The insurance company that reportedly writes the 5th most homeowners’ policies in Louisiana is leaving the state in 2023. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Florida based UPC is under duress in its own state which was hammered by Hurricane Ivan in September….:
CUT 5 (10) “in Florida”
UPC has about 36,000 policyholders in Louisiana and will stop renewing in 2023.

Tomorrow is election day in Louisiana. A low turnout is expected but you can check to see what’s on your ballot by visiting GeauxVote.com. The Public Service Commission race in the 3rd District is a big one, as Incumbent Lambert Boissiere facing off with Davante Lewis who’s a formidable candidate, according to LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford…:
CUT 10 (09) “this race”

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic in the Caesars Superdome kicked off yesterday and it’s already been exciting. Ouachita Christian knocked off top seeded Vermilion Catholic 28-14 in the Division IV select title game. Oak Grove shut out Homer to win its 3rd state title in 4 years. Union Parish Faces Many tomorrow afternoon. Union Parish’s Trey Holly is the leading rusher in state history and is committed to LSU. His coach Joe Spatafora says Holly’s drive is incredible…:
Cut 13 (11) “fun to coach”
Dunham, who hasn’t played in a title game in 18 years, will look to dethrone defending state champ St. Charles Catholic this afternoon at 3:30.

Gas prices in Louisiana continue to go down which is a nice Christmas present. The statewide average for a gallon of regular currently stands at $2.90 which is down over 10 cents from the same time last week, and nearly 40 cents lower from last month.

If you are one of more than 30,000 customers that have homeowners’ insurance through United Property & Casualty, you’ll have to find new coverage next year…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A Louisiana State Trooper fatally shot someone on I-10 near downtown Baton Rouge this morning, the agency announced. No more information on what led to the shooting was released, but State Police say they will give more details later today. No law enforcement was injured in the incident.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana and turnout is expected to be low, but there are a few notable races. The only race for Parish President is in Plaquemines, where LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says a downturn in the economy is playing a central role in oil and gas there…:
Cut 12 (11) “President’s race”
Shreveport, Hammond, Kentwood, Crowley and Zachary will be electing a new mayor, and the 3rd District will vote on a new Public Service Commissioner. 28 Parishes have local propositions on tomorrow’s ballot.

You might be frustrated with your electricity bill like this reporter, but Louisiana’s rates are actually two cents lower than the national average. That’s according to a recent survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says we are making strides in creating new sources of energy — like North Louisiana using wind power from Kansas…;
CUT 8 (06) “lot cleaner”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a Florida-based company that writes homeowners insurance is leaving Louisiana and several other states because of an insurance crisis in Florida, not conditions in Louisiana. Donelon says United Property and Casualty, or UPC won’t renew policies in 2023…:
Cut 4 (09) “state of Florida”
Donelon says he is aggressively trying to get more insurance companies to move here.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates electricity prices in Louisiana are two cents cheaper than the national average. Customers have seen their bill steadily go up, and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says that’s due to the price of natural gas…:
Cut 7 (10) “goes up”
In 2021 the average retail price for electricity in Louisiana was 8.82 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the national average of 11.10 cents an hour.

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicked off last night in the Caesars Superdome. This year’s Classic will feature perennial contenders as well as some up-and-coming schools making their long-awaited returns to the Dome.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Southern University has identified 3 Human Jukebox band members who were killed in a crash Tuesday night. They are 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Keymonte Avery is a former band member…:
Cut 5 (08) “to Sunday”

Data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows property crime is down, but violent crime is up.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The High School Football Championships get underway today at the Superdome in New Orleans. Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back for the first since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…:
Cut 16 (13) “to get here”
The first game kicks off at 3:30 between Homer and Oak Grove.

This coming weekend is a big one for Christmas Festivals in Louisiana and there’s a big one in Alexandria that kicks off today: AlexWinterFete. Santa will be there, a Polar Express, crafts and vendors and live music. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery on their key attraction…:
Cut 9 (09) “we’ve brought in”
The Festival runs through Sunday and you can get the details at AlexWinterFete.com.

Southern University is mourning the loss of three members of the Human Jukebox band who were killed when they were run over by an 18 wheeler as the trio was changing a tire on the side of the road in Natchitoches Tuesday night. Isaiah Clay is a student at Southern…
Cut 6 (07) “on campus”
The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas.

State Police say two men helped saved a family of four from drowning, including two children, after their vehicle entered a canal and became submerged Wednesday morning in Assumption Parish. Jeff Lapeyrouse of Bourg and Chase Dupre of Chauvin both entered the water and pulled the four occupants out of the vehicle through thick mud and marsh. Only minor injuries were reported in the crash.

Crime data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows a reduction in property crimes, but violent crime is up. Vice President for Policy and Strategy Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime…:
Cut 11 (06) “all about”
Bendily says the data also shows it’s possible to reduce incarceration rates, especially among nonviolent offenders, and reduce crime at the same time.

The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesars Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. Eddie Bonine is the Executive Director of the LHSAA and he says a $25 ticket gets you in the Dome for the day…:
CUt 15 (14) “is reasonable”
Two championship games will be played tonight, three on Friday and three more on Saturday.

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members, Whitney Thomas has the story…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

If you have homeowners’ insurance through United Property & Casualty, you’ll have to find new coverage next year. The Florida based company is the latest to announce it’s leaving Louisiana amid the state’s growing insurance crisis. UPC had the 5th largest share of Louisiana’s home insurance market in 2021. It will stop renewing policies in 2023.

One of Louisiana’s most popular Christmas Festivals kicks off today in downtown Alexandria. Alex Winter Fete includes ice skating, live music, craft and food vendors, street performers, fireworks, Polar Express Train, and Santa’s Village where Santa and Mrs. Claus will take photos. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery says it’s worth the road trip…
Cut 8 (08) “for the night”
Check the Alex Winter Fete Facebook Page for details.

No shortage of road trips to New Orleans this weekend as the LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight the Caesars Superdome. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine says it’s led to more competitive games.:
Cut 14 (10) “all belong”
The first game kicks at 4:30 today as it’s Ouachita Christian versus Vermilion Catholic.

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members killed while changing a tire near Natchitoches on Tuesday night. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Former band member Keymonte Avery says Southern’s band is like a family…:
Cut 4 (11) “…different feeling.”
According to State Police, a tractor-trailer driven by Clyde Gay, of Coushatta, drifted into the shoulder, hitting the Jeep, and immediately killed the three students. Two of the students were tuba players and the other was a percussionist.

The St. Tammany Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man is under arrest for allegedly trying to steal a marked Hummer parked outside the parish jail. They said the man told staff he was a deputy taking the Hummer to be serviced. 53 year old Pete Dunhurst is booked for vehicle burglary, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to the Pelican Institute for Public Policy property crimes in the Bayou State are decreasing but violent crime is up, which mirrors a nationwide trend. Institute Vice President Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says when you look at violent crime in Louisiana, the rate was flat before 2020
Cut 12 (07) “phenomenon”
She says their report can help lawmakers in implementing proven methods to reduce crime.

Lots of high school football fans are headed to New Orleans today for the state football championships which get underway in the Caesars Superdome. Two games happen tonight. The Division Four non-select title game has Homer facing Oak Grove. And in the Division Four select title game, Ouachita Christian battles Vermilion Catholic.

This year’s Holiday Shopping season is going well, and economists are predicting spending could be up 6-8 percent from 2021. LSU Marketing Associate Professor Dan Rice says the prediction also has to account for record inflation…:
Cut 13 (11) “up seventeen percent”
And barring any supply chain disruptions, an increase in fuel costs, etc., Rice expects sales to continue to go well for most retailers.

This year’s sugarcane crop could set a new record as sugar recovery levels are performing well. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says the crop could produce 245 pounds of sugar for each ton of cane harvested…:
CUT 8 (06) “crop”
Nearly 17,000 jobs throughout Louisiana are supported by sugarcane.

The runoff election for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 3 is getting national attention—and a lot of money is being spent…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Bowl games have been set and the LSU Tigers are once again Orlando-bound and will face Purdue for the first time in the Citrus Bowl on January 2nd. LSU has been to the Citrus Bowl five times most recently in a matchup with a Brian Kelly led Notre Dame team in 2018. UL-Lafayette is going to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport for the first time ever to face Houston. And AAC champs Tulane will play USC in the Cotton Bowl.