As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, House Democrats call for transparency and accountability from the Department of Insurance. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch, and new policy is called for going forward…:

CUT 05(09)      “…to address it.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still not ready to make a decision on running for governor this fall. Graves is not happy the state GOP has already endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. He says voters are upset a group of Republicans are trying to hand pick the next governor…

Cut 07  (08)      “…strongly encouraged.”

Graves is 51-years-old and has served in the U.S. House since 2015.

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day, and here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says he’ll observe that by personally handing out over $42-thpusand in checks to over 500 people today. He says you should check for yourself if you have cash coming at “LACashClaim.org”…:

CUT 12(11)      “…in this program.”

The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos reach a deal to send former Saints Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton to the Mile High City.  New Orleans will get the Broncos’ first-round pick this year and their second-round pick next year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier thinks it’s a sign that Broncos’ ownership trusts Payton to turn things around…

CUT 09(13)      “…Wilson around.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is still not ready to make a decision on whether to run for governor or not. Graves says he’s received encouragement to run, but his busy schedule in Washington D-C has kept him from examining the race.

Cut 6 (11)  “…you posted” 

As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch…:

Cut 4 (08)  “…in a timely manner.”

The 45-million dollar incentive fund bill aimed at bringing more private property insurers to Louisiana is up for a vote in the Louisiana House today.

A report from the state Legislative Auditor shows Black students in Louisiana are over five times more likely to attend a public school with a D or F rating. Daniel Erspamer, with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the report illustrates that basic fundamental change in public education is called for…:

Cut 13 (10)  “…. high-quality schools.”

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day. And here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says Louisiana has a billion dollars on paper in Unclaimed Property and they’ve just launched a pilot program that works with large businesses to find data matches and it’s proving to be successful.

Cut 11 (11)  “…this program.”

He says one in six Louisianans have unclaimed property, visit LAcashclaim.org to see if you do.

The Louisiana House will vote today on a plan to set up a 45-million fund that would distribute grants to insurance companies who start writing private property insurance policies. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins believes Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon should take some of the blame for this crisis. He says perhaps a change of leadership at the Department of Insurance is warranted…
cut 6 (09) “…want to keep going”
Donelon is up for re-election this year.

A legislative auditor’s report finds 41-percent of Black students attend a D or F rated school, while only eight-percent of White children are at a school at the bottom of the grading scale. CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy Daniel Erspamer says this should be unacceptable to lawmakers and educators…
cut 14 (06) “…high-Quality school”

For National Unclaimed Property Day State Treasurer John Schroder will hand out more than 500 checks. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A major winter storm is causing problems in several Southern states and here in Louisiana we are seeing mixed precipitation falling north of Interstate 20. The National Weather Service says up to a tenth of an inch of ice could accumulate north of I-20 through six o’ clock today.

The state House Democratic caucus calls for accountability and transparency as lawmakers set up a $45-million insurance incentive fund. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A councilwoman in the town of Rayville has been charged with simple battery of persons with infirmities and public intimidation. State Police took 53-year-old Deborah James into custody last month in reference to an alleged physical altercation. L-S-P says James threatened the troopers with loss of employment if arrested.

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day, and here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says he’s celebrating the day by handing out checks.
Cut 10 (08) “… their employees.”
This afternoon he’ll present over 500 checks totaling more than $42,000 to employees at Baton Rouge General Hospital.

Sean Payton is returning to coaching as he’s agreed to become the new head coach of the Broncos. Since Payton is still under contract with the Saints, Denver will reportedly send New Orleans a late first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. Some Saints fans were hoping for multiple first round picks, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier says those expectations were unrealistic….
cut 8 (07) “….two seconds”
So at least the Saints have a first round pick this year as they have the 29th overall selection.

A new study shows Louisiana’s black public school kids are five times more likely to attend a failing school. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

An eleven year-old and a 14-year-old have been arrested for stealing a fire truck from the Natchitoches Parish Fire department. Deputies say the juveniles took the truck from a fire house and went on a joy ride before ditching the fire truck behind a home off of Louisiana Highway 3191.

The Louisiana House is set to vote today on establishing a 45-million dollar incentive fund that would provide grants to private insurers who write property insurance policies. Its an effort to reduce the number of homeowners who rely on Citizens Insurance, which is expensive. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins believes Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon should take some of the blame for the current insurance crisis…
cut 5 (09) “…to address it”

The Denver Broncos have addressed their head coaching vacancy by turning to Sean Payton. Since Payton was still under contract with the Saints, New Orleans will reportedly receive a 2023 first round pick from Denver and a 2024 second round pick. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a good deal…
cut 7 (12) “…quarterback dilemma”

Watching for freezing rain in north Louisiana. Radar indicates mixed precipitation is falling in northern Bossier Parish at this hour. Parishes along the I-20 corridor are under a winter weather advisory this morning as ice accumulations of near a tenth of an inch are possible. Much of north Louisiana also remains in a flood watch until tomorrow afternoon.

It’s National Unclaimed Property Day and State Treasurer John Schroder will hand out more than 500 checks. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, House Democrats call for transparency and accountability from the Department of Insurance. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch…:
Cut 4 (08) “…in a timely manner.”
The 45-million dollar incentive fund bill aimed at bringing more private property insurers in Louisiana is up for a vote in the Louisiana House today.

Former Saints Coach Sean Payton is heading to Denver. A trade has reportedly been worked out that will allow Denver to hire Payton as its new head coach and in return New Orleans will get the Broncos first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Payton will try to turn around a franchise that went 5-and-12 last season with a veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson who performed poorly…
cut 9 (13) “…Wilson around”
Detillier made those comments on WWL Radio in New Orleans.

The state House Democratic caucus calls for accountability and transparency as lawmakers prepare to pay a $45-million insurance incentive fund. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

For National Unclaimed Property Day State Treasurer John Schroder will hand out more than 500 checks. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

A new study shows Louisiana’s black public school kids are five times more likely to be attending a failing school. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________________

As lawmakers continue to debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, House Democrats call for transparency and accountability from the Department of Insurance. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch…:

Cut 4 (08)  “…in a timely manner.”

Jenkins says lawmakers need to assure the Insure Louisiana Fund, if approved, is a good use of taxpayer money. He says they also need to have some tough conversations going forward…:

Cut 5 (09) “…to address it.”

Jenkins and the Democratic Caucus feel the Insurance Commissioner should be held accountable for the state’s current insurance mess, and – perhaps – a change of leadership at the Department of Insurance is warranted…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…want to keep going.” 

Jenkins says he’d personally like to see a Democrat challenge Donelon this fall, and see Democrats run for every state office.

_____________________________________________

The Saints and Broncos agreed to compensation to send former saints Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton to Denver.  New Orleans will receive the Broncos’ first-round pick this year (29^th overall) and their 2024 second-round pick in exchange for rights to Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third-round pick. Saints analyst Mike Detillier thinks it’s a good deal…

Cut 7 (12) “…quarterback dilemma.”

Many fans might be disappointed by the compensation after rumors of multiple first-round picks swirled as Payton had interviews with the Panthers, Cardinals, Texans, and Broncos. Some speculated the Saints were hoping teams would get in a bidding war for Payton, but Detillier says those expectations were unrealistic…

Cut 8 (07)  “…two seconds.”

The Broncos struggled this season after an offseason of high expectations. Denver sent multiple picks to Seattle in exchange for Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson worked alongside one of the NFL’s top skill-position groups, but the offense under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett was one of the worst in the league. Detillier says the ownership trusts Payton to turn things around…

Cut 9 (13)  “…Wilson around.”

_______________________________________________

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day, and here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says he’s celebrating the day by handing out checks.

Cut 10 (08)  “… their employees.”

This afternoon he’ll present over 500 checks totaling more than $42,000 to employees at a Baton Rouge General Hospital.

Schroder says the Unclaimed Property division in Louisiana has a billion dollars on paper and they’ve just launched a pilot program that works with large businesses to find data matches and it’s proving to be successful.

Cut 11 (11)  “…this program.”

You can always check to see if you have Unclaimed Property by visiting LAcashclaim.org. You never know if you have a deposit that was not returned or even a lost paycheck you didn’t know about.

Cut 12 (11) “…in this program.”

On average Schroder says they process 175 claims daily, but on special occasions and when the program is in the media they can receive up to three thousand claims.

______________________________________________

A report from the state Legislative Auditor shows black students in Louisiana are over five times more likely to attend a public school with a D or F rating. The report says about 41 percent of Black kids go to a bottom-of-the-scale school, as opposed to about 8 percent of white kids. Daniel Erspamer, with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the report illustrates that basic fundamental change in public education is called for…:

Cut 13 (10)  “…. high-quality schools.”

The Auditor’s report says enrollments at A-rated schools are about 66 percent white, with Black students making up about 20 percent. The largest percentage of black kids was in schools with a D or F rating. Erspamer says this should be unacceptable to lawmakers and educators alike…:

Cut 14 (06)  “…a high-quality school.”

The state’s private schools are overwhelmingly white enrollment. Erspamer says too many minority families cannot afford tuition, so they must settle for whatever public schools can offer. He says state public education dollars go to school systems, and perhaps it’s time to change that…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…fixing this problem.”

He says too many schools do not demand excellence from teachers or students and allow kids to “fall between the cracks.”

______________________________________________

With the number-one ranked roster of the LSU baseball team, there’s still one position that doesn’t have a sure starter: second base. With the departure of last year’s starter Cade Doughty, junior Jack Merrifield, transfer Ben Nippolt, utility player Gavin Dugas, and freshman Gavin Guidry. Coach Jay Johnson says that there won’t be one starter…

Cut  16 (16)  “…to help us win” 

The Tigers had one of the top offenses in the season last year but were held back by poor performances defensively. LSU is hoping to help correct some pitching issues with the addition of transfer Paul Skenes. Skenes was named first-team All-American at Air Force last year and is the 25th-ranked prospect in the draft. Johnson says Skenes is one-thousand percent the Friday night starter…

Cut 17 (20) “…major league starter.” 

Johnson says the bullpen was a focus this offseason. LSU welcomed transfers Christian Little and Thatcher Hurd alongside Skenes and hopes to have a deep rotation this season. Johnson says that this year’s group will be an upgrade from last year…

Cut 18 (20) “…in the SEC.” 

_______________________________________________

Cut 19 (18) “..for sure”

Cut 20 (12)  “…get people on base” 

______________________________________________

There is the potential for light freezing rain across the northern parishes tonight, into the overnight hours, and tomorrow morning. Louisiana Radio Network Meteorologist John Wetherbee says high temperatures will only be in the upper 30s today. The advisory is for parishes along I-20…

Cut 10 (09) “…close to freezing” 

The advisory includes Ruston, Monroe, Rayville, and areas north that border Arkansas.

Former Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is getting back in the game. An ESPN NFL insider reports the Denver Broncos have agreed on a deal that would make Sean Payton the Bronco’s next head coach. The Saints would send Payton to Denver in return for the Bronco’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick. The NFL has not made an official statement as yet. Payton coached the Saints from 2006 to 2021.

At the State Capitol today, a House committee advances a proposed 45-million-dollar incentive fund that can be used to attract additional private property insurers to the state, but not without some debate.  House Insurance Chairman Mike Huval is an insurance agent in Breaux Bridge and says a similar program after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita helped revitalize the private property insurance market…:

CUT 11(10)      “…come also.”

That plan brought 5 companies to Louisiana when it was done in 2007, but Houma Representative Tanner Magee says several of them have since bailed…:

CUT 12(09)      “…pay claims”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says long-term property insurance reform legislation could be addressed in the regular session that starts in April.

At the State Capitol, the legislature’s special session on the insurance crisis passes a first hurdle. A House committee approves a bill to make a $45-million incentive fund to help draw new private property insurers to Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the fund will work, as it did after Katrina & Rita caused another crisis 16 years ago…:

CUT 14(09)      “…emergency room”

Donelon says it could help prevent thousands from losing their coverage and their homes. But Houma Representative Tanner McGee says the last time we did it, there were problems with the companies we did attract…:

CUT 12(09)      “…pay claims.”

The bill movers to the House floor for full debate. The session ends Friday.

Senator Bill Cassidy says federal Infrastructure Act money is bringing broadband internet to the state’s rural parishes, with progress already made in Morehouse Parish…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

An ESPN NFL insider reports the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos have agreed on a deal that would make Sean Payton the Bronco’s next head coach. The Saints would send Payton to Denver in return for the Bronco’s 2023 first-round pick and next year’s second-round pick. The NFL has not made an official statement as yet.

A proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would provide grants to insurance companies willing to write property insurance policies receives approval from the Appropriations Committee and heads to the House floor…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

Southern University in Baton Rouge is mourning the death of 23-year-old business major Reginald Elloie, who was killed Monday night in a single vehicle crash on Interstate 110. He is the fifth Southern student to be killed in the last two months.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is bringing broadband internet to Louisiana’s rural parishes. In his weekly press conference, Cassidy says federal funds from the Infrastructure Act (which he supported) have been flowing into Louisiana to provide expanded, faster internet access. He says Morehouse is a good example of the program’s progress…:

CUT 07(08)      “…reliable internet.”

He says more parishes have broadband project underway and the goal if for fast internet access to be available statewide.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell officially announces that Mardi Gras parade routes will return to pre-pandemic lengths. She says they have secured enough police security to cover everything…:

CUT 03(13)      “…City of New Orleans.”

Fat Tuesday is February 21^st this year.