After years of receiving “D” and “F” grades, Louisiana has received a “C” grade on R Street’s latest insurance regulation report card. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) reports the higher grade is the result of improvements to the state’s regulatory environment…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Forty-two-thousand students in Louisiana took the ACT in 2024 and the average score was 17.7. The national average ACT score last year was 19.4. St. Tammany Parish had the highest average ACT score, followed by West Feliciana, Ascension, Vernon, Lincoln and Livingston Parishes.

Starting January 1^st, Louisiana drivers can be ticketed for handling their cell phone while driving because of legislation approved by the Louisiana Legislature. It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation that would be an additional fine. Triple-A’s Don Redman says after several years of trying to pass this law, it will finally go on the books on January 1^st…

Cut 6 (09) “…a big concern.”

Seventh-five-year-old Loretta Wiley received her master’s degree in counseling and guidance with a specialization in human services at Louisiana Tech. In all, Wiley’s gap in her Master’s program lasted more than ten years. As such, while she was able to carry over a small handful of credit hours she had previously earned, she had to take most of her core courses over again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the courses over.”

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would make it illegal starting at the first of the year to handle a handheld cell phone while driving. AAA’s Don Redman says the legislation is designed to cut down on distracted driving…

Cut 5 (15) “…a huge distraction”

It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he or she notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation that would be an additional fine.

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd’s effort to create an exception to the state’s near total ban on abortion fails to get out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. For the third year in a row Boyd, authored legislation to legalize abortions in cases where rape and incest led to a pregnancy of a girl 17 and younger…

Cut 15 (10) “….that choice”

The bill was defeated in committee on an eight to three vote.

In a sign that Louisiana’s insurance crisis may be easing. The state has earned its highest grade and rank since 2013 on the R Street Institute’s Insurance Regulation Report. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state has received D and F grades every year since 2013, but this year Louisiana received “C” grade.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the ranking.”

The report attributes Louisiana’s higher grade to improvements in the regulatory environment and the expansion of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75….

Cut 7 (11) “…me their support.”

Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Using a hand-held cell phone while driving will soon be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana received a “C” grade on R Street’s insurance regulation report card, ranking 39th in the country. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1, with Oil City Republican Danny McCormick casting the lone “no” vote. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

Redman says cell phone use while driving has become a major problem – not just in Louisiana, but everywhere.

Cut 5 (15) “…a huge distraction.”

It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation, such as speeding or running a red light, that would be an additional fine. Redman says it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Cut 6 (09) “…a big concern.”

There will be a getting-used-to period before officers start issuing fines after the first of the year.

________________________________________________________

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Faculty and fellow graduates gave Wiley a standing ovation as she walked across the stage at graduation, and Wiley says she’s very grateful.

Cut 7 (11) “…me their support.”

Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Cut 8 (12) “…me on target.”

In all, Wiley’s gap in her Master’s program lasted more than ten years. As such, while she was able to carry over a small handful of credit hours she had previously earned, she had to take most of her core courses over again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the courses over.”

The whole time, Wiley was serving as a substitute teacher at Bossier Parish Schools. She plans to continue substitute teaching while exploring new opportunities through counseling or mentoring.

________________________________________________________

Louisiana earned its highest grade and rank since 2013 on the R Street Institute’s annual report. Louisiana received a “C” on its report card evaluating the effectiveness of the state’s regulation and property and casualty insurance, ranking 39th in the nation. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the improvement shows regulatory reforms made last legislative session are working.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the ranking.”

Temple and the report credited reforms to the process for rate changes as well as the ongoing Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. The program helps to provide fortified roofs for Louisiana homeowners, limiting insurance claims.

Cut 11 (07) “…the resiliencies.”

In addition to showing that the state is trending in the right direction, Temple says the grade can influence insurance companies in the future.

Cut 12 (10) “…do consider.”

_________________________________________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape.

New Orleans Democrat Alonzo Knox gave passionate testimony for the bill. He says government should not be making the decision for a teenager who is pregnant because of a sexual assault.

Cut 14 (10) “…monster’s child.”

New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd is the author of the legislation, and it’s the third time she’s brought this bill before state lawmakers. It’s personal to Boyd as well, because her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on an eight to three vote.

_______________________________________________________

LSU will host West Virginia in the Super Regional round of the NCAA baseball tournament this weekend. The Mountaineers went 3-and-0 in the Clemson regional with a 9-6 victory over 11-seed Clemson and two narrow comeback wins against Kentucky. Voice of the Mountaineers Andrew Caridi says it’s an experienced group.

Cut 16 (16) “…pretty good season.”

WVU shares the load offensively with five players batting over .300. A tight-knit group, Caridi says the team was excited for the atmosphere in Clemson, and a trip to Baton Rouge will be another step up.

Cut 17 (12)  “…get to competing.”

West Virginia is 44-and-14 under first-year head coach Steve Sabins, who spent nine years as an assistant in Morgantown. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says he considered targeting Sabins for his own coaching staff, and he isn’t underestimating the Mountaineers.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to win.”

After 7 of 16 hosts failed to advance to Super Regionals, LSU is the betting favorite to win a College World Series title. The SEC sent a record 13 teams to the NCAA tournament this year, but only four have made it to the second weekend. Johnson, though, doesn’t doubt the quality of the nation’s top teams.

Cut 19 (18) “…by a mile.”

Game one of the best-of-three series is set for 1:00 Saturday.

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

The House Education Committee advances a bill that would pave the way for public schools to give mental health screenings to K-through-12 students, but not without concern. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee says she’s concerned that schools would have too much authority over students’ sensitive health data.

Cut 10 (14) “…can’t unsee it.”

Despite those concerns, the committee passed it on a vote of 10-to-one.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore….

Cut 13 (08)  “…good”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape. That was also the case with the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd – her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on a vote of eight to three.

A man acting as a police officer in Webster Parish is arrested after shooting a dog. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The suspect in a fatal bicycle crash in Monroe was arrested earlier today. 18-year-old Andrew Grant tested positive for more than 14 times the detection limit of THC. Witnesses testified Grant’s vehicle struck the cyclist after running a stop sign on March 26

LSU D-H Ethan Fry has had a breakout season his junior year with a team-leading .359 batting average. The former Rosepine star sat behind the talented championship-winning roster at LSU in 2023 and played in 34 games for the Tigers last year before a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. Rosepine baseball coach Jeff Smith says Frey returned home to recover…

Cut 8 (12) “…his determination.”

Three men from the Acadiana area have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a ten-million-dollar staged crash fraud scheme. State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says the trio came up with a plan to stage a crash at an intersection in Lafayette…

Cut 12 (09) “…juvenile passengers” 

A man posing as a police officer in Webster Parish is arrested for shooting a dog. Webster Sheriff Jason Parker says 54-year-old Reginald Ferguson, wearing a Cullen Police Department uniform and badge, showed up to question a lady about an aggressive dog complaint. Parker says Ferguson is not on the force.

Cut 5 (11) “…in the town.”

At last report, the dog is still alive, but Parker says there’s a possibility it may be put down.

State Police have arrested three men for staging a vehicle crash and then trying to claim ten-million dollars in damages from the insurance company of a trucking company that was involved in the crash. State Police Trooper Peggy Bourque says one of the subjects, 37-year-old Alfred Onezine of Breaux Bridges faces multiple charges…

Cut 13 (13) “…an officer”

Bourque says Onezine is facing cruelty to juvenile charges because he had three children in a vehicle that was hit from behind by a company truck.

The House Education Committee has approved a Senate bill that would give parents of K-through-12 students the ability to allow for a mental health screening on their children. The measure passed on a 10-1 vote. State Representative Beryl Amedee of Terrebonne Parish voted against the legislation over concerns the mental health screenings could lead to unintended consequences…

Cut 11 (06) “…..and the school”

The measure, already approved by the Senate, heads to the House floor for a vote.

Former Rosepine star Ethan Frey has become LSU’s best hitter this season. Frey’s high school baseball coach at Rosepine, Jeff Smith, says he first saw Frey swing a bat in T-Ball and knew right then he would be something special…

Cut 7 (14) “….his part”

Frey and the Tigers will play West Virginia in the Super Regionals. Game one is Saturday at 1 PM.

A man acting as a police officer in Webster Parish is arrested for shooting a dog over the weekend. A video posted onto social media shows 54-year-old Reginald Ferguson wearing a Cullen Police Department uniform and badge as he shot the dog. Sheriff Jason Parker says Ferguson was not dispatched to the scene; he went on his own.

Cut 4 (14) “…answered the door.”

The House Education Committee advances a bill that would pave the way for public schools to give mental health screenings to K-through-12 students. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Larry Selders says the screenings give schools a way to identify students who are struggling so that they can get them help.

Cut 9 (05)  “…get the resources.”

Some, however, expressed concerns that the students’ privacy could be jeopardized.

LSU Designated Hitter Ethan Frey has had a breakout junior season, but not all fans are surprised. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom. Her desire to complete the program never wavered.

Hurricane season has begun, and the state is preparing. Some have expressed concern that recent cuts to the National Weather Service may hinder its ability to provide essential information when severe storms approach. Governor Landry says fortunately for Louisiana, the state has Jay Grymes.

Cut 4 (11) “…us accurate information.”

Grymes says if last year is any indication, it’s going to be a very busy hurricane season for him and the state.

LSU Designated Hitter Ethan Frey is one of the best hitters in the country right now, according to his Head Coach Jay Johnson. Frey’s high school coach, Rosepine’s Jeff Smith, says his success doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone back home…

Cut 6 (15) “…was apparent.”

In 2022, Frey was named Mr. Baseball in Louisiana and led his school to back-to-back state championships.

A man acting as a police officer in Webster Parish is arrested after shooting a dog. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A man who was arrested for allegedly threatening to harm a Priest at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Pine Prairie allegedly previously threatened to shoot every person that exited the front door of a church diocese in Lafayette if he wasn’t allowed to see a certain clergy member. After Sheriff’s deputies arrested Kenneth Vicknair and charged him with simple assault for the threats in Evangeline Parish, authorities to transported him to Lafayette Parish pending charges of terrorizing.

A man posing as a police officer in Webster Parish is arrested for shooting a dog over the weekend. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says 54-year-old Reginald Ferguson, wearing a Cullen Police Department uniform and badge, showed up to question a lady about an aggressive dog complaint. Parker says Ferguson is not on the force. It’s unclear how Ferguson obtained his uniform and was allowed to drive a city-issued marked police unit.

Cut 5 (11) “…in the town.”

The search continues for the last two inmates of the ten who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail last month. One of them, Antoine Massey, posted a video to social media proclaiming his innocence on domestic abuse charges. State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges says there’s a proper forum where Massey could plead his innocence – the courtroom.

Cut 8 (07) “…you’re an escape.”

Cotton planting season is wrapping up, and the LSU AgCenter says this year’s crop could be the smallest one on record. LSU AgCenter Cotton and Corn Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says farmers are not planting as much cotton because of low demand and low prices.

Cut 11 (09) “..other crops.”

While cotton acreage is shrinking, corn acreage is increasing, experts are predicting around 600-thousand acres of corn, nearly a 17-percent increase over last year.

A man acting as a police officer in Webster Parish has been arrested for shooting a dog over the weekend. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says the dog’s owner is fortunate she wasn’t hurt when 54-year-old Reginald Ferguson shot her dog.

Cut 3 (12) “…at the lady.”

A social media video shows Ferguson wearing a Cullen Police Department uniform and badge. Sheriff Parker says Ferguson was not dispatched to the scene; he went on his own. He is being held on 25-thousand dollars bond.

More than two and a half weeks since ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail, two remain at large. One of them, Antoine Massey recently posted on Instagram that he’s innocent of the charges that landed him in jail. State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges says those who helped Massey post that video will likely also be facing charges.

Cut 7 (07) “…online platform.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that makes it a crime to knowingly give another person an incurable sexually transmitted infection. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We’re into the first week of hurricane season Brigadier General Jason Mahfouz says don’t be dismissive of a storm just because it doesn’t rise to the level of a Category One hurricane.

Cut 6 (11) “…high-intensity winds.”