worker killed on Wednesday afternoon while filling potholes in DeSoto Parish on U.S. Highway 171. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles was killed after an empty log truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker hit two DOTD vehicles…:
Cut 10 (10) “…behind the truck”
Gray was pronounced dead at the scene.

One of the wounded victims in the January 22nd mass shooting in Shreveport has died. Officials in Caddo Parish confirmed 33 year old Latounda Bryant succumbed to her injuries Thursday morning. She was one of 8 people hit by what police believe was a drive by shooting on Sunday. Three of the victims were under the age of ten. No arrests have been made in the case.

Kickoff Sunday is 6pm.

There were two mass shootings in Louisiana yesterday. In Baton Rouge, gunfire rang out at a nightclub early in the morning in an incident that left 12 people injured. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says their officers were already outside the club when shots rang out and responded quickly…:
CUT 15 (12) “medical services”
He believes it was a targeted attack and the shooter remains at large.

In Shreveport eight people were shot inside a home in what police believe was a drive by shooting. The search for that shooter is ongoing. Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor is upset at this kind of violence in her district…:
Cut 12 (11) “thought is”
Four of the victims are listed in critical condition, including a three-year-old boy.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session to address the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis. It will start a week from today and adjourn Sunday, February 5th. State leaders are hoping to have an intermediate fix to the issues before the regular session in April.

Be prepared for major changes when filing your 2022 taxes as today marks the first day you can file. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session to address the state’s homeowner’s insurance crisis. Lawmakers will convene next week to discuss just one topic, appropriating funds to the Insure Louisiana Incentive fund.

Police in Baton Rouge continue to seek information regarding a mass shooting at a nightclub early Sunday morning that injured 12 people including 3 critically. Anyone who knows anything about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

In Shreveport, a mass shooting Sunday sends adults and children to the hospital…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Today on the campus of UL-Lafayette, the US Postal Service continues its Black Heritage series by honoring renowned author Ernest J Gains with a stamp. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says they are thrilled to celebrate Gaines as the 46th stamp in the Black Heritage Series…:
Cut 8 (12) “in the air”
The Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage stamp will be a forever stamp that holds the same value as the current First- Class Mail stamp.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are once again headed to the AFC championship game following a 27-10 victory over the Bills Sunday. Cincinati will face The Chiefs who they beat in the same game last year, and Burrow believes The Bengals are a better team this year…:
Cut 18 (09) “last year”
The game will be in Kansas City on Sunday at 5:30.

Baton Rouge Police believe the mass shooting at a nightclub early Sunday morning that injured 12 people was a targeted attack. Chief Murphy Paul is urging anyone with information on this incident to come forward…:
CUT 14 (10) “for life”
Officers were already outside the club when the shots rang out and were able to respond quickly, which Paul says saved lives. Of the 12 shot, he said 3 sustained life-threatening injuries.

Eight people were shot inside a home in Shreveport on Sunday afternoon. Police chief Wayne Smith says five adults and three children, including two three-year-olds and a five-year-old were wounded…:
Cut 10 (14) “so much”
The search for the shooter is ongoing.

You can begin filing your state and federal income taxes for 2022 today but be mindful of several changes that could reduce your refund amount. Connor Brown, with LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, says pandemic incentives are expiring like the enhanced child tax credit. He says in 2021 it was up to $3,600 per qualifying child under five or $3,000 if they were under age 17..:
Cut 5 (08) “16 and under”
He says not only will refunds be smaller, but turnaround time could be longer due to IRS staffing shortages.

The U.S Postal Service is continuing their Black Heritage series by honoring renowned author Ernest J. Gaines with a postal stamp. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says Gaines was a vital voice to the African American experience…:
Cut 7 (08) “..and violence.”
The ceremony will take place today at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where Gaines once taught creative writing.

There were two shooting incidents in Louisiana on Sunday making national headlines. In Baton Rouge, gunfire rang out at a nightclub early in the morning in a mass shooting that left 12 people injured. It happened inside The Dior Bar and Lounge on Bennington Avenue near College Drive. Baton Rouge Police Lt. Bryan Ballard:
CUT 13 (13) “of Baton Rouge”
He says 9 of the victims have injuries considered non life threatening while 3 others are in critical condition. The shooter or shooters remain at large.

In Shreveport, 5 adults and 3 children were shot at a residence Sunday afternoon leaving 4 in critical condition including a 3 year old boy. Police chief Wayne Smith says they believe this was a drive by shooting…:
CUT 11 (08) “have been”
The search for the shooter is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session to address the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis. It will start a week from today and adjourn Sunday, February 5th. State leaders are hoping to have an intermediate fix to the issues before the regular session in April.

You can begin filing your 2022 taxes today and your refund may be smaller this year due to some changes from 2021. Connor Brown, with LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, says incentives from the pandemic are no longer in effect like the CARES Act which allowed up to $600 of charitable contributions for married filing joint on top of a standard deduction even if you didn’t itemize
CUT 4 (06) “be itemizing”
The enhanced child tax credit and the child and dependent care credit also expired in 2021.