Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed the elephant in the room when asked his thoughts on the state GOP.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would be used to attract additional private insurance companies to Louisiana is met with skepticism. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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It ruffled some feathers when the state Republican Party endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor before any other GOP candidates announced their intentions. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser, who’s opted to seek re-election had some harsh words for party leader Louis Gurvich on the Newell Normand show on WWL Radio in New Orleans.
Cut 3 (10) “…endorse.”
Nungesser says party leadership bullied committee members into endorsing Landry and not only has it upset Louisiana GOP members it’s being noticed by Republicans in other states also.
Cut 4 (13) “…from the party.”
Not only did Nungesser call for Gurvich to resign, but he also accused some party members of collecting a commission for fundraising and that the Landry campaign is funneling money to the party as a payback for the endorsement.
Cut 5 (08) “…an embarrassment.”
In addition to Landry, three other Republicans and one Independent have announced their gubernatorial candidacy.
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An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub.com analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation, folks are choosing to just quit work…:
Cut 6 (08) “…higher side of things.”
Gonzales and others call it “the Great Resignation;” an emerging trend of walking out on one’s employment, for one reason or another. Alaska ranks highest, with over 4-percent of its workforce resigning over the past year. Louisiana is at #4, with 3.4-percent. Gonzales says this is having a negative effect on employers…:
Cut 7 (10) “…of high inflation.”
Gonzales says job burnout is the prime factor making people quit. Better opportunities are also behind many resignations, but a great many simply re-evaluated how and where they want to work in the wake of the pandemic. She says employers are also re-evaluating things like pay scales, benefit packages and more…and they can get that done…:
Cut 8 (04) “…slowly but surely.”
See the report at “WalletHub.com/edu”
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Five-year-old was killed in Jennings Thursday evening after police say his six-year-old cousin got a hold of a gun and it went off. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says they received a call from a neighbor who was approached by the babysitter of the five children, and he asked for help.
Cut 9 (11) “…his cousin.”
According to American Press the victim’s name is Auden Gaines.
The child later died at the hospital. The 26-year-old male babysitter along with the child’s aunt Kurstin Richard (ree-shard) have been arrested and the other children were taken to a child advocacy center in Lake Charles.
The children in the home were related and range in age from three to eight years.
Semmes says it’s one of the most tragic cases he’s ever seen in his career
Cut 10 (11) “…everybody involved.”
Semmes says the victim’s mother and aunt live at the home along with four other children. The babysitter and the victim’s aunt were arrested and taken to the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail.
Cut 11 (11) “…back stolen.”
Richard is charged with principal negligent homicide, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and cruelty to a juvenile.
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers today on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon believes wants to give insurance companies a financial incentive to write policies in coastal areas…
Cut 12 (08) “…incentive program.”
Donelon says a similar incentive program used after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita decreased the number of homeowners who needed coverage from Citizens Insurance, a state-run property insurer more expensive than private insurance.
There are some lawmakers who prefer waiting until the regular legislative session to create the incentive fund, but Donelon says that just delays the time many homeowners will be subject to high rates in order to be covered by Citizens
Cut 13 (10) “rate increase”
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is skeptical of Donelon’s plan, he says there’s no guarantee this will result in new or more private insurance companies taking on more policies..
Cut 14 (08) “…it’s a maybe.”
Donelon didn’t name the companies, but he says there are seven private insurers anxious to take advantage of the state’s incentive program.
During the joint budget legislative committee meeting, House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue questioned whether it would be better if they put the 45-million dollars to help policyholders who have Citizens
Cut 15 (13) “… Citizens”
A decision on whether to hold a special session in early February will need to be made soon.