This may come as no surprise, but a new report rates Louisiana the second-worst state in America for people to own and drive a car. “BankRate.com” analyst Sarah Foster says we have the highest-priced car insurance, at an average $2700, and we have a high traffic fatality rate…:

Cut 13   (11)        “…insurance premiums.”

Foster says our auto rates are – on average – about a thousand bucks higher than the national average for coverage. She auto repair costs and long commute times also help with our terrible ranking.

Shreveport Police are investigating the Sunday night shooting death of an 18-year-old man. They says the gunfire started after an argument over a cell phone.

A Houma woman is in jail, after allegedly biting a police officer’s ear completely off. It happened early Saturday morning, as officers broke up a fight in a bar parking lot. 36-year-old Michelle Smith reportedly chomped the cop’s ear, then fled. A warrant is out for her arrest.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating to see if the virus that causes COVID-19 in people is also in whitetail deer. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been recruited to be President Biden’s senior advisor in distributing the just-signed Infrastructure & Investment Jobs Act funds. UNO political analyst Ed Chervenak says that is bound to draw some criticism, but the job needs to be done..:

CUT 08(09)      “…at anybody.”

A suspect has been arrested in the second of two fatal shootings that took place on Grambling State’s campus during homecoming week. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says the suspect has been identified as Ahmad Green

CUT 15(08)      “…been arrested.”

Green is now in the Lincoln Parish jail; held on $4-million bond. A second suspect, Jatavious Carroll of Delhi, is still being sought.

Election ballots across the state for Saturday are a bit unexciting; with 4 amendments and local races to be decided. However, New Orleans has those PLUS a mayoral election and city council seats to decide. Jeremy Alford, with “LAPolitics.com”, says even so he thinks turnout will be low…:

CUT 14(09)      “…be any lines.”

Polls open at 7 Saturday, and close at 8 P.M.

After being delayed by Hurricane Ida, voters will get to make their wishes known in Saturdays election. Dave Brannen reports…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brannen”

Governor John Bel Edwards reports that Louisiana now has the lowest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States. The Governor tweeted that ‘that is great progress, but our work isn’t finished.’ The state was setting record highs for cases and deaths just last summer.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana, but the ballot is quite sparse in most districts; many having only four amendments to the state constitution for voters to decide. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin urges you to not let them be decided by a small percentage voter turnout…:

CUT 03  (09)        “…what we have.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election on Saturday. Cantrell also opposes Constitutional Amendment One on the ballot which creates a single commission to collect sales and use taxes. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says business groups support Amendment One…:

CUT 12(07)      “…almost immediately.”

Cantrell has the advantage; having drawn no well-funded challengers.

Grant Parish deputies say a man is in critical condition, after he tried a home invasion robbery and was shot by the homeowner. 39-year-old Chad Scott, of Pollock, allegedly made forced entry to the home only to be met by the resident; an armed off-duty Wildlife & Fisheries agent. Scott is in the hospital. State Police are investigating.

Bonfires on the Levee are officially given the go-ahead for this Christmas Eve in St. James Parish, after COVID snuffed them out last year. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Voters across our state finally get the chance to vote tomorrow, after weeks of delay due to Hurricane Ida. Dave Brannen has more…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Brannen.”

A Covington man is charged with sexual contact with minors; using the social media app Snapchat to search for victims. St. Tammany Parish deputies say 18-year-old Ryheim Ross’s victims were 11, 12 and 13. He’s being held on over $400-thousand bond.

More pain at the pump, as the national average price of regular gas is now at $3.41. The statewide average is $3.16 and oil is around $800 a barrel. Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says he expects things to remain pretty much right there for the next several weeks…:

CUT 07  (11)        “…into the winter.”

OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production, but Redman says it’ll be some time before that brings any relief at the gas pump.

Bonfires on the Mississippi River levee return this Christmas.  St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne says cancelling last year due to the pandemic was a hard call to make … but he says this year – weather permitting – the fires will return…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…to normalcy.”

The parish will start issuing permits next week. The bonfires can be lit anytime from November 21^st to Christmas Eve.

In honor of Veterans Day, Governor John Bel Edwards officially dedicated the new Never Forget Garden; right next to the State Capitol grounds. The event also commemorates 100 years since the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established in D.C. The Governor, who is an Army vet himself, says it’s not just the men and women who served, but the families who support them – often not being with their loved ones for holidays, birthday and other key events…:

CUT 11(09)      “…as well.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says – if you wish to honor veterans – get out and cast your vote Saturday. Ardoin says you can also display your appreciation with their Honor Vets Vote Program by visiting “sos.la.gov/honorvets”…:

CUT 06(12)      “…social media.”

The state has put out a survey to learn the true economic impact to Louisiana’s commercial seafood industry from the last two years of hurricanes. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brannen.”

Shreveport Police name their suspect in the shooting last Friday night at the Louisiana State Fair that left one victim fighting for their life. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of 17-year-old Donald Ray Jackson, who should be considered armed and dangerous. Once caught, he’ll face attempted murder charges.

To honor veterans and the 100^th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Governor Edwards dedicates the Never Forget Garden; adjacent to the State Capitol grounds. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

A Lake Charles family is crediting their “fur baby” with saving them from a house fire. Homeowner Denise Ackley says their dog Gracie would not stop barking in the middle of the night. She got up to deal with the dog and noticed an electrical fire had started in the bathroom. The home was an almost total loss, but everyone – including Gracie – made it out safely.

Today is Veteran’s Day and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin suggests you honor a vet by casting your ballot Saturday…:

CUT 08(06)      “…a right to vote.”

The polls open Saturday morning at 7 and close at 8 p.m. Four important constitutional Amendments and other local races and issues are to be decided.

McNeese state’s decision to remain in the Southland Conference will provide a positive economic impact for the Lake Charles area. The school WAS considering a move to the Western Athletic Conference. Staying put assures McNeese will host multiple conference tournament championship events over a four-year period. Athletic Director Heath Schroyer says revenue generated by those will help the region’s recovery…:

CUT 13(11)      “…a year ago.”

Today is Veteran’s Day; a day to honor those who’ve served in our military and have lived to tell the tale. How to do that? Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says simply post something from the heart on your social media, or another way is a memorium; available through the Secretary of State website…:

CUT 07  (07)        “…lapel pin.”

He says another way is exercise your right to vote this Saturday. Polls open and 7 and close at 8.

Governor Edwards dedicated the Never Forget Garden today. The garden is right next to the State Capitol grounds. The Governor says the garden includes the Louisiana Gold Star Families Memorial that was dedicated in 2018 and the Minute Men Monument; honoring fallen members of the Louisiana National Guard that was placed in 2019…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…our freedoms.”

Cops in Shreveport are seeking a juvenile suspect for the shooting that took place last Friday at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds. He’s identified as 17-year-old Donald Ray Jackson and is from Bossier City. SPD says a cash reward is offered for information that helps nab Jackson, and you should consider him dangerous. Once caught, he’ll face attempted murder charges.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and LSU are teaming to survey the commercial seafood industry and the economic impacts suffered over these past two hurricane seasons. LDWF administrator Jason Froeba says participants will be asked, foremost, were losses over the two years large or small..?

CUT 04(09)      “…across very well.”

They hope to get useful data from seafood producers, harvesters, dealers and charter boat operators.

Get ready for some big numbers. Insured losses from the 2020 hurricane season in Louisiana – the year we had Laura, then Delta, then Zeta – total about $10.6-billion. That’s what insurers have paid or have in reserve to pay for still-to-be-determined claims. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says over 300-thousand claims were filed, with about 1800 formal complaints against insurance companies to his department field…:

CUT 08(08)      “…small percentage.”

Entergy Louisiana will upscale its green power portfolio, but purchasing several hundred megawatts of solar power by 2024. Entergy’s resource planning director Jonathan Bourg…:

CUT 12(10)      “…located in Louisiana.”

Once approved by the state Public Service Commission, those solar plants will be in Allen, St. James and Washington parishes.

The state Department of Health today reports 495 new diagnosed cases of the coronavirus, with 231 persons hospitalized with COVID and only 36 statewide on ventilators. Thirteen deaths from COVID were reported today by LDH.

Centenary College in Shreveport has not had a football team since 1941, but that change will soon. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Entergy Louisiana is looking to increase its green power-generating portfolio. Jonathan Bourg, director of resource planning for the utility, says Entergy will seek to purchase several hundred megawatts of solar power by around 2024. Four new solar facilities are planned for Allen, St. James and Washington parishes. Bourg says this hinges on approval from the state Public Service Commission…:

CUT 14(09)      “…service in 2024.”

Entergy says it currently has about 240 megawatts of clean solar power going to its grid since October 2020.

Speaking of 2020, state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says insured losses from hurricane season over a year ago total about $10.6-billion. You’ll remember our state took hits from Laura, then Delta and Zeta, which Donelon says was one for the record books…:

CUT 06(11)      “…27-billion dollars.”

New Orleans City Hall made a rather low key announcement recently that Mardi Gras 2022 would go on. Parades in 2021 were called off for fear of them being super-spreader events. So why isn’t the announcement a bigger deal? Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy says maybe it’s because city officials are still unsure if parade routes will need to be changed. Then there’s the question of where the pandemic is at Carnival Time and police availability…:

CUT 04(11)      “…or we can.”

DOTD secretary Shawn Wilson says the infrastructure bill passed by Congress will mean big dollars coming to the Bayou State for road, bridge and even rail projects; about $4.8-billion. The money means that state lawmakers will likely NOT seek to raise the per-gallon fuels tax charged at the pump.

Insured losses from the 2020 hurricane season have reached $10.6 Billion in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

Congratulations go out to Julia Hawkins of Baton Rouge, who just set a world record at the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games for being the first woman and first American in her age group to run 100 meters. Her age group? Julia is 105.

A subdued confirmation Tuesday that Mardi Gras 2022 will happen in New Orleans is drawing criticism from the likes of historian Arthur Hardy, publisher of the annual Mardi Gras Guide. A mayoral spokesman made the announcement, but Hardy says a bigger deal should have been made of the fact…:

CUT 03(11)      “…out of this.”

COVID caused Mayor LaToya Cantrell to call off Mardi Gras this past year. Hardy says the actual parade routes are still a bit up-in-the-air at this time.

Centenary College, in the Shreveport area, announces it will field a football team and be playing by Autumn of 2024. The school hasn’t played a football game since 1941, so this is pretty big news. Centenary’s President Christopher Holman says the support they’ve received for the plan so far has been terrific…:

CUT 09(10)      …(sound of applause)