The legislative session begins in less than two weeks and the Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee is proposing to make the office of Insurance Commissioner an appointed position instead of elected. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says it would result in having an insurance commissioner with a high level of expertise in the insurance industry….
cut 6 (07) “…what happens”
Current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who is not running for re-election, says voters should continue to have a say in who is the insurance commissioner.

In Louisiana, we hear about Texas having a better climate for businesses, but a petroleum company, Placid Refining, is moving its corporate headquarters from Dallas to Baton Rouge and upgrading its Port Allen refinery. West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Director Anna Johnson….
cut 15 (10) “….Capitol region”

Voters in Ouachita Parish approved a millage increase for the next decade to fund the construction of a new animal shelter and animal services. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Jefferson Parish School Board is looking at closing eight schools because of falling enrollment within the largest public school system in the state. Thomas Jefferson High School and Helen Cox High School are two of the schools under consideration for closure. The school board could vote on the plan on April 5th.

Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he will propose a bill to have the state Insurance Commissioner appointed instead of elected. This comes nearly two weeks after longtime Commissioner Jim Donelon announced he was not running for re-election. Talbot says the individual selected should be qualified and ready to fight for the consumers.
Cut 4 (10) “…that office.”
Talbot’s bill is one of several insurance industry reform measures expected to be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says his deputies have made the largest fentanyl confiscation in the history of the parish as over five pounds of fentanyl was found inside the home of Benjamin Pittman in the Sunset area…
cut 11 (11) “….1.5 million people”
Pittman faces several charges.

Voters in Ouachita Parish have approved a property tax increase to fund the continued operation of an animal shelter and health unit as well as construction of a new shelter. Louisiana Humane Society President Jeff Dorson is glad to see voters approve the proposal, because there are a lot of parishes that do not even have an animal shelter…
cut 8 (11) “….or services”

A petroleum company, Placid Refining, is moving its headquarters from Dallas to Baton Rouge. West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Director Anna Johnson says Placid Refining is also investing million of dollars to upgrade its Port Allen refinery…
cut 14 (11) “…end of the year”
The establishment of new corporate offices in Baton Rouge will create 20 new jobs.

The state’s insurance market is facing challenges and Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot plans to file a bill to make the Insurance Commissioner an appointed position instead of elected.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Two of the three adults killed yesterday by a former student at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee are from Louisiana. The head of school, 60-year-old Doctor Katherine Koonce, was a Baton Rouge native who went to University High and LSU. And substitute teacher, 61-year-old Cynthia Peak, grew up in Vernon Parish and attended Leesville High School.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says deputies made the largest fentanyl confiscation in parish history when they arrested a Sunset man, who had over five pounds of suspected fentanyl inside his home. Guidroz says Benjamin Pittman faces a slew of charges for possessing and manufacturing fentanyl…
Cut 10 (11) “…the streets.”
Guidroz says Pittman’s home was a major pill manufacturing facility.

In Ouachita Parish, voters overwhelmingly approved a millage increase to fund the construction of a new animal shelter. For the next ten years, a 1.75-mil property tax increase will allow shelter operations to continue. Louisiana Humane Society President Jeff Dorson says this is welcome news.
Cut 7 (10) “…essential service.”
But In DeSoto Parish voters rejected a millage increase for animal services.

The state’s insurance market is facing challenges and if left up to Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot legislators will soon decide on a bill that would either keep the Insurance Commissioner’s position as a publicly elected seat or be appointed by the Governor. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Voters in Ouachita Parish approved a millage increase for the next decade to fund the construction of a new animal shelter and animal services. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Sunset man in what they are calling the largest drug bust for fentanyl in parish history. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he will propose a bill to have the state Insurance Commissioner appointed instead elected. This comes nearly two weeks after longtime Commissioner Jim Donelon made the announcement not to seek re-election. Talbot says the individual selected should be qualified and ready to fight for the consumers.

Cut 4 (10)  “…that office.”

Talbot says Louisiana is one of eleven states who still elect the Insurance Commissioner. He says the bill would include a selection process in which the Governor could personally appoint or have a board submit qualified candidates for the process.

Cut 5 (12) “…one of those names.”

The bill would permit term limits ranging from two to six years. It would also require a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to pass the legislature. Talbot says Louisiana’s insurance market is in a crisis and this could be a potential solution for better rates for consumers.

Cut 6 (07)  “…what happens.” 

The proposed legislation will consider the bill in the upcoming legislative session.

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In Ouachita Parish voters overwhelmingly approved a millage increase to fund the construction of a new animal shelter. For the next ten years, a 1.75-mil property tax increase will allow shelter operations to continue. Louisiana Humane Shelter President Jeff Dorson says this is welcome news for the parish.

Cut 7 (10) “…essential service.”

In DeSoto Parish voters rejected a millage increase for animal services.

Dorson says the situation is dire in Ouachita Parish because, in addition to their animal needs in the northeast Louisiana parish, they are having to bear the load for other parishes that go without, like Catahoula, Franklin, and Claiborne. Dorson says there are many more parishes without animal services.

Cut 8 (11) “…or services.”

In his 35 years as an animal advocate, Dorson says he’s never seen such an increase in animals that are either abandoned or surrendered at shelters. Because so many parishes lack animal services, Dorson says they are asking lawmakers to set aside a portion of the state budget surplus to help fund animal needs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…they have.”

In addition to direct donations to humane shelters, Dorson says the public can also purchase a Spay and Neuter cag tag which funds low-cost and no-cost programs in Louisiana.

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St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says deputies made the largest fentanyl confiscation in parish history when they arrested a Sunset man, who had over five pounds of suspected fentanyl inside his home. Guidroz says Benjamin Pittman faces a slew of charges for possessing and manufacturing fentanyl…

Cut 10 (11)  “…the streets.”

Guidroz says inside Pittman’s home was a major pill manufacturing facility and distribution hub, which contained different pill presses and mixers for the illegal manufacturing of pills. He says the amount of fentanyl inside the home was staggering…

Cut 11 (11)  “…1.5 million people.”

Guidroz says their narcotics enforcement team made the arrest and Pittman is a repeat offender…

Cut 12 (11)  “…well done.”

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Placid Refining is relocating its headquarters from Dallas to Baton Rouge and updating its existing Port Allen facilities. The state secured the project with an incentives package that includes a performance-based retention and modernization tax credit of up to $500,000 that West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anna Johnson says helps attract new and existing businesses…

Cut 13 (11) “..back here.” 

The company’s West Baton Rouge facility has been in operation since 1975. Much of the investment will go towards equipment upgrades. The company finalized the purchase of its downtown Baton Rouge corporate headquarters in January and Johnson says the investment will take some time…

Cut 14 (11)  “…end of the year.”

The corporate offices will create 20 new direct jobs and Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will bring another 88 indirect jobs. With 108 new jobs in the Capital Region, Johnson says the energy sector is still the engine of the Louisiana economy…

Cut 15 (10)  “…Capitol region.”

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The Saints have signed a big-body wide receiver familiar with new starting quarterback Derek Carr. Bryan Edwards played with Carr and the Raiders in 2020 and 2021. In 2021 he started 12 games and caught 34 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards says seeing a couple of former Raider players now in New Orleans made the opportunity exciting for him…

Cut  16 (17)  “…my family.” 

Edwards was traded to Atlanta after the 2022 NFL draft and caught three passes for the Falcons last season. He spent the last three months of the season on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach is back with the Saints after signing a one-year deal with the Black and Gold. Roach had a career-high 26 tackles last season for New Orleans. He’s from Baton Rouge and played high school football at Madison Prep…

Cut 17 (19) “…in the room.” 

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LSU remains ranked number one in all of the college baseball polls after sweeping Arkansas in a doubleheader on Saturday. The Tigers are 21-and-3 and led offensively by Dylan Crews, who is leading the nation with a .531 batting average and Tommy White is hitting .392. The two have combined to hit 17 home runs and drive in 74 runs. Coach Jay Johnson says they are a big reason why they lead the nation in runs scored…

Cut 18 (14) “…have that.”

LSU hosts Grambling State tonight. A starting pitcher has not been announced. But Johnson wants to see sophomore right-hander Sam Dutton throw multiple innings…

Cut 19 (21) “…faith in.”

Dutton has only appeared in four games this season after appearing in 18 games last year.

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Cut 20 (20)  “…all year.”  

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.

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

Cut 6 (11)  “…door-to-door.” 

The United Cajun Navy is asking for donations, you can find out more on their Facebook page.

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” 

The session begins two weeks from today.

Louisiana U-S Representative Julia Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights Act was approved by the House last week, but the bill needs 60 votes in the Democratic-majority U-S Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the legislation faces a dead end in the upper chamber. But Letlow says the bill shouldn’t be partisan…

Cut 13 (09) “…pushing this through.”

The LSU Lady Tigers basketball team are headed to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. All-American forward Angel Reese came to LSU after leading Maryland to the Sweet 16 last season. The Baltimore native says she needed a fresh start and for Kim Mulkey to coach her hard…

Cut 10 (09) “…Coach Mulkey” 

They’ll play Friday night in Dallas.

According to the FAA, when a Baton Rouge Police helicopter crashed around 2:30 Sunday morning, the air traffic control tower at BTR was most likely unmanned. The two pilots assisting with a search were killed as a result and the crash was not discovered until 11 am. The FAA is leading the investigation.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating a deadly fire in Monroe that claimed the life of a young boy. Jeff Palermo has the latest….

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The United Cajun Navy is helping tornado recovery in Mississippi that claimed at least 26 people. After seeing the devastation, UCN President Todd Terrell says it’s a miracle there weren’t more fatalities. He credits the ability to use heat sensors in planes and drones.

Cut 8 (10)  “…new technology.” 

To donate visit the United Cajun Navy’s Facebook page.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement that would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards.  Firment says keeping wind and rain out of the home decreases damage which makes homes a better risk for the insurance companies.

Cut 5 (11) “…looking for”

The session begins two weeks from today.

The United Cajun Navy is assisting with recovery efforts in Mississippi where tornadoes leveled the small towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City, killing at least 21…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was a violent weekend in Shreveport as 16 people were shot in multiple shootings. One person was killed in an early morning shooting on Saturday at the intersection of Texas Street and Market Street. We are also waiting to hear from Minden Police about shooting that injured four people last night at the Ewell Park Recreation Center.

Louisiana U-S Representative Julia Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights Act is waiting for discussion in the Senate after it passed out of the House by a slim margin. The Republican from Richland Parish says the legislation is a vehicle by which parents and educators can have a productive dialogue over what’s taught in public schools…
Cut 12 (10) “…this bill.”
The legislation needs 60 votes in the Democratic-majority U-S Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the legislation faces a dead end.

LSU basketball coach Kim Mulkey is receiving praise for leading the Lady Tigers to their first Final Four in 15 seasons. Mulkey gives credit to the players and says the addition of assistant coach Bob Starkey is also big as he was on the staff when the Lady Tigers went to the final four five consecutive sesons in the 2000s….
cut 11 (13) “…forget that”

The United Cajun Navy is assisting people in the small towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City, Mississippi after tornadoes leveled the communities Friday night. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says they are asking the public to help by either donating money or supplies and their mission is far from over.

Cut 7 (11)  “…people up there.” 

You can find a list of needed supplies on their Facebook page.

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. He believes building stronger homes would allow people to live in the area where the home is located.

Cut 4 (10)  “…the storm” 

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry has filed a bill to allow for a ballot initiative. That’s when voters can petition to have a vote of the people on an issue, versus lawmakers always deciding. Even though Landry is a Democrat, she says the bill doesn’t favor either party because the issue could be from one end of the political spectrum to the other.

Cut 12 (10)  “…us here.”

But first, the bill must receive a 2/3 majority vote before it goes on a statewide ballot.

Many in Louisiana are amazed the LSU Lady Tigers are in the Final Four in Kim Mulkey’s second season as head coach. Mulkey took over a program that won nine games during the 2020-21 season. Prior to this season, she brought in several new players out of the transfer portal…

Cut 9 (11) “…tough love”

Their next game will be in Dallas Friday night.

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.