Trucking companies are pleading with the legislature to do something about soaring vehicle insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The legislature will be considering several bills to strengthen elections in the state. Colleen Crain reports.
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LDWF is hosting the free Get out and Fish event this Saturday. at Turner’s Pond in Minden. Sean Richardson has more.
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Trucking companies are urging the legislature to do something about commercial vehicle insurance rates that are spiraling out of control. Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple say one big driver of the soaring insurance rates is frivolous lawsuits. Jake Minner, the director at Bengal Transportation Services in Ascension Parish, says his company has been hit with very costly frivolous lawsuits.
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Minner says his company’s insurance rates have soared from six-thousand dollars per truck per year to 23-thousand – increasing almost nine times the rate of inflation.
Jared Varnado, the owner of Varnado and Sons Towing in Denham Springs, says his insurance premium increased 30-percent this year, which amounts to a lot of money.
Varnado is the third generation owner of the company and says he’d like to pass it down to the fourth generation; but if insurance rates continue in the direction they’re going, that will be, in his words, only a fantasy.
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The legislature will be considering at least seven bills designed to strengthen elections in the state. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says one of them, Senate Bill 109, is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit foreign funding of a political campaign, whether for or against a candidate or a ballot measure.
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Landry says ten states have enacted such a ban. Senate Bill 90 would prohibit wagering on the outcome of an election, which Landry says is already banned in 30 states.
Landry says House Bill 223 would boost election commissioner pay.
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Landry says commissioners generally earn 200 dollars per day, which could last up to 16 hours. House Bill 223 would boost commissioners pay by 50 dollars across the board.
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State Representative Larry Bagley from DeSoto Parish has officially announced his candidacy for Public Service Commissioner in the 2026 race. Known for his pragmatic leadership and commitment to fiscal responsibility, Bagley brings over a decade of legislative experience to the table. Bagley says he’s been a server all his life.
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Bagley is a Republican and says he’s running to ensure public utilities serve the people, not special interests. His campaign promises a focus on accountability, sustainable energy planning, and protecting consumers from rising costs.
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Bagley says he won’t ramp up his campaign until after the 2025 legislative session because he wants to give all his attention to what the voters elected him to do.
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Bagley is seeking to replace Fifth District Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, who is term limited.
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Spring has arrived, and so has prime fishing season! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking adult channel catfish at 17 sites statewide, all to be stocked by next Tuesday. LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says “Get out and Fish” is for everyone to enjoy.
Cut 13 (07) “…nice big catfish.”
To celebrate, LDWF invites families to a free Get Out & Fish! event tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Turner’s Pond in Minden. Williams says no boat, no experience — no problem.
Anglers 18 and up need a Louisiana fishing license. Every license helps fund fishing access, education, and conservation through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Williams says the ponds will be stocked with catfish big enough to fill you up.
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LSU football will hold an open practice tomorrow in Tiger Stadium as spring practice is winding down. The Tigers return only one starter on the offensive line, and that’s center DJ Chester. Chester has been the first team center throughout spring practice despite competition from former Virginia Tech center Braelin Moore. Chester says he feels much more comfortable at center this season…
On the defensive line, former Alexandria Senior High star Jacobian Guillory is back practicing in full pads after suffering a season ending Achilles injury seven months ago. Guillory says the rehab has been difficult, but he’s feeling good now…
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The third ranked LSU baseball team goes after its tenth straight win tonight when they visit Auburn. The Tigers rank sixth in the country in batting average and they are doing it with a line-up that looks a little different every night. Jake Brown, Ethan Frey, and Josh Pearson are sharing playing time in right field and designated hitter. Coach Jay Johnson credits how they were raised for their selfless attitude…
LSU enters the game with a 31-3 record, 10-2 in the SEC. Auburn is ranked 9th in the country. They are 23-10 overall, 6-6 in the SEC. Auburn’s Friday night starter is former LSU pitcher Sam Dutton, who has emerged as the War Eagles ace. He’ll start tonight opposite of LSU’s Kade Anderson. Dutton transferred after last season and Johnson says there are no hard feelings that he left LSU.
Former Auburn Tiger Chris Stanfield has found success at LSU batting in the nine-hole and playing terrific center field. Stanfield is looking forward to seeing his old teammates…
First pitch is at 6 p.m.