Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is pointing at the high number of bodily insurance claims as a reason why insurance rates are so high in Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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The 56th Annual Pecan Festival is this weekend in Colfax, Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Louisiana’s film industry will be keeping a keen eye on the tax reform debate in Baton Rouge. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Lawmakers will take another stab next year in addressing the state’s auto insurance rates that are among the highest in the country. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple believes one of the primary reasons is that Louisiana motorists are more likely to claim an injury following a wreck…
Cut 4 (07) “…that’s driving cost.”
The Insurance Research Council says based on the recent data, crash victims in Louisiana are twice as likely to file a lawsuit than the national average.
Temple says multiple legislative committees have been meeting regularly since the summer and the medical payments that are made as a result of a lawsuit or settlement is part of the conversation…
Cut 5 (08) “…better than.”
But Ben Riggs, the director of Real Reform Louisiana, an insurance reform advocacy group, pushes back on the belief that bodily injury claims is what has insurance rates among the highest in the country
Cut 6 (09) “…medical data.”
Riggs says Louisiana has more bodily injury claims, because its roads are not safe…
Cut 7 (12) “…influence accidents.”
Riggs says lawmakers can reduce auto insurance rates by removing credit score as a factor. He says a driver’s low credit score can sometimes double their premium.
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The Louisiana Pecan Festival, held annually in Colfax on the first full weekend of November, celebrates the region’s rich pecan history. Pecan Festival President Danielle Yerby says the festival attracts around 65,000 visitors for this three-day event offering food, entertainment, and activities honoring the pecan, a staple of the local economy and culture.
Cut 8 (10) “…cracking ever since.”
Established in 1969, the festival originated as part of Grant Parish’s Centennial Celebration and was officially organized by Louisiana Pecan Festival Incorporated. Expanded to three days in the 1990s, Yerby says the festival now includes a Children’s Day with games, arts and crafts, cooking contests, a parade, and a Saturday fireworks display.
Cut 9 (05) “…open to the public.”
Visitors can enjoy homemade pecan treats, jams, and other local goods at The Country Store. The event is accessible, with handicapped parking and wheelchair-friendly areas. The Louisiana Pecan Festival continues to celebrate the area’s heritage, drawing families and visitors from across the country.
Cut 10 (11) “…the Pecan Festival.”
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Louisiana’s film industry is bracing for potential changes to the tax credits it currently enjoys as lawmakers debate changes to the state’s tax code. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says reducing or eliminating the tax breaks could put a major damper on the film industry in the state.
Cut 11 (14) “…of that business.”
Waggenspack says the film industry provides a major boost to the state’s economy, even with the tax credits.
Cut 12 (10) “…the Louisiana economy. (For every $1 in tax credits, the film industry puts $6.32 into the state economy)
Up until recently, the film industry was synonymous with Los Angeles. However, Waggenspack points out that in 2002, Louisiana was one of the pioneers in attracting the motion picture industry to the state and out of California.
Cut 13 (10) “…the top five.” (40 states have copycatted Louisiana’s tax credit program)
More specifically, Waggenspack says Louisiana is number four in the country in film production. He says there’s no shortage of people in the state who want to break into the industry, saying almost 90-thousand people are registered with MyCastingFile-dot-com.
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This weekend almost everyone across the country will be adjusting their clock for daylight savings time. Dr. Kenneth St. Charles, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross, is emphasizing the importance of checking smoke detectors as clocks are set back.
Cut 14 (12) “…still working.”
He highlights this twice-yearly event as an opportune moment for individuals and families to ensure their smoke alarms are functioning properly. With daylight saving time signaling a change in routine, it’s crucial to remember that working smoke detectors can save lives in the event of a fire.
Cut 15 (11) “…get going.”
Dr. St. Charles urges everyone to test their alarms, replace batteries if necessary, and consider upgrading to newer models if their detectors are over ten years old. The Red Cross continues to promote fire safety education and encourages community members to take this simple action to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Cut 16 (13) “…quicker and can save lives.”
By incorporating smoke detector checks into the daylight-saving time routine, families can enhance their safety measures and reduce the risk of fire-related tragedies.
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Thanks to their loss to Texas A&M last week, LSU has its work cut out for them if they expect to get into the new 12-team College Football Playoff. LSU currently sits at 6-and-2 and is ranked 16th in both major polls. Jerry Palm with CBS Sports says LSU getting into playoff position starts with them winning out.
Cut 17 (09) “…conference championship game.”
That starts next Saturday in Death Valley against Alabama, which Palm says is essentially a playoff game in itself.
Cut 18 (06) “…Playoff this year.”
One thing that LSU can do to boost its chances of getting in is making it to the SEC Championship Game, which is not impossible. The easiest scenario would be for them to win out, Texas to beat Texas A&M and the winner of the upcoming Georgia-Tennessee game to lose a game. Palm says, however, dream on.
Cut 19 (09) “….to lose again.”
Palm says there’s also a scenario where LSU, A&M, Texas and Georgia all finish with one conference loss and LSU and A&M get into the title game by virtue of tiebreakers.