Louisiana’s longest serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, announces he’s not running for re-election. He’s run the Department of Insurance since 2006, and has been in state government for about 50 years…but he says the time has come to step away…:

CUT 04(10)      “…new hobbies.”

Donelon is 78 years old. Tim Temple is now the only declared candidate for Insurance Commissioner.

Because the cost of insulin has risen from $20 a vial to anywhere between $300 and $700 since the 90s, Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking on manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers. He says the price of insulin has forced many diabetics to either forego or ration their medication, resulting in other complications…:

CUT 10(11)      “…their supplies.
Some drug makers are already reducing insulin costs.

Female lawmakers believe the state would be better served with a larger presence in the Capitol. Teiko Foxx has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Foxx”

Two schools in St. Martin Parish had to suspend classes to deal with security threats today. Bomb threats were made to Breaux Bridge High and Cecilia High school. Building were evacuated while a search was conducted. LEOs found no explosive devices. Now investigators are tracking down who made the threats.

Baton Rouge Police say they have in custody a person of interest in the February disappearance and death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins is someone they know was with Millard the night he died, and was wanted for questioning. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McNeely says officers spotted Perkins, pulled him over and took him into custody early this morning without incident. They arrested him because they determined he had outstanding warrants…:

CUT 13(13)      “…a motor vehicle.”

Police will question him about the death of Nathan Millard on February 23^rd. Millard’s body was found several days ago, wrapped in an old rug, but the preliminary autopsy says he did not meet a violent end.

A.G. Jeff Landry is suing drug makers and prescription benefit managers over the high cost of insulin. He says 20% of middle-class Americans are unable to take their prescribed dosage of insulin…:

CUT 11(05)      “…can’t afford it.”

He hopes the suit will result in them lowering costs for diabetics.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces he’s not running for re-election this fall…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Quarterback Jameis Winston reportedly has agreed to stay with the New Orleans Saints for another season, as a backup to newly signed starter Derek Carr. The deal is reportedly worth up to $8 million; likely depending on playing time and incentives. Winston has a 34-46 record as a starting quarterback with the Saints and with Tampa bay before that.

Baton Rouge Police say they have arrested a Person Of Interest in the mysterious death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard last month. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McNeely says 45-year-old Derrick Perkins was with Millard the night he died, and patrolling officers located him today, in the overnight hours…:

Cut 12 (07) “…in custody. 

Police will question him about the death of Nathan Millard on February 23^rd.

Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces he’s not running for re-election. Donelon has served as the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006, but over the last year the number of insurance companies willing to write private property insurance has declined and that’s where his focus needs to be.

Cut 3 (05) “…re-election effort.” 

The only announced candidate for Insurance Commissioner is Republican Tim Temple.

Because the cost of insulin has risen from $20 a vial to anywhere between $300 and $700 since the 90s, Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking on manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers.

Cut 9 (11) “…are charging folks.”

Sanofi-Aventis, (so-noff-ee) Novo Nordisk, and several Pharmacy Benefit Managers are named in the suit. Just this morning Novo Nordisk announced they are lowering the cost of their insulin pens and vials by up to 75% beginning January 1^st and last month Lilly said they are capping the cost of a vial of insulin at $35 dollars.

Louisiana’s longest serving Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces he’s not running for re-election. Donelon has served as the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006, but over the last year the number of insurance companies willing to write private property insurance has declined and that’s where his focus needs to be…
cut 3 (05) “…re-election effort”
Donelon is also 78-years-old and says wants to enjoy the remaining years of his life with family.

Data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University shows twenty-eight of the Louisiana Legislature’s 144 seats are held by women – the 45th lowest percentage in the country. Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says the Legislature remains a boys club but there’s a need for balance.
Cut 6 (05) “…the senate.”
Mizell hopes to see more women run for legislative seats this fall.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the GOP’s Lower Energy Costs Act can help with inflation, but only if the President will sign it…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Multiple reports say quarterback Jameis Winston will remain with the Saints as he’ll sign a one-year, four million dollar contract with the Black and Gold. With incentives, Winston could earn as much as eight million dollars. He’ll go into the season as Derek Carr’s back-up.

Republicans in the U-S House introduce an Energy Bill today that supporters say will help families make ends meet and put Americans back to work producing energy. Jefferson Republican and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on what the legislation will do…
cut 4 (12) “…energy in America”
Scalise says over 40-percent of inflation in America is energy-related.

New McNeese Coach Will Wade says he’s getting a fresh start in Lake Charles as he takes over the Cowboys men’s basketball program. He was fired one year ago by LSU for alleged recruiting violations. Wade says it’s a rebirth of his coaching career and the McNeese basketball program…
cut 30 (06) “…coming together”
Wade could still be punished by the NCAA for allegedly arranging payments to players and their families and associates.

A new Tulane University study finds simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use among college students is on the rise across the country, especially among Black students. Social work professor Audrey Hai (High) says colleges should focus on awareness and treatment for alcohol and marijuana use because it…
cut 12 (10) “…marijuana alone”
Hai says the sharp increase in 2019 could possibly be attributable to the beginning of the widespread attention to racism and police brutality.

It’s the Lenten Season and according to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, the state’s seafood industry has over a two-point-four billion dollar economic impact for the state. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the 2020 and 2021 hurricanes cost the state upwards of 570-million dollars in total revenue and resource loss…
cut 15 (11) “…and seafood”

House majority leader and Congressman Steve Scalise will introduce the Lower Energy Costs Act next week.  Scalise says the average family is paying over 40 percent more for gas and the bill would have to be passed by the President.

Cut 6 (06)  “…who are struggling.” 

The bill will be considered on the House Floor in the last week of March.

According to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at 3.5% percentage points and remains the lowest in history.  Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the employment rate has declined for 23 consecutive months over the year.

Cut 7 (08) “…are seeing.”

LWC continues to assist employers in filling job positions across the state.

A recent study by Tulane University shows a rise in alcohol and marijuana use among college students. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health of 56 thousand full-time college students ages 18 to 25 from 2006 to 2019 was used. Assistant professor of social work Audrey Hai (pronounced high) says the sharp increase between 2018 to 2019 for Black students is likely attributed to a number of factors including widespread attention to racism and police brutality.

Cut 11 (10)  “… studies on this.”

The overall increase for simultaneous use among all races and ethnicities of college students from the same time period increased from 8.13 % to 8.44%.

Crawfish season is here and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana took a snapshot report of Louisiana’s seafood industry. PAR’s President, Steven Procopio says one out of every 70 jobs is related to the seafood industry and the state produces about 130 million pounds of crawfish annually.

Cut 14 (09)  “….on Friday.”

The state harvest of shrimp – accounts for 33% caught in the country.

Republicans in the U-S House will introduce the Lower Energy Costs Act to members of Congress today. Lead sponsor, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish, says the legislation cuts red-tape regulation to open up pipelines and it removes hurdles in acquiring exploration permits, which would open up more offshore energy leasing…..
cut 5 (11) “….in foreign countries”
The Biden Administration says its trying to reduce the amount of carbon released into the air.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state’s unemployment rate in January was three-point-five percent which again ties for the lowest in series history. Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says there are one-point-nine million non-farm jobs in this state…
cut 8 (06) “….the year”

LSU says its campuses produced a six-point-one billion dollar economic impact to the state’s economy during the 2021-22 fiscal year. LSU’s Flagship Campus in Baton Rouge supported an estimated economic output of more than 2.7 billion dollars and 24-thousand jobs.

In Louisiana, the Lenten season means seafood season. How does that impact the state’s economy? Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

Republicans in the U-S House introduce an Energy Bill today that supporters say will help families make ends meet and put Americans back to work producing energy. Jefferson Republican and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on what the legislation will do…
cut 4 (12) “…energy in America”
Scalise says over 40-percent of inflation in America is energy-related.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is three-point-five percentage points, once again tied for the lowest in series history. Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says if you are looking for a job…
cut 9 (11) “….looking to fill”

A Tulane University study finds simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use is up significantly among a specific group of college students.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Will Wade is the new head coach of the McNeese men’s basketball program. But what about the potential of the NCAA punishing Wade for committing alleged recruiting violations while he was the head coach at LSU. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he did his due diligence…
cut 19 (17) “…is our coach”
Financial terms of Wade’s contract are not known, but it’s reportedly a five-year deal.