It looks like insurance commissioner in Louisiana will remain an elected position. Following spirited debate yesterday, New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplesis effectively pulled it from consideration, sensing that he did not have the votes to pass it. Among those speaking out against it was River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot, who said making insurance commissioner an appointed position would do nothing to lower premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. This, as Larry Roy – the Cheneyville slasher – continues to fight an execution date. He’s been on death row since 1997. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is torture for the family members of the three people Roy killed…

Cut 11 (10) “…going to fix it.”

More than a quarter of households in Southwest Louisiana live paycheck to paycheck but make too much money to qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says those families are left to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

That figure does not include the 15-percent of families in that part of the state that live below the poverty line.

With the recent news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the disease is on the minds of many Americans. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says the key in treating it is to lower testosterone levels.

Cut 9 (11)  “…three years.”

Another option is a new advanced treatment called Pluvicto, which is essentially a targeted form of radiation.

The House Appropriations Committee advances a bill that’s intended to speed up the appeals process in capital murder cases. Attorney General Liz Murrill says convicts can still file numerous appeals, but they can’t wait three to four years between them.

Cut 10 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

The Office of the State Public Defender’s office says it would need an additional four-million dollars, since it would need more lawyers to defend the additional cases. Attorney Robert Morris represents death row inmates and expressed his concerns about the legislation…

Cut 12 (10) “…by this bill.”

The debate comes at the same time that death row inmate Larry Roy, the Cheneyville slasher, continues to fight an execution date – he’s been on death row since 1997.

According to new research, 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough that they do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says in addition, 87-percent of single-female-headed households with children in Louisiana are struggling – the highest rate in the nation.

Cut 6 (12) “…verge of losing it.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is a hormone-sensitive cancer.

Cut 8 (14) “…for prostate cancer.”

New research finds that 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but their income is high enough to them from qualifying for government assistance.  That number does not include the 15-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana that live in poverty. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says residents that live below the ALICE Threshold are having to make difficult financial survival decisions.

Cut 5 (09) “…rent that month.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of many Americans in light of the news that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Ochsner Health Oncologist Dr. Brian Halbert says prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men; and as such, they need to stay on top of their prostate health.

Cut 7 (13) “…around age 45.”

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There was spirited debate on the Senate Floor but no vote was taken on a bill that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana State Police have recaptured the fifth of 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center jail. The latest fugitive caught is Corey Boyd, an escapee who had briefly been spotted last Friday on a French Quarter surveillance camera just hours after the jailbreak. Boyd is accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

The House Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would streamline the post conviction appeals process. Sean Richardson reports Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says death penalty cases in particular are taking too long, because defense attorneys are dragging out the appeals process…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The state Supreme Court decided yesterday it will NOT hear the case of an LSU law professor who sued after being removed from his teaching duties after saying using profanity in referring to Governor Jeff Landry in a criminal law class.  The University removed Ken Levy from teaching class but did not change his employment status as he has tenure.

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It was debated yesterday, but in the end a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed instead of elected one, did not make it to a vote.  Insurance Commissioners are appointed in 39 other states right now and proponents of this bill say it doing so would take politics out of the role.  But River Ridge Republican Kirk Talbot spoke out against the bill saying the move would do nothing to lower insurance premiums.

Cut 15 (14) “…not this.”

New research finds 31-percent of households in Southwest Louisiana are ALICE households, which means they live paycheck to paycheck but do not qualify for government assistance. Tammy Chrisope with United Way Southwest Louisiana says these workers are the backbone of the community;

Cut 4 (09) “…things like that.”

Prostate cancer is on the minds of millions of Americans in light of former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana State Police have recaptured the fifth of 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center jail. The latest fugitive caught is Corey Boyd, an escapee who had briefly been spotted last Friday on a French Quarter surveillance camera just hours after the jailbreak. Boyd is accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

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After almost 25 minutes of spirited debate, the Senate did not vote on a bill that would make the position of insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. That’s something that 39 other states currently do. It was written by New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis, who wants to take politics out of the role.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the people.”

The notion of removing citizens’ ability to choose their insurance commissioner did not sit well with Bossier City Republican Adam Bass, and he confronted Duplessis about it.

Cut 14 (15) “…finding another solution.”

When Duplessis closed on his bill, he acknowledged that the votes to pass it likely were not there, so he returned it to the calendar.

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote was 57-to-32, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that is attempting to prevent speed cameras from operating outside of school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark testified against it, saying the city does not have the physical ability to send officers to run radar. He says speed cameras are an effective tool to get drivers to slow down.

Cut 13 (10)  “…paying attention.”

The House Appropriations Committee advanced Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill that bars those who plead guilty from claiming innocence. Attorney General Liz Murrill says this will accelerate death-row case deadlines.

Cut 23 (12) “…in this system (2x).”

Opponents warn that it strains public defenders and risks errors, given the state’s high death row reversal rate.

One Senate bill that was not voted on was one that would make insurance commissioner an appointed position instead of an elected position. Author Royce Duplessis, a Democrat from New Orleans, returned it to the calendar, but not before being confronted about it by Bossier City Republican Adam Bass.

Cut 24 (15) “…finding another solution.”

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested for aiding the escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Justice Center, as announced by the Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Cut 3 (07) “…period of time.”

Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing employees who had directly interacted with inmates.

Two people who died in separate accidents hours apart Friday night were a couple and had a child. 25-year-old Alexis Lee died when her car traveling north went off Hwy 67 hitting a culvert and overturning around 2:00 a.m. It happened in East Baton Rouge Parish. Nearly 2 hours later 35-year-old John Collins traveling south ran off Hwy 67 striking a tree after missing a curve. Some believe Collins was traveling to check on Lee.

One of Governor Landry’s priority bills advances to the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 2025 Louisiana Survey polled one thousand Louisiana adults and it shows that once again, the economy is the top concern.  The director of the Louisiana Survey, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority.

Cut 14 (11) “…back on top.”

A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish Justice Center was arrested for aiding in the escape of 10 inmates this past weekend.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A six-year-old special needs child drowned in Toledo Bend Lake Monday, and her mother has been arrested. Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell says it appears the child was left unattended and walked a short distance from her home into the lake at Lanan Bay Cove. The child’s mother, 27-year-old Bethany Stocking pulled the child from the water, called 9-1-1, and began CPR. The child was pronounced deceased at Sabine Medical Center. Stocking has been charged with on count of felony cruelty to juveniles.

The House Transportation Committee advances a Senate bill that would outlaw speed cameras that issue tickets from operating outside of school zones. Several local police departments oppose the legislation. They say cameras that issue speeding tickets help with highway safety, but Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey argues manpower improves public safety…

Cut 11 (09) “…pulling you over.”

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux testified against the bill saying speed cameras in school zones have helped to reduce speeding in front of schools and the city plans to install speed cameras outside of school zones…

Cut 12 (13) “…local level.”

This bill does not address traffic-light cameras and speed cameras would still be legal in school zones.

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams is facing 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. He confessed to turning off the water in a cell enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Williams says one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a makeshift knife if he didn’t turn off the water. Attorney General Liz Murrill says the investigation into the escape of the 10 inmates continues and she urges anyone involved to turn themselves in.

Cut 5 (11) “…came forward voluntarily.”

Four out of the ten inmates have been captured.

The economy is the top concern of Louisianans according to the 2025 Louisiana Survey polled Survey director, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU, says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority. Henderson says homeowners’ insurance with its rising premiums is showing up as a challenging issue.

Cut 15 (09) “…just a year ago.”

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill some calling it an anti-Black bill. When Chenevert returned to the podium, she delivered a heartfelt plea to support her bill saying her bill does not codify discrimination.

Cut 9 (10)  “…is it doesn’t.”

The bill now moves to the Senate. Governor Landry is in support of the bill.

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that would outlaw speed cameras that issue tickets. The bill makes an exception to allow them in school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

The bill only addresses speed cameras and ignores red light cameras. Several local police departments oppose the legislation and say the cameras help with highway safety.

The House has advanced a bill, nearly along party lines, that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. Three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill. Edmond Jordan called Chenevert’s bill an anti-Black bill.

Cut 7 (13) “…the Japanese internment?”

A pair of Republicans offered a rebuttal to the Black Democrats’ arguments. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee took exception with the concept of equity.

Cut 8 (09) “…for is equality.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.

The manhunt continues for six of the ten inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail last Friday – and now we’re getting word that a maintenance worker has been arrested for allegedly aiding in the escape. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Tragedy in Sabine Parish as a six-year-old special needs girl drowns in Toledo Bend Lake. The sheriff’s office says the girl was left unattended inside her house and walked a very short distance to the lake. The girl’s mother, 27-year-old Bethany Stocking, is charged with felony cruelty to juveniles for allegedly leaving her daughter unattended.