Today, legislative leaders and the governor’s office are slated to meet to discuss the possibility of holding a special session next month to address the state’s property insurance woes and how to bring new insurers here, but a North Louisiana lawmaker has questions. Since 2021 up to twenty insurance companies have either left or gone insolvent. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland…:
Cut 4 (09) “up to $45-million”
The matter was originally set to be addressed in the regular session that begins in April, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the state can’t wait that long.

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest amid allegations he harassed the mother of his child and set her home on fire. 30 year old Christian King is booked with simple arson, violation of protective orders and simple criminal damage to property. Firefighters say the victim’s doorbell camera shows King dousing the home with gas before lighting it.

The price to rent a home hit record highs in 2022 due to low supply and high demand, according to the rental listing web platform Dwellsy. But the site’s co-founder Jonas Bordo says new apartment complexes are coming which should cause median rents to go down…:
CUT 11 (06) “to a lot of people”
Bordo says Dwellsy feels inflation will ease over the coming months and rental prices will ease with it.

The price at the pump keeps creeping higher. AAA says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is up three cents from yesterday to $3.03. That’s up 10 cents from the prior week. Analysts say the short days and messy weather of January are keeping people off the roads which lowers demand causing gas prices to go up.

The cold weather you’re feeling today is going to stick around through the Christmas weekend and state officials are reminding you to keep the usual precautions in place as a result around your home. Those include wrapping pipes, checking on neighbors and keeping pets inside.

UL-Lafayette will face Houston in Shreveport’s Independence Bowl today. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson…:
CUT 3 (30) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

On his last monthly radio show of the year this week, Governor John Bel Edwards reflected on his time in office, and what he plans to do before his term ends in January 2024:
Cut 12 (14) “the case”

State Police is investigating a fatal crash out of Assumption Parish that claimed the life of a teen passenger and sent a suspected impaired driver to jail on DUI and vehicular homicide charges. They say 50-year-old Juan Ramos of Houma hit the rear of a truck and trailer in front of him when his vehicle flipped and flew off an elevated highway on US 90 just east of Amelia. Ramos’ teen passenger suffered fatal injuries. The incident remains under investigation.

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a motorcyclist who was ejected after crashing into a stalled pick-up truck on US 90 near the Smoothie King Center and was thrown over the elevated roadway into the Superdome parking lot. EMS pronounced him dead on scene.

Put your beanie hat on, gloves and layer up today Louisiana, it’s cold out there. The Arctic air has arrived, and the winds are howling as temperatures across the state fell some 30 degrees in 12 hours from yesterday afternoon to this morning. Wind chills are in the teens and single digits and another hard freeze is on tap for tonight and Christmas morning.

US Senator Bill Cassidy outlines his priorities in a divided Congress in 2023. Marsanne Golsby reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “Marsanne Golsby”

Residents displaced from last week’s tornados are staying in travel trailers in state parks throughout Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser helped spearhead that effort and says they are also feeding those families dinner tonight and will bring gifts for the kids. He asks us to remember these families Christmas weekend…
Cut 9 (10) “little tougher”

There are two college bowl games today and one of them is right here in Louisiana as UL-Lafayette takes on Houston in Shreveport’s Independence Stadium. This is the 12th bowl game in Ragin Cajun football history, and the first meeting against The Cougars since 2006 when ULL won 31-28. The Independence Bowl kicks at 2pm.

The price of gas keeps falling as the New Year approaches. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.73 which is about 30 cents less than last Christmas.

The state is waking up to temperatures in the low 20s and teens this morning, with wind chills making it feel much colder.

Utility companies have decided to suspend shutoffs due to non-payment through the New Year, so there is no need to worry about going without heat as temperatures struggle to get above freezing.

To help those who are displaced from last week’s deadly tornadoes, the State Office of Tourism is providing a little Christmas cheer. Brooke Thorington has more…:
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If you were impacted by hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, the Office of Community Development wants you to know you can apply for federal aid online at restore.la.gov…:
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That’s O.C.D. director Pat Forbes who says if you don’t have internet you can apply by calling 866-735-2001.

On his last monthly radio show of the year this week, Governor John Bel Edwards reflected on his time in office. His current term ends on January 8, 2024. Mr. Edwards said one of his biggest accomplishments was reforming the state’s healthcare system…:
Cut 10 (13) “as well”

Arctic air is arriving this evening and is expected to stay through Christmas in The Bayou State. Spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Mike Steele says they are ready to supply support to any community in need…:
Cut 15 (10) “they need”
He says the most important thing to do is stay weather aware.

If Senator John Kennedy were to win the governor’s race next year, who would appoint his replacement in Congress? That question was posed to Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly radio show. He said the Governor’s Office would appoint Kennedy’s replacement before an election can be held. Kennedy has yet to throw his hat into the ring, but Mr. Edwards believes Kennedy has a good shot at being elected…:
CUT 9 (10) “formidable”

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Fort Polk soldier facing discharge for refusing the COVID vaccine. The Pelican Institute for Public Policy’s Special Counsel James Baehr says courts across the country have already ruled against the Biden administration’s mandate for soldiers to get the vaccine, and yet the Army still seeks to punish Master Sergeant Robert Galey Jr….:
Cut 11 (10) “the judge’s opinion”
The Army has not responded to the suit yet.

Governor John Bel Edwards has named Terri Ricks the new Secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services. Ricks has been serving in the interim role since Marketa Walters stepped down last month after DCFS faced scrutiny over a series of missteps at the agency this year.

The state is bracing for a windy arctic blast that is slated to move in later this evening, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging you to remain weather aware. Spokesman Mike Steele advises residents to pay close attention to their vehicles and avoid traveling at peak traffic times if possible…:
Cut 14 (10) “event safely”
He says GOHSEP is ready to supply support to any community in need.

The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers as the response to last week’s tornadoes continues. Ed Bush, executive director of the Capital-West area of the Louisiana Red Cross says he knows volunteering is more difficult during the Holidays, but…:
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To apply, visit RedCross.org.

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Fort Polk soldier facing discharge for refusing the COID vaccine. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly radio show that the Department of Children and Family Services is slated to receive one time funding to help address its understaffing issue. And in a Wednesday news release the Governor’s Office announced its naming Terri Ricks as the new Secretary of DCFS.

Sportsman’s Paradise is bracing for a Christmas weekend freeze that is slated to move in later today into tonight. One point of concern is those still in temporary housing after the effects of Hurricane Ida and recent tornadoes. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says they sent out information to those residents.:
Cut 13 (12) “more problems”
He says the most important thing for us is to be weather aware and monitor local radio stations.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state’s WIC website is down. They are working to get louisianawic.org back up and running but in the meantime available resources have been added to LDH’s WIC page.

The American Red Cross is asking for volunteers to help hundreds of Louisianans who were impacted by last week’s tornadoes…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Governor John Bel Edwards was asked on his monthly radio show who would appoint Senator John Kennedy’s successor should Kennedy be elected governor next year. Mr. Edwards says the governor’s office would pick another US Senator before Kennedy took office…:
CUT 7 (07) “oath of office”
Kennedy has yet to officially enter the governor’s race.