Motorists who have State Farm could see a slight increase in their premiums. The Louisiana Insurance Department has approved a statewide rate increase of four percent.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 9.6 percent decrease in rates that State Farm put into place last year is no longer justified as the nation begins more travel out of the pandemic.

Cut 4 (12) “…2019.” 

The rate increase went into effect on April 5^th.

Department of Transportation has completed debris removal in Louisiana after the state was heavily impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta last season. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says they began removal at the end of August.

Cut 6 (11) “…hurricane debris”

The FDA says it’s working to ban the sale of menthol-flavored cigarettes, which make up a third of the cigarette market and are disproportionately used by Black Americans. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawa Shields says in Black communities, the makers of menthol promote discounts to entice users…

Cut 14 (10) “…communities.”
The use of menthol in cigarettes gives the tobacco a more appealing taste.

Motorists who have State Farm could see a slight increase in their premiums. The Louisiana Insurance Department has approved a statewide rate increase of four percent. Last June, State Farm lowered rates by an average of 10-percent. So what changed? Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says more vehicles on the road…

Cut 3 (09)  “…as well” 

The adjusted auto rates in Louisiana went into effect on April 5th.

The UNO Survey Research Center finds registered voters are divided on whether returning college students should be required to receive covid vaccines. Director Ed Chervenak says 46-percent of the nearly 700 said yes, another 46-percent said no, and eight percent undecided. The survey highlights a striking generational divide with only 35% of young adults compared to 65% of seniors saying students should be vaccinated before returning to classes in person.

Cut 8 (03) “…covid vaccination” 

The FDA’s announcement they plan to ban menthol cigarettes has garnered praise among public health advocates. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawna Shields says it’s a huge step in ending the marketing of highly addictive cigarette additives towards the Black community.

Cut 13 (08) “…Big Tobacco.”
Shields says tobacco companies tend to place more cigarette and cigar retailers in heavily populated Black communities.

A Market Dynamic Research Group survey finds more than half of recent visitors to Louisiana say it was a movie or TV show featuring the Bayou State that inspired their trip. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says not only are productions a visual postcard of the state, but they also offer employment opportunities.

Cut 11 (10) “…electricians.”

The White House says President Joe Biden will visit Lake Charles and New Orleans on Thursday as part of his Getting America Back on Track Tour. The President is expected to discuss his American Jobs Plan which would spend a couple of trillion dollars on improving the country’s infrastructure.

A new survey finds more than 60-percent of tourists say they are more likely to visit a place if they saw it on the silver or small screen. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Senate Finance Committee meets at 9:30 today and on the agenda is a bill that calls for a referendum election in St. Tammany Parish to determine if voters want a proposed 250-million dollar casino resort in Slidell. Advocate Reporter and author of Bad Bet on the Bayou, The Rise in Gambling and the Fall of Edwin Edwards, Tyler Bridges, expect an interesting hearing…
cut 6 (07) “….turn out”
Bridges says religious groups are lobbying hard against this legislation.

The Food and Drug Administration has announced plans they plan on banning menthol in cigarettes. Anti-smoking advocates applaud the move. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawna Shields says the use of menthol in cigarettes gives the tobacco a more appealing taste…
Cut 15 (06)“…smokers.”
For free counseling to quit smoking visit QuitWithUsLA.org

The UNO Survey Research Center finds registered voters are divided on whether returning college students should be required to receive covid vaccines. Director Ed Chervenak says respondents are just as likely to say yes as to say no.
Cut 7 (08) “…in person”
46-percent of the nearly 700 respondents said yes, another 46-percent said no.

Will the Senate Finance Committee say yes or no to a bill that would allow St. Tammany Parish voters to decide if they want a 250-million dollar casino in Slidell. Advocate Reporter Tyler Bridges says the measure passed out of one committee when Norco Senator Gary Smith made the tie-breaking vote…
cut 4 (09) “….in Slidell”
The Senate Finance committee is scheduled to hear the bill at 9:30 today.

The FDA says it’s working to ban the sale of menthol-flavored cigarettes, which make up a third of the cigarette market and are disproportionately used by Black Americans. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawa Shiles says in Black communities, the makers of menthol promote discounts to entice users…
cut 14 (10) “…communities”
The use of menthol in cigarettes gives the tobacco a more appealing taste.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a new study finds that about half of the state’s recent visitors were motivated to come to Louisiana after watching a film or TV show that featured the Bayou State. Nungesser says as more people begin to travel again and states compete for visitors, he says luring movie productions to the state is just another way to promote tourism
Cut 12 (12) “…stay open.”

The legislative effort to bring a riverboat casino to Slidell is scheduled for a key vote today. Taylor Sharp has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Taylor Sharp.”

The United Cajun Navy has suspended its search efforts for the seven remaining missing Seacor crewmen. In a Facebook Post, the volunteer group says it has been a long and exhausting search effort and they did their part to assist. The NTSB is investigating the capsizing of the Secor Power and an initial report is expected later this month.

The FDA’s decision to ban menthol cigarettes has garnered praise among public health advocates. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawna Shields says its a huge step in ending the marketing of highly addictive cigarette additives towards the Black community.
Cut 13 (08) “…Big Tobacco.”
Shields says tobacco companies tend to place more cigarette and cigar retailers in heavily populated Black communities.

The UNO Survey Research Center finds that 46-percent of the respondents support the idea of requiring college students to be vaccinated when they return to school next fall and 46-percent say it should not be a requirement. UNO’s S-R-C Director Doctor Ed Chervenak says nearly 60-percent of blacks believe college students should be required to get the COVID vaccine…
cut 9 (07) “….less so”

A Market Dynamic Research Group survey finds about half of recent visitors to Louisiana say it was a movie or TV show featuring Louisiana that inspired their trip to the Bayou State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says that translates to $2.5 billion in tourism revenue.
Cut 10 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

The Senate Finance committee is scheduled to hear Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt’s legislation today that would give St. Tammany Parish residents the opportunity to vote on whether they want a casino in Slidell. Peninsula Pacific Entertainment wants to build the 250-million dollar casino resort. Advocate Reporter Tyler Bridges says Slidell religious leaders are lobbying hard against the legislation…….
cut 5 (12) “…broken families”
The meeting begins at 9:30.

The FDA’s decision to ban menthol cigarettes in the U-S could have sweeping impacts on smoking rates and even a greater effect in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he would not have a problem if Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is removed as a committee chairman for his comments regarding slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Only one LSU Tiger was selected last night as wide receiver Terrace Marshall Junior was picked by the Panthers in the 2nd round and he’ll rejoin former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who is the offensive coordinator in Carolina.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that this was to be expected.

Cut 9 (06) “..identified yet”

The first-ever Spring version of the State Fair is underway in Shreveport. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th fair they decided to host two this year.  And if all goes well, this could be the new norm.

Cut 8 (05) “…each year.”

In addition to the staple events and attractions, you find at the fall fair at the spring event visitors can also ice skate in the coliseum when the Mudbugs aren’t playing. The fair runs until May 9th

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana.  The CDC says the Brazilian COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and carries a higher risk of severe disease. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s likely there are other variants to be discovered.

Cut 11 (07) “more variants”

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to spend 230-million dollars from the American Rescue plan to repay loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…

Cut 4 (09) “…has lagged.” 

The legislature must approve the governor’s spending plan.

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says their timing couldn’t have been better, the same week the governor partially lifted the mask mandate and capacity restrictions.

Cut 7 (09) “…exciting.”

Instead of canceling last fall due to the pandemic they moved the event to spring and will host two fairs this year.

The Saints continue to focus on defense in the NFL draft as they selected two more players on that side of the ball. In the 2nd round. New Orleans picked Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner, who was a first-team All-Big ten performer in 2020. He led the Buckeyes in tackles and forced two fumbles. The fourth round of the draft will begin today at 11 AM.