State lawmakers have approved legislation that sets up a 45-million dollar incentive fund that will be used to bring more insurance companies to Louisiana that will offer homeowners coverage at much lower rates than the state’s last-resort insurer, Louisiana Citizens. The bill passed on a 37-to-1 vote in the Senate on Friday. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock was the lone no vote; questioning why ANY insurance company would go for it…:

CUT 13(10)      “…hurricane season starts.”

That bill goes to the Governor for his signature. Lawmakers says they’ll have other solutions to the insurance crisis ready when they reconvene in April.

Police in Shreveport seek a man they say sexually assaulted a juvenile. A warrant for First Degree Rape is out for 31-year-old Shawn Betters, and they ask anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to contact SPD right away. If convicted, Betters would face life behind bars.

A Louisiana National Guard unit is preparing to deploy to the Middle East, on a classified support mission. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

Dog lovers may want to visit Baton Rouge Sunday for the annual Krewe of Mutts Carnival Parade. This year’s theme is Jurassic Bark, and organizers encourage participants to dress their pooch up in Mardi Gras dinosaur regalia. The event starts at 10 am in downtown Baton Rouge and benefits pet adoption programs.