Farm Bureau auto insurance customers could see a decrease in their premiums in 2026. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has approved Farm Bureau’s request for nearly a 12 percent rate decrease, effective the first of the year. Temple says it’s partly a direct result of the work of the legislature earlier this year.

Cut 3 (11) “…the 2025 session.”

The other contributing factor is Farm Bureau indicated last fiscal year’s losses were less than forecast.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says no more cash payments for your taxes. Beginning November 1sth, the Baton Rouge office of the Department of Revenue will only accept payment by check, credit card, debit card, or money order. Regional offices in Alexandria, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, and Shreveport already do not accept cash. Taxpayers may also pay state income tax online at revenue.louisiana.gov.

It’s a light schedule of college football games this Saturday, but there are still games of interest. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Weekend temperatures will be warmer than typical for October this weekend and Southeast Louisiana could be in for a wet end to the weekend, but State Climatologist Jay Grimes says North Louisiana shouldn’t expect to see the much-needed rain there.

Cut 10 (11) “…to seven days.”

Congressman Cleo Fields is facing allegations of insider trading. The news website NOTUS reports the Democrat bought a large amount of Oracle stock days before President Trump signed an executive order that gave the technology giant a leading role in TikTok’s pending U.S. spinoff from a Chinese company. Fields denies he had any inside knowledge.

Cut 6 (07) “…this for years.”

Fields is a member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, which oversees the financial markets and securities industry. NOTUS says it’s unclear what, if anything, Fields knew about Oracle’s involvement in the TikTok deal.

Two former Alexandria police officers have been arrested and are facing malfeasance in office charges. Back in July, State Police began investigating Austin Butler and Dylan Tritle for multiple use-of-force incidents. Investigators say the two committed acts beyond the scope of their official duties. Butler faces an additional charge of simple battery. Butler and Tritle were processed at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

Good news for those with auto insurance through Farm Bureau. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s homecoming on the Northwestern State campus this weekend as the Demons host East Texas A&M in the Southland opener for both teams. The Lions are winless on the season, and Northwestern Coach Blaine McCorkle says his defense has prepared to play two different quarterbacks.

Cut 12 (13) “…of the stadium.”

Congressman Cleo Fields is facing allegations of insider trading involving a large amount of Oracle stock he purchased days before President Trump signed an executive order giving Oracle an advantage in TikTok’s pending U.S. spinoff. That’s according to news site NORTUS. Fields denies he had any inside knowledge and says he follows the strict rules for members of Congress and reports all his trades before the required 45 days.

Cut 8 (06) “…of the law.”

It’s unclear whether Fields initiated the trade himself or if a financial adviser did so on his behalf.

Farm Bureau has also notified the Department of Insurance that it has started writing more wind and hail coverage for homeowners across the state. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says it’s because the legislature modified the three-year rule in the 2024 legislative session.

Cut 5 (14) “…manage their portfolio.”

Temperatures throughout the state will be above normal this weekend. As for the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on a disturbance near the Central Bahamas that it says has a low chance of becoming a cyclone. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says there’s a good chance that we’ll get through this hurricane season unscathed.

Cut 11 (13) “…to the tropics.”

The Saints look for their first win on Sunday when they host the New York Giants. Despite an 0-and-4 start, veteran linebacker Demario Davis says the Black and Gold have improved.

Cut 14 (12) “…what you’re doing.”

Kick off in the Dome is at noon.

The EPA says they continue to make progress in the cleanup of the Tangipahoa River more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says having recovered around 75% of the oily materials, they’re also working to prevent additional oily materials from reaching the river or the ponds.

Cut 5 (09) “…petroleum-based liquids.”

The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources is being reorganize and is now the Department of Conservation and Energy and spokesman Patrick Courreges (koo-RAHJ) says it will be organized into six divisions, better tailored to specific roles and operations. He says previously permitting responsibilities were split between two different offices, now they’ve been integrated into a centralized structure.

Cut 9 (08)  “…of these problems.”

The College Football National Championship game is returning to New Orleans as it will be held in the Caesars Superdome on January 24th, 2028. Rich Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, says they are thrilled to bring the national championship game to New Orleans in 2028, and they know the fans will enjoy the experience.

Cut 13 (12)  “…big events.”

It’s fall migration time for about 500 million migratory birds that pass through Louisiana. and to help them safely navigate their way through the state Louisiana Wildlife Federation member Charles Williams says they are asking businesses and residents to turn off non-essential outdoor lighting at night…

Cut 11 (08) “…that run continuously.”

The EPA says they are making progress in the clean up of waterways after the Smitty’s Supply explosion in Roseland. Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says they’re working with state partners on soil sampling to determine whether there’s a risk to human health for farmers or other outdoor workers.

Cut 6 (05) “…to human health.”

The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources is now the Department of Conservation and Energy. C-and-E spokesman Patrick Courreges (koo-RAHJ) says despite a new name, the mission remains the same.

Cut 7 (13) “…and land itself.”

The College Football National Championship game is coming back to New Orleans in January of 2028. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

UL Lafayette is facing a $25 million budget deficit, causing them to eliminate six staff positions and close several offices. UL Interim President Jaimie Hebert said the cuts were unavoidable. University salaries account for 60% of the school’s budget. At a town hall meeting he said they are working on using new revenue generation and cutting expenditures. He hopes to reach fiscal stability by May with as little human impact as possible.

A student protest at LSU resulted in the arrest of seven students. It happened at a presidential search committee meeting Wednesday after a student refused to yield when her time for comment expired. When LSU Police removed Gabriela Juarez with Students for a Democratic Society from the room, several other students shouted at them and some tried to block the police car from driving away with Juarez who was charged with resisting an officer and interference with educational process. Six others were charged with obstruction of highway commerce among other charges.

New Orleans will host the College Football National Championship game in 2028. Governor Landry says the big football games will bring thousands to the city, which serves as the front door to the rest of Louisiana.

Cut 15 (11) “… unbelievable place.”

Days after Governor Landry told the EPA to pick up the pace, they say significant progress in cleaning up the oil from the waterways from the Smitty’s Supply explosion in Roseland has been made. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is you to turn off unnecessary lighting from 11 p-m to 6 a-m to help an estimated 500 million migratory birds pass through Louisiana safely.  LWF member Charles Williams…

Cut 10 (09) “…injured or dying.”

The EPA says it’s making progress in the cleanup of the Tangipahoa River more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. The update comes just days after Governor Landry took to social media to urge the EPA to pick up the pace. During a news conference, in which Landry attended, EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says crews have cleaned up most of the oil that ended up in the waterways.

Cut 4 (11) “…material recovery effort.”

The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources is now the Department of Conservation and Energy. C-and-E spokesman Patrick Courreges (koo-RAHJ) says technology, industry, and environmental best practices have changed over the decades, and this re-organization helps the agency catch up.

Cut 8 (12) “…policy going forward.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging the public to go “Lights Out” to protect migrating birds this fall. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The College Football National Championship game is returning to New Orleans as it will be held in the Caesars Superdome on January 24th, 2028. Rich Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, says they are thrilled to bring the national championship game to New Orleans in 2028, and they know the fans will enjoy the experience.

Cut 13 (12)  “…big events.”

After the murder of a Chicago woman while she was in New Orleans for her birthday, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is concerned about the city’s reputation. And he says while he does not want to undermine the governor with his request for assistance from National Guard troops, he would take a different approach.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to solving crime.”

Nungesser praised the work of Troop NOLA, saying that it’s been very effective in reducing crime in

New Orleans, including the French Quarter.

Governor Landry also identified Shreveport as a city that could use the assistance of the national guard to fight crime saying there are signs that violent crime is on the rise. But Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says violent crime in Shreveport is down almost ten percent in 2025 and murders are down more than 20-percent…

Cut 5 (10) “…simply not true.”

The Shreveport Police union says instead of spending money on deploying the National Guard, those dollars could be better used by hiring more police officers.

Five juveniles were recently arrested for posting threats on social media against Rapides Parish high schools that put the community on edge and caused shutdowns and cancelations of homecoming events and Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says those juvenile jokes, pranks or whatever they want to call them will have very severe ramifications.

Cut 11 (10) “…can’t do that.”

Investigators say they found that the threats were not connected but were copycat incidents.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is deeply concerned about how New Orleans is being viewed nationally after a woman from Chicago is killed while in the city celebrating her 33rd birthday. Nungesser says whether it’s unfair or not, it paints the city in a bad light.

Cut 12 (13) “…fearful of coming.”

Governor Landry has used incidents like these as justification for calling in National Guard troops to help fight crime in cities. In addition to New Orleans, he identified Shreveport as a city that can use the assistance of the national guard. In his formal request to the Pentagon, Landry says he would like to see the Guard deployment last through June 30^th. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says the guard could help with major events the city holds…

Cut 4 (09) “…Mudbug madness.”

Authorities investigating threats posted online against high schools in Rapides Parish say the threats were copycat incidents done by juveniles. Five have been arrested. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says they may think they’re being funny, but law enforcement is not laughing, and the community is on edge.

Cut 10 (13) “…you under arrest.”

Those threats caused some school shutdowns and cancelation of some homecoming events.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly says any speculation that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier needs surgery to repair an injury he suffered in fall camp is just not true…

Cut 6 (08) “…silly actually.”

Kelly says after an abdominal strain not a core injury, Nussmeier is healthy and the injury he sustained is much better.

Governor Landry says one-thousand Louisiana National Guard troops need to be deployed to urban centers throughout the state because of elevated crime rates in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. But crime data analyst Jeff Asher says after New Orleans had the nation’s highest murder rate in 2022, homicides are now the lowest since 1970 and other violent crimes are down.

Cut 8 (12) “…peak in 2023.”

Asher says murders are also down in Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says he welcomes any assistance in dealing with crime but has several questions about the possibility of National Guard troops teaming up with city police to combat crime.

Cut 3 (09) “…civil rights.”

Scary moments outside a Montessori school in Alexandria as a deputy shoots towards a driver trying to run him over. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Avoyelles High School was on a soft lockdown yesterday in response to social media threats and a 13-year-old has been arrested for making them. The nature of the treats was not specified, and Avoyelles Parish Sheriff David Dauzat says the juvenile has been charged with four counts of terrorizing. Five juveniles were recently arrested in Rapids Parish for social media threats that caused the shutdowns of schools and cancelation of homecoming events.