Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposes a proposal to make his job an appointed position instead of elected. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot plans to file the bill to make the office an appointed position.  Donelon says other states who have appointed insurance commissioners, usually have them in place for about three years and the learning curve is high for this job.

Cut 4 (07)  “…entails 

Donelon has served as insurance commissioner since 2006 and will not run for re-election.

If you suffer from allergies, it’s probably not surprising that Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank in the top 30 Allergy Capitals in the U.S. Hannah Jaffee with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation says they rank cities by tree, grass, and weed pollen counts.

Cut 10 (09) “…in the area.” 

You can also find a list of certified products like air filters and more at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s website at aafa.org.

A continuing wave of cyberattacks is targeting educational institutions and seven Louisiana colleges was hit in the last four months.  Southeastern Louisiana, UNO, LSU Ag Center, River Parishes Community College, Xavier University New Orleans, Nunez Community College, and Southern University at Shreveport network systems were also encrypted. TrustedSec Advisory Solutions Director Alex Hammerstone says universities are prime targets because there’s a bigger chance for a large financial outcome.

Cut 7 (11)  “…release it.” 

Nearly a month ago, Southeastern Louisiana was the target of a cyberattack that impacted online classes, entry to dormitories, campus activities, sporting events, and more. Southeastern Louisiana Professor Dayne Sherman said it was a difficult situation.

Cut 8 (09)  “…thousand students.” 

More than 30 cyberattack incidents have occurred in the U.S. this year.

A Sunset man has been arrested in St. Landry Parish in what is being called the largest drug bust for fentanyl in parish history. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says the father – of six-year-old, Davonta Michel Jr., who was shot by his brother in February, has been charged with negligent homicide. 24-year-old, Davonta Michel Sr. of Raceland, has been arrested in the connection with the death of his son, Dvonta D.J. Michel Jr. The two boys found the gun in their father’s bedroom and the gun discharged while playing with it.

Republican Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he’s working on a bill that would have the state Insurance Commissioner position appointed instead of elected. Talbot says the bill would allow the Governor to assign a candidate or a board could submit candidates in the process.

Cut 5 (12) “…one of those names.”

Louisiana is one of eleven states who still elect the Insurance Commissioner.

Placid Refining – a petroleum company -will move its headquarters from Dallas to Baton Rouge. The state solidified the project with an incentives package that includes a modernization tax credit of up to $500,000 that West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anna Johnson says would be good for the city’s economy.

Cut 13 (11) “..back here.” 

The company’s West Baton Rouge facility has been in operation since 1975.

District 22 Representative Gabe Firment has proposed a bill where insurance companies would pay policyholders to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards. Earlier this year, legislators held a special session to put $45 million in an incentive fund to attract companies to write policies.

Cut 4 (10)  “…the storm” 

Legislators will push for funding for the Fortify Grant Program in the upcoming legislative session.

Residents of Rolling Fork and Silver City, Mississippi affected by the powerful tornado that pummeled communities Friday night are receiving assistance from the United Cajun Navy. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says a list of needed items can be found on their Facebook page but this is only the beginning.

Cut 7 (11)  “…people up there.” 

More severe weather is forecasted for the area today and throughout the week.

The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the women’s Final Four after defeating the Miami Hurricanes. This is Coach Kim Mulkey’s second season as head coach for the Lady Tigers and has since brought in several players out of the transfer portal…

Cut 9 (11) “…tough love”

LSU will play the of Sunday’s game Virginia Tech Vs. Ohio State.

The Parents Bill of Rights Act authored by Louisiana Representative Julia Letlow’s – was passed by the House and is waiting a discussion from the Senate. The Letlow says the main goal of the bill is to make sure parents have the right to know what’s taught in Public classrooms.

Cut 12 (10) “…this bill.” 

The legislation needs 60 votes in the Democratic-majority U-S Senate.

An initial report released by the FAA reveals a helicopter appeared to have struck a tree before it crashed into a sugar cane field – killing two officer pilots in West Baton Rouge Parish yesterday. Reports indicate the helicopter took off from the Baton Rouge Metro Airport at 2:26 am and crashed in a field 12 minutes later.  Several hours passed before anyone realized the helicopter was missing and was not found until 11:30 am after the pilots did not return home. The helicopter crew was dispatched to assist with a vehicle pursuit. The names of the officers will not be released until family members have been notified.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement where the insurance company would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards. Firment says it’s a way to lower costs and decrease damage.

Cut 3 (06) “…much less” 

Legislators held a special session earlier this year to put $45 million in an incentive fund to attract insurance companies to write policies. 

The United Cajun Navy is assisting people in the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi after a tornado leveled the community Friday night. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says they’ve shifted from search and rescue to distributing supplies and food.

Cut 6 (11)  “…doot-to-door.” 

At least 26 people were killed in Mississippi by the EF4 twister.

Data released by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows employment level is at an all-time high statewide.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Baton Rouge Police helicopter crashed early Sunday killing two police officers near Port Allen, Louisiana. The helicopter was assisting with a car pursuit leading out of Baton Rouge into West Baton Rouge Parish around 3 a.m. The Federal Aviation Administration says the Robinson R-44 helicopter went down in a sugar cane field. Officials are withholding the names of the pilots until family members are notified. Chief Murphy Paul is asked for prayers for the officer’s family member.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s “Lower Energy Costs Acts” – a bill to restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries – is in negotiations by congressional leaders. Congressman Garrett Graves says there are some outstanding concerns, including offshore oil and wind in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 6 (10)  “…global demand.” 

The House will meet this week to choose which amendments will be considered.

LSU Tigers women’s basketball is heading to the final four – it’s first since 2008 as the Lady Tigers beat Miami 54-42 in Greenville, South Carolina yesterday. It will be Coach Kim Mulkey’s fifth Final Four during her 23-year career as a head coach…

Cut 15 (15)  “..to do.”

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State in the national semi-finals on Friday night in Dallas.

Gambling is viewed as mostly entertainment but problem gambling is a public health issue that affects many Americans and the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health reminds Louisianans to have a solid game plan before gambling. LDH –OBH Program Manager Robert Henson says the agency is committed to providing assistance to those in need.

Cut 12 (09) “…resources available.” 

Contact Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP.

After serving in the legislature as unaffiliated, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is returning to the Democratic Party. Landry’s announcement comes with just over two weeks until lawmakers return to Baton Rouge for the session.

Cut 9 (09) “…Democratic Party (chuckle).”

Landry has represented District 91 since 2019.

Louisiana officials announce federal dollars from the infrastructure law has resulted in more than 100 orphaned wells plugged in the last two months. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana lawmakers will vote on a bill to require parental consent – if a student wants to go by another name or pronoun in the upcoming legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Representative Mandie Landry is making the political party switch from “Unaffiliated” to Democrat ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Landry says changing her party affiliation was a powerful way to send this message but her values and relationship with the caucus have never changed.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announce more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since work began in January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus well should be plugged by the end of the month…

Cut 3 (09) “…state funding” 

The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year and there are over four thousand orphaned well sites in Louisiana.

The fan base and support for the LSU Women’s Basketball team is thriving as they prepare to play Utah in Greenville, South Carolina in the Sweet 16 later today. President of the LSU Alumni Association Joe Carvalhido says the alumni mission is about brand and fan engagement, and it’s good to see the program on top.

Cut 8 (09) “…the excitement.”

The Lady Tigers – who are 30-2 this season – will play Utah this afternoon at 4 p

A  petition to recall New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell failed with only 27-thousand certified signatures; far below the 45-thousand needed but some signatures were quite magical. The Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters says some of the signatures they received were Disney character names. Danielle Duplessis Hammond with the Registrar’s office read off some of the names

Cut 13 (13) “…Barney Rubble.”

 When the Disney names came into question, recall organizer Eileen Carter says in the rush to submit the names, some false names were placed with valid signatures.

Cut  16 (12)  “…seriously.” 

The Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters is confident the results are accurate.

Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews proposed the “Given Name Act” bill that would allow school employees to refer to students by a name or pronoun that differs from what’s on their birth certificate if the student’s parent or guardian gives written consent.

Cut 6 (11)  “…kind of guidance.” 

Lawmakers will vote on the bill in the upcoming legislative session scheduled to begin on April 10^th.

The Sweet 16 excitement is building as alumni and fans gather in Greenville, South Carolina to show support for Coach Mulkey and the LSU Women’s Basketball team as they prepare to play Utah later today. President of the LSU Alumni Association Joe Carvalhido says Mulkey is committed to the university and the Lady Tigers.

Cut 9 (11)  “…from afar.”

LSU Tigers Women’s Basketball will play Utah Utes today at 4 p.m. on ESPN.

Representative Paul Hollis, a Covington Republican, will propose a law that would lower the percentage threshold to recall elected officials. Despite a victory lowering the percentage from 33 percent down to 20 percent in 2018,  Hollis wants to lower the threshold once again…

Cut 5 (11) “…that campaign”

The bill will be debated in the upcoming legislative session scheduled to begin on April 10th.

Ringling Brothers. and Barnum & Bailey will return bigger and better with their North American tour starting in Bossier City at the Brookshire Grocery Arena, September 29 through 31.  Show Guide Lauren Irving says their goal was to create a new experience with technology for the entire family

Cut 8 (08)  “…same thing.” 

Bossier City will be the only Louisiana stop on the North America tour.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy challenged President Biden today to meet with a bipartisan group of senators to discuss options to save the Social Security program. Cassidy says despite the President’s willingness to work with Congress, they have not been able to meet with President Biden…

Cut 9 (08) “…personal sign off”

The senator says President Biden has not taken any steps to address this issue.

Baton Rouge Police are searching for a Florida man who was last seen Wednesday morning around 12:45. Sgt L’Jean McKneely says 44-year-old Jody Bert was traveling back home with his family after visiting relatives in Oklahoma, became ill, and stopped for the night.

Cut 13 (11) “…assistance.”

Bert is 6 feet – has tattoos on his left arm and was wearing blue jeans and a dark hoodie. Anyone with information should contact BRPD or Crimestoppers.