The two candidates in the Insurance Commissioner’s race were face to face in a debate at Baton Rouge Press Club. One of the major focal points of discussion was on Louisiana’s auto insurance rates. Challenger Tim Temple touts 20-plus years of industry knowledge and says the state is facing an insurance crisis as the most unaffordable state for insurance
cut 8 (10) “…true catastrophe mode”
Incumbent Commissioner Jim Donelon blames a broken legal system and limits need to be put in place on damages awarded against insurance companies…
Cut 7 (09)“…seated next year.”
Temple says Donelon has had 14 years as commissioner to pass tort reform and lower rates and he’s failed. Donelon says the tide is turning as three auto insurance providers have recently announced lower premiums.

Eddie Rispone begins airing a TV ad today that attacks fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham. A recent independent poll has Rispone eight points back of Abraham as the two fight for a chance to face Governor Edwards in a run-off. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says the attack ad is concerning for Republicans.
Cut 14 (11) “…Edwards”
Back in March, Louisiana GOP Chairman Louis Gurvich released a statement asking the Republican candidates to focus their criticism on Edwards, because in-party fighting will only help Edwards win a second term in office.

Multiple reports say Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will miss at least the next six weeks because of a torn ligament in his throwing hand. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “..I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An elderly woman who was possibly bitten by a rat and roaches is recovering in a hospital, while two men are behind bars on a charge of cruelty to the infirmed. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

cut  2 (31) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Authorities are investigating the death of a dog that was dragged behind a vehicle on Sunday afternoon. East Feliciana Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Greg Phares says deputies were alerted by a concerned resident who saw the dog being dragged in the Village of Wilson.

Cut 3 (09) “…a private individual.”

Wilson is about 50 minutes north of Baton Rouge.

Phares says they are conducting a criminal investigation into the matter.

Cut 4 (08) “…at the time.”

Phares says the nature of the incident surpassed the work of the SPCA and made it an issue for law enforcement.

Cut 5 (11) “…dog is dead.”

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Multiple reports say Saints quarterback Drew Brees will miss at least the next six weeks as he needs surgery to repair his injured throwing hand. The league’s highest-paid backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater replaces Brees and NFL analyst Mike Detillier expects the Saints will also use Taysom Hill at Q-B too

Cut 6 (11) “…the quarterback position.”

Brees’ injury occurred in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Rams and the team will remain on the west coast and face Seattle on Sunday. Detillier says the first thing the Saints need to do is get over the emotional loss of losing Brees…

Cut 7 (09)“…move on” 

The Saints are 1-and-1 on the season. Detillier says it will not be easy with Brees on the sidelines and the entire offense will need to play well in order to win games

Cut 8 (10) “need help”

Coach Sean Payton says Brees plans on getting a second opinion before undergoing surgery.

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A record 1.2 million passengers took a cruise out of the Port of New Orleans last year, and they’re expecting another 1.4 million passengers for this year. Port of New Orleans spokesperson Jessica Ragusa says they’re the 6^th largest port in the nation, and the cruise business has seen explosive growth over the last decade.

Cut 9 (09)  “.percent”

The numbers are set to rise again in 2020 as Disney and Royal Caribbean prepare to launch from New Orleans, along with an additional up-river cruise.

Ragusa says 90 percent of their cruise passengers are from out of state, and 73 percent of those guests spend the night in New Orleans before leaving.

Cut 10 (10) “…economy”

She says that adds up to 306,000 hotel room nights.

The Port currently has two cruise terminals, and Ragusa says if they continue to see this rate of growth, they’ll have to make a substantial expansion.

Cut 11 (07) “…at that” 

Ragusa spoke with WWL Radio.

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Crowley Police arrest two individuals in a disturbing case of elderly neglect. Chief Jimmy Broussard says his officers were called to a home and found the victim in a very weak condition and bandages on her legs and ankles that covered up sores…

Cut 12 (09) “the sores”

Broussard conditions inside the home were also poor and that contributed to the woman’s declining health…

Cut 13 (10) “few places”

Broussard says cops took 57-year-old Raymond Hoffpauir and 27-year-old Dustin Welch into custody and they remain in jail on a charge of cruelty to the infirmed. He says both men have admitted to the negligent behavior…

Cut 14 (07) “neglectful.”

The elderly victim is receiving care at a local hospital and Adult Protective Services is also investigating.

Multiple reports say Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will miss at least the next six weeks because of a torn ligament in his throwing hand. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

Injuries are mounting for LSU on defense. Coach Ed Orgeron said today that safety Todd Harris will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the lopsided win over Northwestern State. Coach “O” also said defensive ends Rashard Lawrence and Glen Logan will miss a second straight week and will not play Saturday at Vanderbilt. Kick-off is at 11.

Crowley Police arrest two individuals in a disturbing case of elderly neglect. Chief Jimmy Broussard says his officers were called to a home and found the victim in very weak condition and bandages on her legs and ankles that covered up sores…
cut 12 (09) “….of the sores”
Broussard says cops took 57-year-old Raymond Hoffpauir and 27-year-old Dustin Welch into custody and they remain in jail on a charge of cruelty to the infirmed.

A record 1.2 million passengers took a cruise out of the Port of New Orleans last year, and they’re expecting another 1.4 million passengers for this year. Port of New Orleans spokesperson Jessica Ragusa says they’re the 6th largest port in the nation, and the cruise business has seen an explosive growth over the last decade.
Cut 9 (09) “.percent”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries continues to collect data on the loss of aquatic resources from the historic lengthy opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway in an effort to qualify for federal emergency assistance. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will see a hand specialist in Los Angeles today. Brees injured his thumb in yesterday’s loss to the Rams and could miss several more games, especially if the injury requires surgery.

Plant-based shrimp could be the next big thing if Tyson Foods recent investment into New Wave Foods is any indication. Tyson is the world’s second-largest processor of chicken, beef, and pork, and now moving into the plant-based realm. It’s a move that has caught the attention of Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.
Cut 7 (12)“…not a land food.”
Strain says any attempt to market the new product as shrimp is not allowed under state law.

An independent poll shows 82 percent of Louisianans say TOPS should be a funding priority for legislators. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who conducted the survey, says it’s clear that TOPS is an untouchable government program…
Cut 13 (12) “…dollars.”
Pinsonat says those kinds of numbers make it clear that voters will not accept any excuses for why the program needs to be reduced.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will visit a hand specialist in Los Angeles today after he injured his thumb in yesterday’s 27-9 loss to the Rams…
cut 28 (04) “…not too significant”
It’s been reported Brees has possible ligament damage.

One of four constitutional amendments on the October ballot would allow New Orleans to exempt affordable housing from property taxes. It’s a local issue so why is it up for a statewide vote?
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana’s oyster industry continues to feel the effects from the record long opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway and flooding in the Atchafalaya Basin. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Harry Blanchet says oyster mortality on public reefs ranged as high as 100-percent in several areas across the state…
cut 11 (10) “….the Sabine basin”
Blanchet says they are using the data they are collecting to apply for federal disaster assistance for the state’s fishery industry.

A statewide poll finds that 82-percent of Louisiana voters say the Louisiana legislature should continue to make TOPS a funding priority. The cost of the 291-million dollar program continues to rise. But pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the public wants TOPS fully funded…
cut 15 (08) “…maximum”

Saints fans are once again complaining about NFL officiating after they blew the whistle prematurely on what should have been a fumble recovery for a touchdown for defensive end Cam Jordan. But Coach Sean Payton is not using the blown call as an excuse in their 27-9 loss to the Rams…
cut 16 (11) “….field too”
Meanwhile, Quarterback Drew Brees will see a hand specialist to find out if surgery is needed on his injured thumb.

Coming to a store near you soon will be plant-based shrimp. Tyson Foods has invested in a California company that has produced a plant-based shrimp base that’s peeled, deveined and tailless. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain anticipates more synthetic seafood in the future…
cut 9 (08) “….right behind that”

The state continues to collect data on the impact of aquatic life in south Louisiana as a result of the record long opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway and flooding in the Atchafalaya Basin. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Harry Blanchet says the feds can declare a fishery disaster, however, it requires a 35% reduction in the value of a specific fishery to qualify…
cut 10 (10) “…the federal government”
Blanchet says their sampling continues to indicate a notable reduction in the availability of oysters, shrimp, crab, and finfish.

There are four constitutional amendments on the October 12th ballot. The third amendment would allow the Governor-appointed Board of Tax Appeals to rule on questions of constitutionality for tax questions. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Steven Procopio says proponents want the change because…
Cut 5 (07) “…decisions.”
But Opponents say it would give too much legal authority to a non-elected board of decision-makers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says there remains a notable reduction in the availability of oysters, shrimp, crab and finfish in waterways impacted by the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway and flooding in the Atchafalaya Basin. Biologist Harry Blanchet says it will take years for the oyster population to regenerate and they are sure what is happening with the brown shrimp…
cut 12 (12) “….that impact so”

Tyson Foods has recently invested in a start-up company that has produced a plant-based shrimp from seaweed, soy protein, and natural flavors. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says any attempt to market the new product as shrimp as we know it is now allowed under state law…
cut 8 (10) “…misleading or confusing”

The Saints lost 27-9 in its NFC title rematch with the Rams and now the big question is how much time will quarterback Drew Brees miss. The future Hall of Famer suffered a thumb injury while throwing a pass in the first quarter. Teddy Bridgewater relieved Brees, but Coach Sean Payton says the rest of the offense, especially the o-line, didn’t play well around him…
cut 17 (11) “…some guys”
Brees is set to see a hand specialist in Los Angeles, while the rest of the team is in Seattle for the week, getting ready for their next game against the Seahawks.