The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher reports what it means for consumers and what help may be coming…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the House is historic for many reasons. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The road to the Final Four could be paved with gold for Louisiana…David Grubb has more.
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Property owners across the state are steeling themselves for skyrocketing National Flood Insurance premiums that take effect today. Many local civic leaders worry the increases will devastate their communities, as residents who cannot afford the steep rate increases leave their properties and move elsewhere. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s still not too late for action to stave off the worst of the coming rate hikes…:
Cut 4 (10) “…the BITE really occurs.”
The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; rather than by flood zone. It also considers proximity to water, elevation of the lot, square footage and how often the street has flooded before. Cassidy says the President could stave off the rate hikes with an executive order, but will not. He says there is bipartisan support for legislation to spare consumers the high cost of flood insurance…:
Cut 5 (13) “,…could end this now.”
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Risk Rating 2.0 could force residents out of their homes, because they cannot afford to insure them. He says this poses a risk to communities all over southern Louisiana…:
Cut 6 (08) “…than any other state.”
Donelon says NFIP’s rate hikes will be implemented over several years, and the federal agency states that most residents will initially see monthly increases of $20 to $30…:
Cut 7 (14) “…worthless overnight.”
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AccuWeather’s predictions for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season calls for 16 to 20 named storms, of which six to eight could become hurricanes, and three to five of those could be major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says given that the last two seasons were off the charts predictions for this year still aren’t comforting.
Keim says 14 named storms is the average and in 2021 there were 21 names storms and in 2020 a record-breaking 30 named storms.
La Nina played a significant role in the last two Atlantic Hurricane seasons and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts La Nina will continue to play a starring role this year. Keim says just how long she sticks around is the big mystery.
Cut 9 (12) “…breaking season.”
Keim says La Ninas usually doesn’t persist this long and to have this happen three years in a row is unusual.
And La Nina is not the only reason for the prediction of 16 to 20 named storms this season, Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal across some of the breeding grounds for storms and things could start brewing even ahead of the season.
Keim says the AccuWeather forecast is calling for the north-central Gulf Coast, that’s southeastern Texas to the Florida panhandle, to be among the most active area for storms this season.
The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season beings June 1 and ends on November 30th.
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For Congressman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly 376-47. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.
Cut 11 (06) “…future generations.”
Days before Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow was to be sworn in Congress, he died of complications from COVID. She then ran for his seat and now represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Studies show when one person dies approximately nine people from their inner circle suffer profound grief. Letlow believes there is power in telling your story and H.R. 4738 will allow those individuals to preserve the memory of their loved one lost to COVID.
In addition to those who have lost loved ones to COVID the act also gives those with firsthand accounts of how the virus impacts individuals, to participate also. Letlow said it is important for them to help preserve this time in history.
If the legislation receives final passage in the Senate, the Library of Congress will allow individuals to submit their stories virtually.
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New Orleans is set to host the NCAA men’s Final Four for the sixth time this weekend. Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the quartet of basketball bluebloods involved: Kansas, Villanova, Duke, and North Carolina, are as good as it gets.
This weekend, tens of thousands of fans will flock to New Orleans, providing an injection of cash for the city and the state, as well as some great word of mouth, Cicero says.
Cut 15 (08) “…gonna be invaluable.”
History will be made on Saturday night when Duke faces North Carolina in the national semifinals. The two rivals have never faced off in the NCAA tournament, and adding to the drama is the fact that one way or another, the Blue Devils’ Mike Krzyzewski will see his legendary career come to an end. Cicero says that just brightens the spotlight on the city and the work of the foundation.
New Orleans last hosted in 2012, generating more than $7 million in tax revenue for the state, and an overall estimated economic impact of $168 million.
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Conference USA co-leaders Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss face off in Hattiesburg starting tonight. Bulldogs coach Lane Burroughs says the Eagles’ pitching staff is as loaded as ever.
Cut 17 (17) “ …anything’s gonna change.”
Southern Miss has been the biggest bully on the block in Conference USA, claiming three of the last five tournament titles, but last season Tech won the Western division and eliminated the Eagles from the conference tournament, so no love is lost between these familiar foes.
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Newly-signed Saints quarterback Andy Dalton met with the media on Thursday, and the 11-year veteran explained why New Orleans was the right place at this point in his career.
Cut 19 (16)_“…what’s been done.”
Dalton has started 148 of the 152 games he’s appeared in but is the clear backup to Jameis Winston. He says he still brings plenty to the table in that role.