Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for the fight of his political life next year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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John Foster’s hometown is ready to roll out the welcome mat for its newest hometown hero. Colleen Crain reports

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Auto insurance reform legislation has cleared another legislative hurdle as a Senate Committee approves changes to Louisiana’s legal system in cases where people are injured in crash crashes. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy could be fighting for his political life next year, with the possibility of having to face several challengers in the Republican primary and a potentially formidable opponent in the general election. News broke this week that Governor Landry may be working to recruit Congresswoman Julia Letlow to mount a primary challenge against Cassidy, joining State Treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy is believed to be vulnerable due to his vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th riot at the Capitol. Cassidy says he stands by his vote.

Cut 4 (09) “…I would not.”

Cassidy says all that is in the past, and he has patched things up with the now-current President.

Cut 5 (08) “…working with him.”

National Democrats are urging former Governor John Bel Edwards to seek the Democratic nomination in next year’s Senate race. Cassidy says even though Edwards was elected governor twice, he doubts that voters as a whole would vote to put him in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 6 (12) “…for President Trump.”

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The small West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis is ready to roll out the welcome mat for its newest hometown hero, John Foster. The 18-year-old LSU freshman is paying a visit to his hometown tonight after making it to the season finale of American Idol. Mayor David Toups (“toops”) says the town will throw a parade for Foster along First Street at five this evening.

Cut 7 (12) “…the parade route.”

Then at 7:30, Mayor Toups says Foster will take the stage at Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park for a special ceremony and mini-concert.

Cut 8 (13) “…by American Idol.”

Then immediately afterwards, it’s back to Los Angeles for Foster to prepare for Sunday’s season finale, in which he will go up against 27-year-old Jamal Roberts of Meridian, Mississippi; and 25-year-old Breanna Nix of Denton, Texas. Toups says something like this really brings the community together.

Cut 9 (14)  “…planned for him.”

Toups could not confirm or deny that those plans include erecting road signs proclaiming Addis to be the home of John Foster.

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Newlab has launched Newlab New Orleans, an innovation hub focused on transforming Louisiana’s energy sector through technology commercialization. LED CIO Josh Fleig (“fleg”) says the initiative is backed by public-private partnerships, which will advance innovation in industrial power, carbon management, and maritime shipping.

Cut 10 (08) “…test those products.”

Housed at the former NSA complex, the hub will provide startups with scale-up space and access to a statewide network of test sites. Fleig says not only will Newlab work with Louisiana-based startups, but also attract energy companies from around the globe.

Cut 11 (06) “…from our borders.”

Fleig says Newlab New Orleans joins other global Newlab hubs, reinforcing Louisiana’s role in sustainable energy leadership and economic reindustrialization.

Cut 12 (07) “…state as well.”

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A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that supporters say will help in the effort to lower auto insurance rates. One of the bills would reduce the payout an uninsured driver would receive if injured in the crash. The other bill heading to the Senate floor would limit the payout for an injured driver that has been found to be 51-percent or more at fault in an accident. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter voted against the bill because he says there’s no guarantee this legislation will lower rates…

Cut 13 (13)  “…any sort.”

The legislation has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. Temple says in Louisiana the number of bodily injured claims is twice the national average and that’s resulting in insurance companies paying more tin damages, which is contributing the state’s high auto insurance rates…

Cut 14 (07) “…injury claims.”

But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the Louisiana Legislature has passed tort reform legislation in the past with the hopes it would lower rates, and it never came to be…

Cut 15 (11) “…going to fix it.”

Both tort reform bills approved by Senate Judiciary A have already passed the House. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation attempts to correct a big problem in Louisiana…

Cut 16 (11) “…excessive payouts.”

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program. House Bill 145 would double the tax deduction for putting on a fortified roof from five-thousand dollars to 10-thousand dollars. It has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who says it would encourage people to get a fortified roof put on their homes and not wait for a grant program to open up to do so.

Cut 7 (07) “…fortified roof on.”

Also, House Bill 663 would create the Fortify Coastal Homes Fund. It’s proposed by Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, who says it would direct a portion of sales and use taxes in coastal areas following a natural disaster to the fund.

Cut 8 (11) “…into the fund.”

The amount would be capped at 60-million dollars.

A Senate committee approves two tort reform bills that supporters say will help in the effort to lower auto insurance rates. One would reduce the payout an uninsured driver would receive if injured in the crash. The other would limit the payout for an injured driver that has been found to be 51-percent or more at fault in an accident. Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau says the legislature has passed tort reform legislation in the past with the hopes it would lower rates, and it never came to be…

Cut 15 (11) “…going to fix it.”

House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation attempts to correct a big problem in Louisiana…

Cut 16 (11) “…excessive payouts.”

Both bills have already passed the House.

A couple of proposed major changes to Louisiana’s tax code died in the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday. The committee voted seven to four against New Orleans Democrat Mandie Landry’s proposal to raise the individual income tax on tax filers who make more than 500-thousand dollars a year. Landry made this argument to the committee…

Cut 15 (10) “…worried about.”

Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder says he’s not interested in raising taxes…

Cut 16 (05) “…work for.”

Also, a proposal to eliminate state and local sales taxes on groceries died when no one made a motion to vote on Oil City Republican Danny McCormick’s bill. One argument against the bill was that the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide. Again, no one made a motion to vote on the bill, so it is now dead.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program. One of them is House Bill 145, proposed by Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder 

Cut 6 (08) “…a fortified roof.”

Also, House Bill 663 would create the Fortify Coastal Homes Fund. It’s proposed by Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, who says it would direct a portion of sales and use taxes in coastal areas following a natural disaster to the fund.

Cut 8 (11) “…into the fund.”

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today, including one that would eliminate damages to those who were majority at fault in a crash. Committee Chairman Greg Miller says the purpose is to discourage people from filing frivolous lawsuits against big companies which carry a high amount of liability insurance.

Cut 5 (10) “…larger insurance policies.”

May is Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, so both cyclists and drivers should make concerted efforts to share the road and keep everyone safe. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says if you ride at night, bike lights are mandatory under state law. And you should go even further.

Cut 12 (13) “…your wheels work.”

The LSU Tigers are ranked number one in all of the major college baseball polls heading into the final SEC regular season series of the year. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

John Foster’s hometown of Addis is ready to give its newest superstar a hero’s welcome. The 18-year-old LSU freshman will be returning to his hometown tomorrow after securing a spot in the season finale of American Idol. The city will celebrate him with a parade and a concert tomorrow night.

A couple of major changes to Louisiana’s tax code failed to receive support from the House Ways and Means Committee. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick tried to convince the panel to support his bill that would eliminate state and local sales tax on groceries. McCormick says it’s time to give a meaningful tax break to the citizens of Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…fixed incomes.”

Guy Cormier, the executive director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, voiced his opposition to the bill. He says the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide…

Cut 14 (10) “…taxpayers monies.”

When it came time for a committee member to make a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal, no one did. That lack of action killed the bill for the session.

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today. Among them is one that would limit payouts to uninsured injured drivers. Committee Chairman Greg Miller says thanks to inflation, insurance rates will never be as low as they were, say, ten years ago. But he says the legislature can do things to make them more reasonable.

Cut 6 (17) “…our neighboring states.”

Tourism groups are assuring visitors from north of the border and beyond that they are welcome in South Louisiana with open arms. New Orleans and Company CEO Walt Leger (luh-ZHAY) says despite the number of Canadians cancelling their trips due to escalating tensions between the two countries, he still expects a brisk tourism season.

Cut 9 (08)  “…that’s out there.”

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The LSU Tigers are ranked number one in all of the major college baseball polls heading into in the final SEC regular season series of the year. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Addis’ very own John Foster had made it to the season finale of American Idol. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee hears several auto insurance bills today. Committee Chairman Greg Miller says one of them would eliminate damages to those who were majority at fault in a crash.

Cut 4 (08) “…of the defendants.”

Miller says the purpose behind this is to discourage people from filing frivolous lawsuits against big companies which carry a high amount of liability insurance. He says, for example, someone who’s 80-percent at fault for causing a major crash could still be in for a big payday, depending on who the other party is.

Cut 5 (10) “…larger insurance policies.”

Miller says thanks to inflation, insurance rates will never be as low as they were, say, ten years ago. But he says the legislature can do things to make them more reasonable.

Cut 6 (17) “…our neighboring states.”

Other bills the committee will consider include one that would require plaintiffs to prove that their injuries were the result of the crash and one that would limit payouts to uninsured injured drivers. The committee will also hear a bill that would cap pain and suffering damages at five-million dollars, but Miller says he opposes it, and it’s very likely that that bill will not pass.

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Amid tensions between Canada and the U.S., tourism groups are assuring visitors from north of the border and beyond that they are welcome in South Louisiana with open arms. Organizers of several South Louisiana festivals, including Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, say many Canadian visitors have cancelled their trips this year amid the tensions between the two countries. New Orleans and Company CEO Wade Leger (luh-ZHAY) says the people of Canada are very important to the region.

Cut 7 (11) “…really welcome here.”

Leger says the people of South Louisiana are always welcoming towards people from other countries.

Cut 8 (15) “…welcoming and remarkable.”

Leger says despite the tensions and the number of Canadians cancelling their trips because of it, he still expects a brisk tourism season.

Cut 9 (08)  “…that’s out there.”

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Now that we’re well into the month of May and many more cyclists are out on the roads – at least the roads where it’s safe to ride a bicycle – both cyclists and drivers need to make concerted efforts to share the road and keep everyone safe. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Louisiana roadways have proven to be deadly for cyclists.

Cut 10 (10) “…age of 25.”

Fisher says one basic rule of the road that anyone riding a bicycle needs to abide by is always to ride on the right side of the road.

Cut 11 (07) “…flow of traffic.”

And if you ride at night, Fischer reminds you that bike lights are mandatory under state law. And you should go even beyond lights.

Cut 12 (13) “…your wheels work.”

And if you listen to earbuds while cycling, stop it. Doing so prevents you from hearing important ambient sounds, like oncoming traffic. For drivers, Fischer urges you to always give cyclists three to five feet of space when passing.

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A couple of major changes to Louisiana’s tax code failed to receive support from the House Ways and Means Committee. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick tried to convince the panel to support his bill that would eliminate the state and local sales tax on groceries. McCormick says it’s time to give a meaningful tax break to the citizens of Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…fixed incomes.”

Guy Cormier, the executive director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, voiced his opposition to the bill. He says the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide…

Cut 14 (10) “…taxpayers monies.”

No one on the committee made a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal so the idea is dead for the session.

The House Ways and Means committee voted seven to four against New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s proposal to raise the individual income tax on tax filers who make more than 500-thousand dollars a year. Landry made this argument to the committee…

Cut 15 (10) “…worried about.”

Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s not interested in raising taxes…

Cut 16 (05) “…work for.”

A couple of major changes to Louisiana’s tax code failed to receive support from the House Ways and Means Committee. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick tried to convince the panel to support his bill that would eliminate state and local sales tax on groceries. McCormick says it’s time to give a meaningful tax break to the citizens of Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…fixed incomes.”

Guy Cormier, the executive director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, voiced his opposition to the bill. He says the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide…

Cut 14 (10) “…taxpayers monies.”

When it came time for a committee member to make a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal, no one did. That lack of action killed the bill for the session.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget for next fiscal year that keeps teacher salaries at their current level. There’s been a concern that a two-thousand dollar stipend that teachers have received the last couple of school years would go away, but House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland announced today they have moved money around to make sure teachers do not see a drop in pay…

Cut 3 (10) “…charter school systems.” 

The two-thousand dollar stipend for teachers and one-thousand dollars for school support workers costs the state nearly 200-million dollars. 

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee is set to hear several auto insurance bills. Committee Chairman Greg Miller says one of them would eliminate damages to those who were majority at fault in a crash.

Cut 4 (08) “…of the defendants.”

The Saints rookie minicamp this weekend got rocked with shocking news that quarterback Derek Carr has retired. The Saints said while healing from a concussion and an injury to his non-throwing hand that ended his 2024 season, Carr developed degenerative damage to his right shoulder, which he determined would prevent him from continuing his playing career. In a statement, New Head Coach Kellen Moore says Carr will be missed.

Cut 14 (10) “…really, really special.”

Carr said while surgery was an option, it would not have guaranteed him the ability to perform at his prior level.

John Foster is just one night away from securing a spot in Sunday’s season finale of American Idol. The 18-year-old LSU student nailed his two songs last night to earn a spot in the top five. He will perform again tonight on ABC; and if he’s among the three to survive elimination, he will advance to the final round on Sunday.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation at UL-Lafayette have teamed up to do a comprehensive survey to learn more about the challenges veterans are facing. Gabriella Wilson is the director of the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation and says there are three different surveys and each survey is designed to capture the real-life experiences and challenges veterans face.

Cut 8 (12) “…also education.”

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says thousands of kids need good, caring foster families.

Cut 4 (11) “…amazing foster homes.”

Big news out of Saints camp over the weekend – quarterback Derek Carr has retired. Carr says his right shoulder has developed degenerative damage to the point that it’s impossible for him to continue his playing career. Head coach Kellen Moore says Carr and his family have been very thorough in keeping the team updated on his condition, and that the team will be with him as he navigates this next chapter of his life.

Cut 15 (11) “…an incredible experience.”

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Department of Children and Family Services is using the occasion to spotlight the need for foster caregivers. Secretary David Matlock says foster parents are very special people, and they make a lot of sacrifices.

Cut 5 (09) “…very hard places.”

AARP is urging the House to reject a Senate bill that has advanced to the lower chamber. Andrew Muhl with AARP of Louisiana says Senate Bill would effectively get nursing homes off the hook for damages caused by abuse and neglect. Muhl points to the incident involving Bob Dean, who evacuated residents in nursing homes he owned to an unsanitary warehouse during Hurricane Ida, in which seven people died. Muhl says he feels that that case spurred the nursing home industry to fight back.

Cut 11 (07) “…a nursing home.”

Muhl says under the bill, Dean’s liability would have been capped at 100-thousand dollars instead of in the millions. The bill was written by Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, who says his bill is intended to clarify existing state law and is also intended to get healthcare providers to continue providing essential services in the state.

Cut 13 (05)  “…Malpractice Act was.”

On April 30th, the Senate passed the bill 26-to-11. It is now awaiting debate in the House Health and Welfare Committee.

Week five of the 2025 legislative session gets underway as we near the halfway point of the 60-day session. A senate judiciary committee hears several auto insurance bills tomorrow, including those which would require plaintiffs to prove that their injuries were the result of the crash, limit payouts to uninsured injured drivers, limit payouts to those more than 50-percent at-fault and cap pain and suffering damages at five-million dollars. The latter one is believed to have significant opposition among those on the committee.

The House Health and Welfare Committee will soon hear Senate Bill 134, which would cap damages that nursing homes would be responsible for in cases of abuse and neglect. AARP is speaking out against it. Andrew Muhl with AARP Louisiana:

Cut (06) “…they’re responsible for.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says it clarifies existing malpractice law.

Cut (05) “…covered by malpractice.”

All eyes will be on the Senate Insurance Committee Wednesday as it hears House Bill 148. That gives the insurance commissioner the authority to arbitrarily reject rate increases he or she deems to be excessive, regardless of market conditions. Governor Landry supports it, but Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple opposes it. If the bill doesn’t reach Landry’s desk by the end of the session, lawmakers may be forced to try again – Landry says he will call a special session on the issue in that instance.

It’s no secret that Landry and Temple have had an acrimonious relationship, despite both belonging to the same political party. With insurance commissioner being an elected position, all Landry can do is do his best to work with Temple – for now. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will hear a bill Wednesday that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position, filled by someone working at the pleasure of the governor instead of the voters.