State lawmakers in the House approved a 45-million-dollar fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The vote was 90-8 though some legislatures weren’t thrilled about the bill. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is confident this will help stabilize the homeowner’s insurance market in Louisiana, at least for now. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says the Louisiana Legislature can propose additional ideas for the regular session that begins in April…”
Cut 15 (09) “let’s go”
One idea says Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland is to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. He says the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is similar to one that works in other states…:
Cut 4 (11) “their insurance premiums”
The Incentive fund legislation will be discussed in the Senate starting today.

If you’re a fan of Antiques Roadshow, listen up because the 20-time Emmy Award-winning series is coming to Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

There is growing concern about flooding for much of the state today as more rain is in the forecast after what’s already been a wet couple of weeks. Most of North Louisiana is under a flood watch with some areas under a flood warning today, and sandbag locations are being set up at various locations.

The state House has approved a plan that creates a 45-million-dollar incentive fund to attract more private insurers to the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Now there is growing support to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is a proven plan…:
Cut 6 (09) “and fortifying”

The Antiques Roadshow is coming to Baton Rouge on May 2nd, and two thousand pairs of tickets will be issued to folks who will be able to bring two items to be appraised for free. Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says it’s an opportunity to have experts evaluate your treasures, so bring in something that you can’t look up on the internet…:
Cut 8 (09) “came in”
The deadline to register for tickets is March 13th and participants will be notified in mid-April if they’ve won tickets.

It’s Groundhog Day and while the rodent in Pennsylvania did see his shadow, the weather predicting nutria Pierre C Shadeaux did not in New Iberia today. That means, as the folklore goes, we’ll see a longer spring in Louisiana.

There was no big winner in last night’s Powerball drawing. Saturday’s jackpot is worth $700 million with a cash value of $375.7 million.

Some legislators weren’t happy about it, but the Louisiana House approved a $45 million dollar funding bill to incentivize more property insurers to write policies here. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said if this isn’t done thousands of homeowners below I-10 and I-12 would lose their homes. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown was hoping Donelon would have provided more options…:
CUT 14 (11) “be more competitive”
The measure advanced on a 90-8 vote and now heads to the Senate where it will likely also pass.

The state has topped the $20 billion dollar investment mark for a second consecutive year and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson predicts additional expansion and thus more good news for 2023…:
CUT 12 (10) “for Louisiana”

A Winnfield lawmaker says, instead of paying property insurers to come to Louisiana, why not pay homeowners to make their roofs hurricane-proof…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

It’s Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow this morning. In New Iberia they are still waiting for the weather predicting nutria to make a move. Pierre C. Shadeaux’s foretells longer spring, or shorter summer? One thing is for certain and that is he’ll be one wet nutria as most of the entire state will see rain all day today.

The state House has approved legislation that puts 45-million dollars in a fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The measure passed on a 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it as he’s skeptical the plan will lead to a more affordable insurance market…:
Cut 13 (13) “make sense”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon urged the special session in order to stabilize the insurance market in Louisiana. The measures next face debate in the Senate.

The Addis Town Council passed a motion Wednesday to accept the resignation of the officer involved in the deadly multi-parish police pursuit on New Year’s Eve. David Cauthron reportedly sped through a red light in the chase and struck a vehicle killing two Brusly High students and badly injuring another.

The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. LED Secretary Don Pierson says it was a great year because the state leveraged its unique business advantages, sector diversity, and support for climate action:
Cut 10 (09) “in 24 parishes”

Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow and thought to yourself I wonder what that vase I inherited is worth? Well, here’s your chance, the beloved PBS series will be in Baton Rouge on May 2nd and Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says your odds are good…”
Cut 7 (05) “getting in here”
Two-thousand pairs of tickets will be issued and the deadline to register is March 13th. Visit PBS.org for details.

In response to the death of LSU student Madison Brooks who was allegedly raped then run over by a vehicle after leaving a bar, two other students created a group to help other girls find rides home…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Baton Rouge leaders announced Thursday the airport in the Capitol City will begin nonstop flights to Washington DC beginning this summer via American Airlines. Tickets go on sale Saturday morning for the direct flight to Reagan International Airport from Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Family Forum is now accepting nominations seeking the state’s longest married couple. President Gene Mills says it’s an annual tradition to find couples who’ve been married for several decades and honor their achievement as the Longest Married Couple in the Bayou State…:
Cut 7 (11) “needs to be told”
You can find an entry form at LAfamilyforum.org.

The state transportation department is mourning the death of a DOTD worker killed on Wednesday afternoon while filling potholes in DeSoto Parish on U.S. Highway 171. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles was killed after an empty log truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker hit two DOTD vehicles…:
Cut 10 (10) “…behind the truck”
Gray was pronounced dead at the scene.

One of the wounded victims in the January 22nd mass shooting in Shreveport has died. Officials in Caddo Parish confirmed 33 year old Latounda Bryant succumbed to her injuries Thursday morning. She was one of 8 people hit by what police believe was a drive by shooting on Sunday. Three of the victims were under the age of ten. No arrests have been made in the case.

Kickoff Sunday is 6pm.

There were two mass shootings in Louisiana yesterday. In Baton Rouge, gunfire rang out at a nightclub early in the morning in an incident that left 12 people injured. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says their officers were already outside the club when shots rang out and responded quickly…:
CUT 15 (12) “medical services”
He believes it was a targeted attack and the shooter remains at large.

In Shreveport eight people were shot inside a home in what police believe was a drive by shooting. The search for that shooter is ongoing. Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor is upset at this kind of violence in her district…:
Cut 12 (11) “thought is”
Four of the victims are listed in critical condition, including a three-year-old boy.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session to address the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis. It will start a week from today and adjourn Sunday, February 5th. State leaders are hoping to have an intermediate fix to the issues before the regular session in April.

Be prepared for major changes when filing your 2022 taxes as today marks the first day you can file. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session to address the state’s homeowner’s insurance crisis. Lawmakers will convene next week to discuss just one topic, appropriating funds to the Insure Louisiana Incentive fund.

Police in Baton Rouge continue to seek information regarding a mass shooting at a nightclub early Sunday morning that injured 12 people including 3 critically. Anyone who knows anything about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

In Shreveport, a mass shooting Sunday sends adults and children to the hospital…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Today on the campus of UL-Lafayette, the US Postal Service continues its Black Heritage series by honoring renowned author Ernest J Gains with a stamp. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says they are thrilled to celebrate Gaines as the 46th stamp in the Black Heritage Series…:
Cut 8 (12) “in the air”
The Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage stamp will be a forever stamp that holds the same value as the current First- Class Mail stamp.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are once again headed to the AFC championship game following a 27-10 victory over the Bills Sunday. Cincinati will face The Chiefs who they beat in the same game last year, and Burrow believes The Bengals are a better team this year…:
Cut 18 (09) “last year”
The game will be in Kansas City on Sunday at 5:30.