The U-S House has approved legislation that will provide nearly 858-billion dollars for national defense and hundreds of millions of dollars will go towards improving Louisiana’s military bases. Congressman Mike Johnson says Barksdale Air Force Base will receive 125-million dollars to construct a Weapons Generation facility….
cut 12 (10) “…which has been done”
Johnson says Fort Polk in Vernon Parish will receive 61-million dollars to update the command station so it provides more realistic training activities.

It still remains to be seen who’s in or out for the 2023 gubernatorial race as several candidates wait to see if Senator John Kennedy makes it official. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll conduct a poll this weekend to see if he’ll run or not. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says until Kennedy decides a poll is obsolete.
Cut 6 (09) “…in the poll.”
Pinsonat says there are several factors Nungesser needs to take into consideration, for example, can he outraise Kennedy?

More than 30,000 Louisiana homeowners are looking for new property insurance after a Florida company announces its leaving sooner than it had planned. Marsanne Golsby reports
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

Still waiting on more information from State Police about a deadly shooting involving one of their troopers. It happened in Baton Rouge on Interstate 10 near the Mississippi River Bridge. A subject, who reportedly started a police chase, was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a Florida-based company that writes homeowners insurance is leaving Louisiana and several other states because of an insurance crisis in Florida, not conditions in Louisiana. Donelon says United Property and Casualty, or UPC announced last year they would be leaving.

Cut 4 (09)  “…state of Florida.”

The company has about 36,000 policyholders in Louisiana.

There’s a runoff for mayor in Shreveport and La Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Democrat Gregory Tarver and Republican Tom Arceneaux are in a runoff for mayor. Incumbent Democrat Adrian Perkins failed to garner enough votes, but he along with two previous Democratic mayors, have endorsed the GOP candidate.

Cut 11 (05)  “…Shreveport attorney.”

Polls open at 7 am tomorrow morning.

A recent survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates electricity prices in Louisiana are two cents cheaper than the national average. And while customers in the state have seen their power bill steadily increase, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it has to do with the price of natural gas.

Cut 7 (10) “…goes up.”

Thursday was a big day for northeast Louisiana high school football as both Ouachita Christian and Oak Grove won state titles. O-C-S won its eighth state title in school history with a 28-14 victory over Vermilion Catholic. Coach Steven Fitzhugh won his sixth state championship at the Monroe school…

Cut 3 (11) “…the extra” 

Oak Grove won its seventh football title as the Tigers blanked Homer 17-to-0.

Yet another insurance company, Florida-based United Properties Casualty, says it will stop renewing its more than 30,000 property insurance policies in Louisiana next year. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says even though we didn’t get hit by a storm this year, Hurricane Ivan hammered the industry in Florida which us why UPC can no longer renew policies…:
CUT 6 (09) “coastal states”
Donelon says he is aggressively trying to get more insurance companies to move here.

Electricity bill getting higher? Well Louisiana’s rates are actually two cents lower than the national average. That’s according to a recent survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says they are working on creating new sources of energy, like the five solar plants being constructed in northwest Louisiana and three more in the New Roads area…:
Cut 9 (07) “better off”

There are a few notable races on tomorrow’s ballot in Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (38) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey is breaking her silence on the release from Russia of WNBA player Brittney Griner. Mulkey was Griner’s coach at Baylor and told ESPN her former stand-out player being home now is an answered prayer and God is good.

The insurance company that reportedly writes the 5th most homeowners’ policies in Louisiana is leaving the state in 2023. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Florida based UPC is under duress in its own state which was hammered by Hurricane Ivan in September….:
CUT 5 (10) “in Florida”
UPC has about 36,000 policyholders in Louisiana and will stop renewing in 2023.

Tomorrow is election day in Louisiana. A low turnout is expected but you can check to see what’s on your ballot by visiting GeauxVote.com. The Public Service Commission race in the 3rd District is a big one, as Incumbent Lambert Boissiere facing off with Davante Lewis who’s a formidable candidate, according to LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford…:
CUT 10 (09) “this race”

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic in the Caesars Superdome kicked off yesterday and it’s already been exciting. Ouachita Christian knocked off top seeded Vermilion Catholic 28-14 in the Division IV select title game. Oak Grove shut out Homer to win its 3rd state title in 4 years. Union Parish Faces Many tomorrow afternoon. Union Parish’s Trey Holly is the leading rusher in state history and is committed to LSU. His coach Joe Spatafora says Holly’s drive is incredible…:
Cut 13 (11) “fun to coach”
Dunham, who hasn’t played in a title game in 18 years, will look to dethrone defending state champ St. Charles Catholic this afternoon at 3:30.

Gas prices in Louisiana continue to go down which is a nice Christmas present. The statewide average for a gallon of regular currently stands at $2.90 which is down over 10 cents from the same time last week, and nearly 40 cents lower from last month.

If you are one of more than 30,000 customers that have homeowners’ insurance through United Property & Casualty, you’ll have to find new coverage next year…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A Louisiana State Trooper fatally shot someone on I-10 near downtown Baton Rouge this morning, the agency announced. No more information on what led to the shooting was released, but State Police say they will give more details later today. No law enforcement was injured in the incident.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana and turnout is expected to be low, but there are a few notable races. The only race for Parish President is in Plaquemines, where LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says a downturn in the economy is playing a central role in oil and gas there…:
Cut 12 (11) “President’s race”
Shreveport, Hammond, Kentwood, Crowley and Zachary will be electing a new mayor, and the 3rd District will vote on a new Public Service Commissioner. 28 Parishes have local propositions on tomorrow’s ballot.

You might be frustrated with your electricity bill like this reporter, but Louisiana’s rates are actually two cents lower than the national average. That’s according to a recent survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says we are making strides in creating new sources of energy — like North Louisiana using wind power from Kansas…;
CUT 8 (06) “lot cleaner”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a Florida-based company that writes homeowners insurance is leaving Louisiana and several other states because of an insurance crisis in Florida, not conditions in Louisiana. Donelon says United Property and Casualty, or UPC won’t renew policies in 2023…:
Cut 4 (09) “state of Florida”
Donelon says he is aggressively trying to get more insurance companies to move here.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates electricity prices in Louisiana are two cents cheaper than the national average. Customers have seen their bill steadily go up, and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says that’s due to the price of natural gas…:
Cut 7 (10) “goes up”
In 2021 the average retail price for electricity in Louisiana was 8.82 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the national average of 11.10 cents an hour.

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicked off last night in the Caesars Superdome. This year’s Classic will feature perennial contenders as well as some up-and-coming schools making their long-awaited returns to the Dome.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

More than 30,000 Louisiana homeowners are looking for new property insurance after a Florida company announced its leaving sooner than it had planned. Marsanne Golsby reports

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

_________________________________________________

There are a few notable races on the December 10^th ballot, Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (38) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicked off last night in the Caesars Superdome. This year’s Classic will feature perennial contenders as well as some up-and-coming schools making their long-awaited returns to the Dome. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says a Florida-based company that writes homeowners insurance is leaving Louisiana and several other states because of an insurance crisis in Florida, not conditions in Louisiana.

Donelon says United Property and Casualty, or UPC announced last year it would be leaving Louisiana and several other states.

Cut 4 (09)  “…state of Florida.”

The company has about 36,000 policyholders in Louisiana and will stop renewing policies beginning next year. Donelon says UPC was in trouble before Hurricane Ian devastated Florida in September. Donelon says Florida’s insurance market is in deep trouble.

Cut 5 (10) “…in Florida.”

Louisiana did not get hit by a hurricane this year, but Donelon says the fact that Ian hit Florida also hurts Louisiana policyholders.

Cut 6 (09)  “…coastal states.” 

Donelon says he is aggressively trying to get more insurance companies to move here. He declined to provide an estimate of the number of insurers who have left Louisiana but others estimate ten have left in the last year.

________________________________________________

A recent survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates electricity prices in Louisiana are two cents cheaper than the national average. And while customers in the state have seen their power bill steadily increase, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it has to do with the price of natural gas.

Cut 7 (10) “…goes up.”

In 2021 the average retail price for electricity in Louisiana was 8.82 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the national average of 11.10 cents an hour.

Campbell says Louisiana is making strides in creating and using new sources of clean energy and he predicts prices will decrease as a result. For example, North Louisiana is using wind power from Kansas…

Cut 8 (06)  “…lot cleaner.”

Campbell says about five solar plants are being constructed in northwest Louisiana and three more in the New Roads area.

Cut 9 (07)  “…better off.”

__________________________________________

Overall voter turnout is expected to be low for the December 10^th election, but there are a few notable races. La Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the race for Public Service Commission in the 3^rd District has Incumbent Lambert Boissiere facing off with Davante Lewis who’s a formidable candidate.

Cut 10 (09) “…this race.” 

The Shreveport mayoral race has Gregory Tarver and Tom Arceneaux in a runoff. Incumbent Democrat Adrian Perkins failed to garner enough votes, but Alford says he along with two previous Democratic mayors, have endorsed the Republican candidate.

Cut 11 (05)  “…Shreveport attorney.”

The only race for Parish President is in Plaquemines, where Alford says a downturn in the economy is playing a central role in the oil and gas parish.

Cut 12 (11) “…President’s race.”

There are also mayoral races in Hammond, Kentwood, Crowley, and Zachary. In addition to three statewide constitutional amendments, 28 parishes have local propositions on the ballot.

______________________________________________

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicked off last night in the Caesars Superdome. Some big names will headline this year’s Prep Classic like Union Parish’s Trey Holly. Holly became the leading rusher in Louisiana high school history earlier this year with over 10,000 career yards and is committed to LSU. Union Parish coach Joe Spatafora says his focus and determination are what set him apart…

Cut 13 (11) “…fun to coach.”

Dunham will look to dethrone defending champion St. Charles Catholic this afternoon behind quarterback Jackson House. The son of LSU defensive coordinator Matt House, Dunham Coach Neil Weiner says he was able to learn from his father in the offseason and win over the locker room quickly…

Cut 14 (11)  “…he’s been great.”

Destrehan hopes to spoil Ruston’s first appearance in a state title game since 1998 tonight. Destrehan is led by Quarterback Jai Eugene, who is the son of former LSU DB Micah Eugene. Jai is a three-year starter at quarterback and Tulane commit who Destrehan Coach Marcus Scott says is focused on winning…

Cut 15 (12)  “…something special”

Dunham and St. Charles Catholic will kick off at 3:30 Friday

Destrehan and Ruston are set to play at 7:30 Friday night.

Union Parish faces Many at 3:30 on Saturday.

______________________________________________

Cut  16 (13)  “…to get here.” 

Cut 17 (17) “….message was” 

______________________________________________

Cut 18 (21) “…great situation” 

Cut 19 (18) “….to get there”

___________________________________________________________

As flu cases continue to rise, Louisiana health officials are urging us to get flu shots…and COVID boosters – as soon as possible. LSU health’s Dr. Catherine O’Neal says, with the holidays coming, you want to avoid getting or spreading the viruses. She says, as we age, the body’s memory of the last vaccine wanes sooner so it’s important to get boosted…:

CUT 06(11)      “…get it today.”

Dr. O’Neal says the same also applies to kids ages five and older.

State Wildlife & Fisheries says bird flu is turning up in wild birds in numerous parishes. LWF’s Dr. Jim LaCour says the virus spreads easily from bird-to-bird…:

CUT 09(07)      “…better part of a year.”

Bird flu poses little risk to humans

State Police credit two Good Samaritans with saving the lives of a family whose car went off an Assumption Parish road Wednesday and plunged into deep muddy water. Trooper 1^st Class Ross Brennan says Jeff Lapeyrouse (Lap-uh-roos) and Chase Dupre were in another vehicle, witnessed the crash, and stopped to help. He says they waded into the chilly water and mud mix and were able to open a door from the outside and get the family out before the Toyota sedan was completely submerged…:

CUT 13(09)      “…right before Christmas.”

Yet another property insurance company announces it is leaving Louisiana. This time, it’s Florida-based UPC – United Property & Casualty – who cover about 36-thousand homes in the state. The state Department of Insurance says UPC is the 10^th property insurer to exit the state due to the high cost of settling hurricane claims.