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.