Senator Bill Cassidy says federal Infrastructure Act money is bringing broadband internet to the state’s rural parishes, with progress already made in Morehouse Parish. Brooke Thorington reports…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would provide grants to insurance companies willing to write property insurance policies receives approval from the Appropriations Committee and heads to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Revelers receive welcome news from the City of New Orleans as Mayor LaToya Cantrell officially announces that parade routes will return to pre-pandemic length and the Crescent City has secured enough police officers for carnival season.

Cut 3 (13) “…City of New Orleans” 

Interim Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says planning began several months ago to ensure enough police officers were allocated from around the state to provide security for residents and tourists for Mardi Gras.

Cut  4 (10)  “…Mardi Gras season.” 

Parade routes were abbreviated the last two seasons due to a shortage of police officers but Woodfork says they are extremely pleased with the collaborative effort of law enforcement across the state to provide adequate security for carnival season.

Cut 5 (08) “…everyone’s happy.”

The return of longer routes means the Krewe of Thoth can roll by New Orleans’ Children’s Hospital after a nearly three-year absence.

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is bringing broadband internet to Louisiana’s rural parishes. In his weekly press conference, Cassidy says a great example of the project’s progress is Morehouse Parish; where there was once NO fast internet access at all…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…is connected.” 

Cassidy says federal funds from the Infrastructure Act (which he supported) have been flowing into Louisiana to provide expanded, faster internet access. He says Morehouse is a good example of the program’s progress…:

Cut 7 (08)  “…reliable internet.” 

Cassidy says broadband work in Morehouse Parish continues…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…fiber-optic network.” 

He says more parishes have broadband project underway and the goal if for fast internet access to be available statewide.

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There is the potential for light freezing rain across the northern parishes tonight, into the overnight hours and through tomorrow morning. Louisiana Radio Network Meteorologist John Wetherbee says high temperatures will only be in the upper 30s today across north Louisiana and temperatures will approach freezing tonight

Cut 9 (11) “…early tomorrow.” 

Wetherbee says the Winter Weather Advisory is for parishes along I-20…

Cut 10 (09) “…close to freezing” 

Wetherbee says the winter weather advisory goes into effect tonight and last until tomorrow morning.

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House Appropriations approves legislation that establishes a45-million dollar incentive fund aimed at attracting additional private property insurers to the state. House Insurance Chairman Mike Huval is an insurance agent in Breaux Bridge and says a similar program after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita helped revitalize the private property insurance market…

Cut 11 (10)  “…come also.”

The bill heads to the House floor where it will be discussed on Wednesday.

Five companies took advantage of the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program in 2007, but Huval says it also attracted many other private property insurers who found Louisiana was a good state to provide coverage.  But Houma Representative Tanner Magee says several of the new property insurers bailed after multiple hurricanes

Cut 12 (09) “…pay claims.”

Huval admits smaller carriers could not handle the super active 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there are insurance companies who have expressed interest in writing policies in Louisiana if the incentive fund is created. But Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana are unaware of any of those companies

Cut 13 (07) “…willing to come.” 

Donelon says the incentive fund can result in more homeowners receiving insurance from a private insurer, instead of relying on much more expensive Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance policies. He says it could prevent thousands of people below I-10 from losing their homes…

Cut 14 (09)   “…emergency room.”

Donelon says long-term property insurance reform legislation could be addressed in the regular session that starts in April.

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Over 15-thousand fans packed into the Pete Maravich Assembly Center last night to watch the third ranked LSU women’s basketball team stay undefeated on the year by beating Tennessee 76-68. Coach Kim Mulkey was pleased with the win and amazed by the crowd

Cut 15 (15) “… in college”

The 15-thousand fans in attendance set a record for largest crowd in the PMAC since it was reconfigured in 2005. They were all wearing white T-shirts. Star forward Angel Reese was impressed…

Cut  16 (10)  “…is amazing.”

LSU is 21-0 and its next game is Thursday at home against Georgia.

LSU launches a collective that gives fans the opportunity to donate money that will be used to provide name, image and likeness payments for select athletes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An attorney for the mother of Madison Brooks says defense lawyers representing the four men accused of her sexual assault, are victim blaming.

Cut 2 (40)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LSU announced today the launch of Bayou Traditions, which is a collective that will open up more opportunities for athletes to get paid through name, image and likeness deals. Bayou Traditions President Brent Cunningham says fans can donate to the collective

Cut 3 (07) “…specifically” 

Cunningham says fans have the opportunity to make one-time, monthly and annual payments, anywhere from 10-dollars a month to 50-thousand dollars a year. He says the person making the contribution will get something in return

Cut  4 (11)  “…football season” 

Cunningham says fans can direct their payment to a specific sport…

Cut 5 (10) “…their program”

For more information go to “BayouTraditionsCollective.com”

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Hammond Police arrest 19-year-old Johnny Williams on charges of First-Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree murder. Chief Edwin Bergeron says Williams was a passenger in the car and just after seven o’clock last night an officer was flagged down by another man who told him his 24-year-old girlfriend, Tori Banks had been shot.

Cut 6 (12)  “…officer down.” 

Williams fled the scene on foot and Banks later died at the hospital.  Upon further investigation, Bergeron says it was learned that the three had been driving around town prior to the shooting.

Cut 7 (11)  “…the girlfriend.” 

Bergeron says about four hours later Williams was taken into custody, without incident, at his home that was not far from the scene of the incident. He credits officers for their hard work and diligence in apprehending Williams.

Cut 8 (07)  “…so fast.” 

Williams was booked into the Hammond City Jail and the investigation is ongoing.

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A lawyer representing the mother of Madison Brooks is calling out defense attorneys, representing four men accused of sexual assault, for trying the case in the media just moments after they said they wouldn’t. Kerry Miller says in a press conference last week they proceed to blame the victim.

Cut 9 (12) “…very offensive.” 

18-year-old Kaivon Washington, who’s accused of the rape of Brooks, has also been charged with the 2020 rape of a 12-year-old girl in Walker.  Miller says her mother wants to preserve Brooks’ legacy and would like to establish a foundation in her memory.

Cut 10 (06) “…feeling right now.” 

Last week defense attorney Ron Haley said there’s video evidence that proves the men did nothing wrong and that the encounter was consensual. Miller says the video only proves Brooks was unable to consent due to her level of intoxication. Two of the accused told police she was very drunk and Brooks’ blood alcohol content was almost four times the legal limit.

Cut 11 (09)  “…rape period.”

In the Brooks case, Washington and a 17-year-old minor are charged with third-degree rape. 18-year-old Casen Carver and 27-year-old Everett Lee are charged with principle to third-degree rape.  Miller says in the meantime, evidence will be presented to a grand jury to decide if the charges will be upgraded.

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State Police arrest a Lake Arthur man for hitting a bicyclist and killing him earlier this month. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 60-year-old Allen Vincent, of Gueydan, cycling along state Highway 717 in Vermilion Parish on the night of January 9th, when he was hit by a Toyota pickup. Gossen says they initially thought the cyclist was in the wrong lane, but learned otherwise…:

Cut 12 (10) “…correct direction.”

The crash happened back on January 9^th at around 7pm, in full darkness. Trooper Gossen says a follow-up investigation the next morning led them to conclude that the pickup driver, 20-year-old Kane LeBlanc of Lake Arthur, was the one who had crossed into the wrong lane…:

Cut 13 (10) “…this determination.” 

Gossen says a routine blood toxicology sample was taken from LeBlanc and the report meant additional charges…:

Cut 14 (11)   “…in a motor vehicle.”

It’s unknown at this time whether LeBlanc has been granted or has made bond.