A fiscal legislative session begins Monday, but there are dozens of bills that will be heard that attempt to lower Louisiana’s sky high auto insurance rates. Jared Varnado, the owner of Varnado and Sons Towing in Denham Springs, says his insurance premium increased 30-percent this year…

Cut 6 (07) “…truck per year.”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has heard the concerns and he says legal reform is desperately needed…

Cut 30 (19) “…many other states”

Temple is supporting 20 different insurance reform bills, many of them are direct against trial lawyers. Governor Landry auto insurance reform agenda is a more balanced approach, between the trial lawyers and the insurance companies.

LDWF is hosting the free Get out and Fish event this Saturday. at Turner’s Pond in Minden.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell’s time as a member of the P-S-C will end at the end of 2026 as he’s term limited. The first announced candidate for his seat is Republican state representative Larry Bagley from DeSoto Parish…

Cut 10 (11) “….life in Louisiana”

The legislative session begins on Monday and a major priority for legislators is to pass legislation to lower auto insurance rates. Jake Minner, the director at Bengal Transportation Services in Ascension Parish, says his company’s insurance rates have soared from six-thousand dollars per truck per year to 23 thousand – increasing almost nine times the rate of inflation.

Cut 5 (08) “…ever seen it.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is advocating for the passage of tort reform legislation that would make it harder for people involved in accidents to sue and win big money settlements…

Cut 28 (08) “…twice to litgate”

Temple is pushing legislation directed towards trial lawyers, while Governor Jeff Landry blames both attorneys and insurance companies for Louisiana’s high auto insurance rates.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is supporting a package of bills this session that she says will improve election integrity. One of those bills would boost election commissioner pay…

Cut 9 (16) “….little bit more”

Landry says commissioners generally earn 200 dollars per day, which could last up to 16 hours. House Bill 223 would boost commissioners’ pay by 50 dollars across the board

Spring has arrived and so has prime fishing season! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking adult channel catfish at 17 sites statewide, all to be stocked by next Tuesday. LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says “Get out and Fish” is for everyone to enjoy.

Cut 13 (07)  “…nice big catfish.”

To view the full stocking schedule and find a location near you go to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

Trucking companies are pleading with the legislature to do something about soaring vehicle insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The helicopter that broke apart in midair and crashed in the Hudson River in New York yesterday killing all six people aboard is registered with Meridian Helicopters LLC in Broussard near Lafayette. A family of Spanish tourists, including three children, plus the pilot were killed.

When the legislative session begins Monday, the legislature will consider at least seven bills designed to strengthen elections in the state. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says one of them, Senate Bill 109, is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit foreign funding of a political campaign, whether for or against a candidate or a ballot measure.

Cut 7 (14) “…against a candidate.”

Landry says ten states have enacted such a ban.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has announced he’s running for the Public Service Commission. The DeSoto Parish Republican is seeking to replace Democrat Foster Campbell, who is term limited and 2026 will be his last year in office. While Bagley has announced his candidacy, his main priority is the 2025 legislative session…

Cut 12 (10) “…representative seat”

Trucking companies are pleading with the legislature to do something about soaring vehicle insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The legislature will be considering several bills to strengthen elections in the state. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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LDWF is hosting the free Get out and Fish event this Saturday. at Turner’s Pond in Minden.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Trucking companies are urging the legislature to do something about commercial vehicle insurance rates that are spiraling out of control. Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple say one big driver of the soaring insurance rates is frivolous lawsuits. Jake Minner, the director at Bengal Transportation Services in Ascension Parish, says his company has been hit with very costly frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 4 (10) “…that they’re injured.”

Minner says his company’s insurance rates have soared from six-thousand dollars per truck per year to 23-thousand – increasing almost nine times the rate of inflation.

Cut 5 (08) “…ever seen it.”

Jared Varnado, the owner of Varnado and Sons Towing in Denham Springs, says his insurance premium increased 30-percent this year, which amounts to a lot of money.

Cut 6 (07) “…truck per year.”

Varnado is the third generation owner of the company and says he’d like to pass it down to the fourth generation; but if insurance rates continue in the direction they’re going, that will be, in his words, only a fantasy.

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The legislature will be considering at least seven bills designed to strengthen elections in the state. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says one of them, Senate Bill 109, is a constitutional amendment that would prohibit foreign funding of a political campaign, whether for or against a candidate or a ballot measure.

Cut 7 (14) “…against a candidate.”

Landry says ten states have enacted such a ban. Senate Bill 90 would prohibit wagering on the outcome of an election, which Landry says is already banned in 30 states.

Cut 8 (09) “…of an election.”

Landry says House Bill 223 would boost election commissioner pay.

Cut 9 (16)  “…little bit more.”

Landry says commissioners generally earn 200 dollars per day, which could last up to 16 hours. House Bill 223 would boost commissioners pay by 50 dollars across the board.

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State Representative Larry Bagley from DeSoto Parish has officially announced his candidacy for Public Service Commissioner in the 2026 race. Known for his pragmatic leadership and commitment to fiscal responsibility, Bagley brings over a decade of legislative experience to the table. Bagley says he’s been a server all his life.

Cut 10 (11) “…life in Louisiana.”

Bagley is a Republican and says he’s running to ensure public utilities serve the people, not special interests. His campaign promises a focus on accountability, sustainable energy planning, and protecting consumers from rising costs.

Cut 11 (07) “…here in the state.”

Bagley says he won’t ramp up his campaign until after the 2025 legislative session because he wants to give all his attention to what the voters elected him to do.

Cut 12 (10) “…representative seat.”

Bagley is seeking to replace Fifth District Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, who is term limited.

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Spring has arrived, and so has prime fishing season! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking adult channel catfish at 17 sites statewide, all to be stocked by next Tuesday. LDWF Biologist Danica Williams says “Get out and Fish” is for everyone to enjoy.

Cut 13 (07)  “…nice big catfish.”

To celebrate, LDWF invites families to a free Get Out & Fish! event tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Turner’s Pond in Minden. Williams says no boat, no experience — no problem.

Cut 14 (12) “…that for you.”

Anglers 18 and up need a Louisiana fishing license.  Every license helps fund fishing access, education, and conservation through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Williams says the ponds will be stocked with catfish big enough to fill you up.

Cut 15 (07) “…cooking and eating.”

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LSU football will hold an open practice tomorrow in Tiger Stadium as spring practice is winding down. The Tigers return only one starter on the offensive line, and that’s center DJ Chester. Chester has been the first team center throughout spring practice despite competition from former Virginia Tech center Braelin Moore. Chester says he feels much more comfortable at center this season…

Cut 16 (13) “…again.”

On the defensive line, former Alexandria Senior High star Jacobian Guillory is back practicing in full pads after  suffering a season ending Achilles injury seven months ago. Guillory says the rehab has been difficult, but he’s feeling good now…

Cut 17 (19) “…feet are.”

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The third ranked LSU baseball team goes after its tenth straight win tonight when they visit Auburn. The Tigers rank sixth in the country in batting average and they are doing it with a line-up that looks a little different every night. Jake Brown, Ethan Frey, and Josh Pearson are sharing playing time in right field and designated hitter. Coach Jay Johnson credits how they were raised for their selfless attitude…

Cut 18 (20) “…shook.”

LSU enters the game with a 31-3 record, 10-2 in the SEC. Auburn is ranked 9^th in the country. They are 23-10 overall, 6-6 in the SEC. Auburn’s Friday night starter is former LSU pitcher Sam Dutton, who has emerged as the War Eagles ace. He’ll start tonight opposite of LSU’s Kade Anderson. Dutton transferred after last season and Johnson says there are no hard feelings that he left LSU.

Cut 19 (17) “..by that.” 

Former Auburn Tiger Chris Stanfield has found success at LSU batting in the nine-hole and playing terrific center field. Stanfield is looking forward to seeing his old teammates…

Cut 20 (15) “…for LSU.”

First pitch is at 6 p.m.

Insurance reform will be the overwhelming biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. In a news conference in Ascension Parish, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills, all filed by Republicans, designed to address the soaring cost of auto insurance.

Cut 12 (14) “…families and businesses.”

Governor Landry says since Amendment 2 did not pass, it’s back to the drawing board for preserving teacher pay at its current level. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful that as the budget makes its way through the legislative process, dollars will emerge to keep teacher pay where it is.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

Amendment 2 would have transformed a stipend into a permanent pay increase.

A New Orleans Democrat files a bill that would require all college freshmen and college students joining a Greek organization to complete a one-hour anti-hazing course. Delisha Boyd dubs her bill the Caleb Wilson Act, after the Southern University student who died in a hazing incident in February. Three men are facing charges.

Cut 4 (12) “…join those organizations.”

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at the current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022 permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Governor Landry also unveiled his insurance reform plan yesterday and today Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support of 20 bills for the upcoming legislative session and he says a couple of the things the governor pointed out were not true including the claim that Temple has no authority to deny a rate increase…

Cut 14 (08) “…exercise it.”

Temple also said Landry’s claim that insurers can conceal information that he needs to regulate them is also wrong.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent more than it was designed to house. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

Information about the shelter and adoptable pets is available at St-Tammany-dot-gov-slash-pets

An Alum of ULM back when it was Northeast Louisiana Junior College, has donated two million dollars to the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts to create an endowed chair. Sharon Turrentine says she’s been singing all her life and wanted to give something back to the music department. The donation will help fund scholarships for visual and performing arts students.

Insurance reform is expected to be the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills saying several of the bills deal with frivolous lawsuits that he says are forcing insurance companies to charge high premiums

Cut 13 (08)  “…twice to litigate.”

A Department of Child and Family Services employee was arrested on drug charges Wednesday. Troopers with Troop NOLA say they found marijuana and items consistent with distribution of illegal narcotics in the back seat of 27-year-old Anthony Reed’s car during a traffic stop. Reed was booked in to the Orleans Parish Prison for Possession with Intent to distribute schedule I (marijuana) and traffic related offenses.

In a statement, DCFS Secretary David Matlock expressed gratitude for law enforcement and said the safety and well-being of children and families is their highest priority.

A “mayday” has been called at the St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter due to extreme overcrowding, Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college students joining an organization to complete one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”