Louisiana has the second-highest auto insurance rates in the nation and several bills have been filed for the upcoming session that attempts to lower rates. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has filed bills that would prohibit the calculating of insurance rates based on credit score and gender over the age of 25. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposes those measures…
Cut 5 (09) “…am for credit.”
Real Reform Louisiana points out that a person with a D-W-I on their record and a high credit rating actually pays less for insurance than a person with a clean record and a low credit score.

The lone survivor in the December plane crash in Lafayette that killed five people, including sports journalist Carley McCord has been released from the hospital after 52 days. Wade Berzas will continue his rehabilitation while living at home.

Louisiana’s Presidential Primary is April 4th and a leader in the state Democratic Party expects the race will still be competitive…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering 5,000 dollars for information that would help them catch the person who fatally shot an endangered whooping crane in Jefferson Davis Parish. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck…
Cut 13 (07) “…gunshot wound.”
Einck says anyone with information should contact the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline.

A struggling LSU basketball team will welcome 10th ranked Kentucky to the PMAC tonight. The Tigers have lost three of their last four as they’ve allowed their opponents to make a bunch of three-point shots and beat LSU on the offensive glass. Coach Will Wade says his team will need to tighten up
Cut 16 (22) …screening”
The Tigers have fallen out of the Top 25, but a win tonight and they will move back into a first-place tie with the Wildcats in the SEC. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Before tonight’s LSU hoops game, the 11th ranked Tigers baseball squad will host crosstown foe Southern at five o’clock. The Jaguars beat LSU for just the third time in 58 meetings last year.

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he has leverage when asked about the upcoming NFL draft. The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to select Burrow with the top pick and the Heisman Trophy winner says they have their process and he has his process. But Burrow did not elaborate on those comments.

LSU football has agreed to a home-and-home series in 2031 and 2032 with Utah. Salt Lake City will welcome Tiger fans in 2031 and the PAC-12 school will return the trip the next year. LSU and Utah have only met twice on the gridiron and the Tigers won both games in 1974 and 1976.

Northwestern State has placed football coach Brad Laird on administrative leave for one week following his D-W-I arrest on Saturday night in Natchitoches. Laird has released a statement that says he regrets the poor decision he made getting behind the wheel while intoxicated and apologizes to everyone he unknowingly put at risk.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in higher auto insurance rates after a woman’s husband dies is not quite what it appears…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Cops say they’ve arrested two men and searching for three others that allegedly robbed two LSU students at gunpoint inside their dorm room. Authorities say the five men were there under the guise to play video games. The thieves allegedly took iPhones, a Sony PlayStation controller and the keys to a 2019 Honda Accord that was eventually recovered.

The 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination process is rolling along and Louisiana Democrats will get a chance to pick their candidate April 4th. State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s a closed primary, which means only Democrats can vote in it. If you’re not a Democrat though, you can always join the party…
Cut 10 (08) “…election.”
The deadline to register is March 4th in person, or March 14th online.

A state audit alleges that a former fire chief in Webster Parish may have violated state law by paying himself excess compensation and purchasing auto parts for personal use. State auditor Roger Harris says they also believe Billy Rasberry Junior held two government jobs at once, which is against state law….
cut 9 (11) “…..deputy sheriff”
Rasberry’s attorney denies many of the claims made in the audit, including the allegation he violated state law by holding dual government positions.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in women whose husbands pass away receiving an auto insurance rate increase, isn’t quite what it appears.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. over paid himself during a two-year period. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana Democrats get to cast their ballot in the highly competitive presidential primary April 4^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says when it comes to auto insurance rates, there’s no such thing as a so-called “widow’s penalty,”  A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit a person’s auto insurance rate from going up just because their spouse dies. Donelon told the Baton Rouge Press Club that such a penalty doesn’t exist…

Cut 4 (12) “…if you’re married.”

Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau has introduced legislation in the Senate aiming to end the practice of raising rates on people who are widowed. Luneau also has bills that would prohibit the calculating of insurance rates based on credit score and gender over the age of 25. But Donelon opposes those measures…

Cut 5 (09)  “…am for credit.”

Real Reform Louisiana claims a person with a DWI and a high credit rating pays less for insurance than a person with a clean record but low credit score.

Legislation has also been filed addressing the so-called “Patriot Penalty.” Deployed military members who cancel or allow their auto insurance to lapse are forced to pay higher auto rates when they return home because there was a gap in their coverage. Donelon says current law allows for insurance companies to charge a premium to anyone with a gap in coverage.

Cut 6 (08) “gap in coverage.”
____________________________

A state audit alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. used taxpayer money to give himself an unauthorized 24-thousand dollars in extra compensation between January 2017 and March 2019.  Assistant Legislative Auditor Roger Harris says Raspberry also received an unauthorized 75-hundred dollar raise and they found evidence he received overtime pay that was not warranted…

Cut 7 (10) “…was also overtime.”

Harris says there were also over $1,700 in purchases for personal use.

Cut 8 (08) “…fit district vehicles.”

The purchases took place from June 2016 to May 2018.  Because Raspberry used the District’s tax exempt status, he failed to pay at least $185 in sales taxes on personal purchases.

Harris says they also believe Rasberry held two government jobs at the same time from July 2017 to March 2018, which is against state law…

Cut 9 (11) “…deputy sheriff.″

Rasberry’s attorney denies many of the claims made in the audit, including the allegation he violated state law by holding dual government positions.

____________________

The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary is rolling along and Louisiana Democrats will get a chance to pick their candidate April 4^th.

State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s a closed primary, which means only Democrats can vote in it. If you’re not a Democrat though, you can always join the party…

Cut 10 (08) “…election.”

The deadline to register either for the first time, or to change your party registration is March 4^th in person, or March 14^th online.

A little over a third of all delegates will be awarded by the time Louisianans vote, but Handwerk says the packed, highly competitive field means the race will still very much be in contention by April.

Cut 11 (10) “…races”

There are no Louisiana Primary polls at the moment, but nationally the race remains tight with Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead, followed by Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg.

The Democratic primary began with a widely panned Iowa Caucus that was criticized for severe mismanagement. Handwerk says that won’t be the case in Louisiana, which is not a caucus state.

Cut 12 (09) “…precints”

Republicans will also be voting in their primary April 4^th. The GOP so far has seen sky-high turnout for a primary during an incumbents turn.

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering 5,000 dollars for information that would help them catch the person who shot a Jefferson Davis parish whooping crane dead last year.

LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they received reports someone shot an endangered whooping crane late last year, and their fears were confirmed after combing the area.

Cut 13 (07) “…gunshot wound.”

Anyone with information should call 1-800-442-2511

The 5,000 comes courtesy of 2,500 from LDWF, 1,000 each from the LDWF Operation Game Thief Program and Whooping Crane Conservation Association, and 500 from the International Crane Foundation.

Cut 14 (08) “…for this case.”

Whooping cranes are the world’s most endangered crane species.

Einck says it’s a tragic killing of a native bird that is being reintroduced back into the state after a long hiatus. He says there are only an estimated 76 whooping cranes in Louisiana right now.

Cut 15 (09) “…admire it.”

Whooping cranes disappeared from Louisiana in 1950 and were first reintroduced into the wild in 2011 from birds found in other states. This bird was released into the wild in 2018.

__________________________________________

A struggling LSU basketball team will welcome 10th ranked Kentucky to the PMAC tonight. The Tigers have lost three of their last four as they’ve allowed their opponents to make a bunch of three-point shots and beat LSU on the offensive glass. Coach Will Wade says his team will need to tighten up

Cut 16  (22)  …screening”  

LSU has allowed 42 offensive rebounds in their last three games. Wade says it will take a team effort to keep their opponents from getting second-chance opportunities….

Cut 17  (20) “what happens” 

LSU won its first eight SEC games this season, but have lost three of their last four. Wade doesn’t think the Tigers have become a bad team…

cut 18  (25) “defensive side”   

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the so-called “widow’s penalty” that results in women whose husbands pass away receiving an auto insurance rate increase, isn’t quite what it appears.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. over paid himself during a two-year period. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana Democrats get to cast their ballot in the highly competitive presidential primary April 4^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says when it comes to auto insurance rates, there’s no such thing as a so-called “widow’s penalty,”  A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit a person’s auto insurance rate from going up just because their spouse dies. Donelon told the Baton Rouge Press Club that such a penalty doesn’t exist…

Cut 4 (12) “…if you’re married.”

Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau has introduced legislation in the Senate aiming to end the practice of raising rates on people who are widowed. Luneau also has bills that would prohibit the calculating of insurance rates based on credit score and gender over the age of 25. But Donelon opposes those measures…

Cut 5 (09)  “…gap in coverage.”

Real Reform Louisiana claims a person with a DWI and a high credit rating pays less for insurance than a person with a clean record but low credit score.

Legislation has also been filed addressing the so-called “Patriot Penalty.” Deployed military members who cancel or allow their auto insurance to lapse are forced to pay higher auto rates when they return home, because there was a gap in their coverage. Donelon says current law allows for insurance companies to charge a premium to anyone with a gap in coverage.

Cut 6 (08) “the national average.”
____________________________

A state audit alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish, Billy Raspberry, Jr. used taxpayer money to give himself an unauthorized 24-thousand dollars in extra compensation between January 2017 and March 2019.  Assistant Legislative Auditor Roger Harris says Raspberry also received an unauthorized 75-hundred dollar raise and they found evidence he received overtime pay that was not warranted…

Cut 7 (10) “…was also overtime.”

Harris says there were also over $1,700 in purchases for personal use.

Cut 8 (08) “…fit district vehicles.”

The purchases took place from June 2016 to May 2018.  Because Raspberry used the District’s tax exempt status, he failed to pay at least $185 in sales taxes on personal purchases.

Harris says they also believe Rasberry held two government jobs at the same time from July 2017 to March 2018, which is against state law…

Cut 9 (11) “…deputy sheriff.″

____________________

The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary is rolling along and Louisiana Democrats will get a chance to pick their candidate April 4^th.

State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s a closed primary, which means only Democrats can vote in it. If you’re not a Democrat though, you can always join the party…

Cut 10 (08) “…election.”

The deadline to register either for the first time, or to change your party registration is March 4^th in person, or March 14^th online.

A little over a third of all delegates will be awarded by the time Louisianans vote, but Handwerk says the packed, highly competitive field means the race will still very much be in contention by April.

Cut 11 (10) “…races”

There are no Louisiana Primary polls at the moment, but nationally the race remains tight with Senator Bernie Sanders in the lead, followed by Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg.

The Democratic primary began with a widely panned Iowa Caucus that was criticized for severe mismanagement. Handwerk says that won’t be the case in Louisiana, which is not a caucus state.

Cut 12 (09) “…precints”

Republicans will also be voting in their primary April 4^th. The GOP so far has seen sky-high turnout for a primary during an incumbents turn.

_____________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering 5,000 dollars for information that would help them catch the person who shot a Jefferson Davis parish whooping crane dead last year.

LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says they received reports someone shot an endangered whooping crane late last year, and their fears were confirmed after combing the area.

Cut 13 (07) “…gunshot wound.”

Anyone with information should call 1-800-442-2511

The 5,000 comes courtesy of 2,500 from LDWF, 1,000 each from the LDWF Operation Game Thief Program and Whooping Crane Conservation Association, and 500 from the International Crane Foundation.

Cut 14 (08) “…for this case.”

Whooping cranes are the world’s most endangered crane species.

Einck says it’s a tragic killing of a native bird that is being reintroduced back into the state after a long hiatus. He says there are only an estimated 76 whooping cranes in Louisiana right now.

Cut 15 (09) “…admire it.”

Whooping cranes disappeared from Louisiana in 1950 and were first reintroduced into the wild in 2011 from birds found in other states. This bird was released into the wild in 2018.

__________________________________________

A struggling LSU basketball team will welcome 10th ranked Kentucky to the PMAC tonight. The Tigers have lost three of their last four as they’ve allowed their opponents to make a bunch of three-point shots and beat LSU on the offensive glass. Coach Will Wade says his team will need to tighten up

Cut 16  (22)  …screening”  

LSU has allowed 42 offensive rebounds in their last three games. Wade says it will take a team effort to keep their opponents from getting second chance opportunities….

Cut 17  (20) “what happens” 

LSU won its first eight SEC games this season, but have lost three of their last four. Wade doesn’t think the Tigers have become a bad team…

cut 18  (25) “defensive side”   

Lawsuit reform is expected to dominate the upcoming session and the National Federation of Independent Business is backing this year’s effort to lower the jury trial threshold to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says Louisiana’s 50,000 dollar jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation, and that policy emboldens plaintiffs to file more lawsuits, and demand higher damages against businesses.

Cut 7 (07) “…approach.”

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says a single cab pickup truck carrying five people was eastbound when for unknown reasons, it ran off the road to the right and struck a tree, killing one person…

Cut 3 (10)  “…to local hospitals.” 

Raymond played basketball for Holden High School.

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards announced the formation of the Council at the Police Jury’s annual convention. The governor says rural revitalization will be a focus during his next four years in office…

Cut 11 (12) “…rural Louisiana”

Former Bogalusa senator Ben Nevers will serve as chairman of the Council that will have 34 members.

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA Highway 494 and being ejected from his car. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the vehicle was traveling eastbound on 494 when it left the road for an unknown reason and careened into the private residence early this morning.

Cut 12 (09) “reported”

The National Federation of Independent Business has two goals for the upcoming legislative session; lawsuit reform and sales tax collection simplification. The omnibus “tort” reform bill this year would push the jury trial threshold for lawsuits from 50,000 dollars to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says not passing this is not an option.
Cut 6 (12) “that”
71 percent of state NFIB members surveyed support dropping the threshold to 15,000 dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards says many rural towns struggle with poverty, lack of adequate access to healthcare and education, so this council will help identify innovate solutions

Cut 9 (09) “…for success″

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says it was raining when the crash occurred and due to the severity of the wreck, investigators are not sure who was driving in order to perform a toxicology report.

Cut 4 (09) “…prior to impact.”

Scrantz says 16-year-old Nathan Raymond, who died at the scene, was not buckled up. Raymond played basketball for Holden High School. The other four passengers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA highway 494 and being ejected from his car. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says there’s no guarantee that Harville would’ve survived the crash if he was buckled up, but his odds would have been a lot better.

Cut 14 (10) “…on.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says with the increase in small business internet sales, this year is the year for the legislature to move to simplify and centralize sales tax collections. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says it’s begun heavily impacting small businesses who have to jump through hoops to report their taxes.

Cut 8 (09)“…tax”

The NFIB is also backing this year’s omnibus tort reform bill.

A 28-year-old is dead after his vehicle left the road along highway 494, before striking a home and vehicle early this morning. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says Cameron Harville of Natchitoches was not wearing a seatbelt, and so was ejected from the vehicle leading to severe injuries.

Cut 13 (11) “…system”

The town of Holden is mourning death of a 16-year-old who was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Highway 190 in Livingston Parish. Jeff Palermo has more on the crash that also seriously injured four others…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the formation of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization, and tasks the group to submit a strategic plan for breathing new life into rural communities by January 5th, 2021.

Cut 10 (07) “…dual enrollment”

Matt Doyle spoke to The National Federation of Independent Business, who says not lowering the jury trial threshold in the upcoming session is not an option.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The town of Holden is mourning death of a 16-year-old who was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on Highway 190 in Livingston Parish. Jeff Palermo has more on the crash that also seriously injured four others…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

___________________________

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says a single cab pickup truck carrying five people was eastbound when for unknown reasons, it ran off the road to the right and struck a tree, killing one person…

Cut 3 (10)  “…to local hospitals.” 

Scrantz says it was raining when the crash occurred and due to the severity of the wreck, investigators are not sure who was driving in order to perform a toxicology report.

Cut 4 (09) “…prior to impact.”

Scrantz says 16-year-old Nathan Raymond was not buckled up, because he was ejected from the vehicle…

Cut 5 (08)  “…across State Police.”

Raymond played basketball for Holden High School. The other four passengers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

___________________________________________

The National Federation of Independent Business has two goals for the upcoming legislative session; lawsuit reform and sales tax collection simplification.

The omnibus “tort” reform bill this year would push the jury trial threshold for lawsuits from 50,000 dollars to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says not passing this is not an option.

Cut 6 (12) “that”

71 percent of state NFIB members surveyed support dropping the threshold to 15,000 dollars.

Starns says Louisiana’s 50,000 dollar jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation, and that policy emboldens plaintiffs to file more lawsuits, and demand higher damages against businesses.

Cut 7 (07) “…approach.”

The NFIB says 53 percent of all state suits are filed for under 50,000 dollars, allowing plaintiffs to avoid a jury trial.

Sales tax collection reforms have become a growing issue, and Starns says it’s begun heavily impacting small businesses as more of their sales are online.

Cut 8 (09)“…tax”

____________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards says many rural towns struggle with poverty, lack of adequate access to healthcare and  education, so this council will help identify innovate solutions

Cut 9 (09) “…for success″

Former Bogalusa senator Ben Nevers will serve as chairman of the Council that will have 34 members. The governor says he’s asking this group to submit a strategic plan by January 5th, 2021

Cut 10 (07) “…dual enrollment”

Edwards announced the formation of the Council at the Police Jury’s annual convention. The governor says rural revitalization will be a focus during his next four years in office…

Cut 11 (12) “…rural Louisiana”

_______________________________________

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA highway 494 and being ejected from his car.

State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the vehicle was traveling eastbound on 494 when it left the road for an unknown reason and careened into the private residence early this morning.

Cut 12 (09) “reported”

After striking the house and being ejected, Wallace says Harville was recovered by first responders.

Cut 13 (11) “…system”

Wallace says there’s no guarantee that Harville would’ve survived the crash if he was buckled up, but his odds would have been a lot better.

Cut 14 (10) “…on.”