Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in women whose husbands pass away receiving an auto insurance rate increase, isn’t quite what it appears. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. over paid himself during a two-year period. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Louisiana Democrats get to cast their ballot in the highly competitive presidential primary April 4th. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says when it comes to auto insurance rates, there’s no such thing as a so-called “widow’s penalty,” A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit a person’s auto insurance rate from going up just because their spouse dies. Donelon told the Baton Rouge Press Club that such a penalty doesn’t exist…
Cut 4 (12) “…if you’re married.”
Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau has introduced legislation in the Senate aiming to end the practice of raising rates on people who are widowed. Luneau also has bills that would prohibit the calculating of insurance rates based on credit score and gender over the age of 25. But Donelon opposes those measures…
Cut 5 (09) “…am for credit.”
Real Reform Louisiana claims a person with a DWI and a high credit rating pays less for insurance than a person with a clean record but low credit score.
Legislation has also been filed addressing the so-called “Patriot Penalty.” Deployed military members who cancel or allow their auto insurance to lapse are forced to pay higher auto rates when they return home because there was a gap in their coverage. Donelon says current law allows for insurance companies to charge a premium to anyone with a gap in coverage.
Cut 6 (08) “gap in coverage.”
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A state audit alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. used taxpayer money to give himself an unauthorized 24-thousand dollars in extra compensation between January 2017 and March 2019. Assistant Legislative Auditor Roger Harris says Raspberry also received an unauthorized 75-hundred dollar raise and they found evidence he received overtime pay that was not warranted…
Cut 7 (10) “…was also overtime.”
Harris says there were also over $1,700 in purchases for personal use.
Cut 8 (08) “…fit district vehicles.”
The purchases took place from June 2016 to May 2018. Because Raspberry used the District’s tax exempt status, he failed to pay at least $185 in sales taxes on personal purchases.
Harris says they also believe Rasberry held two government jobs at the same time from July 2017 to March 2018, which is against state law…
Cut 9 (11) “…deputy sheriff.″
Rasberry’s attorney denies many of the claims made in the audit, including the allegation he violated state law by holding dual government positions.
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The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary is rolling along and Louisiana Democrats will get a chance to pick their candidate April 4th.
State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s a closed primary, which means only Democrats can vote in it. If you’re not a Democrat though, you can always join the party…
Cut 10 (08) “…election.”
The deadline to register either for the first time, or to change your party registration is March 4th in person, or March 14th online.
A little over a third of all delegates will be awarded by the time Louisianans vote, but Handwerk says the packed, highly competitive field means the race will still very much be in contention by April.
Cut 11 (10) “…races”
There are no Louisiana Primary polls at the moment, but nationally the race remains tight with Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead, followed by Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg.
The Democratic primary began with a widely panned Iowa Caucus that was criticized for severe mismanagement. Handwerk says that won’t be the case in Louisiana, which is not a caucus state.
Cut 12 (09) “…precints”
Republicans will also be voting in their primary April 4th. The GOP so far has seen sky-high turnout for a primary during an incumbents turn.
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering 5,000 dollars for information that would help them catch the person who shot a Jefferson Davis parish whooping crane dead last year.
LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they received reports someone shot an endangered whooping crane late last year, and their fears were confirmed after combing the area.
Cut 13 (07) “…gunshot wound.”
Anyone with information should call 1-800-442-2511
The 5,000 comes courtesy of 2,500 from LDWF, 1,000 each from the LDWF Operation Game Thief Program and Whooping Crane Conservation Association, and 500 from the International Crane Foundation.
Cut 14 (08) “…for this case.”
Whooping cranes are the world’s most endangered crane species.
Einck says it’s a tragic killing of a native bird that is being reintroduced back into the state after a long hiatus. He says there are only an estimated 76 whooping cranes in Louisiana right now.
Cut 15 (09) “…admire it.”
Whooping cranes disappeared from Louisiana in 1950 and were first reintroduced into the wild in 2011 from birds found in other states. This bird was released into the wild in 2018.
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A struggling LSU basketball team will welcome 10th ranked Kentucky to the PMAC tonight. The Tigers have lost three of their last four as they’ve allowed their opponents to make a bunch of three-point shots and beat LSU on the offensive glass. Coach Will Wade says his team will need to tighten up
Cut 16 (22) …screening”
LSU has allowed 42 offensive rebounds in their last three games. Wade says it will take a team effort to keep their opponents from getting second-chance opportunities….
Cut 17 (20) “what happens”
LSU won its first eight SEC games this season, but have lost three of their last four. Wade doesn’t think the Tigers have become a bad team…
cut 18 (25) “defensive side”