A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

The new law will go into effect on January 1^st.

Seventy-five-year-old Loretta Wiley has received a Master’s degree in counseling from Louisiana Tech. Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Cut 8 (12) “…me on target.”

Wiley also serves as a substitute teacher in Bossier Parish and will explore new opportunities through counseling or mentoring.

After years of receiving “D” and “F” grades, Louisiana has received a “C” grade on R Street’s latest insurance regulation report card. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) reports the higher grade is the result of improvements to the state’s regulatory environment…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy was one of several senators who met with President Donald Trump about the One Big Beautiful Bill that needs Senate approval…

Cut 30 (12) “…deficit”

Since 2013, the state has received “D” and “F” grades from the R Street Insurance Regulation Report Card. But this year the state received a “C” grade. The report attributes Louisiana’s increased rating to improvements in the state’s insurance regulatory environment and expansion of the Louisiana Fortify Homes program…

Cut 11 (07) “….the resiliencies”

That’s Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple who says he’s encouraged by the C grade but there’s still more work to do.

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down legislation that would have provided an exception for pregnant women under the age of 17 to get an abortion if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. The vote was 8 to 3 against. New Orleans Democrat Alonzo Knox gave passionate testimony for the bill. He says government should not be making the decision for a teenager who is pregnant because of a sexual assault.

Cut 14 (10) “…monster’s child.”

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Pope Leo the 14^th has appointed Reverend Simon Peter Engurait, a priest at the Dicoese of Houma-Thibodaux and current diocesan administrator, as the Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. Father Engurait is from Uganda and studied at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained as a priest in 2013 and since 2017 he’s served as pastor of Saint Bridge parish in Schriever.

Using a hand-held cell phone while driving will soon be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A bill that effectively bans local governments from using speed cameras is heading to the governor’s desk. There are some exceptions, ticket writing speed cameras can be used in school zones and the town of Opelousas is exempted from the new law that will go into effect August 1^st.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape.

After receiving D and F grades since 2013, Louisiana has received a C grade in a report that looks at Insurance Regulation. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says it’s a sign the state is moving in the right direction when it comes to insurance reform and insurance companies will take note of this improved grade…

Cut 12 (10) “…do considered”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has approved licensing of ten new homeowners’ insurers in the state since early 2024.

After years of receiving “D” and “F” grades, Louisiana has received a “C” grade on R Street’s latest insurance regulation report card. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) reports the higher grade is the result of improvements to the state’s regulatory environment…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Forty-two-thousand students in Louisiana took the ACT in 2024 and the average score was 17.7. The national average ACT score last year was 19.4. St. Tammany Parish had the highest average ACT score, followed by West Feliciana, Ascension, Vernon, Lincoln and Livingston Parishes.

Starting January 1^st, Louisiana drivers can be ticketed for handling their cell phone while driving because of legislation approved by the Louisiana Legislature. It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation that would be an additional fine. Triple-A’s Don Redman says after several years of trying to pass this law, it will finally go on the books on January 1^st…

Cut 6 (09) “…a big concern.”

Seventh-five-year-old Loretta Wiley received her master’s degree in counseling and guidance with a specialization in human services at Louisiana Tech. In all, Wiley’s gap in her Master’s program lasted more than ten years. As such, while she was able to carry over a small handful of credit hours she had previously earned, she had to take most of her core courses over again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the courses over.”

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would make it illegal starting at the first of the year to handle a handheld cell phone while driving. AAA’s Don Redman says the legislation is designed to cut down on distracted driving…

Cut 5 (15) “…a huge distraction”

It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he or she notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation that would be an additional fine.

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd’s effort to create an exception to the state’s near total ban on abortion fails to get out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. For the third year in a row Boyd, authored legislation to legalize abortions in cases where rape and incest led to a pregnancy of a girl 17 and younger…

Cut 15 (10) “….that choice”

The bill was defeated in committee on an eight to three vote.

In a sign that Louisiana’s insurance crisis may be easing. The state has earned its highest grade and rank since 2013 on the R Street Institute’s Insurance Regulation Report. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state has received D and F grades every year since 2013, but this year Louisiana received “C” grade.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the ranking.”

The report attributes Louisiana’s higher grade to improvements in the regulatory environment and the expansion of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75….

Cut 7 (11) “…me their support.”

Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Using a hand-held cell phone while driving will soon be illegal in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana received a “C” grade on R Street’s insurance regulation report card, ranking 39th in the country. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1, with Oil City Republican Danny McCormick casting the lone “no” vote. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

Redman says cell phone use while driving has become a major problem – not just in Louisiana, but everywhere.

Cut 5 (15) “…a huge distraction.”

It’s important to note that being caught handling a cell phone while driving will be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer will not pull you over for that offense alone. But if he notices a driver handling a cell phone while committing another moving violation, such as speeding or running a red light, that would be an additional fine. Redman says it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Cut 6 (09) “…a big concern.”

There will be a getting-used-to period before officers start issuing fines after the first of the year.

________________________________________________________

A Bossier Parish woman is living proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. Loretta Wiley walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree in counseling and guidance – at the age of 75. Faculty and fellow graduates gave Wiley a standing ovation as she walked across the stage at graduation, and Wiley says she’s very grateful.

Cut 7 (11) “…me their support.”

Wiley started the program back in 2006, but life circumstances forced her away from the classroom two years later. Her desire to complete the program never wavered; and she went back to school following the death of her husband.

Cut 8 (12) “…me on target.”

In all, Wiley’s gap in her Master’s program lasted more than ten years. As such, while she was able to carry over a small handful of credit hours she had previously earned, she had to take most of her core courses over again.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the courses over.”

The whole time, Wiley was serving as a substitute teacher at Bossier Parish Schools. She plans to continue substitute teaching while exploring new opportunities through counseling or mentoring.

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Louisiana earned its highest grade and rank since 2013 on the R Street Institute’s annual report. Louisiana received a “C” on its report card evaluating the effectiveness of the state’s regulation and property and casualty insurance, ranking 39th in the nation. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the improvement shows regulatory reforms made last legislative session are working.

Cut 10 (07) “…on the ranking.”

Temple and the report credited reforms to the process for rate changes as well as the ongoing Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. The program helps to provide fortified roofs for Louisiana homeowners, limiting insurance claims.

Cut 11 (07) “…the resiliencies.”

In addition to showing that the state is trending in the right direction, Temple says the grade can influence insurance companies in the future.

Cut 12 (10) “…do consider.”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good.”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape.

New Orleans Democrat Alonzo Knox gave passionate testimony for the bill. He says government should not be making the decision for a teenager who is pregnant because of a sexual assault.

Cut 14 (10) “…monster’s child.”

New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd is the author of the legislation, and it’s the third time she’s brought this bill before state lawmakers. It’s personal to Boyd as well, because her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on an eight to three vote.

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LSU will host West Virginia in the Super Regional round of the NCAA baseball tournament this weekend. The Mountaineers went 3-and-0 in the Clemson regional with a 9-6 victory over 11-seed Clemson and two narrow comeback wins against Kentucky. Voice of the Mountaineers Andrew Caridi says it’s an experienced group.

Cut 16 (16) “…pretty good season.”

WVU shares the load offensively with five players batting over .300. A tight-knit group, Caridi says the team was excited for the atmosphere in Clemson, and a trip to Baton Rouge will be another step up.

Cut 17 (12)  “…get to competing.”

West Virginia is 44-and-14 under first-year head coach Steve Sabins, who spent nine years as an assistant in Morgantown. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says he considered targeting Sabins for his own coaching staff, and he isn’t underestimating the Mountaineers.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to win.”

After 7 of 16 hosts failed to advance to Super Regionals, LSU is the betting favorite to win a College World Series title. The SEC sent a record 13 teams to the NCAA tournament this year, but only four have made it to the second weekend. Johnson, though, doesn’t doubt the quality of the nation’s top teams.

Cut 19 (18) “…by a mile.”

Game one of the best-of-three series is set for 1:00 Saturday.

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is headed to Governor Landry’s desk. This, after the House gave its final approval on a vote of 94-to-1. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says this is something that the auto club has been pushing for for years. He says making phone calls has practically become a secondary use of cell phones while in vehicles.

Cut 4 (10) “…conference calls, shopping.”

The House Education Committee advances a bill that would pave the way for public schools to give mental health screenings to K-through-12 students, but not without concern. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee says she’s concerned that schools would have too much authority over students’ sensitive health data.

Cut 10 (14) “…can’t unsee it.”

Despite those concerns, the committee passed it on a vote of 10-to-one.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes against legislation that would have allowed a girl under 17 to seek an abortion if her pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Republicans and Democrats voted “no” on the bill, including Monroe Democrat Patricia Moore….

Cut 13 (08)  “…good”

Moore says this issue weighs heavily on her, because her own mother was 14 when she gave birth to her and the pregnancy was the result of a rape. That was also the case with the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd – her mother was raped as a minor and gave birth to her.

Cut 15 (10) “…that choice.”

The bill was defeated in committee on a vote of eight to three.