A package of auto insurance reform bills went into effect on January 1st. Can they reduce auto insurance premiums? Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana CEO Ben Albright says the modified comparative fault law should help to reduce excessive claims cost. Albright says the law prevents drivers responsible for at least 51-percent of an accident from receiving a damage award to cover their injuries.

Cut 21 (08) “…before this law.”

Albright says Louisiana still needs to reform how damages are awarded in car crashes with significant medical costs.

While the number of line-of-duty deaths across the country greatly decreased in 2025, they ticked up in Louisiana. Last year, five law enforcement officers in Louisiana were killed in the line of duty, compared to three in 2024. Bill Alexander, the CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, says nationwide, 111 were killed in the line of duty last year.

Cut 6 (06) “…148 such deaths.”

Alexander says the number of line of duty deaths reached a historic low in 2025.

2026 is going to be a big year for elections in Louisiana, including the U.S. Senate race and several special elections to fill vacancies in the legislature.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It feels more like spring than winter. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures are running 15-degrees above normal. He says it is typical to see above-normal temperatures when a La Nina climate pattern is active…

Cut 10 (10) “…La Nina year”

Reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops is, predictably, split down party lines. Republicans like Senator Bill Cassidy are hailing the operation.

Cut 7 (10) “…States for justice.”

But Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says there is no question that Maduro is a bad man and that the people of Venezuela have suffered under his regime. However, that does not change the fact that the U.S. had no right to act unilaterally.

Cut 10 (10) “…the relationships internationally.”

In Lafayette this morning, three people were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck at a major intersection. Lafayette Police say three vehicles were involved in the crash that happened at just after five o’ clock this morning at Johnston and East Broussard. It was foggy at the time of the crash, but police have yet to say if poor visibility contributed to the wreck.

2026 was already shaping up to be a big year for elections in Louisiana; and Secretary of State Nancy Landry says with several vacancies in the legislature, it will be even more so.

Cut 3 (11) “…May and June.”

Of course, the biggest race is that for U.S. Senate, where a handful of candidates are challenging incumbent Bill Cassidy for the Republican nomination in the newly-closed party primary. The party primary is May 16^th.

Today’s the Christian Feast of Epiphany, which means it’s the kick off of Mardi Gras Season.  Arthur Hardy, founder of the Mardi Gras  Guide, says that means lots of great things, including…

Cut 15 (06) “…they’re shipped nationally.”

Fat Tuesday is February 17th.

It’s also transfer portal season….today LSU received former Boise State safety Ty Benefield. He had 197 tackles and two interceptions for the Broncos last season.

Reaction to this weekend’s military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro is predictably split down party lines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Three people were killed this morning in a multi-vehicle wreck at a major intersection in Lafayette. The identities of the victims have not been released and Lafayette Police officers are investigating what led to the crash involving three vehicles at the intersection of Johnston and East Broussard.

For the second year in a row, a major economic development project in Louisiana has been recognized by Business Facilities as the Platinum Deal of the Year. In 2024 it was Meta’s A-I data center in Richland Parish, in 2025 it was the Hyundai Steel mill Ascension Parish. Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana is setting a new standard for economic development…

Cut 12 (04) “…for business”

Landry says Louisiana is the first state to earn back-to-back honors.

Louisiana is experiencing a heat wave during the first full week of January. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be touching the 80s for the rest of this work week…

Cut 9 (10) “…state of Louisiana”

Keim says this is a La Nina winter, so it’s not unusual to have warmer than normal temperatures when a La Nina is in effect.

As we await the effects of the package of auto insurance reform bills that took effect when the calendar flipped to 2026, an influential group says the work is not done yet. Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana CEO Ben Albright says Louisiana still needs to reform how damages are awarded in car crashes with significant medical costs.

Cut 5 (07) “…in the system.”

Albright says whether additional legislation can pass is another story.

For the second year in a row, a major economic development project in Louisiana earns a prestigious honor. This time, it’s the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish that was recognized by the online resource Business Facilities as being the nation’s most significant development announcement of 2025. Governor Landry says Louisiana is the first state to earn back-to-back top honors.

Cut 13 (06)  “…a national level.”

Today is January 6th; and especially in Louisiana, that means today is Epiphany – the holiday that officially kicks off Mardi Gras season. Arthur Hardy, the founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, says despite this year’s Carnival season being shorter than last year’s, he’s looking forward to a good one.

Cut 14 (08) “…a good year.”

The Saints have closed the book on 2025 and are now looking ahead to 2026. That includes receiver Chris Olave, who had to miss the final game of the season after doctors found a blood clot in his lung. Olave says he thought he had a bruised rib after feeling pain near his lung following the game against the Titans.

Cut 19 (16) “…a blood clot.”

Olave says he is expected to make a full recovery.

Reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops is, predictably, split down party lines. Republicans like Senator Bill Cassidy are hailing the operation.

Cut 7 (10) “…States for justice.”

But Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says there is no question that Maduro is a bad man and that the people of Venezuela have suffered under his regime. However, that does not change the fact that the U.S. had no right to act unilaterally.

Cut 10 (10) “…the relationships internationally.”

In Lafayette this morning, three people were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck at a major intersection. Lafayette Police say three vehicles were involved in the crash that happened at just after five o’ clock this morning at Johnston and East Broussard. It was foggy at the time of the crash, but police have yet to say if poor visibility contributed to the wreck.

Several bills aimed at lowering auto insurance rates went into effect on January 1st. Jeff Palermo spoke with an industry expert on whether they will help.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Today, January Sixth, also known as Twelfth Night, marks the official start of the Carnival Season. Arthur Hardy, the founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, says in Orleans Parish along, there will be 35 parades between now and February 17^th, Fat Tuesday…

Cut 16 (11) “…to each other”

Reaction to this weekend’s military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro is predictably split down party lines. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today’s the Christian Feast of Epiphany, which means it’s the kick off of Mardi Gras Season.  Arthur Hardy, founder of the Mardi Gras  Guide, says that means lots of great things, including…

Cut 15 (06) “…they’re shipped nationally.”

Fat Tuesday is February 17th.

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A package of auto insurance reform bills went into effect on January 1st. And some say they could help reduce insurance costs, especially the one that prevents drivers responsible for at least 51-percent of an accident from receiving a damage award to cover their injuries.  As for this year, Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana CEO Ben Albright say he expects more insurance reform legislation to be filed, but…

Cut 6 (07) “…of those bills.”

The Saints may not have made the playoffs this season, but the team left its fan base with plenty of optimism and hope for next year after finishing 4-and-1 in its last five games. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough ended his first season in the NFL with a 5-and-4 record as a starter. Shough believes the best is yet to come from him.

Cut 18 (14)  “…and my focus.”

A package of auto insurance reform bills went into effect on January 1st. Many are wondering if they’ll reduce auto insurance premiums. Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana CEO Ben Albright says the law that prevents drivers responsible for at least 51-percent of an accident from receiving a damage award to cover their injuries should help.

Cut 4 (08) “…before this law.”

It’s no surprise that reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops is split down party lines. Republicans like Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 7 (10) “…States for justice.”

But Democrats, like Congressman Troy Carter, say the action was unconstitutional and will ultimately put Americans at risk.

Cut 8 (06) “…it’s the process.”

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The Saints head into the 2026 offseason with lots of optimism. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Today is January 6th; and that means today is Epiphany – the holiday that officially kicks off Mardi Gras season.  Arthur Hardy, the founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, says despite this year’s Carnival season being shorter than last year’s, he’s looking forward to a good one.

Cut 14 (08) “…a good year.”

Several bills aimed at lowering auto insurance rates went into effect with the new year. Will they help? Jeff Palermo spoke with an industry expert.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the second year in a row, a major economic development project in Louisiana has been recognized by Business Facilities as the Platinum Deal of the Year. This time Hyndai Steel mill in Ascension Parish is recognized at the most significant development announcement of last year. Governor Jeff Landry.

Cut 11 (07) “…the ground up.”

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Reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops is, predictably, split down party lines. Republicans like Senator Bill Cassidy are hailing the operation, saying Maduo needed to be brought to the U.S. to face justice for his crimes.

Cut 9 (12)  “…around the world.”

Congressman Troy Carter says there is no question that Maduro is a bad man and that the people of Venezuela have suffered under his regime. But says the action was not only unconstitutional, but…

Cut 10 (10) “…the relationships internationally.”