Word that mortgage interest rates are decreasing sparks hope the real estate market can rebound this year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Get ready to consume your favorite carnival treat. King Cake season gets underway on Saturday. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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2023 was not the best year for real estate with rising interest rates after an unprecedented hot market during the height of the pandemic. But Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris believes things will improve with mortgage rates expected to settle in between five and six percent.

Cut 3 (10) “…buyers and sellers.”

Morris says the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage right now is 6.75%.

In addition to interest rates, Morris says the cost of homeowners insurance in the state is also a major hurdle for potential buyers. He says they are working with the legislature and new insurance commissioner to make them more affordable.

Cut 4 (07) “…in 2024.”

Morris says economists predict as we get further into the year, first quarter and beyond, that mortgage rates will stabilize around five percent which will make homes more affordable.

Cut 5 (11) “ …in twenty-four.” 

And with the cost of building materials decreasing, Morris says new construction will only increase the inventory of homes and give consumers more options in the housing market.

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If you are a king cake connoisseur, get ready to find the baby. One of the tastiest seasons in the Bayou State – King cake season kicks off this Saturday. Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says they have been quite busy between local sales and shipping out orders nationwide.

Cut 6 (13) “….on Friday.” 

With a shorter carnival season, sales are expected to be much lower compared to last year.

Third-generation baker Haydel says the sweet Mardi Gras tradition comes in many variations when it comes to fillings, but when it comes to the most popular…

Cut 7 (12) “…the tradition.” 

In 2010, Haydel’s Bakery broke two Guinness World Records by creating two giant king cakes that wrapped around the Superdome.

It’s not just folks in the Bayou State who order his tasty king cakes. Haydel says he’s shipped one of the hand braided sweet treat topped with purple, green, and gold sugar to Linda Boogs at the Vatican. And he expects a busy season through the end of Mardi Gras.

Cut 8 (09) “…as hell.” 

To place an order, visit haydelsbakery.com.

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A 15-year-old student from Neville High School in Monroe is dead and five of his classmates injured after their deer camp caught on fire early this morning. The incident happened in Jefferson County, Mississippi and Sheriff James Bailey says his deputies were among the first on scene…

Cut 9 (11) “… burning camp.” 

Bailey says the student who died was 15-years-old. He says the five other teenagers were sent to Mississippi hospitals with burns and cuts from trying to escape.

Cut 10 (11) “..five injuries.”

A cause of the fire has not been determined.

News of the fatal fire got back to Neville High School Friday morning and school was dismissed after the second period. Students were encouraged to gather at the Methodist Church in Monroe to pray for the individuals and families involved. Bailey says their hearts go out to those impacted…

Cut 11 (10) “…classmates”

Social media posts identify the deceased teenager as Tarver Braddock. He was a junior and a defensive back on the Neville football team and an outfielder on the baseball team.

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A new governor and Louisiana Legislature will be sworn in on Monday. Republicans will be in control of both the executive and legislative branches. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin on what that means for the first regular session that begins in March…

Cut 12 (12)  “…vetoed.”  

Last year Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill that would have prohibited public schools teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation in front of the entire classroom. He also vetoed legislation that would have required transgender youth to have parental permission for school employees to call them by their preferred names and pronouns.

There was conflict between Governor Edwards and the Republican controlled Legislature. But Erwin expects a better working relationship with Republican Jeff Landry as governor, but it will not be smooth sailing…

Cut 13 (13) “..work together” 

Landry has said he wants to pass legislation to reduce crime, lower property insurance rates and improve public education. But he hasn’t provided a lot of specifics. Erwin says the new governor will back legislation that he knows can get the necessary votes in the Legislature…

Cut  14 (11) “..the Legislature.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office were met with what some deem as victories along with controversies. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A new state law that went into this week requires health insurance plans to cover fertility preservations for cancer patients or those facing medical treatment that could prevent them from having a child. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (25)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on the 79-year-old who is retiring from politics…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangiaphoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.

Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”

Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. It took a sales tax increase and other budgetary moves to get the state out of the red.

Edwards first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2017 Edwards pushed criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing the state’s prison population and taking the savings to fund programs to cut down on recidivism.

In 2020, the governor had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…

Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”

During his eight years, Cross says the Edwards administration navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling.

Cross says Edwards tenure will be marred most notably by the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene while in State Police custody. He says the governor and State Police were accused of covering up what happened in Union Parish in 2019…

Cut 6 (12) “…the carpet.”

Cross believes Edwards will also be tarnished by the deaths of three toddlers whose endangerment had been reported to the Department of Children and Family Services in 2022, but the state agency didn’t act quick enough. Edwards supported DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters until she resigned.

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A new law requiring Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says it applies to new health plans and existing health care plans.

Cut 7 (11) “…is completed.”

The new legislation also allows religious organizations to apply for exemptions if they have conflicting beliefs about fertility preservation.

Davis says the mandate doesn’t apply to Medicaid or health insurance plans through the state health care exchange. Coverage for patients who are going through chemotherapy, radiation, and other procedures is limited.

Cut 8 (08) “…own expense.” 

Deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance may still apply for some patients. Davis says lawmakers heard emotional testimony from female patients who testified in support of the bill…

Cut 9 (12)  “…a family.”

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The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…

Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”

Donelon leaves office at a time when property insurance premiums are skyrocketing following several consecutive years of destructive hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. He says his final acts as commissioner attempted to stabilize the market again, with another incentive program for insurance providers and a grant program for homeowners to strengthen their roofs…

Cut 11 (12) “…program.” 

When Donelon entered office, the state had some of the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country and it remains a big problem…

Cut 12 (08) “…House Insurance Chairman.” 

Donelon began his career in public office serving on the Jefferson Parish Council. He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1982 to 2001 and was appointed deputy Insurance commissioner in 2001.

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As we begin the new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.

Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”

Forty percent of members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. McVea says 55 percent of small businesses report they were trying to hire employees in December.

Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.” 

Job openings in the construction industry were up nine points from last month and over half have a job opening they can’t fill. McVea says the highest were in construction and transportation.

Cut 15 (12) “…those sectors.”

Thirty-three percent of owners say they have job openings for skilled workers and 14 percent have openings for unskilled labor.

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The LSU men’s basketball team tips off SEC play tomorrow night in College Station against Texas A&M. The Fighting Tigers went 8-5 in the non-conference. Coach Matt McMahon says despite some struggles he’s seen his team improve…

Cut 16 (17) “…we stand.” 

LSU went a dismal 2-16 in the SEC. McMahon revamped the roster and added a bunch of transfers. He believes he has a better team this year…

Cut 17 (17) “…getting better.” 

LSU and A&M will tip off at 7:30 on Saturday night.

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Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play on Saturday by taking on Sam Houston. The Bulldogs went 10-5 in the non-conference while the Bearkats are 7-8. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester says it’s not easy to win games in Huntsville…

Cut 18 (18)  “…to win.” 

Tip off on Saturday ist 4:30.

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The Saints are a slight favorite to beat Atlanta at home on Sunday. New Orleans needs a win and a Tampa Bay loss to win the NFC South. Quarterback Derek Carr says they will not scoreboard watch…

Cut 19 (20) “…afterward.” 

The Black and Gold can also secure a wild-card berth with a win against the Dirty Birds and victories by the Bears and Cardinals.

The Saints lost to the Falcons in Atlanta during Thanksgiving weekend. The Falcons rushed for 228 yards that day. Safety Tyrann Mathieu on shutting down the Atlanta ground game…

Cut 20 (20) “…run game.”