972 people were killed in 2021 on Louisiana roads according to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Mark Lambert says the number of impaired driving crashes increased by a disturbing 32 percent.
Cut 4 (07) “…seatbelts.”
Last year there was also an all-time high of 185 pedestrians being killed by motorists.

Baton Rouge Police are trying to find the killer of an LSU student. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 21-year-old Allison Rice’s vehicle was found near railroad tracks early Friday morning , not far from the city’s downtown area…:
CUT 09 (09) “…in her car.”
Investigators say it was possible she was waiting for a train to pass when she was gunned down.

Seven Louisiana schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. The winning schools are located in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette. St. Landry and St. Tammany parishes. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s exciting news…:
CUT 06(07) “…our schools.”
Three Louisiana schools are recognized as “Exemplary High Performing.” They are the LSU Lab School and St. James Episcopal Day School in Baton Rouge and South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Caddo Parish.

LSU kicks off SEC play tonight against Mississippi State. Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly says there’s a lot of talk about the Bulldogs Air Raid offense, but they are also good on defense…:
CUT 13(10) “…to succeed.”
The Bulldogs have only allowed 169 rushing yards in two games. Kick off is at 5 PM.

Thousands are paying their final respects to Queen Elizabeth the Second in London before her funeral on Monday. Did you know Queen Elizabeth once issued a formal apology to Acadians after a Louisiana man threatened to sue her. Marsanne Golsby has the story….
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Cops continue to search for the gunman who fatally shot an LSU student multiple times in her vehicle as she was stopped at a railroad crossing near downtown Baton Rouge early Friday morning. 21-year-old Allison Rice was from Ascension Parish.

New data is out on the number of fatalities that occurred in Louisiana in 2021 and it’s not good. According to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation, 927 people were killed in 2021 on Louisiana roads, that’s a 17-percent increase over the prioer year and the most since 2007. There was also an all-time high 185 pedestrian fatalities. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says always walk against the traffic not with it…
cut 5 (09) “….against the traffic”

Seven Louisiana schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. Four are recognized for Exemplary Growth. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they are Folsom Elementary in St. Tammany, Frasch Elementary in Calcasieu, Grand Prairie in St. Landry and Myrtle Place Elementary in Lafayette…
cut 8 (06) “….year to year”

972 people were killed in 2021 on Louisiana roads, that’s a 17-percent increase from 2020 according to the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Mark Lambert says the numbers are disturbing.
Cut 3 (09) “…of COVID.”
The 972 fatalities are the most since 2007 and the numbers out of LSU show a 32-percent increase in DWI fatal crashes.

The state-run property insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, requests permission to raise rates by 63 percent. The insurer says higher reinsurance costs and a significant increase in policies are the reasons needed to raises dramatically. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has an idea on how to reduce the number of Citizens policies…:
Cut 11 (09) “…after Katrina.”
Donelon says he and his staff have yet to go over the rate increase proposal.

There’s good and bad news on how Louisiana residents fared financially in 2021 according to new Census data. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 30 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU says one of its students was fatally shot in an off campus incident early this morning. The body of 21-year-old Allison Rice was found insider her vehicle in the Mid-City area of Baton Rouge. Police say the senior from Ascension Parish was shot multiple times. A possible suspect or motive is unknown at this time.

Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation has filed a 63-percent rate increase with the Louisiana Insurance Department. The insurer cites rising reinsurance costs and the number of policies growing from 35-thousand to 114-thousand. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’ll go over the propsoal thoroughly with his staff. If approved it will take effect on January 1st…:
Cut 13 (06) “…what they submitted.”
Donelon says next year he’ll seek legislative approval for an incentive plan to bring more private insurers into the state.

The Louisiana Bond Commission has approved a 39-million dollar future line of credit for a power plant that would energize pumps to reduce flooding in New Orleans. Attorney General Jeff Landry led an effort to withhold the future dollars over city leaders pledging now to enforce the state’s abortion ban. But Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says after not voting for the funding at the last two meetings, it’s time to approve it…
cut 7 (09) “…I feel”
The vote was eleven to one in favor of the future line of credit.

Louisiana does not have many electric vehicle charging stations compared to other states, but the federal government has approved the state’s plan to bring more charging stations to Louisiana, which will result in 73-million dollars in federal funding over the next five years. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they will distribute grants to private businesses who want to install, own and operate the E-V charging stations…
cut 10 (04) “….public 24-7”
Wilson expects to distribute the funds by the summer of 2023.

New US Census information shows Louisiana had the highest poverty rate in the country from 2019 to 2021 at nearly 20-percent. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says thanks to food stamps and enhanced unemployment during the pandemic, the state’s poverty rate actually decreased…
cut 15 (12) “….improved”
Moller says national data shows poverty, especially among children fell to historic lows when the expanded Child Tax Credit was available.

After failing on two previous occasions, the Bond Commission approved a 39-million dollar future line of credit for a new power plant for New Orleans drainage pumps. Attorney General Jeff Landry pushed to delay the funding, because he says New Orleans officials pledged not to enforce the state’s abortion ban. Angelique Freel, Civil Director of the Louisiana Department of Justice, spoke on Landry’s behalf…
Cut 4 (10) “…physical cost.”
After a spirited discussion, the Bond Commission voted 11-to-1 to approve the future line of credit. It’s money the city will not see for at least a year, but Franklin Senator Bret Allain says if they keep delaying a vote on this project, it will impact others….
Cut 6 (07) “…is ridiculous”

Louisiana Citizens Insurance Corporation, the state’s insurer of last resort, has requested a 63-percent rate hike. The insurer says reinsurance costs have risen and the number of properties they cover has grown considerably as Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon spells out…
cut 12 (14) “….114-thousand now”
Donelon says his actuaries will take a long look at Citizens request before approving.

The Federal Highway Administration approved the state’s Electric Vehicle infrastructure plan which will result in $73 million in federal funding over the next five years. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, says this money will be distributed to private companies that will own, install, and operate EV charging stations.
Cut 8 (10) “…the requirements.”

After not voting for it two previous times, the Louisiana Bond Commission approved a 39-million dollar non-cash line of credit for a new power station to improve New Orleans sewer pumps. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry helped delay funding because he said city officials planned on not enforcing the state’s abortion ban. But New Orleans city attorney Donesia Tuner told the Bond Commission that the mayor, the city council or the police superintendent never said they would not enforce the state’s abortion ban, but it would not be a high priority…
Cut 5 (08) “…be priority.” (2x) …

There is some good news that has come out of some new US Census data. Jan Moeller with the Louisiana Budget Project says in 2021 those without health insurance in the state fell to an all-time low as 92% of Louisianans had some form of health coverage.
Cut 16 (09) “…health insurance.”

The state-run property insurer of last resort requests a rate hike of over 60 percent. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Fiona in the Atlanta, but based on the official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center it does not pose a threat to the Gulf of Mexico.