LRN AM Newscall June 2

It’s been a year since the legislature passed a series of tort reform laws aimed at driving down the cost of property insurance. Are premiums starting to go down? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun, and forecasts are predicting another above-average season.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Ten days left in the legislative session and lawmakers still have a lot of work to do. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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It’s been a year since the legislature passed a sweeping series of laws that took on the rising cost of property insurance. Are homeowners feeling the effects of it yet? Ben Albright, the president of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana, says it might be a little longer before property insurance premiums turn the corner and start going down.

Cut 4 (08) “…gone into effect.”

Albright says while premiums have not started coming down quite yet, the increases are slowing down.

Cut 5 (13) “…very marginal increase.”

Albright says the new laws have led to more companies coming into Louisiana, and that added competition will lead to premiums going down – and that will have a residual effect.

Cut 6 (08) “…cut their rates.”

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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has officially and will last through November 30th. Forecasters, including NOAA, predict an above-average season with more storms and hurricanes than usual. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says warmer sea surface temperature is one factor indicating an above average season.

Cut 7 (12) “…form a hurricane.”

Keim says NOAA’s forecast calls for 13 to 19 named storms and 6-10 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes.

Cut 8 (11) “…kind of a season.”

Keim says with conditions ripe for significant storm activity, early and thorough preparation is essential for safety throughout the 2025 hurricane season.

Cut 9 (08)  “…just be prepared.”

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Ten days left in the legislative session so what is left to do? The Louisiana Legislature still has to approve a budget. Senate President Cameron Henry says they are making good progress and it helps the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized additional dollars to spend. Henry says some of that additional revenue will go to roads and bridges…

Cut 10 (08) “…up there.”

A bill to reorganize the state Department of Transportation still needs final legislative approval before the session ends on June 12th. It’s a bill Governor Jeff Landry supports. Henry says it’s needed because DOTD is having a hard time spending money efficiently to improve the state’s roads…

Cut 11 (08) “..work anymore.”

Most of the heavy lifting is done when it comes to insurance reform legislation as the governor has already signed six bills. Landry still wants an enhanced medical transparency bill approved. It would give judges and juries more clarity on the dollar figure for medical bills from a car crash.

A Senate bill to make the insurance commissioner an appointed position rather than elected did not pass. Henry says it’s an idea the legislature may have to revisit…

Cut 12 (06) “…different direction.”

The legislative session must conclude June 12th.

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LSU has been forced into a winner-take-all contest with Little Rock. Two days after shutting out the Trojans in the opening game of the Baton Rouge regional, they came back in a big way, beating the Tigers, 10-4. The same two teams play at eight tonight, with the winner advancing to the Super Regional. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson says credit Little Rock, who beat Dallas Baptist, 8-6, earlier in the day.

Cut 13 (13)  “…performance by them.”

Johnson says LSU gave the 27-and-33 Little Rock Trojans several opportunities, and they took full advantage of them as the Tiger pitchers walked eleven and LSU hitters left ten men on base…

Cut 14 (17) “…a tough spot.”

Jaden Noot got the start for LSU and couldn’t get out of the second inning, giving up three hits and two runs in an inning and a third. Johnson says Noot may need to be ready today for the rubber match.

Cut 15 (13) “…to do that.”

Johnson says despite his team’s backs now against the wall, he’s confident that they will bounce back and beat Little Rock to advance to the super regional, which would be played at Alex Box Stadium should LSU win.

Cut 16 (09) “…can do tomorrow.”

The championship game of the Baton Rouge Regional will start at 8 PM tonight.