Legislators will discuss teacher pay raises again during this session and teachers’ unions will push for more than the proposed $1,500 pay raise for educators. Brooke Thorington has more…

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Insurance industry lobbyist Jeff Albright told the Advocate newspaper that insurance providers have concerns with several of the bills filed for this legislative session, and paying claims quickly after a catastrophe is difficult. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine says companies acting in good faith won’t be impacted by his proposed reforms.

Cut 8 (07) “…intend to do.”

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The LSU athletic program has taken a number of hits over the past few years, from an ongoing Title IX investigation to these latest problems with the basketball program. Alumnus and super fan James Carville says that athletic director Scott Woodward is up to the task of setting things right.

Cut 10 (09) “…a lot of confidence.”

LSU will be hiring its fifth basketball coach in the last 25 seasons, following the 25-year tenure of Dale Brown.

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A Walker man accidentally shot and killed a 17-year old pregnant woman. 23-year-old Chad Blanchard, accidentally fired his handgun while riding in the back seat along Seigen Lane Saturday evening. According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. The bullet went through the back of Karrington Smith and she and the fetus were pronounced dead at a local hospital. Before her death, Smith tried to take the blame before investigators figured out what actually happened. Blanchard has been booked on counts of negligent homicide, third-degree feticide, and illegal use of a weapon.

The legislative session officially kicked off at noon today and there are a number of topics lawmakers will address Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with several bills to expand the state’s medical-marijuana program, many conservative voters are still leery the expansion is moving the state closer to approving recreational marijuana use…

Cut 26 (10)  “…marijuana legislation.”

Governor Edwards is asking lawmakers to approve a $1500 teacher pay raise and $750 increase for support staff, President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter says they are asking for even higher raises so Louisiana educators can reach the southern regional average sooner than later.

Cut 4 (12) “…support staff.”

Governor Edwards will give his State of the State at one.

Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine is pushing the storm victims’ insurance reform package in his first legislative session. Stine has bills to increase the penalties for insurance companies who fail to provide payment on a timely basis and double the fine a company could receive if the Insurance Commissioner determines they are acting in bad faith…

Cut 7 (11) “…as a deterrent” 

Stine says policyholders are rightfully fed up with insurance delays.

LSU basketball has a storied history, but a murky future with major NCAA allegations to face and sanctions likely to follow. LSU alumnus and super fan James Carville believes LSU will survive this latest storm and come out ahead on the other side.

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Today is the start of the 2022 legislative session. Don Molino looks at the major issues facing lawmakers.

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Will Wade will not be joining LSU when they open the NCAA tournament on Friday. Wade was fired Saturday for alleged major recruiting violations that finally became public after a lengthy NCAA investigation. Kevin Nickelberry takes over in the interim…

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and House & Senate insurance committee leaders announce a package of bills aimed at benefiting homeowners affected by major storms, like Hurricane Ida last summer. Senate Bill 134 clarifies that policyholders can collect additional living expense benefits when they have to evacuate; even if an official evacuation order has not yet been announced.

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Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields thanked State Police Lieutenant Johnny Brown for appearing before the committee and was upset when he was reminded he could only ask hypothetical questions regarding LSP procedure due to the federal investigation into the death of Ronald Greene. Fields voiced his frustration that those who’ve shared information with the committee face consequences for doing so.

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An emotional weekend for the LSU men’s basketball program concludes with the Tigers getting an invite to the NCAA tournament.
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The 2022 regular legislative session begins at noon. Legislators will spend the next three months determining how to spend two-point-eight billion dollars in revenues as a result of coronavirus pandemic aid and state surplus dollars. Redistricting, anti-transgender bills, abortion legislation, and allowing for the carrying of a concealed handgun without a permit are other issues.

Insurance reform will be a big topic during the course of the three-month long legislative session that begins today. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the package of the bills will improve the overall picture for all involved…
cut 12 (12) “….yet insurer-friendly”
One of the bills filed would require insurance companies to pay for expenses if the policyholder is forced to evacuate due to an approaching storm.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown appeared before the State Police Oversight Committee and told the panel he recommended the firing of one of the troopers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Brown was also asked about the slow release of body camera footage but he couldn’t give more information because the case is under federal investigation…
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The 2022 Legislative regular session begins today and even though it’s not a fiscal session, money will dominate the discussion over the next three months. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says lawmakers have two-point-eight billion dollars in one-time revenue to spend
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The extra cash on hand is the result of federal pandemic aid and leftover money from previous state budgets.

There are many LSU fans who are in disbelief that Will Wade is no longer the men’s basketball coach. Wade was fired on Saturday over alleged recruiting violations and assistant Kevin Nickelberry has been named interim head coach. Nickelberry says the players were heartbroken when they learned of Wade’s firing, they’ll be ready to play Iowa State on Friday in the NCAA Tournament…
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A package of property insurance bills filed for the legislative session that starts today aim to benefit those affected by big storms. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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Recently elected Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine is authoring the storm victims’ insurance reform package. The proposals call for stiffer penalties for insurance companies who fail to provide payment in a timely basis and doubling the fine a company could receive if the Insurance Commissioner determines they are acting in bad faith.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police Oversight committee that he recommended one of the troopers involved in the fatal Ronald Greene arrest should be fired, but his immediate supervisor did not follow his advice. Brown made that revelation as he was questioned by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson…
Cut 13 (07) “…Greene incident.”
Greene died in 2019 in State Police custody. Body camera video shows he was beaten and tased before his death. A federal investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been handed down.

The LSU men’s basketball team is a six seed in the NCAA Tournament but will prepare for Friday’s game against Iowa State without head coach Will Wade, who was fired over the weekend for alleged recruiting violations. Assistant Kevin Nickelberry serves as interim head coach…
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The 2022 regular legislative session gets underway today and legislation that was hotly debated last year is back this year. Including the anti-transgender bill that would prevent biological males from competing on female sports teams. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican legislators are determined to pass this bill this year and the governor may not veto it this time…
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Insurance reform will be a big topic during this legislative session. Many hurricane victims have complained about having to deal with multiple adjusters. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he’s filed a bill known as the Three Adjuster Rule…
cut 11 (11) “…the process from scratch”

Today is the start of the 2022 legislative session. Don Molino looks at the issues that legislators will discuss over the next three months…
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Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver his State of the State speech at 1 PM inside the House chambers. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell lawmakers about the historic opportunity in front of them, because of the over two-billion dollars in one-time revenues they can spend. The governor is also expected to make another push for raising the minimum wage.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is supporting a Senate Bill which clarifies that policyholders can collect additional living expense benefits when they evacuate…
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Many people evacuated from Hurricane Ida last year, but State Farm refused to pay policyholders for expenses because an official evacuation order was not called.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police oversight committee that he recommended to his supervisor one of the troopers involved in the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene in 2019 should be fired, but the recommendation fell on deaf ears. Senator Cleo Fields hopes Lt. Brown’s testimony doesn’t cost him his job…
cut 15 (13) “…agitates me”

The 2022 legislative session begins Monday and it’s expected to provide a lot of spirited debate. Last year the governor vetoed an anti-transgender bill that would have prevented biological males from competing on female sports teams. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican legislators are determined to pass this bill and the governor may not veto it this year
Cut 5 (10) “…doing that.”
Also back for the 2022 session is the bill that would have allowed the carrying of concealed handguns without needing a permit, safety training, and background check. The governor vetoed this legislation last year.

Even though there are no more statewide COVID restrictions in place, Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislation has been filed to restrict future governors from imposing similar restrictions…
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The session must end on June 6th.

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s has spiced up meals for 50 years now. Brooke Thorington has more on how they’re celebrating the milestone.
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A light dusting of snow blanketed North Louisiana this morning, but it will not last long as temperatures are slowly warming. Be prepared for a windy day today and below-freezing temperatures for much of the state tomorrow morning. There’s a slight risk for severe weather for northwest Louisiana Monday afternoon and night.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police Oversight committee that he recommended one of the troopers involved in the Ronald Greene case should be fired, but his immediate supervisor did not follow his advice. Brown made that revelation as he was questioned by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson…
Cut 13 (07) “…Greene incident.”
Greene died in 2019 in State Police custody. Body camera video shows he was beaten and tased before his death. A federal investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been handed down.

Tomorrow morning Daylight Saving Time begins and studies show setting your clock forward and potentially losing an hour of sleep can impact your heart health. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says once DayLight Saving Time begins it takes two days to get adjusted
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Smart says going to bed an hour earlier tonight can help and also laying off the alcohol.

The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver his State of the State speech at 1 PM inside the House chambers. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell lawmakers about the historic opportunity in front of them as the state has two-point-eight billion dollars in one-time revenue to spend. Insurance reform, teacher and first responder pay, raising the minimum wage will be other topics the governor is expected to address.

North Louisiana residents woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning and now get ready for a cold and windy Saturday. Gusts of 35 to 40 miles per hour are possible today. The high-temperature today will be in the low 50s and there’s a chance we can break some record lows tomorrow as temperatures will get down to the mid to upper 20s.

Also Sunday morning, Daylight Saving Time begins. Brooke Thorington reports moving the clocks forward one hour can impact your health…
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Before passing a $1.5-trillion government funding bill this week, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment adding over $2-billion for further recovery from Louisiana’s hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. It was brought by our two senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy. Cassidy says despite federal help already sent, there’s still a big need. He says he’ll keep doing whatever he can to help with the recovery…:
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Congressman Garret Graves introduces a bill to create a special postage stamp that will help raise money to combat Louisiana’s invasive species – like the nutria, the Asian Carp and more. He says his bill has bipartisan support in the U.S. House…:
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Nutria are known to damage coastal marshes and feed on young cypress trees – weakening the marsh ecosystem.