A task force aimed at tackling Louisiana’s sky high insurance rates met for it’s first meeting on Tuesday. Kevin Barnhart has more.
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A Thibodaux man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after allegedly throwing his girlfriend’s cat into a bayou, then killing it with a machete. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Louisiana has had the most cases of the West Nile Virus in the country this year with 53 human cases so far, including two deaths stemming from the ailment. Kevin Barnhart spoke with State Entomologist Dr. Raoult Ratard for more details.
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An auto insurance rate task force had its first meeting to address the state’s incredibly high insurance rates. The commission, appointed by State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is composed of leaders from multiple industries, as well as state officials, and legislators. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says the task force wants to address the elephant in the room keeping insurance companies away.
Louisiana has the highest auto insurance in the nation, while neighboring Mississippi sits at 22nd highest, and Alabama at 30th highest.
He says along with looking at Tort Reform, and distracted driving legislation that could help cut costs for insurance companies, they’ll also be addressing a quirk of Louisiana law that leaves the state a notable outlier.
Cut 5 (08) “…awarding damages”
Efforts to address insurance rates by attacking distracted driving and allowing seatbelt information into court proceedings all crashed and burned during the regular legislative session in spring. Talbot says he’s more optimistic this time do to a rising appreciation from legislators on both sides of the isle about how insurance rates hit the working class.
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A nationwide prison strike saw prisoners in 17 states participate in a call for prison reform and an end to prison labor, with reports saying there may have been strike activity in Louisiana as well. Angola was the site of the state’s last prison strike, which occurred in earlier May. People’s Assembly New Orleans Organizer Christina Nesheiwat says these kinds of strikes can take many forms.
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Nesheiwat says one of the primary motivations for the strikes involves concerns about labor conditions in prisons, where prisoners are often made to work creating products not just for the state, but for private companies.
Nesheiwat says they hope the strikes will draw attention to the plight of the country’s prisoners.
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The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions against mosquitos and the spread of the West Nile Virus. This coming on the news the state has the most cases of the virus in the country this year with 53 human cases so far, including two deaths. Those that contract of the virus may be asymptomatic, experience flu-like symptoms, or even the most severe symptoms with neuroinvasive disease. State Entomologist Dr. Raoult Ratard says the number of cases can vary from year to year.
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Ratard says the number of cases depends on various conditions pertaining to the weather.
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Ratard says those with the worst cases of the virus could result in long term issues.
Cut 12 (06) “…have a permanent disability.”
The doctor says mosquitos do not fly far, so reduce breeding grounds by eliminating standing water around your home.
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A Thibodaux man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after allegedly throwing his girlfriend’s cat into a bayou, then killing it with a machete. Authorities with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office say 30 year old Cody Toups is now charged with aggravated cruelty to animals in the incident. Agency Spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne…
Cut 13 (08) “…into the bayou.”
Matherne says when Toups returned to the home after throwing the cat into the bayou, his girlfriend’s father asked him to leave.
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Matherne says Toupes don’t end with just the animal cruelty charge.
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Toups bond was set at $15,000
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There’s been plenty of off the field news for the LSU Tigers this month. Three players have been suspended because of arrests, two quarterbacks have left the team and suspended cornerback Kristian Fulton’s attempt to get reinstated by the NCAA has been denied. Defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko says despite the distractions, the team remains close…
The Tigers enter the season ranked 25th in the AP preseason poll. LSU is usually ranked much higher at the beginning of the season. Fehoko, who transferred in from Texas Tech, says the preseason ranking is extra motivation…