AM LRN Newscall Dec 8

More than 30,000 Louisiana homeowners are looking for new property insurance after a Florida company announced its leaving sooner than it had planned. Marsanne Golsby reports

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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There are a few notable races on the December 10th ballot, Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (38) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicked off last night in the Caesars Superdome. This year’s Classic will feature perennial contenders as well as some up-and-coming schools making their long-awaited returns to the Dome. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says a Florida-based company that writes homeowners insurance is leaving Louisiana and several other states because of an insurance crisis in Florida, not conditions in Louisiana.

Donelon says United Property and Casualty, or UPC announced last year it would be leaving Louisiana and several other states.

Cut 4 (09)  “…state of Florida.”

The company has about 36,000 policyholders in Louisiana and will stop renewing policies beginning next year. Donelon says UPC was in trouble before Hurricane Ian devastated Florida in September. Donelon says Florida’s insurance market is in deep trouble.

Cut 5 (10) “…in Florida.”

Louisiana did not get hit by a hurricane this year, but Donelon says the fact that Ian hit Florida also hurts Louisiana policyholders.

Cut 6 (09)  “…coastal states.” 

Donelon says he is aggressively trying to get more insurance companies to move here. He declined to provide an estimate of the number of insurers who have left Louisiana but others estimate ten have left in the last year.

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A recent survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates electricity prices in Louisiana are two cents cheaper than the national average. And while customers in the state have seen their power bill steadily increase, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it has to do with the price of natural gas.

Cut 7 (10) “…goes up.”

In 2021 the average retail price for electricity in Louisiana was 8.82 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the national average of 11.10 cents an hour.

Campbell says Louisiana is making strides in creating and using new sources of clean energy and he predicts prices will decrease as a result. For example, North Louisiana is using wind power from Kansas…

Cut 8 (06)  “…lot cleaner.”

Campbell says about five solar plants are being constructed in northwest Louisiana and three more in the New Roads area.

Cut 9 (07)  “…better off.”

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Overall voter turnout is expected to be low for the December 10th election, but there are a few notable races. La Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the race for Public Service Commission in the 3rd District has Incumbent Lambert Boissiere facing off with Davante Lewis who’s a formidable candidate.

Cut 10 (09) “…this race.” 

The Shreveport mayoral race has Gregory Tarver and Tom Arceneaux in a runoff. Incumbent Democrat Adrian Perkins failed to garner enough votes, but Alford says he along with two previous Democratic mayors, have endorsed the Republican candidate.

Cut 11 (05)  “…Shreveport attorney.”

The only race for Parish President is in Plaquemines, where Alford says a downturn in the economy is playing a central role in the oil and gas parish.

Cut 12 (11) “…President’s race.”

There are also mayoral races in Hammond, Kentwood, Crowley, and Zachary. In addition to three statewide constitutional amendments, 28 parishes have local propositions on the ballot.

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The LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicked off last night in the Caesars Superdome. Some big names will headline this year’s Prep Classic like Union Parish’s Trey Holly. Holly became the leading rusher in Louisiana high school history earlier this year with over 10,000 career yards and is committed to LSU. Union Parish coach Joe Spatafora says his focus and determination are what set him apart…

Cut 13 (11) “…fun to coach.”

Dunham will look to dethrone defending champion St. Charles Catholic this afternoon behind quarterback Jackson House. The son of LSU defensive coordinator Matt House, Dunham Coach Neil Weiner says he was able to learn from his father in the offseason and win over the locker room quickly…

Cut 14 (11)  “…he’s been great.”

Destrehan hopes to spoil Ruston’s first appearance in a state title game since 1998 tonight. Destrehan is led by Quarterback Jai Eugene, who is the son of former LSU DB Micah Eugene. Jai is a three-year starter at quarterback and Tulane commit who Destrehan Coach Marcus Scott says is focused on winning…

Cut 15 (12)  “…something special”

Dunham and St. Charles Catholic will kick off at 3:30 Friday

Destrehan and Ruston are set to play at 7:30 Friday night.

Union Parish faces Many at 3:30 on Saturday.

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Cut  16 (13)  “…to get here.” 

Cut 17 (17) “….message was” 

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Cut 18 (21) “…great situation” 

 

Cut 19 (18) “….to get there”

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