The Louisiana House has approved an insurance reform measure that repeals the three-year rule which bars homeowners’ insurance companies from dropping policyholders who have been insured with them for at least three years. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says his legislation will help attract more insurers to Louisiana, but Critics says there is no guarantee and Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says you’re getting rid of a great for consumer protection policy for a hope that it will result in lower premiums…

Cut 4 (06) “…than others.” 

Crawfish wasn’t the only crop that suffered from Last year’s historic drought. Louisiana’s honey supply is down, and State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a lower supply, means the price has gone up….

Cut 13 (12) “…26-percent”   

After her daughter was tragically killed while trying to save a dog two years ago, her mother is keeping her legacy alive in a unique way. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center in Crowley today. The center provides resources and assistance to small businesses impacted by last year’s extreme drought. Spokesperson Corey Williams says small businesses are eligible for loans to help with financial loss.

Cut 9 (10) “…lost revenues” 

The Louisiana House approves an insurance reform to repeal the three-year rule. Louisiana does not allow homeowners insurance companies to drop policyholders who have been customers for at least three years. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment this will allow insurers to better manage their risk.

Cut 3 (10) “…insurance market”  

He says repealing the three-year rule will attract more insurers into the state.

Last year’s historic drought also impacted honey in the state. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says in a typical year, Louisiana produces more than three million pounds of honey, but last year it was two-million pounds….

Cut 12 (09) “…wow” 

A lower supply of honey means higher prices.

The Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center in Crowley today to provide resources and assistance to those impacted by last year’s extreme drought. Spokesperson Corey Williams says non-profit organizations are also eligible for loans.

Cut 10 (13) “…they need. “

After her daughter was tragically killed on a busy highway while trying to save a dog, Kristen Perkins chose to honor her memory by starting “Leedle’s Dirty Paws Rescue.” In the small Rapides Parish town of Glenmora; they have six dogs right now.

Cut 8 (12) “…that choice.” 

You can find a link to rescue at Louisiana Radio Network dot com

Legislation to repeal the state’s three-year rule advances from the Louisiana House. Critics say there is no guarantee this will help bring more insurers into Louisiana. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan…

Cut 4 (06) “…than others.” 

Repealing the three-year rule is part of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s package of bills that he says will bring more insurance providers to Louisiana. Temple says more competition is the key to reversing soaring premiums. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says if Temple supports it, he backs it too…

Cut 5 (12)  “…that’s right.”

The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Kristen Perkins has started “Leedle’s Dirty Paws Rescue” in Glenmora to honor her daughter, Leeleanne’s memory. On January 11, 2022, she says her daughter was on her way home from work at a vet clinic when she was tragically killed on a highway in Pineville trying to save an injured dog.

Cut 7 (11) “…out of the highway.”  

You can find Leedle’s Dirty Paws Rescue on Facebook and Petfinder.com.

The Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center in Crowley today at the former Wells Fargo Bank location on Parkerson Avenue.  Spokesperson Corey Williams says this initiative is SBA’s commitment to helping Louisiana small businesses to overcome challenges resulting from natural disasters.

Cut 11 (11) “…extreme drought.”

Services are free of charge, with no appointment necessary.

The Louisiana House approves legislation to repeal the three-year rule, which prohibits homeowners’ insurance companies from dropping policyholders that have been a customer for more than years. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A suspect has been arrested after the overdose death of a Southeastern student. The university is holding a press conference at 1 pm, along with multiple law enforcement agencies. No other details were released.

The Small Business Administration has opened a recovery center in Crowley Spokesperson Corey Williams says they are able to aid small businesses impacted by last year’s extreme drought.

Cut 9 (13) “…in revenues” 

It’s located in the former Wells Fargo on Parkerson Avenue.

After her daughter was tragically killed on a busy highway while trying to save a dog, Kristen Perkins chose to honor her memory by starting “Leedle’s Dirty Paws Rescue.” (pronounced Leal-dell) The Rapides Parish rescue in Glenmora might be small, with six dogs, but Perkins’ heart for animals is huge.

Cut 6  (11) “…be thrilled.” 

You can find the rescue on Pet Finder and Facebook.

The Louisiana House has approved an insurance reform measure that repeals the three-year rule. Louisiana does not allow homeowners insurance companies to drop policyholders who have been customers for at least three years. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says his legislation will allow insurers to better manage their risk..

Cut 3 (10) “…insurance market”  

Firment says repealing the three-year rule will help attract more insurers into the state, which would result in lower premiums.

The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cellphone while driving. Author of the bill, Covington Senator Patrick McMath heard from opponents that his bill is a government overreach. McMath looks at his legislation as a way to keep people safe…

Cut 7 (11) “…correct.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

LSU has been awarded a 550-thousand-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation, to see if they can mass produce an organic compound that could lead to better bug spray. Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley says the goal is to streamline the cost associated with the production of nootkatone.

Cut 10 (11) “…and sprays.”

Dooley says the insect repellant would reduce cases of malaria, Lyme disease, and West Nile

If you’re planning on dying Easter eggs this year, Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the prices have dropped significantly. Last year the southern average for a dozen eggs was $4.17, but this year it’s $2.71.

Cut 13 (12)  “…right now.”

While you may be paying between $2.89 to $3.40 for a dozen eggs this Easter, Davidson says to keep in mind the farmer’s profit is miniscule.

Legislation to ban drivers from handling their cell phone while behind the wheel advances from the Senate Transportation Committee. However, the bill would still allow drivers to talk on a cell phone, but it has to be hands-free. Kenner resident Richard Brown opposed the bill. He says the conversation is what’s distracting…

Cut 5 (12) “…isn’t true.” 

LSU researchers have secured a $550,000 grant to work on creating an insect repellent that could reduce cases of malaria, Lyme disease, and West Nile. This is the largest NSF PFI grant ever awarded to LSU. Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley says the project involves the use of nootkatone and even at a five percent concentration, nootkatone outperforms DEET.

Cut 12 (12) “…DEET has.” 

If you’re planning on dyeing eggs this Easter Brooke Thorington has some egg-cellence news, and that’s no yolk.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Senate Education approves a bill that takes current law prohibiting public school students from using their cell phones on school property a step further. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell believes requiring the devices be turned off and properly stowed away throughout the instructional day will help improve student achievement…
Cut 8 (09) “…the classroom.”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

Also heading to the Senate floor, is a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cellphone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath is the author of the bill and he received pushback from former Grant Parish District Attorney Ed Tarpley…
Cut 6 (10) “..seat belt law.”
More debate is expected on the Senate floor.

The National Science Foundation has awarded a 550-thousand dollar grant to LSU researchers so they can come up with a way to develop Nootkatone so it’s more cost effective. Why is nootkatone important? LSU Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley says notkatone is a compound that’s more effective than DEET in bug sprays…
cut 11 (12) “…Lyme Disease”
The LSU research team hopes to sell their synthesis process to a manufacturing company, who would then produce affordable nootkatone products.

The cost for a dozen eggs this Easter is below three-dollars. Last year it was above four-dollars because of the bird flu. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says keep in mind the farmer’s profit is small….
cut 15 (10) “…packaging”

The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a bill that would prohibit drivers from handling their phone when behind the wheel. AAA’s Angela Nelson told Senators if you want to reduce auto insurance rates, pass a law that makes it illegal to touch your cell phone when driving and crashes will go down…
Cut 4 (05) “…first place.”
The legislation would still allow drivers to talk on a cell phone, but they can’t hold it to their ear, it has to be hands-free. The proposal heads to the Senate floor.

The cost of a dozen eggs is much cheaper than last Easter. Last year a dozen eggs cost more than four-dollars because of the deadly avian influenza outbreak. This year you can find find them less than three-dollars. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the effects of the Bird flu still linger…
cut 14 (11) “….two years ago”

LSU has been awarded a 550-thousand dollar grant from the National Science Foundation, to see if they can mass produce an organic compound that could lead to better bug spray. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A FedEx driver that police say was drunk and high crashed into a home in Houma. There were people inside the house, but thankfully no one was injured. Houma police say 31-year-old Michael Smith failed a sobriety test. Authorities say an open alcoholic beverage was found in the truck, along with marijuana and prescription drugs. Fedex says Smith has been fired.