HB 9 is this year’s big push to limit jury trial damages in an effort to potentially push down the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Crawfish season is underway and the initial crop is showing good signs for the rest of the season ahead. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Mitch Landrieu’s E. Pluribus Unum launches a tracker of 2020 presidential candidate’s policy positions on racial equity issues…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A Chalmette Representative is bringing this year’s major lawsuit reform bill aimed at limiting damages in jury trials, hopefully bringing down auto insurance rates as a result.

HB 9 is a core part of a suite of insurance premium related bills this session. Ray Garofalo says his legislation is the result of extensive consultation with the insurance industry.

Cut 4 (10) “…country”

The bill increases the period of time you can wait before filing a lawsuit to two years, in a hope to allow for more out of court settlements, and decreases the jury trial threshold to 5,000 dollars.

Lawsuit reform powered many successful Legislative campaigns last fall, and the Republican says voters sent lawmakers to Baton Rouge with a mandate.

Cut 5 (11) “…buisiness.”

Opponents argue that these changes could limit a victim’s winnings in court while providing no promise rates would actually go down. Garofalo says…

Cut 6 (11) “…reduction”

The reduction would potentially come two years after passage. Garofalo says if insurance companies saved money, the Insurance Commissioner will require they pass it on.

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Crawfish farmers have been setting traps over the last month or so and the crop production so far is showing positive signs for the rest of the season.  LSU AgCenter Crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says supply is good for this weekend and there should be plenty to go around for the Super Bowl.

Cut 7 (11) “…to the traps.”

Across the state, about a quarter-million acres of underwater crawfish habitat are being farmed.  In addition to that, Shirley says the Atchafalaya Basin is where the wild crop is being harvested.

Cut 8 (09) “…in crawfish production.”

In 2019, a seafood labeling bill became state law requiring businesses to disclose if they are serving imported shrimp and crawfish.  Shirley says there should be enough of the homegrown crop to meet the demand, but…

Cut 9 (09) “…demand Louisiana crawfish.”

Crawfish season runs through May.

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E. Pluribus Unum has assembled a substantial list of every 2020 presidential candidates’ positions on 3 major topics concerning racial equity in the South.

Unum Founder and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the list of policy positions of each candidate is broken down over 15 of the biggest concerns they’ve heard.

Cut 10 (12) “…top.”

Some of the topics include the racial wealth gap, health equity, gun safety, and gerrymandering.

Landrieu says it’s a non-partisan collection of positions from both Republican and Democratic contenders…

Cut 11 (10) “…to do.”

Some candidates have a lot more to say than others on some topics, and Landrieu says it’s interesting to see who prioritizes what issues.

Cut 12 (05) “…talk about.”

You can see all 15 candidate’s positions at umun-fund-dot-org.

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Seven hotel workers, including clerks and managers, are being accused of defrauding a Shreveport Holiday Inn Express of $280,000.  Caddo Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says it was a tricky scheme.

Cut 13 (12) “…manipulate the books.”

Chadwick says the company did an internal audit and upon realizing the size of the theft, contacted authorities in November.

Cut 14 (12) “…involved they were.”

Three people have been taken into custody so far.  Warrants remain open for siblings 41-year-old Amber Nelson and 43-year-old David Nelson as well as 24-year-old Jamilah King and 54-year-old Angela Mere Lane, all of Shreveport.

Cut 15 (05) “…Caddo Shreveport Crimestoppers.”
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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball returns to the Thomas Assembly Center tonight to host Charlotte. Both teams are tied for third place in Conference USA, with 6-and-2 league records. The Bulldogs won two games on the road last week, which pleases Coach Erick Konkol

Cut 16  (15)  …season progresses” 

The 49ers are allowing 62 points a game for second-year head coach Ron Sanchez. Konkol says Sanchez is known as a defensive-minded coach…

Cut 17  (23) “of things” 

With a bunch of home games coming up, Konkol hopes Bulldog nation will support his team…

cut 18  (11) ”  get em out”   

The Westwego City Council votes unanimously to not allow any permitting of a proposed 500 million dollar Wanhua chemical storage and distribution facility in it’s suburban New Orleans city limits. Councilmember Glen Green says the public and council had serious concerns about the flammability and combustibility of the facility, it’s emissions and the potential for leaks…

Cut 12 (11) “…anyway.”

The site selected was directly across the river from the Audubon Park and Zoo, formerly used by KinderMorgan.

About 260 miles of fiber optic rural broadband cable is set to be run through areas of Iberville, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry parishes thanks to 15 million dollars from the USDA. USDA rural development state director Roy Holleman says it was a collaborative process…

Cut 10 (12) “…profitable for Star.” 

Environmental groups are raising concerns that Formosa Plastics is seeking to build a chemical plant in St. James Parish on top of a slave cemetery, but a private archaeologist says he’s not sure who is buried at the site. Co-owner of TerraXplorations Paul Jackson says they’ve looked at old newspapers, diaries and personal land records in an effort to establish who might be buried there, but they have not found any conclusive indications…

Cut 7 (08) “…is protected”

18-year-old Daniel Smith of Homer is under arrest for the alleged killing of a bald eagle in Claiborne Parish, one of the most heavily protected species in the country. Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says Smith’s loose lips ultimately did him in and pointed authorities in his direction.

Cut 4 (11) “…eagle”

Shooting a bald eagle is a serious offense that can land you jail time and up to 100,000 dollars in fines.

18-year-old Daniel Smith is under arrest for the alleged killing of a bald eagle, one of the most heavily protected species in the country. Authorities allege the killing took place in February of 2017, and after a long investigation Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says they managed to obtain a warrant for his truck where…

Cut 3 (09)  “…eagle” 

Shooting a bald eagle is a serious offense that can land you jail time and up to 100,000 dollars in fines.

Environmental groups are raising concerns that Formosa Plastics is seeking to build a chemical plant in St. James Parish on top of a slave cemetery, but a private archaeologist says it may not be the case. Co-owner of TerraXplorations Paul Jackson says after investigating the site…

Cut 6 (08) “…1920s”

Three parishes will see an expansion of high-speed internet access as the USDA commits $15.5 million into rural broadband.  USDA rural development state director Roy Holleman says this portion of the Reconnect Program covers 136 square miles of Iberville, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry parishes.

Cut 9 (07) “…and 16 farms.”

The Westwego City Council votes unanimously to not allow any permitting of a proposed 500 million dollar Wanhua chemical storage and distribution facility in it’s suburban New Orleans city limits. Councilmember Glen Green says the public and council had serious concerns safety and environmental risks. The plant would have created 75 new full-time jobs, and 500 construction jobs, but Green says they weren’t particularly interested in bringing on many locals.

Cut 14 (09) “…with that.”

A proposed 500 million dollar Wanhua chemical processing facility in suburban New Orleans is shut down in a unanimous 5-0 vote by the Westwego City Council. Councilmember Glen Green says local residents were outraged by the proposal, and that anger was just made worse by the Wanhua spokesperson’s inability or refusal to respond to local resident’s concerns at the public meeting.

Cut 13 (10) “…concerns”

A near three-year-old murder mystery involving the killing of a bald eagle in Claiborne Parish may have come to it’s conclusion with the arrest of an 18-year-old Daniel Smith of Homer, who is accused of shooting the bird in February of 17’. During the investigation, Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says they searched Smith’s phone, which led to the arrest of two others for crimes not related to the eagle…

Cut 5 (09) “…name it”

A juvenile was also cited as a result.

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Areas in Iberville, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry parishes are set to get accsess to broadband internet as part of 15 million dollars of investments by the USDA. The money comes from the $600 million Congress provided to the USDA to expand broadband infrastructure.  A new round of loans and grants will rollout this Friday and USDA rural development state director Roy Holleman says the goal is to secure more funding for the state.

Cut 11 (09) “…everywhere we can.”

Star Telephone Company will use the half grant and half loan funding to rollout 154 miles of optical fiber and 95 miles of drop optical fiber cable. 

Private archeologists raise concerns that an alleged slave burial ground on the site of an upcoming Formosa plant in St. James they studied may not be as old as thought, and could possibly be the remains of white people…

Cut 8 (06) “…about yet.”

A cold case involving the murder of a bald eagle in Claiborne Parish nearly three years ago is closer to being solved after the arrest of a Homer man. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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136 square miles of Iberville, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry parishes will see a $15.5 million expansion of high-speed internet access as part of the federal program known as ReConnect.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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18-year-old Daniel Smith of Homer is under arrest for the alleged killing of a bald eagle in Claiborne Parish, one of the most heavily protected species in the country.

Authorities allege the killing took place in February of 2017, and after a long investigation Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says they managed to obtain a warrant for his truck where…

Cut 3 (09)  “…eagle” 

LDWF agents say Smith admitted to taking the bird down with a .223 rifle.

Einck says Smith’s loose lips ultimately did him in and pointed authorities in his direction.

Cut 4 (11) “…eagle”

Shooting a bald eagle is a serious offense that can land you jail time and up to 100,000 dollars in fines.

And once authorities got a hold of that phone, they found evidence that led to them arresting two others and citing juvenile for other documented crimes not related to the bald eagle.

Cut 5 (09) “…name it”

The two adults were 19-year-olds Jacob and Jared Lee of Bernice.

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Environmental groups are raising concerns that Formosa Plastics is seeking to build a chemical plant in St. James Parish on top of a slave cemetery, but a private archaeologist says he’s not sure who is buried at the site. Co-owners of TerraXplorations Paul Jackson says a previous report released in June suspected  slaves could be buried there but after further investigation

Cut 6 (08) “…1920s”

Jackson says they’ve looked at old newspapers, diaries and personal land records in an effort to establish who might be buried there, but they have not found any conclusive indications…

Cut 7 (08) “…is protected”

Environmental and community groups have used the possibility the proposed chemical plant site is a slave cemetery as an argument against the issuing of permits for construction. Jackson says it could be an old cemetery for slaves, but it also can be a European cemetery

Cut 8 (06) “…about yet.”

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Three parishes will see an expansion of high-speed internet access as the USDA commits $15.5 million into rural broadband.  USDA rural development state director Roy Holleman says this portion of the Reconnect Program covers 136 square miles of Iberville, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry parishes.

Cut 9 (07) “…and 16 farms.”

Star Telephone Company will use the half grant and half loan funding to rollout 154 miles of optical fiber and 95 miles of drop optical fiber cable.  Holleman says there was a collaboration with various stakeholders to select the area.

Cut 10 (12) “…profitable for Star.” 

The money comes from the $600 million Congress provided to the USDA to expand broadband infrastructure.  A new round of loans and grants will rollout this Friday and Holleman says the goal is to secure more funding for the state.

Cut 11 (09) “…everywhere we can.”

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The Westwego City Council votes unanimously to not allow any permitting of a proposed 500 million dollar Wanhua chemical storage and distribution facility in it’s suburban New Orleans city limits.

Councilmember Glen Green says the public and council had serious concerns about the flammability and combustibility of the facility, it’s emissions and the potential for leaks…

Cut 12 (11) “…anyway.”

The site selected was directly across the river from the Audubon Park and Zoo, formerly used by KinderMorgan.

Green says the public’s unease with the project was made worse by the Wanhua spokesperson’s inability or refusal to respond to local resident’s concerns at the public meeting.

Cut 13 (10) “…concerns”

The plant would have created 75 new full-time jobs, and 500 construction jobs, but Green says they weren’t particularly interested in bringing on many locals.

Cut 14 (09) “…with that.”

The facility would have processed a chemical called MDI on-site into component products for paint, shoes, and more.

18-year-old Daniel Smith is under arrest for the alleged killing of a bald eagle, one of the most heavily protected species in the country. Authorities allege the killing took place in February of 2017, and after a long investigation Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says they managed to obtain a warrant for his truck where…

Cut 3 (09)  “…eagle” 

Shooting a bald eagle is a serious offense that can land you jail time and up to 100,000 dollars in fines.

Environmental groups are raising concerns that Formosa Plastics is seeking to build a chemical plant in St. James Parish on top of a slave cemetery, but a private archaeologist says it may not be the case. Co-owners of TerraXplorations Paul Jackson says after investigating the site…

Cut 6 (08) “…1920s”

Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and St. Landry Parishes are set to receive 15.5 million dollars from the USDA to help expand their rural broadband networks. Star Telephone Company will use the half grant and half loan funding to rollout 154 miles of optical fiber and 95 miles of drop optical fiber cable. USDA rural development state director Roy Holleman says there was a collaboration with various stakeholders to select the area.

Cut 10 (12) “…profitable for Star.” 

The money comes from the $600 million Congress provided to the USDA to expand broadband infrastructure.

Another attempt will be made this week to end the public-private split in high school sports. Jeff Palermo has more on the LHSAA annual convention that begins today in Baton Rouge….

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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the lives and influence of nine iconic Louisiana musicians form the basis for a new K-12 curriculum on the legacy of Louisiana’s prolific music culture…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A 3-year-old child is fighting for his life in a Lake Charles hospital following surgery for a brain injury sustained from child abuse. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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High school principals gather in Baton Rouge today for the annual LHSAA convention and once again the main topic is the public-private school split that’s been in place since the 2013 football playoffs. LHSAA Director Eddie Boninie says on Friday principals can vote to end the split

Cut 4 (12) “…B and C”

The split was created because public schools believe private schools have certain advantages that allow them to put better teams on the field or court. Bonine says the proposals that seek to bring the two sides back together put a multiplier on a select’s school enrollment, which would place them in a higher classification

Cut 5 (10) “…in the success.”

Bonine says they are also cleaning up the association’s rule book, taking out exemptions that benefit certain groups of schools. If the vote fails on the proposals to bring public and private schools back together, then the split could get wider

Cut 6 (12) “…in the field.”

The split has widen over the years. It first affected the football playoffs, then basketball, baseball and softball. And last December three select school football title games were held at seperate venues.

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K-12 students will have a chance to learn a little more about their Louisiana musical heritage thanks to a curriculum assembled by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

Nine musicians were selected, one from each region of the state, and LEH VP of Content Erin Greenwald says the course shows just how unique, and prolific the state’s musical culture has always been.

Cut 7 (08) “… Louisiana.”

Some of the nine include Lead Belly from northwest Louisiana, Little Water in Central Louisiana, Kenny Neal in Baton Rouge, and Nathan Williams Jr. in Acadiana.

Current curriculum only really covers the roots of Jazz in New Orleans, but Greenwald says this will give teachers the option of showing their students a wide range of contributions.

Cut 8 (11) “…fusion.”

Modules on two of the nine musicians are currently available with the rest scheduled for release throughout the year.

The lessons are structured so that they can fit right into teacher’s existing lesson plans, without compromising the rigorous standards public school education needs to meet.

Cut 9 (12) “…studies.”

You can check out the lesson plans at 64-parishes-dot-org.

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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrest a Lake Charles couple for cruelty to a juvenile after a 3-year-old is rushed into surgery with a brain injury.  Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the stepmother brought the child to the hospital after it appeared the child was having a seizure.  She indicated the injuries may be from the father’s disciplinary actions.

Cut 10 (13) “…that same issue.”

Upon arrival to the hospital, investigators were advised by doctors that the young boy was covered head to toe with bruises in various stages of healing.  Jessica Matthews and Tyler Laborde, both 26, have been arrested.

Cut 11 (10) “…sense in this.”

Mancuso says the child remains hospitalized in critical condition adding there is a chance the charges may be upgraded.

Cut 12 (07) “…survive these injuries.”

Other children in the home have been placed into state custody.

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Natchitoches Police have identified a suspect tied to a double homicide that took place Monday night at a home on Short Seventh Street.  An arrest warrant has been issued for 21-year-old Jessie James Petite (pronounced P-T) Jr.  Officer John Greely says upon arrival, they found three gunshot victims.

Cut 13 (06) “…with serious injuries.”

41-year-old Larry Batiste and 35-year-old Hiram Phillips, Jr. died from their injuries.  A female victim is listed in severe condition.

Petite is described as a black male weighing 135 pounds and around 5’7” and is considered to be armed and dangerous.  Greely says a motive is still unclear.

Cut 14 (04) “…the pieces together.”

Greely says anytime a crime of this nature takes place, it leaves the community shaken.

Cut 15 (10) “…common occurrence here.”

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22nd ranked LSU looks to stay undefeated in SEC play tonight when they host Alabama at 6:00. The Crimson Tide has won 10 of their last 13 and lead the SEC in scoring averaging almost 83 points a game. Coach Will Wade says it will be a big challenge for them defensively

Cut 16  (16)  …our heels” 

LSU has won eight straight and they are 6-0 in the SEC. In the last six victories, LSU had a healthy second-half lead, only to see those leads disappear and the Tigers only on for the victory. Wade says too many turnovers and giving up offensive rebounds has been their problem…

Cut 17  (23) ” need to do” 

LSU is back in the AP and Coaches Top 25 polls for the first time in two months. The Tigers are ranked 22nd in the AP poll and 24th in the coaches’ poll, but Wade says if they keep giving away possessions they will be out of the Top 25 quickly…

cut 18  (10) ” very long”   

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The New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission has assembled a database on their website of financial disclosures for every single judge in the state. Jeff Palermo spoke with President Rafael Goyeneche…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is up to 35 cases of the vaping related lung illness that has killed three people locally so far, but Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says the good news at least…

Cut 8 (08) “…of use.”

The Baton Rouge based Bayou Country Super Fest is no more, declining it will go on indefinite hiatus after years of declining attendance. President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge Paul Arrigo says he’s not sure what the future holds for the festival.

Cut 5 (07) “…the near future.”

At the peak in 2014, 135,000 people attended the festival.  Last year drew about 50,000.

Authorities arrest a Calhoun man on a drug charge after he approached two people asking to borrow guns at a Planet Fitness parking lot in West Monroe.  West Monroe Police Major David May says the two declined the request of 19-year-old Landon Duke before going into the gym and calling the police.

Cut 12 (09) “…to rob someone.”

Duke faces one count of possession of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.

It’ll be a quiet Memorial Day weekend around Tiger Stadium as Bayou Country Superfest won’t be happening in 2020.  Festival organizers have announced the annual holiday weekend event will be on hiatus until further notice.  President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge Paul Arrigo says looking back, it was a great event for the city.

Cut 3 (10)  “…as we had” 

The festival had a decade-long run, starting at Tiger Stadium, did two years in the Superdome, and then returned to Baton Rouge in 2019.

A Calhoun man is in jail on a drug charge after he approached two people asking to borrow guns at a Planet Fitness parking lot in West Monroe.  West Monroe Police Major David May says the two declined the request of 19-year-old Landon Duke before going into the gym and calling the police. Cops later located the man and May says Duke caught the drug charge when he consented to a search.

Cut 14 (10) “…money contained methamphetamine.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports a third person has died in Louisiana from complications related to vaping, while the total number of vaping-related cases has risen to 35.  Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says these cases are being linked back to Vitamin E Acetate, which is used as a thickener in E-cigs.

Cut 6 (08) “…lungs”

Of the 35 cases, 17 appear to be THC related.

You can now view 5 years of financial disclosures for all 298 judges in the state of Louisiana at the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission’s website.  Previously the only way you could get that kind of information was by filing a public records request.  MCC President Rafael Goyeneche says judges are the only elected officials who have that privilege in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “…justification” 

You can now view 5 years of financial disclosures for all 298 judges in the state of Louisiana at the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission’s website. MCC President Rafael Goyeneche says they’ve made it easy to find out how much your local judge makes, and any potential locally financial ties they may have.

Cut 9 (10) “…system.”

12 years ago an ethics reform package was passed that required the executive and legislative branches to publicly post financial disclosures, but the State Supreme Court blocked judges from having to comply.

A third Louisianan has now died from vaping related illnesses linked to the use of Vitamin E Acetate in E-cigs. Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says 35 people have been diagnosed with the illness, and they’re disproportionately older…

Cut 7 (08) “…currently”

Bayou Country Super Fest is now more, going on hiatus after years of declining attendance. The festival traditionally was held in Tiger Stadium, and President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge Paul Arrigo says several factors contributed to last year’s modest attendance, including bouncing back from the festival’s two-year run in New Orleans, shrinking the schedule from three days to two, and a late lineup release.

Cut 4 (09) “…made in November.”

Authorities arrest a Calhoun man on a drug charge after he approached two people asking to borrow guns at a Planet Fitness parking lot in West Monroe. West Monroe Police Major David May says it is unclear why he thought it was a good pitch, but the suspect told the two why he needed the money.

Cut 13 (11) “…down the road.”

19-year-old Leonard Duke faces one count of possession of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.