With the new year comes enforcement of a newer law. From now on, if you’re caught holding a phone while driving it will now cost you. The ban officially went into effect last August 1st; but until January 1st, officers were only issuing warnings. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says the purpose of the ban on hand-held cell phones while driving is to increase everyone’s safety.
The 2026 legislative session begins in March. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects a quiet session after lawmakers in 2025 approved a package of property insurance reform laws. Some of those measures didn’t go into effect until this new year, so Pinsonat doesn’t expect Governor Landry to be pushing more insurance reform bills..
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The state is receiving 208 million dollars from the federal government that’s intended to improve healthcare in rural Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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An arrest has been made in the shooting of a 2-year-old little girl Wednesday afternoon in the Scotlandville area of Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says the child was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by her mother who saw and began following a car that she believed was stolen from a family member. The suspect driver fired several shots at the mother’s vehicle striking it several times and the 2-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to her head. Thursday, EBR Sheriff’s deputies located the suspect vehicle, made a traffic stop, and arrested Landrick Ruffin, Jr. Ruffin faces several charges including six counts of attempted first degree murder. The 2-year-old is hospitalized in critical condition.