A Winnfield lawmaker says, instead of paying property insurers to come to Louisiana, why not pay homeowners to make their roofs hurricane-proof…?

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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If you’re a fan of Antiques Roadshow, listen up because the 20-time Emmy Award-winning series is coming to Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a plan that creates a 45-million dollar incentive fund to attract more private insurers to the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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As lawmakers debate a plan to help alleviate soaring property insurance costs and availability, there is growing support for a plan to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland supports the idea of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…their insurance premiums.”

In essence, the program would give homeowners grants of up to $10-thousand (paid from a special fund) to retrofit their home’s roof so it is capable of withstanding 150-mile-an-hour winds. McFarland says that would be a metal roof in many cases, but there are many other ways to storm-harden a roof, such as…:

Cut 5 (14) “…hold the roof down.”

McFarland says the legislature voted to create the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program last year but did not create solid funding for it. He says the Department of Insurance and fellow lawmakers are committed to funding the program in the regular session that starts in April. He says it is a proven plan to lower coverage costs for homeowners…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…and fortifying.” 

McFarland wants any unused cash from the $5-million Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund to be put into the fortification fund.

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Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow and thought to yourself I wonder what that vase I inherited is worth? Well, here’s your chance, the beloved PBS series will be in Baton Rouge on May 2^nd and Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says your odds of winning tickets are pretty good.

Cut 7 (05) “…getting in here.”

Two-thousand pairs of tickets will be issued and the deadline to register is March 13^th. For more information visit pbs.org/roadshowtickets.

Ticketholders will be able to bring two items to be appraised for free. Bemko says it’s an opportunity to have experts evaluate your treasures, so bring in something that you can’t look up on the internet.

Cut 8 (09)  “…came in.”

Bemko says appraisers will tell participants where the item was made, a little history about it, and its value. But when experts eye something remarkable the experience is quite different.

Cut 9 (06)  “…cameras are rolling.”

It’s been ten years since Antiques Roadshow has been in Baton Rouge and Bemko says they are looking forward to what treasurers they’ll discover in the capital city. The last time the Emmy Award-winning program was in Louisiana was in 2017 in New Orleans.

The deadline to register for tickets is March 13^th and participants will be notified in mid-April if they’ve won tickets.

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The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. LED Secretary Don Pierson says it was a great year because the state leveraged its unique business advantages, sector diversity, and support for climate action.

Cut 10 (09)  “…in 24 parishes.”

And it’s not just the metro areas that have seen growth, Pierson says he’s also proud of the work they’ve done in rural areas of the state.

Cut 11 (12)  “…larger companies.”

While touting their 2022 success, Pierson says the state is poised for additional expansion, innovation, and the energy transition Louisiana is part of.

Cut 12 (10) “…for Louisiana.”

Pierson says whenever new companies locate or expand in the Bayou State it’s a ripple effect and it only improves the local economy.

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The Louisiana House has approved legislation that puts 45-million dollars in a fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The measure passed on a 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it as he’s skeptical the plan will lead to a more affordable insurance market

Cut 13 (13)  “….make sense.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is confident the incentive fund can bring eight to ten new private insurers to the state leading to the reduction of 40-thousand policyholders who rely on Citizens Insurance, which is increasing rates by an average of 63 percent this year.

Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown also has concerns about the plan and wishes Donelon provided more options for state lawmakers to consider in this special session

Cut 14 (11)  “…be more competitive”

The Incentive fund legislation will be discussed in the Senate starting today. Meanwhile, Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says the Louisiana Legislature can propose additional ideas for the regular session that begins in April.

Cut 15 (09)  “…let’s go.”

A two-month-long regular session begins April 10th.

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La Tech hosts one of the better teams in Conference USA tonight as the Bulldogs battle the Rice Owls at the Thomas Assembly Center. Rice is 15-6 overall, 6-4 in league play while Tech is 5-and-6 in conference action. The Bulldogs are coming off a win at UTSA as Isaiah Crawford scored 19 points. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester hopes to see more good play from Crawford…

Cut  16 (15)  “..successful”. 

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ULM opens a three-game homestand tonight as they host Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks are 6-4 in the Sun Belt, while Coastal is 4-and-6, but ULM Coach Keith Richard says it should be a good matchup…

Cut 17 (17) “…two one-point games.” 

Coastal Carolina has four players in double figures and they are one of the top rebounding teams in the Sun Belt.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team puts their eight-game winning streak on the line tonight as they take on Texas State in the Cajundome. The Bobcats are 4-and-6 in Sun Belt play, and 11-and-12 overall and Coach Bob Marlin says they have a better record on the road than at home…

Cut 18 (13) “…on Thursday” 

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According to Rivals-dot-com, the Ragin Cajuns had the best recruiting class in the Sun Belt as they added four more guys to their 2023 class. Two of the newest additions are from the River Parishes, including the Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year, Lutcher Quarterback D’Wanye Winnfield. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux calls Winnfield a gritty player who is a proven winner…

Cut 19 (18) “..for sure”

The Cajuns also signed cornerback Glenn Brown, who is a transfer from Southern. Brown is a graduate of St. James High School and appeared in 36 games for the Southern Jaguars. Desormeaux says they are excited to have Brown in Lafayette

Cut 20 (22)  “…need to” 

Louisiana loves beef, but new federal data shows we can expect to pay more for the popular protein in the months ahead…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves still has not made up his mind on running for governor . Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Louisiana loves beef, but the USDA’s 2023 Cattle Report predicts higher costs ahead for the popular protein. Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO David Foster concurs with the USDA’s findings that say the national herd is down over 39-million head from one year ago…:

Cut 3 (10) “…were down 6-percent.” 

Foster says there are fewer beef cattle around, which drives up cost based on availability. What’s more, feed stock costs are also up sharply meaning less food in feeders to fatten up the livestock…:

Cut  4 (10)  “…for the consumer.” 

Foster says fewer and less hefty cows will mean less beef for the market, hence an increase in costs of – possibly – 10-percent or more. He says all this can, of course, be affected by consumer demand for beef…:

Cut 5 (13) “…customers back again.”

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is still not ready to make a decision on whether to run for governor or not. Graves says he’s received encouragement to run, but his busy schedule in Washington D-C has kept him from examining the race

Cut 6 (11)  “…you posted” 

Graves, who is a close ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, was recently named chair of the Elected Leadership Committee, an important position in the GOP.

Meanwhile, Graves is not happy the state GOP has already endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. Graves says voters are upset a group of Republicans are trying to hand pick the next governor…

Cut 7 (08)  “…strong encouragement” 

Graves is 51-years-old and has served in the U-S House since 2015. During his weekly appearance on Mornings with Brian Haldane on Talk 107-3, Graves admits the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement of Attorney General Jeff Landry has led to a push for him to run for governor…

Cut 8 (12)  “…absurd” 

We also continue to wait on a major Democratic candidate to get in the race.

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There’s another big jackpot drawing tonight. Powerball is up to $653 million with a cash value of $351 million. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says this Powerball jackpot has been rolling since November 21^st.

Cut 9 (05) “…right now.” 

It seems like we’ve heard about several large jackpots recently in the multi-state games. Annison says the current Powerball jackpot has been rolling for 31 drawings.

Cut 10 (08) “…Louisiana winner.” 

So just what are your chances of winning? Annison says the odds of hitting a jackpot are one in 292 million.

Cut 11 (09)  “…million dollars.”

To be eligible for tonight’s Powerball drawing your ticket must be purchased by 9:00 PM. Remember to play responsibly and it only takes one ticket to win.

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At the legislative special session today, the Louisiana House voted for  a measure that creates a 45-million dollar incentive fund that would provide grants to insurance companies who write private property policies. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown has reservations, but still voted yes…

Cut 12 (12) “…do that”

The goal of the program is to reduce the number of Louisiana Citizens policyholders, who pay much higher premiums than they would if they had coverage through a private insurer.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon believes this legislation could reduce the number of Citizens policies by 40-thousand and it needs to pass now to give companies time to get reinsurance before the start of the next hurricane season. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says it seems like a good idea to her

Cut 13 (11) “…insurance crisis” 

The measure passed overwhelming (90-to-8) in the lower chamber. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder with the final vote tally

Cut 14 (12)   “..finally passed.”

The bill heads to the Senate for more debate.