Today, legislative leaders and the governor’s office are slated to meet to discuss the possibility of holding a special session next month to address the state’s property insurance woes and how to bring new insurers here, but a North Louisiana lawmaker has questions. Since 2021 up to twenty insurance companies have either left or gone insolvent. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland…:
Cut 4 (09) “up to $45-million”
The matter was originally set to be addressed in the regular session that begins in April, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the state can’t wait that long.

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest amid allegations he harassed the mother of his child and set her home on fire. 30 year old Christian King is booked with simple arson, violation of protective orders and simple criminal damage to property. Firefighters say the victim’s doorbell camera shows King dousing the home with gas before lighting it.

The price to rent a home hit record highs in 2022 due to low supply and high demand, according to the rental listing web platform Dwellsy. But the site’s co-founder Jonas Bordo says new apartment complexes are coming which should cause median rents to go down…:
CUT 11 (06) “to a lot of people”
Bordo says Dwellsy feels inflation will ease over the coming months and rental prices will ease with it.

The price at the pump keeps creeping higher. AAA says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is up three cents from yesterday to $3.03. That’s up 10 cents from the prior week. Analysts say the short days and messy weather of January are keeping people off the roads which lowers demand causing gas prices to go up.

Legislative leaders are meeting today to discuss the possibility of a special session to entice property insurance companies to the state. But one lawmaker has questions. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has discovered five additional suspected cases of chronic wasting disease in deer in Tensas Parish. Kace Kieschnick has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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2022 saw record-breaking high rental prices in Louisiana, but what might this year bring for renters? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Legislative leaders and the governor’s office are meeting today to discuss the possibility of holding a special session to entice more property insurers to write policies in Louisiana. Since 2021 up to twenty insurance companies have either left or gone insolvent. But Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says not so fast.

Cut 4 (09)  “…up to $45-million.”

Last month Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne and Senate President Page Cortez were leaning towards addressing the matter during the regular session in April, but Insurance Commissioner Jay Donelon says the state can’t wait that long. McFarland questions if the proposal will benefit existing insurance companies.

Cut 5 (08) “…significantly increase.”

The north Louisiana Republican questions why they should be called in to address the issue when they haven’t for other markets, like the trucking industry when very few companies would even write policies in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (12)  “…insurance program.” 

If called it’s expected the session will be held in early February to avoid conflicts with the height of carnival season.

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Five additional suspected cases of chronic wasting disease have been discovered in deer harvested by hunters on private land in Tensas Parish. This comes after a second case of CWD was confirmed last month. The first CWD-positive case in Tensas Parish was confirmed in January of last year, and the area has been under heightened surveillance since a case was found in Issaquena County, Mississippi, in 2018. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is working on zeroing in on the outbreak…

Cut 7 (12) “…infection in deer.”

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease caused by an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and it is 100 percent fatal to deer after an indeterminate incubation period. Infected deer may show signs of weight loss, salivation, frequent drinking and urination, and a lack of fear of people. CWD has not been found to be contagious to humans, but the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization recommend against human consumption of deer known to be positive. LaCour says the LDWF provides free testing for hunters across the state…

Cut 8 (08)  “…prior to consumption.”

Testing is performed on the brainstem and lymph nodes of the head, meaning the head and five inches or more of the neck may be removed and submitted to the LDWF for testing, and hunters may remove the antlers and skull plate prior to testing if desired. LaCour says coolers will be placed throughout the CWD Control Area for hunters to submit samples, and testing results across the state will be posted on the LDWF website. LaCour hopes efforts of hunters and biologists across the state will help to manage the spread of the disease…

Cut 9 (12)  “…throughout Louisiana.”

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2022 saw record-breaking high rents, plus very high demand and often-low supply. Jonas Bordo, co-founder of renters’ resource website “Dwellsy.com,” says rentals in Louisiana are a mixed bag. In New Orleans and Baton Rouge, 2 and 3 bedroom home rentals are up as much as 20-percent for 2022, but apartment rents have gone down slightly. Bordo says he expects to see rentals drop some over the coming year, as more and more rental properties come online…:

Cut 10 (09)  “…for this country.”

Bordo says, because so many new apartment complexes will be coming available for rents, consumers should expect to see median rents go down…:

Cut 11 (06)  “…to a lot of people.”

Bordo says apartment rentals tend to be lower the farther one gets from I-10. Shreveport rents, for instance, are considerably less than in New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Lafayette…:

Cut 12 (11) “…about $950 there.”

Bordo says Dwellsy feels inflation will ease over the coming months and rental prices will ease with it.

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Xavier University is partnering with Ochsner Health in creating a new college of medicine. University President Reynold Verret says the partnership will help create a strong physician pipeline to address inequities in healthcare.

Cut 13 (07)  “…physicians in the U.S.”

Verret says Xavier, the only historically Black and Catholic University in the county, is grounded in the premise of social justice.

Cut 14 (09)  “…serve this country.”

This isn’t the first partnership between the two institutions, in the 1980s Ochsner offered clinical training spots for Xavier pharmacy students. Verret says together they can increase the number of Black physicians and better serve the healthcare needs of marginalized populations.

Cut 15 (08)  “…the world.”

The university’s pre-med program has the distinction of sending more Black students to medical school than any other college. Xavier’s College of Medicine will be the fifth Black medical school in the country.

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Running back John Emery is coming back for a fifth season at LSU. Many thought the former five-star prospect would turn pro, but Emery did not submit his name for the NFL draft prior to Monday’s deadline. LSU beat reporter for Bengal Tiger On Three, Shea Dixon, says Emery has not had the college career many expected coming out of Destrehan High School…

Cut  16 (15)  “…academic suspension” 

Emery did not play in 2021 and returned this past season to rush for 375 yards and six touchdowns. He also had two touchdown catches. Dixon says with Emery’s return that means LSU’s top five rushers from 2022 plan to play for the Tigers in 2023…

Cut 17 (27) “…starting running back'” 

Dixon says Emery will look to improve his draft stock by coming back for a fifth season…

Cut 18 (13) “…many times.” 

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The LSU men’s basketball team was blown out by No. 4 Alabama over the weekend in a 106-66 loss to the Crimson Tide. The Tigers kept it within 4 for the first 7 minutes of play before Alabama jumped out on a 10-nothing run and were up 37 by halftime. Coach Matt McMahon says there were little-to-no positives for the Tigers Saturday, but what matters now is their response…

Cut 19 (20) “…player’s response.”

The Tigers’ biggest struggle of the season so far has been creating production offensively. LSU ranks 11^th in the SEC in points per game and 10^th in shooting percentage. McMahon says the Tigers will need to look to more than just half-court sets if they want to create offense in the SEC…

Cut 20 (19)  “…to help us.” 

The state’s Republican Party advises Congressman Garret Graves to stay out of the Governor’s race. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

30-year-old Christian King of Baton Rouge is under arrest, after violating a restraining order and setting his ex-girlfriend’s home on fire. Firefighters say the home’s doorbell camera shows him dousing the home with gas and setting it ablaze. He’s been charged with simple arson, violation of protective orders, and simple criminal damage to property it could be bumped to aggravated arson.

Chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task force says the $2.5 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project will devastate the state’s seafood industry. Mitch Jurisich says the project scheduled to begin in March will put him and others out of business permanently.

Cut 3 (11) “…severely impacted.” 
Jurisich says they plan to file a lawsuit against the Corps of Engineers and CPRA to stop the project.

After five years in Lafayette, the prestigious Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off moves this year to Lake Charles and will be held at the city’s Golden Nugget casino and entertainment complex.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Lake Charles is deserving, after fighting its way back from two devastating hurricanes…:

Cut 12 (11) “…your hard work.”

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force says the $2.5 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project will wipe out the state’s seafood industry…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Jurasich is chairman of the task Force.

A Grant Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for malfeasance. GPSO says 39-year-old Billy Gentry III, of Pollock, reportedly used his taser on a person in an unjustifiable manner. He’s also been fired from his job as a deputy.

A very popular annual culinary event, The Great Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off will move this year to Lake Charles, after being held in Lafayette the past 5 years. The vent attracts huge crowds every year, and this year will be held at the Golden Nugget in the L.C. Chef Samantha Carroll is director of the Louisiana Seafood promotion & Marketing Board. She says the cook CAN be a springboard to big things…:

CUT 14(08)      “…television shows.”

Mark your calendar for June 27^th.

State Police say a 17-year-old driver – with no license or insurance – was killed last night in a rear-end crash on I-49 in St. Landry Parish. Trooper Tom Gossen says it’s sad that young Jaquanta Jason was speeding and also not wearing a seat belt. Yet another example of people flouting traffic law…:

CUT 10(09)      “…as well.”

Jason ran into a sugar cane truck and was killed. The other driver was not hurt.

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force says the $2.5 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project will devastate the state’s seafood industry. Task Force chairman Mitch Jurisich says, with less than two months until the project begins, they plan to file legal action…:

CUT 05(10)      “…only option.”

The head of the state’s Republican Party tells Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves to stay out of the race for Governor. On the LAGOP Facebook page, state director Louis Gurvich lays out his case for why Graves should stay in D.C. and not challenge their endorsee Jeff Landry. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says Gurvich is trying to build and maintain a unified GOP front in state elections…:

CUT 06(09)      “…only one Republican.”

So far, Congressman Graves has not responded, nor declared if he will run.

State Police are investigating a two-vehicle rear-end collision on I-49 in St. Landry Parish last night that killed an unlicensed 17-year-old driver. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Jaquanta Jason of Washington was traveling at a high rate of speed..:

CUT 09(10)      “…coroner’s office.

Jason reportedly ran into the back of a big rig. That driver is OK. The crash is under investigation.

The prestigious Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off moves this year to Lake Charles, after calling Lafayette home for 5 years. The state’s Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board is under Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s office. He says selecting Lake Charles as the new location was easy-peasy…:

CUT 13(12)      “…excited about it.”

This year’s event will be June 27^th at the Golden Nugget in L.C.

The head of the Louisiana Republican Party advises Congressman Garret Graves to stay out of the race for Governor this fall. On the party’s Facebook page LAGOP chairman Louis Gurvich says (quote) “I believe he would be making a terrible mistake by leaving Congress for the governor’s mansion.” Political analyst Roy Fletcher says he feels the state GOP wants to circumvent the spirit of Louisiana’s Open Primary system, which he feels is as viable now as it was when first implemented…:

CUT 08(09)      “…in the Big Dance.”

So far, no response from Congressman Graves.

State Police are investigating a rear-end crash on I-49 last night that killed a 17-year-old teen, who was speeding, had no license and was not wearing a seatbelt; a trifecta of bad ideas. Trooper Tom Gossen says the victim is Jaquanta Jason of Washington, who drove into the back of a big rig…:

CUT 11(07)      “…with her.”

After 5 years in Lafayette, the prestigious Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off moves this year to Lake Charles. The next annual event will be held at the city’s Golden Nugget casino and entertainment complex. Speaking at the Golden Nugget this morning, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Lake Charles is deserving, after fighting its way back from two devastating hurricanes…:

CUT 12(11)      “…your hard work.”

The search is on now for a field of competing chefs to see whose seafood cuisine reigns supreme. The Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, a division of Nungesser’s office, holds the annual cook-off which attracts huge crowds year after year and helps promote quality Louisiana Seafood to the nation and the world.

A Baton Rouge couple are under arrest in California after cops found them in possession of a large amount of weed; over 200 pounds. Andrew Williams and Chantal Knox, both 32, are charged with possession with intent to distribute by police in Redding, CA.

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force says the $2.5 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project will wipe out the state’s seafood industry…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest, after violating a restraining order to set his ex-girlfriend’s home on fire. Firefighters say the home’s doorbell camera caught 30-year-old Christian King in the act of dousing the home with gas and setting it alight. He’s been charged with simple arson, violation of protective orders, and simple criminal damage to property.

The head of the Louisiana Republican Party advises Congressman Garret Graves to stay out of the race for Governor this fall. On the party’s Facebook page LAGOP chairman Louis Gurvich lays out a case for why Graves is a greater asset to Louisiana in D.C. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says Graves doubtlessly has also considered these points, and also his own ability to raise needed campaign cash…:

CUT 07(11)      “…into consideration.”

Graves is keeping mum for now.

State Police are investigating a two-vehicle wreck on Interstate 49 last night in St. Landry Parish that killed an unlicensed 17-year-old driver. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Jaquanta Jason of Washington was speeding and not wearing a seatbelt; something they see all too often…:

CUT 10(09)      “…as well.”

The head of the state Republican Party advises Congressman Garret Graves to stay out of the race for Governor this fall. On the party’s Facebook page LAGOP chairman Louis Gurvich says (quote) “I believe he would be making a terrible mistake by leaving Congress for the governor’s mansion.” Political analyst Roy Fletcher says Gurvich is trying to build and maintain a unified GOP front in state elections…:

CUT 06(09)      “…only one Republican.”

The article also asks why endanger all already invested in electing Jeff Landry this fall for “one congressman’s ego.” Fletcher feels this flies in the face of Louisiana’s Open Primary system. No response as yet from Congressman Graves.

Students have returned to class at Lafayette High today, after a bomb threat caused the whole school to be evacuated this morning. The threat was made via Twitter. The bomb squad used to bomb dogs to sweep and called the all clear at about 10:30. Lafayette Police says they will find out who sent the threat.

State Police say an unrestrained teen died in a crash last night on I-49 in St. Landry Parish Trooper Thomas Gossen says Jaquanta Jason, of Washington, was driving without a license and traveling at a high rate of speed…:

CUT 09(10)      “…coroner’s office.”

He says, sadly, no license, no insurance and no seatbelts are common infractions seen among motorists.

…and now a look at today’s markets….