LRN AM Newscall April 14

Today is the start of the legislative session, and auto insurance reform will be the dominant issue. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A two-month-long legislative session starts today. Colleen Crain looks at the big issues that lawmakers will tackle…

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Covington Senator Patrick McMath is leading the Make America Healthy Agenda in this session. Sean Richardson reports he has a comprehensive bill that would ban ultra-processed foods in school lunches and prohibit SNAP recipients from using their assistance to buy sodas.

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There are numerous bills filed for the legislative session that aim to lower auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting a package of legal reform bills including a bill to cap damage awards in a lawsuit. But Ben Riggs, executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says tort reform hasn’t worked in the past…

Cut 4 (11) “…was skyrocketing rates.”

Riggs says the only thing Temple’s approach would accomplish is to regulate the policyholders and not the insurance companies.

Cut 5 (10) “…pay our claim.”

While auto insurance reform will be the biggest issue facing lawmakers in this session, it will be far from the only one. Riggs says two other bills stand out to him that he and his organization are getting behind.

Cut 6 (15) “…in our state.”

The guaranteed rate reduction for a fortified roof in Senator Royce Duplessis’ bill would be 20-percent.

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The 2025 legislative session begins today, and insurance reform will be a big topic for the next two months. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat conducted a poll two weeks ago and found that 76 percent of the respondents have experienced a premium increase of ten percent or more in the past year

Cut 7 (07) “…for insurance.”

Lawmakers will also have to approve a budget and Pinsonat says money will be tight, especially with a reduction in federal dollars

Cut 8 (11) “…these dollars.”

Pinsonat says MAHA legislation will also be prominent in this session. U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy is leading the Make America Healthy Again movement as he would like to see fluoride removed from the drinking water and synthetic food dyes in school lunches banned. Pinsonat says this is a Trump state so the legislature likes to mimic what you’re seeing in Washington…

Cut 9 (10)  “…by the legislature.”

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In the 2025 Louisiana legislative session, Covington Senator Patrick McMath is championing the Make America Healthy Again agenda.  McMath says given the state’s persistent health challenges, there needs to be more of an effort to prioritize health.

Cut 10 (09) “…the world.”

McMath has a comprehensive bill that attempts to ban ultra-processed foods in schools and requiring restaurants to inform customers of unhealthy seed oils in the foods they serve…

Cut 11 (09) “…first developed.”

McMath on what will define ultra-processed foods…

Cut 12 (12) “…found to be harmful.”

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Saints quarterback Derek Carr’s 2025 season may end before it begins. Ian Rappoport with NFL Network is reporting Carr has a shoulder injury and could miss the entire season. Carr failed to lead the Saints to the playoffs the last two years and Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints podcast, says Carr’s injury allows New Orleans to rebuild…

Cut 13 (14)  “…few years.”

Ross Jackson says the new coaching staff is high on Spencer Rattler, despite his inability to lead the Saints to a victory in six starts during his rookie season…

Cut 14 (14) “…with him.”

Carr’s injury raises speculation the Saints with select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth overall pick, but WWL’s Bobby Hebert says he’s not sure he’d go that route.

Cut 15 (09) “…number nine pick.”

The Saints begin offseason workouts today.

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The Pelicans’ 2024-25 season has mercifully come to an end. The Pelicans lost yesterday at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-100, to finish the season with a record of 21-and-61. It’s a deep nosedive for the team that went into the season looking to build on a 49-and-33 campaign and a playoff berth the previous year. Head Coach Willie Green said after the game that he kept a positive attitude throughout the season.

Cut 16 (14) “…we can improve.”

Injuries doomed the Pelicans right out of the starting gate. The team lost a staggering 369 man games to injury. 25 different players suited up for the team this season, and Green started 46 different starting lineups. Green says this was a season unlike any that he had been a part of, both as a player and as a coach.

Cut 17 (13) “…faced all year.”

With the season over, there’s widespread speculation over Green’s job status in light of the 28-win drop from a season earlier. Point guard Jose Alvarado said it would be grossly unfair to pin the Pelicans’ troubles this season on Green.

Cut 18 (18) “…in yourself too.”

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LSU football had an open practice in Tiger Stadium on Saturday and the offense had trouble moving the football. The strength of LSU’s defense appears to be its defensive ends, as Jimari Butler, Gabriel Reliford and Jack Pyburn all made plays. Butler and Pyburn are transfers and Coach Brian Kelly says they’ve been good additions…

Cut 19 (17) “..since January.” 

Starting running back Caden Durham did not play in the open practice, because of a sprained ankle. Freshman Harlem Berry had a nice day, including a 22-yard run. Kelly says the five-star prospect has a long way to go, but he’s electric with the ball in his hands…

Cut 20 (16) “…running back.”