Senator John Kennedy calls on FEMA to end their secrecy over dramatically increased flood insurance rates. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1(34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

__________________________________________

The Revenue Estimating Conference says the state has an extra $925 million in the state’s current budget. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

It’s time to get those cards and packages in the mail so they’ll arrive before Christmas instead of after. Brooke Thorington has some tips.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________________

Senator John Kennedy took the U.S. Senate floor Thursday to challenge FEMA to explain exactly how it determines National Flood Insurance rates; some of which are forcing people to cancel coverage or even leave their homes. Kennedy says the new Risk Rating 2.0 is causing flood coverage rates to increase so sharply, many homeowners simply cannot afford it anymore…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…and it’s falling.”

Kennedy says the problem doesn’t just affect Louisiana. He cites an Associated Press report stating an estimated 1 million fewer American households have flood insurance, thanks to Risk Rating 2.0. Kennedy says FEMA refuses to be transparent with how they set their flood rates…:

 Cut 5 (12) “…have to kill ya.”

Kennedy says it does no good for the federal government to offer flood insurance if people cannot afford it. He says FEMA’s refusal to be forthcoming with how rates are set is disturbing, and it’s putting stress on already-strained households…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…their rates go up!” 

Kennedy says Louisiana property owners deserve to know. He’s co-sponsoring a bill to require transparency of FEMA on flood insurance.

________________________________________________

A Union Parish Grand Jury has indicted five officers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Greene, a Black motorist. was beaten to death after a lengthy police chase that ended on a rural highway in Union Parish. Trooper Kory York faces the most significant charge, one count of negligent homicide and ten counts of malfeasance in office. Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, was in Baton Rouge when the indictments came down…

Cut 7 (12) “…accountable.”

Trooper John Cleary was charged with one count of obstruction of justice. Former State Troopers Dakota Demoss and Captain John Peters each face one count of obstruction of justice. Union Parish Deputy Chris Harpin faces three counts of malfeasance in office. Attorney Ron Haley urges district attorney John Belton to charge these individuals to the fullest extent of the law…

Cut 8 (09)  “…for Ron.”

Eugene Collins President of the Baton Rouge branch of the NAACP wishes the charges were more significant…

Cut 9 (11)  “…five troopers.”

__________________________________________

The Revenue Estimating Conference released surplus amounts for the current budget year and the next for Louisiana.  Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state has a surplus of $925 million for the current year budget that ends June 30^th

Cut 10 (10) “… that amount.” 

And the forecasted surplus for next year’s budget that begins July 1^st is $608 million.

Dardenne says the REC will give recommendations to the legislature on how the extra funds should be spent when the executive budget is presented in February. He says those recommendations will be consistent with what was done in the current year and use some of the recurring money for nonrecurring purposes.

Cut 11 (10)  “…growing the budget.”

Dardenne and Senate President Page Cortez both suggested using the funds to go towards infrastructure and teacher pay raises in next year’s budget.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has stated he will ask the REC for a portion of those funds in an effort to entice more property insurers to write policies in Louisiana. At least 10 insurers left the state and of those who remain, several of them are not writing any new policies in Louisiana. Dardenne says Donelon discuss a plan at the REC Thursday.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the state.”

Dardenne also says the state is expected to face a budget shortfall in 2025 because a .45-percent sales tax will expire.

______________________________________________

Saturday is the deadline for first-class mail and packages to be posted for Christmas arrival. USPS spokesperson David Walton has a few mailing tips you’ll need to keep in mind that will also help in getting your gifts to their intended recipients before Santa arrives. He says to use a sturdy box for packages so gifts arrive in one piece.

Cut 13 (11) “…return address.”

Walton says your local post office has an assortment of free boxes for you that you can use to send your packages priority mail.

And when it comes to letters or packages, Walton says to never guess a zip code.

Cut 14 (11)  “…location.”

You can visit USPS.com to look up a zip code under the “send” tab.

The website also has a tool called “Click and Ship.” Walton says it’s ideal for folks who want to avoid standing in line to mail a package. He says you can calculate shipping costs for your package and.…

Cut 15 (10)  “…free of charge.”

The deadline for Priority Mail is December 19th and the deadline for Priority Express is December 23rd.

______________________________________________

After the bye week. the Saints have only four weeks left to salvage what’s been a disappointing season. 4-9 and last in the NFC South, New Orleans has struggled on both sides of the ball. Their sloppy play has lost them game after game, from struggling to produce in the red zone to giving up two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes to lose a 13 point lead. Quarterback ANdy Dalton says the team knows they’ve missed opportunities to win…

Cut  16 (18)  “..several weeks.” 

The Saints will host the Falcons this week as rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder is set to make his first start of the season after starter Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury and left the team. Ridder was selected out of Cincinnati in the 3rd round of this year’s draft. Saints second-year linebacker Pete Werner is hoping to make his return from injury and played Ridder during his time at Ohio St. He says preparation for Atlanta shouldn’t change much no matter who’s at quarterback…

Cut 17 (18) “…the first time.” 

At 4-9, the Saints are set to have their first losing season since 2016, but that doesn’t mean their hopes for the season are completely over. With 4 games left, the Saints are just two games behind the division-leading Buccaneers, and Werner said the team’s mentality is to go 4-0 over these last four games. Dalton says it’s easy to point out the little mistakes that have cost the team over the season…

Cut 18 (18) “…change the outcome.” 

Kickoff against Atlanta is at noon Sunday

Longtime Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere says goodbye to the P-S-C during an emotional farewell speech. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

State Climatologist Barry Keim says December tornado outbreaks are becoming more common. He says there were twenty one reports of tornadoes in Louisiana over two days this week. Marsanne Golsby looks into what may be causing them.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

______________________________________

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is encouraging donations to its Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by yesterday’s tornadoes. Michael Williamson is President and CEO of United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Cut 3 (07) “..holiday possible” 

Heavy storm damage was reported in Marrero, and parts of St Bernard Parish, including Arabi. He says they are waiting to get an exact count of how many people lost their homes.

Cut 4 (13)  “…purchased.” 

Williamson says when tornadoes have hit in the past they have given out cash cards. He is hoping to raise enough money through the organization’s website to hand out cards again this year. He says they have already distributed some emergency supplies and need volunteers to help in the affected areas.

Cut 5 (09) “…right away”

To learn about all the ways to help and to donate, go to UnitedWaySELA.org/TornadoRelief

_______________________________________________

State Climatologist Barry Keim says there were 62 reports of tornadoes across seven states over two days this week—21 in Louisiana, and he says the warm weather was the reason.

Cut 6 (12)  “…above normal.”

But Keim says we don’t know exactly how many tornadoes there were because there were likely multiple reports of the same tornadoes. He says December tornado outbreaks are becoming more common

Cut 7 (09)  “…99 tornadoes.”

That record was set in 2002. He says the usual winter combination of alternating cold and warm fronts increases the chances of tornadoes forming, especially when the warm air is warmer and more humid than usual.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the season.“

He says the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a warmer-than-normal winter.

___________________________________________

Outgoing District Three Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere presided over his final P-S-C meeting today as he was defeated by political newcomer Davante Lewis, a 30-year-old Baton Rouge man who works for the Louisiana Budget Project. An emotional Boissiere told the commission he’s proud of his work…

Cut 9 (09) “… about me”  (2x)

Boissiere has served on the P-S-C for 17 years. One of the commission’s main responsibilities is regulating utility companies. He says one of his proudest achievements is the P-S-C’s work in restoring the electricity grid after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Boissiere lost by nearly 20 points in last Saturday’s election to Lewis, who is considered a progressive. Boissiere says third party groups told lies about his record

Cut 10 (12) “… worry about” 

Prior to the December 10th election, the Keep the Lights On PAC spent huge dollars blasting Boissiere for taking contributions from people and businesses that go before the P-S-C. Boissiere says he doesn’t blame the voters…

Cut 11 (08)  “…I get it.”

The election came after a summer that saw record high utility bills and in 2021 customers in his district dealt with lengthy hurricane-related outages

___________________________________________________

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a helicopter crash about 30 miles offshore of Terrebonne Bay.  The crash happened shortly before 10 this morning and Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom says an aircrew from New Orleans has been dispatched.

Cut 12 (08) “…in a life raft.”  

Wisdom says the private aircraft with three persons onboard was en route to an oil platform when the crash occurred.

Cut 13 (09) “…oil platform.”  

This is an ongoing response and the Coast Guard is providing updates on their Twitter page.

_______________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards and GOSHEP officials are doing flyovers of areas damaged by Wednesday’s tornados in southeast Louisiana. Edwards is asking those who received property damage to register online at DamageLA.gov.

Cut 14 (12)   “… federal government.”

Edwards says the state is going to do what it can to quantify damage for Federal assistance and if eligible the state will make an application for aid.

Cut 15 (10) “…can qualify.”

Edwards says they are going to compile as much information as possible and try to qualify for federal aid, if possible, but most likely the state and local governments will have to fund response efforts.