Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would be used to attract additional private insurance companies to Louisiana is met with skepticism. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest for allegedly murdering a woman, stuffing her body in a plastic barrel then setting it on fire. 24-year-old Roderick Castle is charged with 2^nd-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub.com analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation, folks are choosing to just quit work…:

CUT 06(08)      “…higher side of things.”

Alaska ranks highest with over 4-percent quitting over the past 12 months. New York state ranks 50^th with under 1-percent.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is spitting mad at the state Republican Party, and its leader Louis Gurvich, for how they handled the endorsement of Jeff Landry for Governor. Here he is during an interview on WWL radio in New Orleans…:

CUT 05(08)      “…an embarrassment.”

Nungesser called for Gurvich to resign, accused some party members of taking kickbacks to endorse the Attorney General Landry. Nungesser will seek re-election instead of running for governor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is mourning the loss of his mother, Dora Jean Edwards, who passed away this morning at age 87. Here is Edwards, during his first election night victory speech in 2015, giving his mom credit for his success…:

CUT 19  (08)        “…very much”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed the elephant in the room when asked his thoughts on the state GOP…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon asks state lawmakers to use $45-million in surplus money to make an incentive fund to attract new private insurance companies to write coverage for some of the thousands force to go to the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. By law, Citizens’ rates are substantially higher than the private market, and homeowners are struggling to make ends meet. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder seems worried the plan may not work as Donelon intends…:

CUT 14(08)      “…it’s a maybe.”

Donelon says it worked after Katrina and Rita and it will work again, but the state must act fast so prospective companies know they mean business.

Demolition will start soon on the old Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City. Yesterday, the state’s Gaming Control Board approved the sale of the property, paving the way for a nearly $200-million renovation that will revitalize the area and the city, developers say.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers today on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon says a similar incentive program worked after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pushed thousands to the state-owned last resort insurer, Louisiana Citizens…:

CUT 13(09)      “…rate increase.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is irked with the state Republican Party for their early, early endorsement of Attorney General Jeff Landry. On Newell Normand’s show on WWL radio in New Orleans, Nungesser says party leadership bullied committee members into endorsing Landry and it’s upset GOP members both in and out of the state…:

CUT 04(13)      “…from the party.”

Nungesser decided to run for another term in his current job instead of swimming against the GOP current.

The use of Glock or auto switches in firearms is a growing danger, and law enforcement want legislation prohibiting their use…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

And now time for today’s markets…

It ruffled some feathers when the state Republican Party endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor before any other GOP candidates announced their intentions. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser, who’s opted to seek re-election had some harsh words for party leader Luis Gurvich on WWL Radio’s Newell Normand show.

Cut 3 (10) “…endorse.” 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers today on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon wants to give insurance companies a financial incentive to write policies in coastal areas…

Cut 12 (08) “…incentive program.”

A Glock or auto switch is a device that can turn a semi-automatic handgun into basically what amounts to a machine gun. New Orleans ATF Assistant Special Agent In Charge Marlin Ford says they want to educate the public and law enforcement about the use of auto switches and the dangers they pose to the community.

Cut 6 (06)  “…how they function.” 

Along with awareness, they want to update gun laws in the state to make them illegal.

The mother of Governor John Bel Edwards passed away. Dora Jean Edwards raised eight children and worked for several years as a Charity Hospital nurse. The governor released a statement honoring his mother, she is preceded in death by her husband Frank of 57 years and her son Chris Edwards. The governor credits his parents for instilling the values of public service that made him who he is today. The Edwards family also asked for prayer during this difficult time.

Law enforcement would like to see legislation passed at the state capitol this year that would crack down on Glock switches. They’re devices that can turn a handgun into a fully automatic weapon. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Glock switches are illegal on the federal level, but Louisiana law does not target them directly…

Cut 5 (06) “…there now.”

With multiple Republican candidates in the Governor’s race, one might think the party isn’t unified. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says that might normally be the case, but letting in-party grievances air this early into the election year will likely not benefit the opposition this time…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…is it going to be?”

The ULM unveils a new online interactive recruitment tool and virtual campus tour. ULM’s Director of Digital Recruitment and Analytics Trey Wilson says they expect the virtual tour will make a big impact in the recruitment of new students.

Cut 12 (08) “…see that as well.”

Visit ULM’s website and click on the “Take Flight” link.

Despite a disappointing season, it appears that the Saints won’t be making any major coaching changes. Host of the Lockdown Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says, but if things were to go south, Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael could find themselves on the hot seat…

Cut 15 (14)  “…doesn’t work out.”

Is there a rift in the Louisiana Republican Party? State Party Chairman Louis Gurvich had made it clear the party should get behind Attorney General Jeff Landry as the state’s next governor. But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says not all Republicans are willing to fall in line…
cut 8 (10) “…different candidates”
Hogan doesn’t see these in-party grievances airing this early into the election year keeping a Republican from winning the governor’s race in the fall.

Law enforcement says the use of Glock switches, or auto switches, has grown exponentially. What looks like a harmless piece of plastic, can turn a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic firearm. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says even though they’re already illegal in Louisiana…
Cut 4 (09) “…is crazy.”

Reports say Pete Carmichael will return as the Saints’ Offensive Coordinator in 2023. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Locked on Saints podcast host Ross Jackson.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

WBRZ-TV is reporting the Department of Children and Family Services held a big going away party for former Secretary Marketa Garner Walters, who resigned after two children died from fentanyl overdoses, despite the state agency receiving warnings about the toddler’s well-being. Employees told the Baton Rouge TV station the party was held during work hours and it was tone-deaf.

Despite having the Louisiana Republican Party’s official endorsement to be the state’s next governor, Attorney General Jeff Landry currently has four challengers; three from within his own party and Congressman Garret Graves could still get in. Does this signal a serious rift within the state GOP? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says at the very least, it shows there is not a consensus candidate among Republican voters…:
Cut 7 (11) “…to a candidate.”

Law enforcement officials will ask the state legislature to pass a law to crack down on glock switches. It’s a small device that can turn any handgun into an automatic weapon. New Orleans ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Marlin Ford says the glock switches pose a danger to the public…
cut 6 (06) “…how they function”
Ford says Glock switches allow a firearm to unleash up to 12-hundred rounds per minute and they can be made at home with a 3D printer.

Gasoline prices are back above three-dollars a gallon. The statewide average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.08, two cents higher than yesterday. AAA’s Don Redman says where prices go from here is in OPEC’s hands…:
CUT 25(10) “…the summer.”
He says, price-wise, we are about where we were a year ago.

The University of Louisiana Monroe unveils a new virtual campus tour compel prospective students. ULM’s Director of Digital Recruitment and Analytics Trey Wilson says the Take Flight link can be found on the school’s homepage and it features two components. First a general information area, where visitors can link to all ULM departments and degree programs, and a feature video about them…
Cut 10 (07) “…graduated from here.”
The new virtual campus tour was developed by Student-Bridge, a higher education recruiting services and solutions company.

The use of a Glock or auto switches in firearms is a growing danger and law enforcement want legislation prohibiting their use. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A five-year-old In Jennings died as a result of a gunshot wound yesterday. Jennings Police say the gunshot was not self-inflicted and a firearm was recovered at the scene. There were a total of five children in the home and an adult. More details are expected to be released later today.

The University of Louisiana Monroe has a new interactive recruitment tool that gives prospective students an easy way to access the campus without physically visit the school. Director of Digital Recruitment Trey Wilson says to access the virtual tour, click on the Take Flight link on the website of the school’s homepage and there’s also an interactive map that can be useful for current students…
cut 11 (09) “…on campus”

Reports say the Saints are keeping Pete Carmichael as the team’s offensive coordinator. Host of the Locked On Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says the news comes as a surprise after the team averaged just 19 points per game, but the franchise must believe better play at quarterback will lead to better results….
cut 14 (12) “…..that box”