A proposal to make Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner an appointed position instead of being elected as it is now, heads to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order allowing Louisiana universities to pay their athletes. Jeanne Burns explains why the governor issued the order….
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”
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Senator Bill Cassidy could be facing another opponent in next year’s Republican primary, and the first challenger is not happy about it at all. There are reports that President Trump and Governor Landry are trying to urge Congresswoman Julia Letlow to enter the 2026 race for Cassidy’s seat. The only major challenger so far is State Treasurer John Fleming, and he’s alleging that Trump, Landry and Letlow could be behind a backdoor deal, should Letlow be elected Senator.
Cut 3 (14) “…an educator herself.”
Fleming says he initially found that story to be so outlandish that he dismissed it, but he says he started believing it when he heard it from many different people. He says if that story is indeed true, the voters will be the ones who lose.
Cut 4 (13) “…and that’s problematic.”
Governor Landry’s office had no comment on Fleming’s claim. As always, anytime a governor appoints a replacement to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy, there would be a special election to fill the remainder of the unexpired term, unless the vacancy occurs close to the next regular election. Fleming says any governor who appoints themself to fill a vacancy would instantly give themself an advantage.
Cut 5 (09) “…everything for re-election.”
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Former Baton Rouge Mayor-President, lawmaker and reporter Kip Holden died today at age 72 after a lengthy illness. Holden started as a reporter before serving on the Metro Council, in the State House, and Senate. Former Lt. Governor and State Lawmaker Jay Dardenne remembers serving in the legislature with Holden.
Cut 6 (11) “…work with everybody.”
In 2005, he became the first African American Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish, holding the position for three terms until 2016. Dardenne says Holden loved people and was passionate about what he believed in…
Dardenne says he will never forget one thing about Holden, and that’s his outfits…
Cut 8 (08) “…flashy character.”
He is survived by his wife Lois, five children, and two sisters.
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The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would make the Insurance Commissioner an appointed position rather than an elected position. Senate President Cameron Henry testified in favor of the bill…
Henry says 39 other states have appointed insurance commissioners; and of the ten states with the lowest insurance rates in the country, nine have appointed insurance commissioners.
This is not the first time a state lawmaker has proposed that the insurance commissioner should be appointed by the governor. But with legislators looking for solutions to sky high insurance premiums, they seem more open to the idea. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter:
Tim Temple, who was elected as insurance commissioner in 2023, testified in opposition to the bill…
Temple says an appointed insurance commissioner will not solve the state’s insurance crisis…
Cut 12 (10) “…Louisiana voter.”
The bill advances after no one on Senate and Governmental Affairs objected to advancing the measure to the Senate floor.
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New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s bill to ban schools from serving “ultra-processed” foods, targeting items containing ingredients such as food dyes and seed oils, passed the House Education Committee on an 8 to 1 vote. Miguez says this is sending a message to D.C and the MAHA movement.
Cut 13 (12) “…message here today.”
These ingredients have come under scrutiny from health food influencers and political figures like US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The bill aligns with a growing push for healthier food options in public institutions. Miguez says its time to get the junk out of our children’s food…
The Senate-approved bill goes to the House Floor for more discussion.