Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon seems pleased, overall, with insurance reforms passed by the Legislature this year. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Nearly every prisoner on Louisiana’s death row is asking Governor John Bel Edwards to commute their death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tiger fans are headed to the College World Series in Omaha for the first time since 2017. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

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The National Security Agency (NSA) selects LSU as the first university in the country to create and pilot and cybersecurity clinic to help Louisiana small businesses. LSU Economic Development director Greg Trahan (TRAH-hahn) says the university has a lot to offer the NSA in helping businesses fight cybercrime…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…point of entry.’”

When up and active, LSU’s Cybersecurity Clinic will offer free help in preventing, detecting and responding to cyberattacks. Trahan says it will be offered through the LSU Ourso College of Business, the LSU Center for Computation & Technology, the College of Engineering and the Small Business & Development Center at LSU…:

Cut 5 (13)   “…point of entry.”

Trahan says work will begin right away to implement the clinics and they hope to have them up and running within 12 months. Sub-clinics will deal with threat assessment & vulnerability, and move onto defensive strategies. He says the LCC will be a great learning environment for small business owners and also for students…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…go to class.”

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and House & Senate insurance committee leaders hold a press conference today to talk about the package of bills aimed at fixing an ailing home insurance market. Donelon tells LRN one bill he’s glad to see pass will offer homeowners free state financial help with hardening roofs and structures to storm-resistant standards…:

Cut 7 (10) “…ten thousand dollars.”

Louisiana has lost a large number of property insurance writers; mostly due to severe hurricanes that have hit the state (and those companies) pretty hard. A great many folks were forced to the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens (which is very costly). Donelon says lawmakers also approved additional funding for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program…:

Cut 8 (10) “…for their homes.’”

Donelon says the incentive program has already brought nine new insurance companies to the state and he expects to more coming soon.

He says lawmakers passed bills to assure that executives with failed insurers could not simply move to another company and continue exploiting Louisiana. Donelon is happy to see final passage for a bill giving property owners more options when filing a damage claim…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…residential claims.”

This was Donelon’s last legislative session as Insurance Commissioner. He is not seeking re-election this fall.

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51 Louisiana death row prisoners file clemency petitions in the hopes Governor John Bel Edwards and the Board of Pardons will commute their death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Louisiana Capital Appeals Project director Cecelia Kappel is an attorney for several of the inmates who have filed clemency applications

Cut 10 (09) “…on them.”

Kappel says when looking at these cases collectively, it’s clear the system is fundamentally broken. She says nine innocent people have been exonerated from Louisiana’s death row. She says 42 of 57 people under a death sentence are people of color, at least 23 have a documented intellectual disability and 39 have been diagnosed with serious mental illness and or brain damage

Cut 11 (09)  “…pardon board”

Kappel says they hope the pardon board will hold hearings this fall. Earlier this year, Governor Edwards announced his opposition to the death penalty. She hopes Edwards decides to commute the death sentences of 51 inmates before he leaves office in early January…

Cut 12 (07)    “…for clemency.” 

57 people are on Louisiana’s death row. A spokesperson for the governor’s office says any applications recommended to the governor by the Board of Pardons for gubernatorial approval are reviewed on a case-by-case basis before a final decision is made. A-G Jeff Landry says he’ll fight the clemency pleas.

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Thousands of Tigers fans will flock to Omaha for the College World Series as the Bayou Bengals are in the C-W-S for the first time since 2017. Executive Director of Visit Omaha Deborah Ward says there’s plenty to do besides the game.

Cut 13 (12) “…going strong.”  

Eight teams including LSU will compete in Omaha, which gets underway Friday and runs through June 26. Ward says Omaha will be the baseball capitol of the world.

Cut 14 (13)  “…this period.”

Omaha is famous for steak, one of the best zoos in the world, and the Reuben sandwich. Ward says the city is excited to welcome Tiger fans but there’s also a change in baseball…

Cut 15 (12)  “…on Friday.”

The Tigers are playing in the College World Series for the 19th time in the school’s history.

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LSU made it past Kentucky to secure its first Super Regional title and trip to the College World Series since 2017. After a 14-0 victory late Saturday night, the Tigers got the series winning 8-3 victory Saturday. Right hander Ty Floyd got the start and allowed a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning but with runners on second and third retired the side to keep the Tigers down just one. Floyd pitched three innings and allowed three runs on seven hits but Coach Jay Johnson had nothing but praise for his junior pitcher…

Cut  16 (19) “…he didn’t”

The Tigers made it to Omaha just as many expected them to at the start of the season. The preseason favorites for the CWS title, LSU struggled towards the end of conference play as they traversed the 14th toughest schedule in all of college baseball. Johnson says the team played four games a week all season without a losing week, and sometimes rest is all you need…

Cut 17 (16) “…last weekend.” 

LSU will take on SEC rival Tennessee in the first round of the College World Series. The Tigers and Volunteers were both top five teams heading into the season and have experienced their share of struggles. LSU took home the series win in the regular season, but Johnson says they’re a very talented team playing some of their best ball…

Cut 18 (14) “…out there”

The Tigers and Vols are scheduled to face off 6:00 Saturday

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The Saints had their first day of minicamp in the Derek Carr era yesterday. Carr got the chance to build chemistry with some new faces and continue to learn the Saints attack. He said New Orleans will have to tackle the welcome problem of trying to share the ball to almost too many offensive weapons. Carr particularly praised the talents of running back Alvin Kamara who he was able to get reps with yesterday…

Cut 19 (20) “…on the field.” 

On the defensive side of the ball Marshon Lattimore had a good first day as he looks to return to form following injuries last season. Carr had the chance to play against Lattimore during his time with the Raiders, but he says seeing him in practice has helped him understand why he’s one of the best in the league…

Cut 20 (17)  “…way he does.”  

State lawmakers approved legislation that would provide a $500 tax break to gun owners for purchases of gun-safe storage devices. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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In January the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources will have a new name. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Among bills passed last week, was a measure to give a $500 tax break to Louisiana gun owners for purchases of safes, locks, and other gun storage devices. Bill’s author, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says her legislation mirrors a Virginia bill passed earlier this year.

Cut 3 (12) “…as well.”

53% of adults in Louisiana have guns at home, the 13^th highest level among states, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, which measures only licensed weapons. Landry hopes her bill provides a layer of gun safety

Cut 4 (12)  “…all times.” 

Gun owners should keep receipts of purchases to receive a tax credit through the Department of Revenue. Landry says this is an effort to prevent gun-related accidents involving children and adults.

Cut 5 (13)  “…harm someone.”

The bill awaits the governor’s signature.

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House and Senate leaders are facing criticism for cutting 100-million dollars from the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says L-D-H’s budget is over 15-billion dollars and a majority of the Legislature believes they can handle this cut

Cut 6 (14)  “…of the funding” 

But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, who manages the state’s finances for the governor, says the 100-million dollar cut will be impactful…

Cut 7 (08)  “…to the department” 

Dardenne says they are looking into the possibility of the governor using his line-item veto power and taking the 100-million dollar cut to L-D-H out of the budget bill. Zeringue understands that’s a real possibility

Cut 8 (09)  “… address that” 

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Louisiana’s largest military base Fort Polk officially changed its name to Fort Johnson today. The Army base in Vernon Parish has been named after World War I hero Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black U.S. soldier who fought in France in 1918 and 1919. Brigadier General David Gardner says Sgt. Johnson embodies the warrior spirit.

Cut 9 (09) “…every day.”

The process of renaming Fort Polk began in 2021 after the changes were mandated by Congress. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act requires any and all Army bases with ties to the Confederacy in their namesake to undergo a name change. Gardner says today’s redesignated celebration in honor of Sgt. Johnson was well attended.

Cut 10 (10) “…the base.”

Sgt. Johnson served in New York National Guard’s 369^th U.S. Infantry Regiment and was a World War I Medal of Honor recipient and posthumously received the Purple Heart in 1996. Gardner says all Fort Johnson signage will be prominently displayed.

Cut 11 (13)  “…as well.”

Johnson became one of the first Americans to be awarded France highest award for valor.  Fort Polk is one of nine army installations redesignated to remove its Confederate name.

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In January, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources will under go a name change. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the state agency will be known as The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources because the agency’s role has expanded over the years and oversees much more than oil and gas now.

Cut 12 (10) “…Halo group.” 

The department also oversees solar, and wind energy projects.

Another reason for the name change is the agency’s application for federal funds from the US Department of Energy. Courreges says some of those federal funds are funneled through DNR for rebates on energy-efficient changes to homes.

Cut 13 (10) “…the DOE.” 

Another issue that prompted the name change, Courreges says DNR is often mistaken by those out of state as the wildlife agency for Louisiana.

Cut 14 (11)  “…Fisheries does.”

The name change will be official when the next governor is sworn-in in January because the department will have to update its letterhead and more at the same time.