Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says he’s hopeful after four legislative committees met this week to address the state’s auto insurance crisis.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to keep their animals cool as the heat index moves upwards of 100 degrees. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”
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Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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To address the state’s auto insurance crisis four legislative committees met this week. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the industry is simple at its core in the sense that it’s dollar in, dollar out and if they pay more than a dollar going out, rates must increase.
Cut 4 (08) “…injuries.”
Temple says the committees are collectively looking at what the cost drivers are and then they’ll examine the best ways to address those factors. He says it’s a matter of bringing all the interested parties together to find answers.
Cut 5 (10) “…solutions.”
Compared to other states Louisiana is twice the national average when it comes to bodily injury claims. Temple says there needs to be tort reform for both auto and property insurance. He expressed his disappointment over Governor Landry’s veto of property insurance tort reform in the last session on the grounds of providing consumer protection.
Cut 6 (11) “…the consumer?”
Temple says he plans to meet with Landry to discuss the possibility of a special session for auto insurance
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As temperatures in the high 90s sweep through the state, the Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to provide extra care to keep their animals from getting heat stroke. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you should be mindful of your furry friends in the heat even as you relax in the AC.
Cut 7 (07) “…bring them in?”
Heat stroke in animals can happen in five to ten minutes. Dorson says animals will let you know if they’re too hot by panting and whining, among other symptoms. If one of your animals is suffering from heat stroke, Dorson says time is of the essence.
Cut 8 (10) “…necessarily.”
HSLA is reminding people not to walk their pets on hot cement or sidewalks. Additionally, Dorson says you should never leave pets in cars or in crates outside, as that basically amounts to a death sentence for the animal.
Cut 9 (10) “…110-20 degrees.
Failure to properly take care of an animal could result in legal consequences.
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Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low and that’s not just good news for today’s house hunters, it could bring significant savings to homeowners who bought at the higher rates of the last year and a half. Guild Mortgage Company Area Manager, Richard Allen says homeowners are taking advantage of the rate drop, and depending on the loan type, saving goes beyond interest rates…
Cut 10 (11) “…to pay.”
Allen says calls have increased from homeowners seeking to refinance because they may be able to drop their rate by one percent or more. And when rates go down, those looking to buy a home have increased purchasing power.
Cut 11 (07) “…and purchase.”
Allen says interest rates rise and fall based on future speculation influenced by current conditions. An unexpected rise in unemployment figures caused investors to seek safety outside the stock market and talk of a September decrease by the Federal Reserve caused the lenders to lower rates. But he says that doesn’t mean September will bring further rate drops.
Cut 12 (07) “…that day.”
Allen says, If the Fed makes a larger-than-expected rate cut, then mortgage rates could possibly drop further.
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Construction has begun on phase 2 of the Houma Navigational Canal Lock Complex. Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District President Tony Alford says the project will bring a number of benefits to southeast Louisiana, including limiting saltwater intrusion that’s killing cypress trees. He says if you go to Houma…
Cut 13 (12) “…go look at that.”
Along with limiting saltwater intrusion, the HNC Lock Complex will also distribute freshwater within the Terrebonne Basin, which will help foster thousands of acres of wetlands and fisheries.
Cut 14 (08) “…tributaries.”
The HNC Lock Complex will also close one of the remaining gaps of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System, which Alford says should help protect southeastern Louisianians from flooding on their property.
Cut 15 (10) “…as well.”
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The Saints will play their first preseason game Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals. These next three exhibition games are huge for guys trying to make the team, like undrafted free-agent guard Kyle Hergel. The former Boston College lineman from Toronto will attend his first NFL game on Saturday…
Cut 16 (10) “… to it.”
Saturday will also mark the Saints first game with the new kick-off rules. The alignment is much different as the kick-off team will no longer have a long-running start before they take on their first blocker. Coach Dennis Allen is interested to see how it works in a game setting…
Cut 17 (17) “…of it.”
Allen did not say on Thursday whether Derek Carr and the other starters will play. Even if Carr plays, it will only be a few snaps, which means a lot more snaps for Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, who are battling to be Carr’s back-up. Allen on what he’s looking for from Haener and Rattler…
Cut 18 (16) “…operated.”
Carr says he hopes to play against the Cardinals to help knock off some rust and to get the feel of how new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will call plays. He says his favorite part of the new offense is what they do in the running game…
Cut 19 (27) “…really cool.”
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Cut 20 (19) “…bar none.”