LRN AM Newscall April 15

We’re hearing from the injury lawyer who Governor Landry called out by name when he announced his insurance reform plan last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Six parishes are participating in a USDA-funded pilot project to promote healthier food choices among SNAP recipients. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The six parishes are Ascension, LaSalle, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Webster, and West Carroll.

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On the first day of the legislative session, Governor Jeff Landry offered up his ideas on how to lower auto insurance rates. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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If at first you don’t succeed – try, try again. That’s what Monroe State Senator Stewart Cathey will be doing in this legislative session. He has filed a bill that would ban speed cameras in the state. Cathay says this is something that everyone should agree on.

Cut 4 (07) “…the speed cameras.”

Cathey says speed cameras are unconstitutional.

Cut 5 (06) “…allow for that.”

Cities say the speed cameras are a way to make the roads safer. But Cathey says they’re nothing but a money grab as evidenced by one particular Richland Parish community.

Cut 6 (12) “…franchise fees combined.”

Cathey says he believes his bill has a chance to succeed this time around, saying he at least has the votes to advance it out of committee. Cathey says if it doesn’t pass, he has a backup bill that would dedicate 100-percent of speed camera revenues to the sheriff’s department for juvenile rehabilitation programs, giving cities none of that money. This way, it will be clear what the actual motivation is behind the speed cameras.

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Six parishes in Louisiana are participating in a USDA-funded pilot project to promote healthier food choices among SNAP recipients. The six are Ascension, LaSalle, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Webster, and West Carroll. DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says recipients will receive a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at 13 designated Walmart stores, with a maximum monthly bonus of 25 dollars.

Cut 7 (07) “…state on anything.”

Louisiana is one of three states selected for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Electronic Healthy Incentives Project. Guillory says the pilot launched yesterday and will run for six to nine months.

Cut 8 (11) “…bonus benefits.”

Guillory says no sign-up is needed to participate, and the initiative aims to improve both nutrition and financial well-being.

Cut 9 (07)  “…just eat healthier.”

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When Governor Landry announced his auto insurance reform plan last week, he mentioned that he wanted to rein in the ability of injury lawyers to advertise. In doing so, he called out Morris Bart by name, saying he was as sick of Morris Bart as he was of the lizard, referring to the Geico gecko. Bart points out that no state has ever passed a tort reform law that reduced insurance premiums.

Cut 10 (14) “…didn’t go down.”

Bart said he’s afraid that the only people who are going to suffer from any insurance reform will be the ratepayers.

Cut 11 (14) “…of their rights.”

Bart says he was taken aback by Landry calling him out by name during his news conference, but he says he’s used to being the poster child given how much advertising he does.

Cut 12 (09) “…Gordon McKernan.”

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Governor Landry kicked off the 2025 legislative session by presenting his plan to lawmakers on how to reduce auto insurance rates. Key proposals of the governor’s auto insurance reform package include restricting attorney advertising, bringing medical transparency to the collateral source rule and making lawyers and their clients prove their injuries were the result of the car accident…

Cut 13 (13)  “…injured victims.”

Landry says the state also needs to strengthen its no-pay-no-play law, which would make it harder for uninsured drivers to receive money after an accident…

Cut 14 (14) “…100-thousand dollars”

Auto insurance reform is the top issue facing legislators this session. But the governor is also pushing lawmakers to approve legislation that is part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, which would eliminate toxins from school lunches…

Cut 15 (11) “…processed meals.”

Another top priority for the governor in this session is reorganizing the Department of Transportation.

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Fresh off getting swept by Auburn over the weekend, LSU returns home to face arguably the hottest team in Division One college baseball. McNeese is currently 26-and-5 – 11-and-4 in the Southland Conference – and is riding a 12-game winning streak — the longest current winning streak in the nation. Head Coach Justin Hill says he’s astounded by his team’s success.

Cut 16 (22) “…well for us.”

Hill says his coaching staff has put the Cowboys in a position to be successful.

Cut 17 (14)  “…as a coach.”

Hill especially singles out the play of senior outfielder Conner Westenburg, using a famous quote by Reggie Jackson to describe what he means to the team.

Cut 18 (23)  “…of the team.”

First pitch at Alex Box Stadium is 6:30.