An auto insurance rate task force had its first meeting to address the state’s incredibly high insurance rates. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot is chairing the task force and the panel wants to address the elephant in the room that’s keeping insurance companies away.
Cut 4 (11) “…business here”
Talbot says along with tort reform, legislation designed to prevent distracted driving could help lower rates.

LaFourche Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested 30-year-old Cody Toups of Thibodaux for allegedly killing a cat with a machete. Lt. Brennan Matherne says the cat belonged to his girlfriend and Toups initially threw the cat in the bayou, but then took the brutal crime a step further…
cut 14 (09) “…with the machete”
Toups has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions against mosquitoes 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, including two deaths. State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard says the number of cases can vary from year to year.
Cut 10 (13) “…be fairly high.“
Out of the 53 cases reported, 31 of them have been neuroinvasive, which is the more serious form of the disease that can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage.