The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on competing proposals to reopen the government. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety are praising Louisiana’s highway safety laws, ranking them 7th best in the nation…
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Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis addressed the media Wednesday at the Senior Bowl. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on competing proposals to end the longest government shutdown in US history. The GOP proposal funds a border wall and provides temporary protections for some immigrants. Republican Senator John Kennedy says for it to pass, it will take votes from his colleagues across the aisle.
Cut 4 (11) “…government back open.”
The Democrats bill would reopen the government until February 8th, without border funding. Democratic leaders have said let’s open the government and then discuss funding for border security. Kennedy says he believes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s clouded judgment is keeping lawmakers from finding a middle ground.
Cut 5 (09) “…not middle ground.”
When asked about giving into Democrats proposal with no border wall funding, Kennedy says he’s not caving.
Both proposals are not expected to pass and that means federal workers will not receive what should be their second paycheck this month.
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DeRidder insurance industry veteran Tim Temple is running against incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon in this year’s fall election that features a slate of statewide offices, including governor. Both men are Republicans. Temple says he was inspired to run after hearing repeated complaints from Louisianans about one thing in particular…
Cut 7 (10) “…national average.”
The Insurance Commissioner is also responsible for a number of insurance industries, including healthcare.
Temple says he plans to address our sky high auto insurance rates by working with the industry that he’s been a part of for nearly two and a half decades…
Temple says the key to lower rates is attracting more insurance companies, which would promote competition.
Statewide races are expensive, and doubly so for political newcomers with a lack of name recognition like Temple. He says he plans on traveling the state, spreading his message, and anticipates he’ll be receiving financial support from Louisiana industries sick of high auto rates.
We reached out to Commissioner Donelon, who says he’ll be running for for re-election, and we’ll have more on his re-election effort in the future.
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Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety say Louisiana is in the top seven for best highway safety traffic regulations. The Bayou State was lauded for having nine of the organizations recommended safety laws. President Kathy Chase says Louisiana really excels when it comes to laws that protect more than just a vehicle’s driver.
Chase acknowledged the state’s sky high insurance rates, but says having the right laws on the books are a good first start to promoting general safety.
But, the group says we still have some room for improvement. Chase notes the state should be doing more to address safety concerns when it comes to younger drivers, and infant passengers.
Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval attempted to pass a law last session banning drivers from holding their cell phones while driving, but it fell short. Chase thinks the sentiment is right, but says Louisiana really needs to ban any cell use while driving if they want the safest possible roads.
The report notes the annual economic cost of US crashes is 242 billion dollars.
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Saints fans continue to mourn over Sunday’s heart breaking loss in the NFC Championship game, but General Manager Mickey Loomis says the franchise is moving forward. Loomis spoke with reporters at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and says the pain is still fresh, but promises the team will bounce back.
Loomis says he hasn’t heard from the league since they admitted to the blown no-call, but says the message to the team is clear.
Cut 14 (11) “…doing right now.”
Loomis says he realizes fans are hurting, who showed up to games and made a big impact on opponents, but says he know they’ll come back stronger for next season. He adds he doesn’t buy into the fan theories that the game was fixed against them.