Drew Brees announces on his Instagram that he will return for another season, saying Who Dat Nation, let’s make another run at it.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon breaks down the legislation he supports that are aimed at slicing auto insurance rates. Donelon says he wants to lower jury thresholds to $5,000. In the 13 states that have a jury threshold, Louisiana’s is the highest at $50,000.

Cut 3 (08)  “…rid of lawsuits.” 

The killing of an endangered whooping crane in Jefferson Davis Parish leads to organizations teaming up to offer 5,000 dollars to find the bird’s killer. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says the money comes courtesy of LDWF, the Whooping Crane Conservation Association, and the International Crane Foundation.

Cut 14 (08) “…for this case.”

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. overpaid himself during a two-year period.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, who went to jail for paying former Governor Edwin Edwards 400,000 dollars for a riverboat gambling license, and was indicted for gambling fraud has been pardoned by President Donald Trump. He plead guilty for failing to report a felony related to his payoff but avoided having to serve any time in prison. DeBartolo was owner during the 9ers dominate 80s and 90s run and ended his tenure with five Super Bowls.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in women whose husbands pass away receiving an auto insurance rate increase, isn’t quite what it appears. 

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Northwestern State has placed football coach Brad Laird on administrative leave for one week following his D-W-I arrest on Saturday night in Natchitoches. Laird has released a statement that says he regrets the poor decision he made getting behind the wheel while intoxicated and apologizes to everyone he unknowingly put at risk.

The Legislative Auditor accuses a former Webster Parish fire chief of giving himself unauthorized extra compensation for overtime and an authorized raise. Assistant Legislative Auditor Roger Harris says Billy Raspberry, Jr. gave himself a 7,500 dollar raise and 24,000 dollars in compensation that was not approved.

Cut 7 (10) “…was also overtime.”

Harris says there were also over $1,700 in purchases for personal use.

You may have heard about the Democratic Presidential Primary debacle in Iowa, but Louisiana Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk wants to assure Bayou State Dems that they won’t have the same problems when they head to the polls to pick their nominee April 4^th. He says unlike Iowa, we are not a caucus state.

Cut 12 (09) “…precints”

Republicans will also be voting in their primary April 4^th

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in women whose husbands pass away receiving an auto insurance rate increase, isn’t quite what it appears.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. over paid himself during a two-year period. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana Democrats get to cast their ballot in the highly competitive presidential primary April 4^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says when it comes to auto insurance rates, there’s no such thing as a so-called “widow’s penalty,”  A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit a person’s auto insurance rate from going up just because their spouse dies. Donelon told the Baton Rouge Press Club that such a penalty doesn’t exist…

Cut 4 (12) “…if you’re married.”

Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau has introduced legislation in the Senate aiming to end the practice of raising rates on people who are widowed. Luneau also has bills that would prohibit the calculating of insurance rates based on credit score and gender over the age of 25. But Donelon opposes those measures…

Cut 5 (09)  “…am for credit.”

Real Reform Louisiana claims a person with a DWI and a high credit rating pays less for insurance than a person with a clean record but low credit score.

Legislation has also been filed addressing the so-called “Patriot Penalty.” Deployed military members who cancel or allow their auto insurance to lapse are forced to pay higher auto rates when they return home because there was a gap in their coverage. Donelon says current law allows for insurance companies to charge a premium to anyone with a gap in coverage.

Cut 6 (08) “gap in coverage.”
____________________________

A state audit alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. used taxpayer money to give himself an unauthorized 24-thousand dollars in extra compensation between January 2017 and March 2019.  Assistant Legislative Auditor Roger Harris says Raspberry also received an unauthorized 75-hundred dollar raise and they found evidence he received overtime pay that was not warranted…

Cut 7 (10) “…was also overtime.”

Harris says there were also over $1,700 in purchases for personal use.

Cut 8 (08) “…fit district vehicles.”

The purchases took place from June 2016 to May 2018.  Because Raspberry used the District’s tax exempt status, he failed to pay at least $185 in sales taxes on personal purchases.

Harris says they also believe Rasberry held two government jobs at the same time from July 2017 to March 2018, which is against state law…

Cut 9 (11) “…deputy sheriff.″

Rasberry’s attorney denies many of the claims made in the audit, including the allegation he violated state law by holding dual government positions.

____________________

The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary is rolling along and Louisiana Democrats will get a chance to pick their candidate April 4^th.

State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s a closed primary, which means only Democrats can vote in it. If you’re not a Democrat though, you can always join the party…

Cut 10 (08) “…election.”

The deadline to register either for the first time, or to change your party registration is March 4^th in person, or March 14^th online.

A little over a third of all delegates will be awarded by the time Louisianans vote, but Handwerk says the packed, highly competitive field means the race will still very much be in contention by April.

Cut 11 (10) “…races”

There are no Louisiana Primary polls at the moment, but nationally the race remains tight with Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead, followed by Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg.

The Democratic primary began with a widely panned Iowa Caucus that was criticized for severe mismanagement. Handwerk says that won’t be the case in Louisiana, which is not a caucus state.

Cut 12 (09) “…precints”

Republicans will also be voting in their primary April 4^th. The GOP so far has seen sky-high turnout for a primary during an incumbents turn.

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering 5,000 dollars for information that would help them catch the person who shot a Jefferson Davis parish whooping crane dead last year.

LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they received reports someone shot an endangered whooping crane late last year, and their fears were confirmed after combing the area.

Cut 13 (07) “…gunshot wound.”

Anyone with information should call 1-800-442-2511

The 5,000 comes courtesy of 2,500 from LDWF, 1,000 each from the LDWF Operation Game Thief Program and Whooping Crane Conservation Association, and 500 from the International Crane Foundation.

Cut 14 (08) “…for this case.”

Whooping cranes are the world’s most endangered crane species.

Einck says it’s a tragic killing of a native bird that is being reintroduced back into the state after a long hiatus. He says there are only an estimated 76 whooping cranes in Louisiana right now.

Cut 15 (09) “…admire it.”

Whooping cranes disappeared from Louisiana in 1950 and were first reintroduced into the wild in 2011 from birds found in other states. This bird was released into the wild in 2018.

__________________________________________

A struggling LSU basketball team will welcome 10th ranked Kentucky to the PMAC tonight. The Tigers have lost three of their last four as they’ve allowed their opponents to make a bunch of three-point shots and beat LSU on the offensive glass. Coach Will Wade says his team will need to tighten up

Cut 16  (22)  …screening”  

LSU has allowed 42 offensive rebounds in their last three games. Wade says it will take a team effort to keep their opponents from getting second-chance opportunities….

Cut 17  (20) “what happens” 

LSU won its first eight SEC games this season, but have lost three of their last four. Wade doesn’t think the Tigers have become a bad team…

cut 18  (25) “defensive side”   

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in women whose husbands pass away receiving an auto insurance rate increase, isn’t quite what it appears.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. over paid himself during a two-year period. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana Democrats get to cast their ballot in the highly competitive presidential primary April 4^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says when it comes to auto insurance rates, there’s no such thing as a so-called “widow’s penalty,”  A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit a person’s auto insurance rate from going up just because their spouse dies. Donelon told the Baton Rouge Press Club that such a penalty doesn’t exist…

Cut 4 (12) “…if you’re married.”

Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau has introduced legislation in the Senate aiming to end the practice of raising rates on people who are widowed. Luneau also has bills that would prohibit the calculating of insurance rates based on credit score and gender over the age of 25. But Donelon opposes those measures…

Cut 5 (09)  “…gap in coverage.”

Real Reform Louisiana claims a person with a DWI and a high credit rating pays less for insurance than a person with a clean record but low credit score.

Legislation has also been filed addressing the so-called “Patriot Penalty.” Deployed military members who cancel or allow their auto insurance to lapse are forced to pay higher auto rates when they return home, because there was a gap in their coverage. Donelon says current law allows for insurance companies to charge a premium to anyone with a gap in coverage.

Cut 6 (08) “the national average.”
____________________________

A state audit alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. used taxpayer money to give himself an unauthorized 24-thousand dollars in extra compensation between January 2017 and March 2019.  Assistant Legislative Auditor Roger Harris says Raspberry also received an unauthorized 75-hundred dollar raise and they found evidence he received overtime pay that was not warranted…

Cut 7 (10) “…was also overtime.”

Harris says there were also over $1,700 in purchases for personal use.

Cut 8 (08) “…fit district vehicles.”

The purchases took place from June 2016 to May 2018.  Because Raspberry used the District’s tax exempt status, he failed to pay at least $185 in sales taxes on personal purchases.

Harris says they also believe Rasberry held two government jobs at the same time from July 2017 to March 2018, which is against state law…

Cut 9 (11) “…deputy sheriff.″

____________________

The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary is rolling along and Louisiana Democrats will get a chance to pick their candidate April 4^th.

State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s a closed primary, which means only Democrats can vote in it. If you’re not a Democrat though, you can always join the party…

Cut 10 (08) “…election.”

The deadline to register either for the first time, or to change your party registration is March 4^th in person, or March 14^th online.

A little over a third of all delegates will be awarded by the time Louisianans vote, but Handwerk says the packed, highly competitive field means the race will still very much be in contention by April.

Cut 11 (10) “…races”

There are no Louisiana Primary polls at the moment, but nationally the race remains tight with Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead, followed by Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg.

The Democratic primary began with a widely panned Iowa Caucus that was criticized for severe mismanagement. Handwerk says that won’t be the case in Louisiana, which is not a caucus state.

Cut 12 (09) “…precints”

Republicans will also be voting in their primary April 4^th. The GOP so far has seen sky-high turnout for a primary during an incumbents turn.

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering 5,000 dollars for information that would help them catch the person who shot a Jefferson Davis parish whooping crane dead last year.

LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they received reports someone shot an endangered whooping crane late last year, and their fears were confirmed after combing the area.

Cut 13 (07) “…gunshot wound.”

Anyone with information should call 1-800-442-2511

The 5,000 comes courtesy of 2,500 from LDWF, 1,000 each from the LDWF Operation Game Thief Program and Whooping Crane Conservation Association, and 500 from the International Crane Foundation.

Cut 14 (08) “…for this case.”

Whooping cranes are the world’s most endangered crane species.

Einck says it’s a tragic killing of a native bird that is being reintroduced back into the state after a long hiatus. He says there are only an estimated 76 whooping cranes in Louisiana right now.

Cut 15 (09) “…admire it.”

Whooping cranes disappeared from Louisiana in 1950 and were first reintroduced into the wild in 2011 from birds found in other states. This bird was released into the wild in 2018.

__________________________________________

A struggling LSU basketball team will welcome 10th ranked Kentucky to the PMAC tonight. The Tigers have lost three of their last four as they’ve allowed their opponents to make a bunch of three-point shots and beat LSU on the offensive glass. Coach Will Wade says his team will need to tighten up

Cut 16  (22)  …screening”  

LSU has allowed 42 offensive rebounds in their last three games. Wade says it will take a team effort to keep their opponents from getting second chance opportunities….

Cut 17  (20) “what happens” 

LSU won its first eight SEC games this season, but have lost three of their last four. Wade doesn’t think the Tigers have become a bad team…

cut 18  (25) “defensive side”   

Lawsuit reform is expected to dominate the upcoming session and the National Federation of Independent Business is backing this year’s effort to lower the jury trial threshold to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says Louisiana’s 50,000 dollar jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation, and that policy emboldens plaintiffs to file more lawsuits, and demand higher damages against businesses.

Cut 7 (07) “…approach.”

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says a single cab pickup truck carrying five people was eastbound when for unknown reasons, it ran off the road to the right and struck a tree, killing one person…

Cut 3 (10)  “…to local hospitals.” 

Raymond played basketball for Holden High School.

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards announced the formation of the Council at the Police Jury’s annual convention. The governor says rural revitalization will be a focus during his next four years in office…

Cut 11 (12) “…rural Louisiana”

Former Bogalusa senator Ben Nevers will serve as chairman of the Council that will have 34 members.

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA Highway 494 and being ejected from his car. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the vehicle was traveling eastbound on 494 when it left the road for an unknown reason and careened into the private residence early this morning.

Cut 12 (09) “reported”

The National Federation of Independent Business has two goals for the upcoming legislative session; lawsuit reform and sales tax collection simplification. The omnibus “tort” reform bill this year would push the jury trial threshold for lawsuits from 50,000 dollars to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says not passing this is not an option.
Cut 6 (12) “that”
71 percent of state NFIB members surveyed support dropping the threshold to 15,000 dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards says many rural towns struggle with poverty, lack of adequate access to healthcare and education, so this council will help identify innovate solutions

Cut 9 (09) “…for success″

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says it was raining when the crash occurred and due to the severity of the wreck, investigators are not sure who was driving in order to perform a toxicology report.

Cut 4 (09) “…prior to impact.”

Scrantz says 16-year-old Nathan Raymond, who died at the scene, was not buckled up. Raymond played basketball for Holden High School. The other four passengers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA highway 494 and being ejected from his car. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says there’s no guarantee that Harville would’ve survived the crash if he was buckled up, but his odds would have been a lot better.

Cut 14 (10) “…on.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says with the increase in small business internet sales, this year is the year for the legislature to move to simplify and centralize sales tax collections. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says it’s begun heavily impacting small businesses who have to jump through hoops to report their taxes.

Cut 8 (09)“…tax”

The NFIB is also backing this year’s omnibus tort reform bill.

A 28-year-old is dead after his vehicle left the road along highway 494, before striking a home and vehicle early this morning. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says Cameron Harville of Natchitoches was not wearing a seatbelt, and so was ejected from the vehicle leading to severe injuries.

Cut 13 (11) “…system”

The town of Holden is mourning death of a 16-year-old who was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Highway 190 in Livingston Parish. Jeff Palermo has more on the crash that also seriously injured four others…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the formation of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization, and tasks the group to submit a strategic plan for breathing new life into rural communities by January 5th, 2021.

Cut 10 (07) “…dual enrollment”

Matt Doyle spoke to The National Federation of Independent Business, who says not lowering the jury trial threshold in the upcoming session is not an option.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The town of Holden is mourning death of a 16-year-old who was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Highway 190 in Livingston Parish. Jeff Palermo has more on the crash that also seriously injured four others…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

___________________________

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says a single cab pickup truck carrying five people was eastbound when for unknown reasons, it ran off the road to the right and struck a tree, killing one person…

Cut 3 (10)  “…to local hospitals.” 

Scrantz says it was raining when the crash occurred and due to the severity of the wreck, investigators are not sure who was driving in order to perform a toxicology report.

Cut 4 (09) “…prior to impact.”

Scrantz says 16-year-old Nathan Raymond was not buckled up, because he was ejected from the vehicle…

Cut 5 (08)  “…across State Police.”

Raymond played basketball for Holden High School. The other four passengers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

___________________________________________

The National Federation of Independent Business has two goals for the upcoming legislative session; lawsuit reform and sales tax collection simplification.

The omnibus “tort” reform bill this year would push the jury trial threshold for lawsuits from 50,000 dollars to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says not passing this is not an option.

Cut 6 (12) “that”

71 percent of state NFIB members surveyed support dropping the threshold to 15,000 dollars.

Starns says Louisiana’s 50,000 dollar jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation, and that policy emboldens plaintiffs to file more lawsuits, and demand higher damages against businesses.

Cut 7 (07) “…approach.”

The NFIB says 53 percent of all state suits are filed for under 50,000 dollars, allowing plaintiffs to avoid a jury trial.

Sales tax collection reforms have become a growing issue, and Starns says it’s begun heavily impacting small businesses as more of their sales are online.

Cut 8 (09)“…tax”

____________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards says many rural towns struggle with poverty, lack of adequate access to healthcare and  education, so this council will help identify innovate solutions

Cut 9 (09) “…for success″

Former Bogalusa senator Ben Nevers will serve as chairman of the Council that will have 34 members. The governor says he’s asking this group to submit a strategic plan by January 5th, 2021

Cut 10 (07) “…dual enrollment”

Edwards announced the formation of the Council at the Police Jury’s annual convention. The governor says rural revitalization will be a focus during his next four years in office…

Cut 11 (12) “…rural Louisiana”

_______________________________________

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA highway 494 and being ejected from his car.

State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the vehicle was traveling eastbound on 494 when it left the road for an unknown reason and careened into the private residence early this morning.

Cut 12 (09) “reported”

After striking the house and being ejected, Wallace says Harville was recovered by first responders.

Cut 13 (11) “…system”

Wallace says there’s no guarantee that Harville would’ve survived the crash if he was buckled up, but his odds would have been a lot better.

Cut 14 (10) “…on.”

Lawsuit reform is expected to dominate the upcoming session and the National Federation of Independent Business is backing this year’s effort to lower the jury trial threshold to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says Louisiana’s 50,000 dollar jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation, and that policy emboldens plaintiffs to file more lawsuits, and demand higher damages against businesses.

Cut 7 (07) “…approach.”

The NFIB says 53 percent of all state suits are filed for under 50,000 dollars, allowing plaintiffs to avoid a jury trial.

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA highway 494 and being ejected from his car. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the vehicle careened into the private residence early this morning.

Cut 12 (09) “reported”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the formation of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization at the Police Jury’s annual convention. The governor says rural revitalization will be a focus during his next four years in office…

Cut 11 (12) “…rural Louisiana”

The council will have 34 members.

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 16-year-old Nathan Raymond was not buckled up, because he was ejected from the vehicle…

Cut 5 (08)  “…across State Police.”

Raymond played basketball for Holden High School. The other four passengers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

The National Federation of Independent Business has two goals for the upcoming legislative session; lawsuit reform and sales tax collection simplification. The omnibus “tort” reform bill this year would push the jury trial threshold for lawsuits from 50,000 dollars to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says not passing this is not an option.

Cut 6, 12 seconds, that

71 percent of state NFIB members surveyed support dropping the threshold to 15,000 dollars.

A Holden teen is dead following a crash on US Highway 190 east of LA Highway 441 in Livingston Parish.  A single cab pickup truck carrying five people was eastbound when for unknown reasons, it ran off the road to the right and struck a tree.  Trooper Taylor Scrantz…

Cut 3 (10)  “…to local hospitals.” 

An Oil City Representative thinks it’s time for the state to do away with the need to have concealed carry licenses to carry a concealed handgun…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of the 34 people appointed to that council and he says the work is important because many of the rural areas are drying up.

Cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas.”