Senator Bill Cassidy is working on bipartisan legislation to give relief to property owners who are being priced out of their homes with flood insurance hikes. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A team of researchers and students led by Lafayette researchers has uprooted thousands of artifacts from Kisatchie National Forest in Vernon Parish. Teiko Foxx reports the findings…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”  

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Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is working with New Jersey Democrat Senator Bob Menendez in reforming the flood insurance program and cap premium increases. Cassidy expects there will be a hearing soon in DC on their legislation.

Cut 3 (12) “….red tape.” 

Cassidy says FEMA has yet to explain the 18 percent increase and their calculations for Risk Rating 2.0.

Before premium increases were capped at nine percent annually, Cassidy says under Risk Rating 2.0 the increase can be as high as 18 percent. His proposal caps the annual maximum increase to nine percent.

Cut 4 (06)  “…even that.” 

Cassidy says he wants to help homeowners along the coast who are being priced out of remaining in their homes. He says the same problems Louisianans are facing with flood insurance are also happening in New Jersey and New York. Reduced rates, he says would be based on need and no one would necessarily receive free coverage.

Cut 5 (09)  “…her insurance.”

Cassidy says the bipartisan Infrastructure Act is putting funds towards making areas vulnerable to natural disasters more resilient and once completed it should lower flood insurance rates.

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During a six-week excavation in the Kisatchie National Forest in Vernon Parish, researchers with UL Lafayette have discovered rare artifacts dating back to the last Ice Age. UL Lafayette Professor of Anthropology Dr. Mark Rees says they unearthed a collection of projectile points and stone instruments…

Cut 6 (13)  “…the sharpening..” 

Rees excavating team uncovered artifacts such as ceramics, stone tools, and evidence that suggests that a bow and arrow was used by nomadic groups of people that occupied this land 13,000 years ago.

Cut 7 (12)  “…South Louisiana…” 

Researchers uncovered the first evidence of a permanent structure in the national forest. Rees says the post-molds will help interpret time and societal associations…

Cut 8 (12)  “…of dating…” 

Students from UL-Lafayette, LSU, and Tulane University also participated in the excavation.

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Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot of $750 million is among the largest jackpots in the game’s history. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says most winners choose to take cash value which would be almost $379 million for this jackpot versus an annuity of $750 million.

Cut 9 (10)  “…full jackpot.”

The last time someone held a winning Powerball ticket was April 19^th

Tickets must be purchased by nine o’clock tonight to be eligible for the drawing and Annison says to always sign the back of your ticket and be sure to check your ticket before throwing it away. He says even if you don’t hit all the jackpot numbers you might still be a winner.

Cut 10 (05)  “…prizes you can win.”

The easiest way to check your ticket is by using the Louisiana Lottery app on your smartphone to scan you ticket.

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In a new million dollar ad buy, Attorney General and the Republican frontrunner in the governor’s race, Jeff Landry, tells voters he understands the struggles of working class families. Landry says he dug ditches in a sugarcane field, served our country and worked nights as an officer, while raising a family…

Cut 11 (11)  “…delivers solutions.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes the 30-second TV ad will resonate with voters because it touches on the lack of progress in Louisiana…

Cut 12 (09) “…fixed” 

Landry, Republican Treasurer John Schroder, and former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack are the only candidates in the race who have released statewide TV ads.

Landry’s most recent campaign finance report showed he had six-million dollars on hand. The primary election is three months away and Pinsonat says Landry has way more resources than his opponents…

Cut 13 (11) “…you are the front-runner”

The lone declared candidate for Insurance Commissioner is about to start his campaign media blitz. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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After pleading not guilty to a felony charge of battery, Saints running back Alvin Kamara pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace for his involvement in a 2022 fight in Las Vegas. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Small business optimism has improved since last month but it’s still well below average with inflation disparities and quality workers as a big problem. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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DeRidder insurance professional Tim Temple has begun his campaign for Louisiana Insurance Commissioner in earnest. Temple’s campaign announced it will start buying statewide media ads to promote his run. In a Tuesday call to LRN, Temple says he has been traveling the state since he announced last fall, but the time has come to invest in a broader message…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…in this campaign.”

Louisiana has the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, and property insurance costs are threatening some residents with the loss of their homes. Temple says we have too few insurance companies doing business here, and hence there is no competition to drive costs down. He says, if elected, he’d work to change that…:

Cut 5 (11)   “…business in Louisiana.”

Current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will not seek re-election, and –as of now – Temple is the only declared candidate in the race. With a month to go before qualifying, Temple says he will campaign as hard as if he did have a challenger…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…every single day.”

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A more than four hours standoff with Shreveport Police Monday morning ends with what authorities believe is the suspect’s charred remains found inside a Crook Creek home. Names of those involved have not been released and Police Chief Wayne Smith says it ended when the suspect set the home on fire.

Cut 7 (09) “…this time.”

Smith says the suspect was heavily armed when he went to the home intent on causing harm to any and everyone he encountered. The gunman shot two neighbors before entering the home, and he also fired shots toward a room where a 13-year-old girl hid as others escaped. Smith says the teen was hit and three officers entered the home amid gunfire to save her.

Cut 8 (09) “…to safety.’”

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the standoff and the gunman exchanged gunfire multiple times with officers and he also destroyed two police drones used in the standoff. Smith says police spent hours trying to negotiate with the suspect.

Cut 9 (03)  “…of surrendering.”

Smith says all of the shooting victims are expected to make a full recovery.

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Saints running back Alvin Kamara has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges stemming from a fight that took place in a Las Vegas hotel in 2022. As part of the plea deal, Kamara must perform community service and pay over $100,000 to the victim, Darnell Greene, for medical bills. Host of the Locked-On Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says Kamara avoids jail time…

Cut 10 (10) “…Alvin Kamara.”

Kamara also faced a civil suit in Louisiana that sought $10 million in damages, but Greene’s attorney says the suit has been settled. The NFL, who was waiting for the judicial process to play out, has yet to announce their own consequences as part of its personal-conduct policy. First-time offenders facing felony charges involving assault or battery usually receive at least a 6-game suspension, but Jackson says it’s hard to predict what the league will do…

Cut 11 (10)  “…their players.”

While Kamara said he was glad to have this put behind him and Saints training camp just around the corner, Jackson says this could still be drawn out longer. The NFL has been monitoring proceedings closely but has given no timetable on when a ruling will be passed down. Jackson says even that may not be the end…

Cut 12 (09)    “…even longer.” 

Kamara will be eligible for Saints training camp which begins July 26. The Saints are scheduled to begin preseason August 13 while the regular season kicks off September 10.

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A new survey of members by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates a slight uptick in optimism among small businesses last month but inflation and labor quality are still a major concern. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says owners are more optimistic about future conditions compared to last year’s reading of 21 percent worse…

Cut 13 (11) “…61 percent.”  

Eight percent of ‘Mom and Pops’ mentioned labor costs as their top business problem, which is down by two points from May and 24 percent said that labor quality was their top business problem. McVea says nearly half of the owners reported job openings that were hard to fill…

Cut 14 (12)  “…a problem.”

However, 36 percent of owners say they have raised compensation, and 22 percent plan to raise wages in the next three months. McVea is hopeful the economy will improve for owners by the end of the last quarter…

Cut 15 (13)  “…the year.”

A state judge has thrown out obstruction of justice charges against two former state troopers indicted in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Schools and athletic events in Louisiana will be required to have AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and trained individuals to use them in case something goes terribly wrong. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Two former state troopers could be cleared of wrongdoing in the Ronald Greene case.  Judge Thomas Rogers has quashed the obstruction of justice charges against John Peters and Dakota DeMoss. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the judge determined Peters’ actions did not meet the level of obstruction of justice by saying “Bury it in the report” when discussing the in-custody death of Greene…

Cut 3 (08) “….right” 

Judge Rogers has also ruled DeMoss should not face obstruction of justice charges for turning off his body camera audio. Borghardt says he’s surprised the judge dismissed that charge

Cut 4 (10)  “…obstruction of justice” 

District Attorney John Belton can appeal.

The judge is also giving prosecutors three days to fix deficiencies in some charges against the three other defendants. Borhardt says it appears Judge Rogers is tightening up the case…

Cut 5 (10)  “…not a judge.”

Former state trooper Kory York faces the most serious charge. York is accused of negligent homicide as he was involved in the beating Greene took after a police chase along rural highway in Union Parish in 2019. York also faces ten counts of malfeasance, but the judge is considering quashing eight of those counts, unless D-A John Belton can identify a specific criminal act.

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The state health department is reporting Louisiana’s first two human cases of West Nile Virus for  2023. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it only takes one bite so protect yourself

Cut 6 (09)  “…severe complications…” 

LDH advises eliminating standing water from around your home, keeping gutters and swimming pool properly cleaned, and also wearing EPA-approved mosquito repellent if you will be outside. Kanter says mosquito pools are present and cases have been discovered in two parishes across the state.

Cut 7 (12)  “…out there…” 

Cases of malaria, caused by certain types of mosquitos, have been reported in Florida and Texas. Although there are no locally acquired cases of malaria, Kanter says mosquito vectors are present in the state creating the potential for local transmission.

Cut 8 (12)  “…the summer…” 

Last year, Louisiana experienced 41 West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases and seven deaths.

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According to Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, Louisiana paid its more than 13,000 patrol officers and sheriff’s deputies an average annual salary of $45 thousand in 2022 compared to the national average of $71 thousand. PAR President Steven Procopio says comparing Louisiana to neighboring states, law enforcement patrol officers are paid six-thousand below the regional average…

Cut 9 (11)  “…job well.”

Louisiana has the third lowest police pay compared to nine southern southern states. The average hourly pay for officers is around $22 in Louisiana

Procopio says it’s unclear whether the numbers include supplemental dollars that the state provides, but in most states local governments are responsible for police pay….

Cut 10 (09)  “…in money.”

While the South has the lowest wages for police in the country, it also has the highest concentration of jobs in law enforcement. In Louisiana, seven out of every 1,000 jobs are in law enforcement. Procopio says in order to keep boots on the ground, salaries must stay competitive…

Cut 11 (12)  “…make priorities.”

Officers in the New Orleans-Metairie receive the highest annual salary in the state,  making $49 thousand.

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Schools and athletic events in Louisiana are now required to have an automated external defibrillator, better known as an AED. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored the legislation, and he says two lives have already been saved in those settings because an AED was readily available.

Cut 12 (11) “…talk about it” 

The state health department will have oversite of the devices, so they are properly maintained. Fields says LDH will also provide instruction on how an AED should be used.

Cut 13 (06) “…CPR training.”

In addition to athletics Fields says there’s a need in the classroom for AEDs. Lawmakers dedicated $1.5 million to pay for the devices.  Schools that don’t have a device can apply one through state education.

Fields says he’d been working on the “Jump Start Your Heart” legislation prior to the collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in January during the Cincinnati Bengals game. He says the incident only highlighted the need for AEDs and CPR training.

Cut  14 (10)  “…nation.”

The new law also dictates that schools should have a response plan to incidents that involve the use of AEDs and CPR.