LRN PM Newscall January 25

Governor Jeff Landry, legislators, lobbyists and business executives are in the nation’s capitol for Washington Mardi Gras festivities. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The U.S. Senate Banking Committee Heard testimony in Washington this morning about the unaffordability of flood insurance. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Today is the official opening of Washington Mardi Gras. It’s an annual party at the nation’s capital, but there’s also plenty of business taking place. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the 75th celebration has more meaning with a new state government and all the clout Louisiana’s Congressional delegation holds

Cut 3 (10) “….network” 

Alford says Louisiana businesses, lobbyists and groups budget for this event every year because it’s a great place to network…

Cut 4 (12) “..just that”

This year’s theme…Louisiana: the most interesting state in America. Alford says Louisiana is more interesting politically this year because of Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish’s sudden rise to House Speaker and Louisiana has a new governor and several new legislators…

Cut 5 (12) “…of state government.” 

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is serving as the king for the social events including Saturday night’s ball.

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The U.S. Senate Banking Committee Heard testimony in Washington this morning about the unaffordability of flood insurance. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy voiced his frustration with the Risk Rating 2.0 formula that decides premiums and FEMA’s lack of transparency.

Cut 6 (14) “…their budget.” 

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing legislation to cap annual premium increases at nine-percent.

When asked what should be prioritized in the legislation, President of Greater New Orleans Inc., Michael Hecht says the first is by making it affordable.

Cut 7 (10) “…paying for it.” 

And the third priority Hecht told lawmakers was funding for mitigation to reduce flood risks.

Kennedy says he was told one-fifth of policyholders would see their premiums go down as a result of the new algorithm with Risk Rating 2.0. The Republican then quoted increases of more than 300-percent in Terrebonne Parish and over 500-percent in Plaquemines Parish.

Cut 8 (12) “…these years.” 

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that more than 900,000 policyholders will drop out of the program over the next decade due to premium hikes.

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The Bayou State has seen significant rainfall since Tuesday, and more rainfall is expected into Saturday. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says some of the highest rainfall totals are in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 9 (13) “…Bogalusa”

A flood watch is in effect for most of southeast Louisiana until 6 PM.

Keim says rain chances are high again tomorrow. He says parishes along the coast could see locally heavy rainfall…

Cut 10 (10) “…five inches.”

Louisiana is in a swing season period with a typical winter El Nino climate pattern that creates storm formation in the Gulf of Mexico and brings heavy rainfall.

Keim says rainfall totals for the next 24 to 48 hours range from one to five inches. He says the additional rain should help saturate the soil.

Cut 11 (06) “…drought issues.”

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Former LSU football star Kayshon Boutte has been arrested after he allegedly created a fraudulent sports betting account on FanDuel Sportsbook when he was 20-years-old so that he can bet on sporting events. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says State Police has been investigating Boutte since April 2022…

Cut 12 (11)  “..Louisiana State Police”  

State Police says it investigated Boutte’s sports gambling activities from April 2022 to May of 2023. Investigators say Boutte placed more than 89-hundred wagers during that time and at least 17 were on NCAA football games. Boutte was on the LSU football team in 2022 and Moore says any bets he made as a player do not rise to criminal activity…

Cut 13 (11) “..criminal equation” 

State Police says Boutte’s alias account shows he at least six of his wagers were on LSU football, including the 2022 opener against Florida State. But Moore says the evidence shows he was not throwing games…

Cut  14 (06) “…do well”

Boutte, who is from New Iberia, has been charged with computer fraud and gaming prohibited and placing sports bets under the age of 21. He was a rookie with the New England Patriots during the 2023 football season and appeared in five games and caught two passes.