Hurricane Ian is on track to rack up record costs of $70-billion or more, and the impacts of that will be felt here in Louisiana. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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One Louisiana community says “not so fast” on the latest way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby” 

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Marking four weeks since his daughter was murdered in Baton Rouge, Paul Rice – the father of LSU student Allie Rice – spoke with Jim Engster on “Talk Louisiana” Friday…:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Though Hurricane Ian missed Louisiana and ravaged Florida instead, Bayou State homeowners will not be spared a financial impact. Jeff Albright is with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana. He says this will likely be the most costly storm to ever hit Florida, and it will ripple westward across other hurricane-prone states…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…and higher premiums.”

Albright says Ian will affect the availability of coverage in coastal regions and will certainly drive up coverage costs. He says it’s even possible the effects of Ian will drive more Louisianans to the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens…:

Cut 5 (14) “…go insolvent.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants to create an incentive fund to attract new property insurers to the state, so homeowners may leave the more-costly Louisiana Citizens rates. This worked with some success after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Albright says it’s a good plan, but…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…national companies back.” 

Estimates are that insurance claims from Ian could total $70-billion or more; more than twice the cost of Hurricanes Laura and Ida combined.

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The Livingston Parish Council is saying “not so fast” to a proposal—backed by Governor John Bel Edwards—to inject captured greenhouse gases deep beneath Lake Maurepas. The lake is part of councilman Randy Delatte’s district and he’s concerned.

Cut 7 (11) “…water table.”

The company Air Products wants to store carbon dioxide under the lake instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The company is building a new clean hydrogen energy complex in Ascension Parish, next door to Livingston. The Livingston Council has passed a moratorium on injection wells. Delatte says he feels like their concerns are being ignored.

Cut 8 (09)  “…listening to us.”

Delatte says he is also worried about serious damage to Lake Maurepas if the well or any pipelines leading to it springs a leak.

Cut 9 (08)  “…kinds of things.”

The process of capturing and injecting greenhouse gases is becoming more popular. Last week Exxon Mobil and other companies announced a partnership to do the same thing—capturing gases from an ammonia plant—and injecting them deep beneath Vermillion Parish.

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The long-shuttered Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City looks to be on the road to reopening. State Gaming Control Board chairman Ronnie Johns says, if all is approved at Board’s December meeting, a new owner – based in Mississippi – will make a huge investment in getting the doors back open…:

Cut 10 (09) “…land-based casino.”

Diamond Jack’s has been closed since early 2020 amid the impacts of the pandemic on business. Its owner, Peninsula Pacific, sought to move its license to St. Tammany Parish for a massive casino resort complex, but local voters rejected it, and so the company put the license on the market. Johns says Mississippi-based Foundation Gaming wants to invest $200-million in a total revamp of the Bossier City complex. He says all is proceeding well…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…of the property.”

If the license transfer is approved, Foundation can continue plans for the construction and re-opening of the casino. Johns says he feels the deal with be approved and move forward, but it will still be some time before the new owners are ready to open their doors…:

Cut 12 (05) “…in 2024.” 

Johns says there will be a good many decent-paying jobs available when the casino is ready to reopen under new ownership.

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The father of LSU student Allie Rice, who was gunned down while stopped for a train in Baton Rouge on September 16^th, says it’s all been a blur as he continues to grapple with his emotions over the loss of his 21-year-old daughter. Paul Rice was a guest on Jim Engster’s Talk Louisiana Friday, four weeks to the day of her murder.

Cut 13 (08) “…one person.”

Allie Rice’s employer and close friend of Paul Rice, Chez Ciccone, also appeared on the program and said Allie’s car had gunshots on both sides of the vehicle. Ciccone voiced his frustration with the investigation and says Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul hasn’t followed up with the family after their last meeting.

Cut 14 (12)  “…promised to call me back.”

A reward of $50 thousand is being offered for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her death. Paul Rice says they want to keep Allie’s murder at the forefront of the media so justice will be served.

Cut 15 (10)  “…resolved.”

Paul Rice says despite their frustration with the investigation they’ve received a tremendous outpouring of support from the community.

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The LSU offense finally had its breakout performance offensively in the Tigers 45-35 win over the Florida Gators in Gainesville. Quarterback Jayden Daniels accounted for six touchdowns, three rushing, and three throwing as he had 349 passing yards. Coach Brian Kelly says he liked that Daniels was aggressive…

Cut 16 (15)  “…for him” 

Daniels big game also resulted in a big game for preseason All-American receiver Kayshon Boutte, who caught six passes for 115 yards. Kelly says Boutte prepared well for the game and he was named a gameday captain…

Cut 17 (18) “.difference maker” 

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The Saints were in position to get a big win at home over the Bengals on Sunday, but Louisiana legends Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase broke the hearts of the Who Dat Nation. New Orleans led by nine points late in the third quarter, but Burrow and Chase connected on two touchdown passes as Cincinnati rallied for a 30-26 win in New Orleans. Saints Coach Dennis Allen says settling for just two field goals in the second half hurt…

Cut 18 (18) “…in the game” 

Burrow threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He hit Chase on a 15-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and then in the fourth quarter, Burrow threw it to Chase, who broke two tackles on his way to 60-yard touchdown catch. Burrow says he was looking for Chase to make a play…

Cut 19 (22.) “…right way”

Chase starred at Rummel High School in Jefferson Parish, before helping LSU win a national championship in 2019. He had seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns in his homecoming.  The Harvey native says his performance in the Superdome means a little more…

Cut 20 (14) “ …little bit” 

Social Security checks will increase in January by an average of about $140 a month as the largest cost of living adjustment in more than 40 years takes place. Marsanne Golsby tells us what it will mean for Louisianans.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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The composite ACT scores among Louisiana high school students fell for the fifth year in a row. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Benefits for Social Ssecurity recipients will increase by 8-point-seven percent next year which is the largest hike since 1981.  Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says the average retired worker benefit for a person in Louisiana is around 14 hundred dollars a month…

Cut 3 (09) “…15-hundred annually” 

Muhl says the higher-than-normal cost of living adjustment is needed so seniors do not lose their purchasing power with inflation at eight-percent.

Cut 4 (09) “..their income.” 

Around 70 million people, including retirees, children, and disabled people, receive Social Security benefits. Muhl says the average increase for disabled workers will be around $106 more per month or $1275  more a year. He points out that Medicare Part B premiums are dropping.

Cut 5 (06) “…January 2023.” 

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A photo of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell traveling first class to Amsterdam last week has emerged after she’s already been ordered to repay the city $30-thousand for upgrading her travel experience to France this past summer. President of the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyenche says they asked the city about the price of the Amsterdam ticket and never got a response, so they researched ticket prices.

Cut 6 (10)  “…over $10,800.” 

Goyeneche says according to city policy if an employee travels internationally on a flight for more than ten hours the official is allowed to purchase a business class ticket for no more than 110-percent of the economy price ticket.

Cut 7 (06) “…for that.”

Cantrell has also come under fire for the appearance of using a city apartment for personal use. Goyeneche says now the personal security of Councilperson Helena Moreno has been reassigned out of what he believes is retaliation for her being critical of Cantrell, He says the driver has been accused of taking photos of Cantrell using the apartment and sending them to the media.

Cut 8 (10)  “…for that.”

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The composite ACT scores among Louisiana high school students fell for the fifth year in a row. The Class of 2022 score was 18-point-one down from 18-point-four last year. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says he believes it’s mostly pandemic related.

Cut 9 (10)  “…interrupted.”

The national average also dropped to 19-point-eight, down from 20-point-three. It’s the first time the national average has been below twenty since 1991. Brumley says the department is hoping to address the drop in scores with their high school accountability proposal that’s on the table. He says there needs to be an emphasis on the ACT because in Louisiana it is the gatekeeper for TOPS and college scholarships.

Cut 10 (07) “…national trend. 

Because state scores have steadily declined for the last five years Brumley says it’s concerning because the decline pre-dates the pandemic.

Cut 11 (11)  “…the country.”

Louisiana students performed better on the ACT than four other states in the country, Alabama, Mississippi, Nevada, and Oklahoma.