The 2020 legislative session gets underway this afternoon and passing legislation to lower auto insurance rates expects to be a major topic. Republicans say tort reform is one avenue towards lower rates. Matt Doyle spoke with advocates on both sides who laid their cases out….
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards will address a joint session of the House and Senate at 1 PM.

Louisiana Department of Health officials have tested eleven people for the coronavirus and all have tested negative. State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says someone who experiences symptoms would first need to call their doctor to see if they fit the profile for someone in need of testing. If they do, special accommodations will be made.
Cut 6 (12) “…personal protective equipment.”

Oil prices plummeted nearly 30 percent overnight and the price for a barrel of oil its in the low to mid 30s. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Dr. Eric Smith says COVID-19 fears and worldwide overproduction could lead to a prolonged period where prices stay in the upper 20s, lower 30s per barrel.
Cut 3 (08) “…months”

The 2020 legislative session begins today and for many lawmakers, lowering auto insurance rates is a top priority. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says tort reform could be the answer as Louisiana has the highest jury trial threshold at 50-thousand dollars, which means a jury will not hear a case unless there are at least 50-thousand dollars in damages. He says this allows trial lawyers to judge shop for favorable venues…
cut 7 (09) “…system”

Over 11-hundred bills have been filed for the session that must end by June 1st. Sports betting and recreational marijuana are among the issues to be discussed. Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects to see a push to abolish the death penalty and other criminal justice bills…
cut 5 (08) “…the table”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is co-authoring legislation that he says will lead to bigger social security checks for teachers, first responders and other public servants who receive Social Security according to their work history. Cassidy says the bill will produce a better formula that allocates based on what workers earn throughout their lifetime…
cut 15 (10) “…should be”
Cassidy says Louisiana is one of 16 states with is called a Windfall Provision.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation announces a three-year, $600,000 grant investment into the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Monroe. Foundation President Michael Tipton says the money will lead to more cancer screenings, prevention and education programs in 12 parishes.
Cut 11 (11) “…the Delta region.”
Tipton says parishes in the Louisiana delta have some of the highest rates of cancer but also some of the latest-stage diagnoses.

State lawmakers return to the capitol for a three-month-long legislative session today. The biggest issue to be discussed is how to reduce auto insurance rates. Republican lawmakers will look to tort reform, including lowering the jury trial threshold from 50-thousand dollars as a way to lower rates. But Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl says lowering the threshold is just a handout to the business lobby…
cut 8 (12) “…rates”
Governor Edwards supports legislation that addresses the factors that lead to higher auto insurance rates, like a person’s credit score and whether they are single.

And the governor is also expected to push for a higher minimum wage and equal pay legislation. Political analyst Clancy Dubos doesn’t see these bills passing…
cut 6 (06) “…opposing them”
The session must end on June 1st.

Federal legislation is introduced that would undo a law penalizing Louisiana teachers and first responders when it comes to social security benefits. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is providing a three-year, 600-thousand dollar grant to the Mary Bird Perkins Center in Monroe to increase cancer screenings in 12 northeast Louisiana parishes. Foundation President Michael Tipton this area has a high rate of late-stage cancer diagnoses…
cut 13 (12) “…outcomes for people”

Today marks the beginning of the 2020 legislative session. Kevin Barnhart spoke with a political analyst on what to expect.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Just over 11-hundred bills have been filed. The session gets underway at noon and it must end on June 1st.

Meanwhile, state health officials continue to monitor for coronavirus. Eight people have been tested for Covid-19, but the tests came back negative, so still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Louisiana.

Senator Bill Cassidy has co-authored legislation that he says would replace a formula known as the Windfall Elimination Process, which is known for calculating Social Security benefits for teachers, first responders and other public servants. Cassidy says Louisiana is one of 16 states to enforce the Windfall Provision, but he’s still confident the legislation will pass….
cut 16 (12) “….pass
Cassidy says the bill has the support of the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation has provided the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Monroe with a 600-thousand dollar grant to increase cancer screenings. Foundation president Michael Tipton says the Louisiana delta has some of the highest rates of cancer, but also some of the late-stage diagnoses…
cut 12 (07) “….much better outcomes”

The 2020 legislative session begins today and is expected to be dominated by “tort reform” and whether lawsuit reform would actually lower auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana has the highest jury trial threshold at 50-thousand dollars, which means a jury will not hear a case unless there are at least 50-thousand dollars in damages. He says this allows trial lawyers to judge shop for favorable venues to get the largest payment for their client…
cut 7 (09) “…system”
Instead of lowering the jury trial threshold, Real Reform Louisiana is backing a series of bills that would end insurance rate discrimination policies that are banned in other states. Real Reform Louisiana spokesperson Eric Holl…
Cut 9 (13) “…credit score.″
The legislative session must end on June 1st.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is co-authoring legislation that he says will lead to bigger social security checks for teachers, first responders and other public servants who receive Social Security according to their work history. Cassidy says the bill will produce a better formula that allocates based on what workers earn throughout their lifetime…
cut 15 (10) “…should be”
Cassidy says Louisiana is one of 16 states with is called a Windfall Provision.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation announces a three-year, $600,000 grant investment into the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Monroe. Foundation President Michael Tipton says the money will lead to more cancer screenings, prevention and education programs in 12 parishes.
Cut 11 (11) “…the Delta region.”
Tipton says parishes in the Louisiana delta have some of the highest rates of cancer but also some of the latest-stage diagnoses.

Today marks the beginning of the 2020 legislative session. Over a third of the lawmakers are brand new, adding mystery as to which direction the session may go. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says what we do know is that there’s potential for a contentious debate over the state budget, even though legislators are not dealing with a deficit…
Cut 4 (09)_ “…money goes where.”
Governor Edwards is looking to increase state funding for public schools, higher ed, and pre-k education.

Several bills have been filed seeking to decrease auto insurance rates. Democrats in the legislature would like to pass bills that prohibit the use of a credit score or whether a person is single as factors for auto insurance rates. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says such legislation could have unintended consequences…
cut 10 (11) “…public”

Senator Bill Cassidy along with Texas Senator Ted Cruz have introduced legislation to make sure public sector workers like teachers and first responders receive Social Security benefits according to their work history. Cassidy says the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System backs the change, which would replace the current formula for calculating benefits.
Cut 14 (11) “…government.”
If passed, the changes would impact social security checks for current retirees.

State health officials say they’ve tested eight individuals for the Coronavirus and none of them came back positive. Still no confirmed Coronavirus cases in Louisiana.

Senator John Kennedy requests the President extend the deadline for REAL ID another year, citing concerns not nearly enough people will have the new national ID by October 1^st. REAL ID was passed 15 years ago, and Kennedy says he wants to use the year to find out whether or not it’s even needed. So far, he says he’s not convinced.

Cut 11 (12) “…any kind.”

125 million people are estimated to not have the REAL ID yet.

Baton Rouge police have arrested the parents of an 11-week-old infant after their son was brought to the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center Thursday with horrific injuries that appeared to be from abuse. McNeely says the hospital called the police and alerted them of the possible crime by the child’s parents Cole Autry and Rachel Flores.

Cut 8 (09) “…naturally.”

A 64-year-old man is arrested on a charge of bigamy that occurred in the Alexandria area, where a man went and married another woman before divorcing his old wife.  Rapides Parish Sheriff Lt. Stephen Phillips says Michael Glenn Rennier’s crime is not something law enforcement takes lightly.

Cut 5 (09)  “…years or both”.

Phillips says the wife had documentation of a Vegas marriage.

A motorcyclist was killed in a fatal crash with a Silverado in West St. Charles Parish yesterday in a suspected speeding incident. Impairment is unknown at this time, but State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says it appears the victim may been driving recklessly when he struck the truck.

Cut 13 (12) “…the area”

Dillon identified the victim as 33-year-old Christopher Williams of Killona.

 A 64-year-old man is arrested on a charge of bigamy that occurred in the Alexandria area.  Rapides Parish Sheriff Lt. Stephen Phillips says the wife had documentation her husband, Michael Rennier, had married another woman in Las Vegas while they were still together. She turned that over to authorities and says while they were having difficulties, there was never any push for a divorce before he embarked on his new romance.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…forward with charges.”

Baton Rouge police have arrested the parents of an 11-week-old infant who reportedly suffered horrific, skull fractures, bruising to the back of his head, broken ribs, and bleeding in his brain.  Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says Cole Autry and Rachel Flores were arrested after an interview…

Cut 7 (09) “to a juvenile”

Senator John Kennedy requests the President extend the deadline for REAL ID another year, citing concerns not nearly enough people will have the new national ID by October 1^st. 125 million people are estimated to not have the REAL ID yet. Kennedy says it’s not right to force them all to pile into DMVs across the country with less than a year to do it.

Cut 10 (12) “…mess.”

REAL ID was passed 15 years ago.

A motorcyclist was killed in a fatal crash with a Silverado in West St. Charles Parish yesterday  morning in a suspected speeding incident. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says 33-year-old Christopher Williams’s tragedy is a good reminder of just how crucial it is that motorcyclists drive safe.

Cut 14 (12) “…limit.”

Senator John Kennedy requests the President extend the deadline for REAL ID another year, citing concerns not nearly enough people will have the new national ID by October 1^st.

Kennedy cited reports showing as many as 99 million people will not have the new ID in time. He says without the ID, you can’t fly…

Cut 9 (11) “…economy″

125 million people are estimated to not have the REAL ID yet. 

Baton Rouge police have arrested the parents of an 11-week-old infant after their son was brought to the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center Thursday. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the child is listed in critical condition and they believe the parents may be at fault.

Cut 6 (07) “…called us”

 A 64-year-old man is arrested on a charge of bigamy that occurred in the Alexandria area.  Rapides Parish Sheriff Lt. Stephen Phillips says Michael Glenn Rennier, formerly of Alexandria, was identified as a suspect after his initial wife made contact with law enforcement in early 2019.

Cut 3 (11)  “…Las Vegas, Nevada.”  

Phillips says the wife had documentation of the Vegas marriage that she turned over to authorities.

A motorcyclist was killed in a fatal crash with a Silverado in West St. Charles Parish yesterday in a suspected speeding incident. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says 33-year-old Christopher Williams of Killona was riding his Suzuki along LA-18 when the crash occurred.

Cut 12 (09) “…vehicle”

Impairment is unknown at this time.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Saints plan to place a first-round tender on restricted free-agent Taysom HIll, which means another team would have to give up a first-round draft pick in order to sign Hill. A first-round tender will mean the Saints will have to pay Hill at least five-million dollars next season.

The Pelicans ended a three-game losing streak last night by beating Miami 110 to 104. Jrue Holiday had 20 points, Josh Hart came off the bench and had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Zion Williamson had 17 points, ending his streak of 20-plus point games at 13. Memphis lost to Dallas, so the Pels are four games back of the Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the playoffs.

In girls high school basketball, St. Thomas Aquinas, University Academy, Hicks, Fairview and Benton won state championships. Seven more trophies are handed out today.

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It’s a busy day of college basketball on the final weekend of the regular season. The Fighting Tigers host Georgia, with a chance of getting the second-seed in the SEC Tournament. La Tech can also claim the second-seed as the Bulldogs host Charlotte. If Northwestern State and McNeese win today, they are in the Southland Tournament. The Demons are at Central Arkansas, while the Cowboys are at Lamar.

The Ragin Cajuns host Arkansas State to tip off the Sun Belt Confernece Tournament. The winner will visit Georgia Southern on Monday.

LSU second baseman Cade Doughty had three hits and drove in three runs as the Tigers defeated U-Mass Lowell. Zack Mathis also drove in three runs and Matthew Beck threw three innings of relief for the win. Game two is at 4 PM.

Elswhere…ULM defeated McNeese eight to two, Samford slammed the Cajuns 12 to four, Nicholls nipped UNO four to three, Northwestern State knocked off Abilene Christian seven to one as Peyton Davis doubled and homered. And Witchita State downed Louisiana Tech six to two.