As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says the man they pulled from a fire at a Minden Business last month set that fire targeting his ex-girlfriend’s business.  State Fire Marshal Deputies say Jordan Tomlinson allegedly intentionally set fire to Pro-Tint after a domestic dispute. Tomlinson was arrested and charged with aggravated arson, simple arson, and simple burglary. He faces further charges of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment after a joint investigation with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian have strong partnerships with the Port of New Orleans and offer year-round sailings. River cruises also thrive, including American Cruise Lines and Viking. Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth emphasized that the increased number of port calls highlights New Orleans’ appeal.

Cut 11 (12) “…Big Easy hospitality.”

Last month, the Port of New Orleans set a new monthly record with over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements.

Crawfish prices are dropping as Easter approaches. According to The Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King live crawfish average $3.14 per pound, and boiled crawfish about $5.55. Some live crawfish sacks are now under $3 per pound.

Cut 14 (12) “…anticipation of Easter.”

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. When he announced the 20 insurance reform bills he’s supporting, Temple noted that he has not had a conversation with Landry about the issue in a long time.

Cut 3 (11) “…for property reform.”

Governor Landry names a new Secretary of the Department of Health. Soon to be secretary, Bruce Greenstein is not new to the position having served as former Governor Bobby Jindal’s LDH Secretary from 2010 until in 2013 Jindal learned Greenstein was under federal investigation for his role in the award of a multimillion-dollar Medicaid contract. Though he was never charged. There are many in office who laud this appointment saying there is no one better for the position because of Greenstein’s experience.

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record Port Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth says as the 6th largest U.S. cruise port and the only one offering both ocean and river cruises, the Port benefits from its prime location near the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (07) “…one of a kind.”

Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian continue strong partnerships, offering year-round sailings.

And Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says tourists come for leisure, events, business, and sports, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Cut 7 (10) “…southwest Louisiana.”

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are at odds. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Long time employees of the International Paper Mill in Campti say goodbye as the doors of the mill close today. Many have reported for duty there for decades. International has been a constant in the lives of many of the people in the small North Natchitoches Parish town.

It Festival season and the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby St Tammany Parish, says the Strawberry Festival is the largest free harvest festival in the state…

Cut 13 (09)  “…and jellies.”

The three-day festival attracts an estimated 300-thousand visitors every year.

As we near Easter weekend, crawfish prices are $1.50 cheaper than they were last Easter says Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King. And she says this year the weather is going to be perfect, and the crawfish supply will be plentiful.

Cut 15 (08) “…sooner than later”

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at the current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022 permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Governor Landry also unveiled his insurance reform plan yesterday and today Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support of 20 bills for the upcoming legislative session and he says a couple of the things the governor pointed out were not true including the claim that Temple has no authority to deny a rate increase…

Cut 14 (08) “…exercise it.”

Temple also said Landry’s claim that insurers can conceal information that he needs to regulate them is also wrong.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent more than it was designed to house. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

Information about the shelter and adoptable pets is available at St-Tammany-dot-gov-slash-pets

An Alum of ULM back when it was Northeast Louisiana Junior College, has donated two million dollars to the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts to create an endowed chair. Sharon Turrentine says she’s been singing all her life and wanted to give something back to the music department. The donation will help fund scholarships for visual and performing arts students.

Insurance reform is expected to be the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills saying several of the bills deal with frivolous lawsuits that he says are forcing insurance companies to charge high premiums

Cut 13 (08)  “…twice to litigate.”

A Department of Child and Family Services employee was arrested on drug charges Wednesday. Troopers with Troop NOLA say they found marijuana and items consistent with distribution of illegal narcotics in the back seat of 27-year-old Anthony Reed’s car during a traffic stop. Reed was booked in to the Orleans Parish Prison for Possession with Intent to distribute schedule I (marijuana) and traffic related offenses.

In a statement, DCFS Secretary David Matlock expressed gratitude for law enforcement and said the safety and well-being of children and families is their highest priority.

A “mayday” has been called at the St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter due to extreme overcrowding, Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college students joining an organization to complete one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”

A school bus struck and killed a 6-year-old child in New Orleans this morning. Authorities say young Mason Richards was getting out of a car when the bus struck him. It happened on Desire Street around 8 a.m. He was transported to a hospital by EMS and later died as a result of his injuries. No one has been charged in the accident and NOPD says drugs or alcohol are not suspected to have been a factor in the accident.

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have allowed the state to pay down high interest pension debt, freeing up money to make the two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed, the state currently does not have the money to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 6 (07) “…to that.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple unveiled the bills he supports for the upcoming legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is critically overcrowded so they are waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says all adopted animals are vaccinated and microchipped…

Cut 11 (07) “…in the first place.”

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. In a letter to teachers, Landry says it’s back to drawing board, because no alternative recurring resources exist to fund the permanent salary increase teachers deserve. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

Extreme overcrowding has St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter waving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Director Rob Bremer says more people have begun to adopt but he stressed the urgency, saying that overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Insurance reform will be by far the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his plan for lowering vehicle insurance premiums in the state. Temple announced his support for 20 bills aimed at addressing the biggest drivers of high premiums in the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…move the needle.”

A bill known as the Caleb Wilson Act has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. The Bill’s namesake, a Southern University student died earlier this year in a suspected hazing incident. House bill 279 Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd expands on the 2018 Max Gruver Law that increased criminal penalties for hazing; the Caleb Wilson Act requires anti-hazing education for anyone joining an organization.

Cut 5 (07) “…affects everybody.”

State Police say the woman who fatally struck a pedestrian on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon was impaired. Twenty-six-year-old Mecca King has been charged with vehicular homicide and careless operation after hitting 38-year-old Eugenia Bates of Monroe. State Trooper Ryan Davis says this fatality did not have to happen…

Cut 5 (08) “..cab services”

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

Cut 12 (12) “…through cuts.”

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.”

The project is expected to create about 100 direct new permanent jobs with an average salary of 110-thousand dollars.

Get ready to pay 5 dollars for your Mega Millions ticket. The price goes up today. Kim Chopin 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 there will be more frequent billion-dollar prizes.

Cut 6 (08) “…$50 million.”

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.”

If Constitutional Amendment 2 had passed last month, the temporary $2,000 stipend that is not being renewed would have been replaced by a permanent pay raise for Louisiana teachers. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says now finding the money to make the raise the possible is a priority.

Cut 13 (09)  “…role in that.”

Another large facility is coming to the River-Plex Mega-Park near Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish. CF industries is building a massive ammonia facility and Governor Landry says it will create over 100 direct jobs with average salaries of over $100,000 per year.

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

The project will also create more than 300 construction jobs. CF Industries is looking for the facility to be operational in 2029.

A Mega Millions ticket will now cost five dollars. Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says, in return, players will get slightly better at winning the jackpot. 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.”

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

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Beginning today a Mega Millions lottery ticket will cost you 5 dollars. But Kim Chopin with Louisiana Lottery says odds of winning the jackpot improve slightly. She also says non-jackpot prizes will rise, and each ticket will include a free multiplier feature.

Cut 7 (08) “…prize amount.”

State Police have charged a 26-year-old woman with vehicular homicide after she was allegedly driving drunk and hit a Monroe woman who was walking on the shoulder of 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 38-year-old Eugenia Bates.

Cut 3 (12) “…her injuries.”

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.”