The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that says if a police officer determines a driver is 51-percent or more at fault, than the driver can not recover any insurance money for injuries. Defense Attorney Sidney Degan says the proposed legislation could reduce the amount of dollars awarded in a multi-vehicle wreck, which would help reduce rates and frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 15 (15) “…neligence and fault.”

Lawmakers say reducing accidents can help bring down insurance rates. That’s why Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has authored a bill that would ticket drivers who travel at the speed limit or below in the left lane. Luneau says he’s received a lot of positive feedback…

Cut 6 (09) “….feel the love”

The measure is heading to the Senate floor after receiving approval from Senate Transportation.

A law school could be coming to north Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Education says over 39-thousand Louisiana students have applied for state funding through the L-A Gator Scholarship program, the state’s new voucher program. Governor Jeff Landry has proposed 93-million dollars should be allocated for the program next school year, but that would only serve 12-thousand students.

An auto insurance reform bill advances to the full House, with the support of the governor and despite the opposition of the insurance commissioner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 26 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that can result in a 150-dollar fine for driving in the left lane and not attempting to pass other vehicles. The House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation to ban outdoor balloon releases, once the balloon falls back to the ground, it becomes litter and a threat to wildlife.

The district attorney in Catahoula Parish is seeking the death penalty against a Las Vegas man who killed a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish. Former President Joe Biden commuted the federal death sentence of Thomas Sanders who was found guilty of killing Lexis Roberts. Catahoula D-A Brad Burget believes Sanders should be executed for what he’s done and a state grand jury this week indicted him on a first-degree murder charge…

Cut 9 ()8) “…try this matter”

Northwestern State is working to establish a law school and executive vice president and provost Greg Handel says if they get the necessary approvals from the U-L System and the Board of Regents, they could hopefully begin teaching law in the fall of 2026…

Cut 12 (10) “…surmountable for us”

The idea started picking up steam when the school hired NSU graduate and former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese as its new president last year.

A measure that would prevent a driver from recovering damages when they are at 51-percent or more at fault in an accident has received approval from the House Civil Law Committee. It passed on an 11-4 vote, but Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown voted against it, because if a plaintiff who is mostly at fault for an accident can’t recover damages than a defendant who is mostly at fault should have to pay 100-percent of the damages.

Cut 14 (13) “…pay 51-percent.”

More discussion on this bill will take place on the House floor.

Also heading to the House floor is a bill that gives the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates. Governor Landry supports the legislation…

Cut 30 (10) “…are lowered”

But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state’s legal system is why rates are so high.

Legislation that would fine a driver 150-dollars for camping in the left lane, just driving the speed limit and not using the lane as a passing lane is headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says currently a motorist can get a ticket if they are driving 10 miles per hour below the speed limit in the left lane…

Cut 5 (11) “…on the highway”

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved Luneau’s bill.

Northwestern State is seeking approval from the University of Louisiana System and the Board of Regents to have a law school on their campus in Natchitoches…

Cut 11 (14) “…of that approved”

Executive Vice President and President Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says if the approval process goes as they plan, the law school will accept its first class for the fall of 2026.

The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if police determine a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, that driver cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you should not be able to collect if the accident is mostly your fault.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the same measure.”

House Bill 431 was approved on an 11-4 vote and advances to the House floor.

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at drivers who travel at the speed limit in the left lane and are not attempting to pass. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s measure would result in a 150-dollar fine for a first-time offender.

Cut 4 (12) “…to other traffic.”

This measure heads to the Senate floor for further discussion.

A Las Vegas man’s federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish was commuted, but he is now indicted on a state charge. And as Andrew Greenstein reports, the D-A is seeking the death penalty.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Office of Juvenile Justice confirms a 17-year-old offender at the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe escaped yesterday afternoon but was quickly apprehended. The O-J-J says their security protocols were activated immediately, and the juvenile was caught without incident.

If you’re driving in the left lane on a four-lane highway and you’re not passing any vehicles, you could receive a ticket under legislation heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A man whose federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish is now indicted on a state charge. And as Andrew Greenstein reports, the D-A is seeking the death penalty.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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North Louisiana could soon be getting its first law school. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at drivers who travel at the speed limit in the left lane and are not attempting to pass vehicles in the right lane. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s measure would result in a 150-dollar fine for a first offender for motorists who are camping in the left lane causing a traffic hazard.

Cut 4 (12) “…to other traffic.”

Luneau says left-lane “rolling roadblocks” cause driver frustration and contribute to accidents.

Cut 5 (11) “…on the highway.”

No one spoke out against the bill during committee discussion. Luneau says he’s received a lot of positive feedback about this legislation.

Cut 6 (09) “…feel the love.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

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A grand jury in Catahoula Parish hands down a first-degree murder indictment against a man who killed a 12-year-old girl back in 2010. Thomas Sanders was previously convicted in federal court for the death of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. He was sentenced to death; but Brad Burget (bur-GET), the district attorney in Catahoula and Concordia parishes, says that sentence was commuted to life in prison in December by then-President Joe Biden.

Cut 7 (14) “…of that child.”

Sanders was in a relationship with Lexis’ mother, Suellen Roberts; and after the three had taken a trip to the Grand Canyon, Sanders shot Suellen to death. Burget says Sanders then drove Lexis to Louisiana and shot and stabbed her to death.

Cut 8 (08) “…she was murdered.”

So with Sanders’ federal death sentence commuted, Burget says he will seek the death penalty against him on the state first-degree murder charge.

Cut 9 (08)  “…try this matter.”

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Northwestern State is in the process of establishing a law school. Currently, there are only four law schools in the state, none of which are in North Louisiana. Executive Vice President and Provost Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says people in the region want a law school in North Louisiana.

Cut 10 (12) “…of the state.”

The idea started picking up steam when the school hired NSU graduate and former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese as its new president last year. Handel says there are many steps that need to happen before the university can officially launch its law school.

Cut 11 (14) “…of that approved.”

Handel says they hope to welcome the first students in the fall of 2026.

Cut 12 (10) “…surmountable for us.”

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The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if you are 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you should not be able to collect if the accident is mostly your fault.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the same measure.”

The bill passed along party lines on an 11-to-4 vote. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown voted against it, because if a plaintiff who is mostly at fault for an accident can’t recover damages than a defendant who is mostly at fault should have to pay 100-percent of the damages.

Cut 14 (13) “…pay 51-percent.”

Defense Attorney Sidney Degan argued the proposed legislation could reduce the amount of dollars awarded in a multi-vehicle wreck, which would help reduce rates and frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 15 (15) “…neligence and fault.”

The measure heads to the House floor and it has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

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Three days after announcing the firing of David Griffin, the Pelicans named Natchitoches native and McNeese legend Joe Dumars as the new executive vice president of basketball operations. Owner Gayle Benson says the hiring of Dumars was not hastily made and she spent time talking with players, coaches and league officials. The host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says the franchise should have interviewed multiple candidates.

Cut 16 (18) “…a wide net.”

Dumars was the President of Basketball Operations in Detroit when the Pistons won an NBA title in 2004. But a lot of his draft picks flopped, his free agent signings fizzled and some of his trades didn’t pan out. Madison says the NBA Hall of Famer is respected around the league.

Cut 17 (18)  “…with this hire.”

Madison expects Dumars will retain Willie Green as the head coach, but former number one overall pick Zion Williamson could be traded because of his inability to stay healthy.

Cut 18 (12)  “…sort of situation.”

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The ninth ranked LSU baseball team opens a three-game series against 15th ranked Alabama. The Tigers are 10-5 in the SEC and the Crimson Tide is 8-and-7 in league play. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says Bama has one of the best power hitters in the country in Justin Lebron.

Cut 19 (17) “..15 home runs.”

LSU was swept last weekend at Auburn. Johnson expects his team will respond.

Cut 20 (18) “…has been great.”

First pitch tonight is at 7 PM and the game will be on ESPN-U.

The House Insurance Committee advances a bill to give the insurance commissioner the power to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. House Bill 576 by Amite Democrat Robby Carter advanced on a vote of 13 to 4. It’s supported by Governor Landry but opposed by Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. Landry says since auto insurance is a mandated purchase, free market principles should not apply; and giving the insurance commissioner the ability to reject rates regardless of market conditions should provide relief to policyholders.

Cut 6 (11) “…touch the law.”

Temple says insurance commissioners having too much power over insurance carriers will drive them out of the state.

Cut 8 (10) “…what we want.”

Another bill headed to the full house is one that would make it a crime to intentionally release balloons in the air. Sean Richardson reports it advanced out of the House National Resources Committee.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Lawmakers will reconsider a bill by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd which would allow abortion exceptions for minors under 17 who become pregnant due to certain sex crimes. Current state law only allows exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or serious health risks to the pregnant woman.

The House Insurance Committee advances a bill that would give the insurance commissioner the authority to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. It’s one of several bills aimed at lowering skyrocketing premiums. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple testified against the bill, saying it would undo all the progress that he’s made with insurance carriers over the last year.

Cut 7 (06) “…direction of California.”

Another bill advancing to the full House is one banning the release of balloons outdoors. That passed in the House Natural Resources Committee today. The author, Harahan Representative John Illg, says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.

Cut 9 (07)  “…released into the air.”

While lawmakers concede that the bill would be tough to enforce, those who are caught would be fined up to 150 dollars for a first offense, should it get Governor Landry’s signature.

Lawmakers will reconsider New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd’s bill, which would allow abortion exceptions for minors under 17 who become pregnant due to certain sex crimes. Currently, Louisiana’s abortion law only allows exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or serious health risks to the pregnant person. Boyd says this is a personal journey for her, referencing her mother being a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 15.

Cut 4 (11) “…before she was 30-years-old” 

Boyd narrowed the scope of this year’s proposal after a similar bill failed in 2024.

Who says there’s no appetite for hockey in Louisiana? The Monroe Moccasins concluded their first season in the Federal Prospects Hockey League by breaking the league’s attendance record. The Mocs drew more than 126-thousand fans to the Snake Pit for their 28 home games, averaging more than 45-hundred per contest.

An auto insurance reform bill advances to the full House, with the support of the governor and despite the opposition of the insurance commissioner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Office of Juvenile Justice confirmed today that a 17-year-old male in custory briefly escaped during an on campus transport.  .  The juvenile was beign transported by vehicle between the north and sound campuses when the escape occurred.  OJJ security protocols were activated immediately after notified, and on site staff initiated a search, and the juvenile was apprehended without incident.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves a bill banning the release of balloons outdoors, fining violators up to 150-dollars for a first offense. The bill’s author Harahan Representative John Illg says balloons are a source of litter and can cause problems for wildlife.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser supports the bill and admitted that the law would be difficult to enforce, but they are hoping that having the law will encourage people not to release balloons into the air.

Cut 11 (12) “…won’t release them.”

LSU pitcher Gavin Guidry will not pitch this season as he’ll undergo back surgery on Friday. Guidry has the most experience on LSU’s staff pitching in SEC games, so he was an important piece to this season. But the Lake Charles native never pitched this season after sustaining an back injury in February. Johnson says despite treatments and medicine, they could not get him healthy enough to pitch…

Cut 13 (09)  “…can’t do it.”

LSU will begin an SEC series tomorrow night against Alabama.