Four legislative committees met this week to discuss the state’s auto insurance crisis. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the industry is simple at its core in the sense that it’s dollar in, dollar out and if they pay more than a dollar going out, rates must increase.
Cut 4 (08) “…injuries.”
Temple says there needs to be tort reform for both auto and property insurance.

The Humane Society of Louisiana has issued a heat advisory alert for pets and they are urging animal owners to provide shade and water for pets and farm animals. Director Jeff Dorson says do not walk your pet on hot cement or sidewalks and never leave pets in cars or crates outside, as that basically amounts to a death sentence…
cut 9 (10) “…110 to 20 degrees”
Dorson says failure to properly take care of an animal could result in criminal charges.

Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low and that’s not just good news for today’s house hunters, it could bring significant savings to homeowners who have higher rates. Guild Mortgage Company Area Manager, Richard Allen, says homeowners are taking advantage of the rate drop, and depending on the loan type, savings go beyond interest rates…
Cut 10 (11) “…to pay.”
Allen says calls have increased from homeowners seeking to refinance.

Construction has started on phase two of the Houma Navigational Canal Lock Complex, which will limit saltwater intrusion. Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District President Tony Alford says the HNC Lock Complex will also distribute freshwater within the Terrebonne Basin, which help foster thousands of acres of wetland and fisheries…
cut 14 (08) “….tributaries”
The HNC Lock Complex will also close one of the remaining gaps of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System

The CDC says Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID cases. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints have signed linebacker Pete Werner to a three-year contract extension worth 25-million dollars.

The Louisiana Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff concert in New Orleans featuring Eric Church has been cancelled with no reason given. Church and other country artists were set to play in the Caesars Superdome on August 31st.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hosting a cybersecurity training session for law enforcement at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this week. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says this training is part of a broader effort to bolster the state’s defenses against cyber threats
Cut 9 (12) “…state of Louisiana.”
The Humor & Harmony Weekend kicks off today, hosted by rapper Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, in downtown Shreveport. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this festival, which runs until Sunday, comes at the perfect time.
Cut 14 (12) “…to the area.”
Organizers are expecting the event will bring about 30-thousand people.

We might see more mugshots released to the public as a result of a new law. Mel Bridges has the details.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Retired New Orleans Police officer Jeffrey Vappie, who once served as Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s bodyguard, has pleaded not guilty in federal court to wire fraud and making false statements. Vappie is accused of lying about his relationship with Cantrell and getting paid while performing recreational activities which include an alleged romantic relationship with the mayor. Vappie’s attorneys say the former officer is innocent of the charges.

Today is the first day of school for many and State Police is urging motorists to stop when a school bus has stopped and flashing red lights. Trooper Eddie Thomas says if a bus stops to let kids on and off and it’s a four-lane road with a physical barrier, a raised median, or a continuous lane, than oncoming traffic does not have to stop….
cut 8 (-09) “…with caution”

The first ever Humor and Harmony weekend gets underway today in Shreveport. Media mogul and award winning artist, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is putting on the event that’s expected to attract 30-thousand people. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans is the big driver of tourism to Louisiana, but is excited to see other cities try different events to bring tourists in…
cut 15 (12) “….spending money”

Starting this school year, third graders will not be promoted to the fourth grade if they score “well below” at least three times on a literacy screener test….
cut 5 (12) “…beyond the third”
That’s Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley, who says tutoring and other services will be available for third graders who are struggling to read at grade level.

Mugshots are more accessible as a result of a new law that went into effect this month…
cut 12 (11) “…parameters on it”
. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh authored legislation that reversed a 2022 law that made most mugshots unavailable depending on the crime that person was accused of.

It’s the first day of school for many students, which means yellow school buses are once again populating our roads. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is investigating a fatal bicycle crash that claimed the life of 39-year-old Lawrence Hebert of New Iberia. It happened Tuesday night in Lafayette Parish on Louisiana Highway 343 near Landry Road in Duson. L-S-P says Hebert was hit from behind by a GM Sierra and died from his injuries. He was not wearing helmet and his bicycle had no lights or reflectors.

This year’s public school third graders will be the first class that must demonstrate proficiency in reading to graduate to the fourth grade. Sean Richardson has the story.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

There were several legislative hearings at the state capitol yesterday and the focus was on the state’s high auto insurance rates. It’s possible we could see a special session early next year on insurance that will be filled with tort reform proposals.

As a result of a new law, we might see more mugshots released to the public. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh authored a measure that repeals a law from 2022 that set parameters for what mugshots could be released. Seabaugh says the 2022 law had good intentions, but it became costly and time consuming for sheriff departments to determine which mugshots could be released based on the 2022 law that sought to restrict the release of mugshots….
Cut 10 (12) “…put it back.”

The Humor & Harmony Weekend kicks off today, hosted by rapper Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, in downtown Shreveport. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this festival is exactly what’s needed to bring tourists to Louisiana during the summer months.
Cut 13 (12) “…slow time.”
The Humor and Harmony is a four-day event that features musical performances, comedy shows, classic car shows, plus after parties.

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, there are almost 78-thousand illegal school bus passes annually in Louisiana. State Trooper Eddie Thomas wants to remind motorists to halt when the stop sign on a school bus is out
Cut 7 (07) “…need to stop.”
Thomas says all traffic must come to a complete stop at least 30 feet away from the bus, but motorists heading in the opposite direction do not have to stop when it’s a four-lane road, with a physical barrier, a raised median or a continuous turn lane.

A new law goes into effect this school year that will hold children back in the third grade if they are not meeting reading requirements. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says this year’s third graders will be the first class that must demonstrate proficiency in reading to graduate to the fourth grade…
Cut 4 (10) “…and shared with teachers.”
If a student gets a “well below” score after three tests, additional tutoring will be available.

We might see more mugshots released to the public as a result of a new state law. Mel Bridges has the details.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The parents of a 19-month old killed in a police shooting has filed a lawsuit that names Lafayette Police, the city and others as defendants. The toddler died in the cross fire when officers responded to a domestic violence complaint last August. The lawsuit says police were notified children were present before the shooting started. Authorities say two officers were shot when John Nicholas opened fire on law enforcement and he’s been indicted on second-degree murder, five counts of attempted first degree murder and other charges.