Governor Landry announces his insurance reform plan that would put new regulations on both insurance companies and trial lawyers. Landry says he also wants to rein in lawyer advertising that he believes are pushing car crash victims to seek big settlements.

Cut 13 (15)  “…Louisiana families.”

Consultants hired by the City of New Orleans in the wake of the New Year’s Day terror attack have recommended that Bourbon Street be turned into a permanent pedestrian mall. Teneo also recommended that St. Charles Street also be closed to vehicular traffic. But Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says that’s a little more problematic.

Cut 8 (16) “…to their homes.”

The seven-year-old girl injured in the house fire in Shreveport over the weekend has died. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux confirmed that this morning in an interview with KEEL radio.

Cut 3 (14) “…to her injuries.” 

The other three victims are the girl’s five-year-old sister, her grandmother and her great-grandmother.

ULM is seeking approval to implement staff furloughs to address up to a 6-million-dollar budget shortfall. Acting President Nick Bruno says a hiring freeze began on Monday, and all employees working remotely have been recalled…

Cut 10 (12) “…to disperse that.”

Bruno says layoffs aren’t currently being considered, although campus restructuring is likely.

The City of New Orleans now has the recommendation from the consulting firm it hired in the wake of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street. Teneo says Bourbon Street should be transformed into a permanent pedestrian mall. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says that recommendation only addresses ramming.

Cut 7 (11) “…have prevented that.”

A fourth victim in last weekend’s Shreveport house fire has died. A seven-year-old girl initially survived the fire that killed her five-year-old sister, her grandmother and her great-grandmother, but she has succumbed to her injuries. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux tells LRN affiliate KEEL radio that this is the worst fire he has experienced as mayor.

Cut 4 (11) “…as a mayor.”

Governor Landry unveiled his insurance reform plan today. He says if approved by lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session it will lower prices for Louisianans. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It’s not something you see every day. Four people were captured on video entering a Walmart in Baker, just north of Baton Rouge, on horseback. The people who shot the cell phone video may have been laughing, but police are not. They’re asking for the public’s help in identifying the horseback shoppers. It’s unclear why they were riding horses in the store – a quick search of that store shows that hay is not available.

Consultants hired by the City of New Orleans in the wake of the New Year’s Day terror attack have recommended that Bourbon Street be turned into a permanent pedestrian mall. Teneo also recommended that St. Charles Street also be closed to vehicular traffic. But Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says that’s a little more problematic.

Cut 8 (16) “…to their homes.”

The seven-year-old girl injured in the house fire in Shreveport over the weekend has died. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux tells LRN affiliate KEEL radio that this is the worst possible outcome.

Cut 5 (05) “…a long time.”

The other three victims are the girl’s five-year-old sister, her grandmother and her great-grandmother. Investigators say all died of smoke inhalation.

Governor Landry unveiled his insurance reform plan today. He says if approved by lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session it will lower prices for Louisianans. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry released his insurance reform plan that would put new regulations on both insurance companies and trial lawyers. The governor says one of the bills he’s pushing would require attorneys to prove that injuries are the result of the accident…

Cut 12 (15) “…after the accident.”

The City of New Orleans now has the recommendation from the consulting firm it hired in the wake of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street. Teneo says Bourbon Street should be transformed into a permanent pedestrian mall. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says that recommendation only addresses ramming.

Cut 7 (11) “…have prevented that.”

A fourth victim in last weekend’s Shreveport house fire has died. A seven-year-old girl initially survived the fire that killed her five-year-old sister, her grandmother and her great-grandmother, but she has succumbed to her injuries. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux tells LRN affiliate KEEL radio that this is the worst fire he has experienced as mayor.

Cut 4 (11) “…as a mayor.”

ULM plans to request approval from the University of Louisiana System Board to implement staff furloughs to address an up to six-million-dollar budget shortfall before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Acting President Nick Bruno emphasized that the financial position of the university is fragile.

Cut 9 (09)  “…correcting that problem.”

Consultants hired by the City of New Orleans have recommended that Bourbon Street be permanently closed to vehicular traffic. Now, the question is – will the city heed that recommendation? In a news conference this morning, Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick seemed non-committal.

Cut 6 (11) “…the community wants.”

The seven-year-old girl injured in the house fire in Shreveport over the weekend has died. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux confirmed that this morning in an interview with KEEL radio.

Cut 3 (14) “…to her injuries.” 

The other three victims are the girl’s five-year-old sister, her grandmother and her great-grandmother. Arceneaux calls it the worst fire he has ever seen in his time as mayor, 

Two Lake Charles boys reported missing in November are back home thanks in part to the show On Patrol Live.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report showing that while high school student participation in internships and apprenticeships has grown, the state still trails peer southern states. The group says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, which trails Georgia and Tennessee by a wide margin.

Governor Landry is set to announce his plan for lowering insurance premiums at the top of the hour, and a new poll shows that this could be the single most important announcement of his governorship. The poll by Bernie Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer shows that Landry’s favorable and unfavorable ratings are split almost down the middle, and the high price of insurance is a major factor. Pinsonat says the survey also shows that 36-percent hold the legislature accountable for addressing the crisis.

Cut 11 (11) “…cost of insurance.”

If the City of New Orleans heeds the recommendations of consultants it hired, Bourbon Street will become a permanent pedestrian mall. Consulting firm Teneo says while the final decision rests with the city council, anything short of permanently closing off Bourbon Street to vehicular traffic increases the risk of a repeat of the New Year’s Day terror attack.

The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after the Landry administration ordered a 90-day pause on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Campaign Director Simone Maloz (muh-LAWS) says the project is essential to slowing the loss of coastal land to erosion. 

Cut 14 (14) “…restore our coast.”

Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November are back home with their father, thanks to a television show. On March 7th, REELZ’s On Patrol: Live aired “Missing” segments featuring Colton and Cohen Desormeaux. Angeline Hartman with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says the show changed everything.

Cut 5 (09) “…get involved.”

Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries has chosen Ascension Parish to put up its new low-carbon ammonia facility. Governor Landry says the new four-billion-dollar facility will create many high-paying jobs.

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

Landry says this is the latest in a series of major economic development projects to come to Louisiana, leading to a very bright future in the state.

A 26-year-old woman is charged after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian on I-20 in Ouachita (WASH-uh-taw) Parish. Police say Mecca King gradually veered onto the shoulder and hit 38-year-old Eugenia Bates, killing her. State Trooper Ryan Davis says King had an odor of alcohol on her breath; and upon questioning, she admitted to having two drinks.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big as originally projected following the defeat of Amendment Two. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

It is now more expensive to play Mega Millions. The cost of a single ticket is now five dollars, up from two dollars. Kim Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says in return, non-jackpot prizes now start at ten dollars, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

While still astronomical, the odds of winning the jackpot are also slightly improved.

Governor Landry makes another huge economic development announcement. Andrew Greenstein is at the Capitol with more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 73-year-old man from Cuba who was taken into custody by ICE agents in Lafayette as he was on his way to work is back with family. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman on I-20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday. State Trooper Ryan Davis says Mecca King was traveling in the outer lane and gradually veered onto the shoulder and struck a pedestrian, 38-year-old Eugenia Bates.

Cut 3 (12) “…her injuries.”

Davis says King was found to have an odor of alcohol on her breath. Upon questioning, King admitted to drinking two alcoholic beverages.

Cut 4 (07) “…careless operation.”

King was arrested and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.  Davis reminds you that walking along the Interstate is illegal, and there’s no excuse for impaired driving.

Cut 5 (08) “…cab services.”

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Mega Millions players will face a price hike as tickets increase from two to five dollars, starting with today’s drawing. Kim Chopin (show-PAN) with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better odds of winning the jackpot—improving from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million—and more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

Chopin says non-jackpot prizes will also rise, starting at ten dollars, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

Chopin hopes these changes will combat “jackpot fatigue,” a trend where only enormous prizes attract attention. They aim to distinguish Mega Millions from Powerball and raise the average jackpot from 450 million to 800 million dollars.

Cut 8 (12) “…grow a lot faster.”

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Another company makes a huge investment in Louisiana. CF industries is putting up a massive ammonia facility on the West Bank of Ascension Parish. In a ceremony at the Capitol this morning, Governor Landry said it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world..

Cut 9 (11)  “…blue ammonia.”

Landry says the new facility will create many high-paying jobs…

Cut 10 (10) “…100-thousand dollars.”

Landry says this is the latest in a series of major economic development projects to come to Louisiana, leading to a very bright future in the state…

Cut 11 (11) “…innovation and sustainability.”

CF Industries started evaluating Ascension Parish three years ago in deciding where to build its new ammonia facility. Along with the direct jobs, the project will also create more than 300 construction jobs. No word on when construction will begin; CF Industries is looking for the facility to be operational in 2029.

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House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland warns that budget cuts are coming because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass last month. McFarland says passage of the amendment would have provided Louisiana with additional dollars to spend this year…

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

Passage of Amendment Two would have made a temporary two-thousand dollar teacher pay stipend permanent. 198-million dollars is needed to make the stipend a permanent two-thousand dollar raise and McFarland says finding the money remains a priority, because the state is finally making gains in student achievement…

Cut 13 (09)  “…role in that.”

It’s possible the state’s revenue shortfall will not be as big. Legislative leaders could recognize additional revenue when it meets in May. House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson says for tax revenues to increase more than anticipated, the state’s economy needs to be doing well…

Cut 14 (13) “…we will.”

Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, the Pelican Institute released its Pelican Pulse poll highlighting voter sentiment on key issues facing the state.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The legislature will be considering a bill that would boost the tax on hemp products. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is speaking out after a jury rules that Chevron must pay Plaquemines Parish almost 745-million dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Pelican Institute for Public Policy released its latest Pelican Pulse Poll ahead of the upcoming 2025 Louisiana legislative session.  The survey of over 800 Louisiana voters shows lawmakers a clear picture of what voters are prioritizing.  Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says the poll shows voters believe government spending is out of control.

Cut 4 (07) “…limit its growth.”

Erspamer says a majority of voters favor giving families school choice…

Cut 5 (13) “…fully funded.”

Erspamer noted Insurance premiums take the number two spot for highest priority for voters in the state with lawsuit abuse being identified as a major factor for the high premiums.

Cut 6 (08) “…to make that fix.”

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When the legislature convenes in less than a week, among the bills they’ll be taking up are ones that would tax hemp products. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot is proposing raising the tax on hemp products from three-percent to 15-percent, while Monroe Representative Mike Echols is proposing raising it to 20-percent. Echols says there are multiple purposes behind his proposed hemp tax rate.

Cut 7 (11) “…an addiction disorder.”

Echols says the last legislative session made it clear that hemp is in Louisiana to stay, so he’d like to use the occasion to raise money for essential services, like drug treatment and prevention.

Cut 8 (10) “…alcohol or tobacco.”

Needless to say, retailers who sell hemp products are not happy with either bill. Joe Garrity, the CEO of Crescent Canna, says those bills only hurt the retailers who already face a great deal of red tape.

Cut 9 (08)  “…know they enjoy.”

Garrity says his industry is among those in Louisiana that he says are unfairly targeted by lawmakers.

Cut 10 (15) “…is even better.”

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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is speaking out after a jury awards Plaquemines Parish almost 745-million dollars from Chevron. The jury ruled that Chevron’s oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico has caused the Louisiana coastline to erode. Mike Moncla says the state gave Chevron the green light decades ago for oil exploration.

Cut 11 (10) “…ruin our coast.”

Moncla says Chevron and other oil companies were encouraged to conduct oil exploration off the coast for decades.

Cut 12 (16) “…begged to do.”

Moncla says the verdict is an industry-killer.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for your company.”

Chevron is expected to appeal the jury verdict.

Phil Cossich, one of the attorneys that represented Plaquemines Parish, hailed the verdict. He says it’s been a long time coming and one that could be a great step in saving the coast.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation is actively involved in litter removal with this week being Love the Boot Week. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says partnering with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, DOTD employees are participating in cleanup efforts statewide this week

Cut 14 (12) “…100 miles of roadway.”

Mallett says litter removal is a year-round commitment. In fiscal year 2024, DOTD allocated approximately 13.6-million dollars for these efforts, collecting the equivalent of over 18 Olympic swimming pools of litter.

Cut 15 (12) “…how much litter is out there”

Thanks to an additional three-million dollars from the state legislature, Mallett says DOTD hired contractors to target high-traffic areas, beginning in New Orleans before the Super Bowl and now extending to major interstates and eventually rural routes.

Cut 16 (13) “…across the state.”

DOTD urges residents to help keep Louisiana clean by disposing of trash responsibly and joining local cleanup initiatives.

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The 30-3 LSU Tigers are ranked as high as third in the college baseball polls. The Tigers are riding an eight-game winning streak after sweeping Oklahoma. The final game of the series was played in frigid conditions for baseball, but the Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory. Coach Jay Johnson says he was concerned his team’s mindset heading into the final game of the series, but he knew right away they were ready to play…

Cut 17 (16) “…fine today.”

LSU did not allow an earned run in the sweep over the Sooners. Pitching coach Nate Yeskie’s father passed away on Thursday, but he stayed with the team to call pitches. Johnson says LSU’s success on the mound shows why he’s one of the best pitching in the country…

Cut 18 (18) “…at LSU.”

LSU catcher Luis Hernandez is swinging a hot bat. In his last five games, he’s 10 of his last 20 and hit three doubles in the series against Oklahoma. Johnson says the transfer from Indiana State is a big part of their success…

Cut 19 (13) “..swinging the bat.”

One economist says while most sectors of Louisiana’s economy are expected to suffer from President Trump’s tariffs, there are some exceptions. Dr. Loren Scott says one example is the Louisiana timber industry because of reduced competition from Canadian wood…

Cut 3 (09) “…the amount of competition.” 

Dr. Scott says economists generally oppose tariffs, calling them, in his words, “a really bad plan.”

Three people are killed, including a five-year-old girl, in a house fire in Shreveport yesterday morning. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says there were no working smoke detectors inside the home; and even though everyone inside was awake, it’s hard to escape a burning fire with no advanced warning…

Cut 8 (07) “…ever experienced.”

The man suspected of killing his parents inside their Amite-area home is in custody in California. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The parents of a teenage girl found abandoned in a Shreveport hotel room amid squalid conditions are under arrest. Angela and Carey Herring are charged with improper supervision of a juvenile and criminal neglect of a family. Police say they left their 15-year-old daughter in the room unsupervised for two weeks.