Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says he’s hopeful after four legislative committees met this week to address the state’s auto insurance crisis.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to keep their animals cool as the heat index moves upwards of 100 degrees. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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To address the state’s auto insurance crisis four legislative committees met this week. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the industry is simple at its core in the sense that it’s dollar in, dollar out and if they pay more than a dollar going out, rates must increase.

Cut 4 (08) “…injuries.”

Temple says the committees are collectively looking at what the cost drivers are and then they’ll examine the best ways to address those factors. He says it’s a matter of bringing all the interested parties together to find answers.

Cut 5 (10) “…solutions.”

Compared to other states Louisiana is twice the national average when it comes to bodily injury claims. Temple says there needs to be tort reform for both auto and property insurance. He expressed his disappointment over Governor Landry’s veto of property insurance tort reform in the last session on the grounds of providing consumer protection.

Cut 6 (11) “…the consumer?”

Temple says he plans to meet with Landry to discuss the possibility of a special session for auto insurance

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As temperatures in the high 90s sweep through the state, the Humane Society of Louisiana is urging pet and livestock owners to provide extra care to keep their animals from getting heat stroke. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you should be mindful of your furry friends in the heat even as you relax in the AC.

Cut 7 (07) “…bring them in?”

Heat stroke in animals can happen in five to ten minutes. Dorson says animals will let you know if they’re too hot by panting and whining, among other symptoms. If one of your animals is suffering from heat stroke, Dorson says time is of the essence.

Cut 8 (10) “…necessarily.”

HSLA is reminding people not to walk their pets on hot cement or sidewalks. Additionally, Dorson says you should never leave pets in cars or in crates outside, as that basically amounts to a death sentence for the animal.

Cut 9 (10)  “…110-20 degrees.

Failure to properly take care of an animal could result in legal consequences.

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Mortgage rates have dropped to a 15-month low and that’s not just good news for today’s house hunters, it could bring significant savings to homeowners who bought at the higher rates of the last year and a half. Guild Mortgage Company Area Manager, Richard Allen says homeowners are taking advantage of the rate drop, and depending on the loan type, saving goes beyond interest rates…

Cut 10 (11) “…to pay.”

Allen says calls have increased from homeowners seeking to refinance because they may be able to drop their rate by one percent or more. And when rates go down, those looking to buy a home have increased purchasing power.

Cut 11 (07) “…and purchase.”

Allen says interest rates rise and fall based on future speculation influenced by current conditions. An unexpected rise in unemployment figures caused investors to seek safety outside the stock market and talk of a September decrease by the Federal Reserve caused the lenders to lower rates. But he says that doesn’t mean September will bring further rate drops.

Cut 12 (07) “…that day.”

Allen says, If the Fed makes a larger-than-expected rate cut, then mortgage rates could possibly drop further.

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Construction has begun on phase 2 of the Houma Navigational Canal Lock Complex. Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District President Tony Alford says the project will bring a number of benefits to southeast Louisiana, including limiting saltwater intrusion that’s killing cypress trees. He says if you go to Houma…

Cut 13 (12)  “…go look at that.”

Along with limiting saltwater intrusion, the HNC Lock Complex will also distribute freshwater within the Terrebonne Basin, which will help foster thousands of acres of wetlands and fisheries.

Cut 14 (08)  “…tributaries.”

The HNC Lock Complex will also close one of the remaining gaps of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System, which Alford says should help protect southeastern Louisianians from flooding on their property.

Cut 15 (10)  “…as well.”

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The Saints will play their first preseason game Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals. These next three exhibition games are huge for guys trying to make the team, like undrafted free-agent guard Kyle Hergel. The former Boston College lineman from Toronto will attend his first NFL game on Saturday…

Cut 16 (10) “… to it.” 

Saturday will also mark the Saints first game with the new kick-off rules. The alignment is much different as the kick-off team will no longer have a long-running start before they take on their first blocker. Coach Dennis Allen is interested to see how it works in a game setting…

Cut 17 (17) “…of it.”

Allen did not say on Thursday whether Derek Carr and the other starters will play. Even if Carr plays, it will only be a few snaps, which means a lot more snaps for Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, who are battling to be Carr’s back-up. Allen on what he’s looking for from Haener and Rattler…

Cut 18 (16)  “…operated.”

Carr says he hopes to play against the Cardinals to help knock off some rust and to get the feel of how new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will call plays. He says his favorite part of the new offense is what they do in the running game…

Cut 19 (27) “…really cool.”

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Cut 20 (19) “…bar none.”

The Louisiana Blood Center issued an urgent appeal for blood donations, stating that at least 200 donors are needed daily to meet the demand. With demand often outpacing supply, Blood Center Medical Director Tim Peterson is urging Louisianians to donate, especially those with O-negative blood, which is universally compatible and in high demand.

cut 8 (06) “…patient who needs blood.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is hosting a cybersecurity training session for law enforcement at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this week. The session aims to equip law enforcement officers with the skills and knowledge needed to respond to and mitigate cyberattacks, which can target a wide range of critical infrastructures including government agencies and businesses. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux…

cut 10 (07) “…GOHSEP Academy.”

The CDC says Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID cases. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A state trooper has been released from the hospital with minor injuries after being hit head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way along Louisiana Highway 24 North last night. The trooper attempted to stop 63-year-old Deak Matteson Jr of Guin, Alabama as he went the wrong way down the highway, but was struck head-on when Matteson did not stop.

According to the CDC, Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID. LSU-Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez points out that individuals with co-morbidities or who are more vulnerable to the virus should still take precautions.

cut 5 (12) “…threatening illness.”

The Louisiana Blood Center issued an urgent appeal for blood donations, stating that at least 200 donors are needed daily to meet the demand. Blood Center Medical Director Tim Peterson emphasizes that the supply has reached a dangerously low level, threatening the ability to provide life-saving blood products to hospitals and patients.

cut 7 (12) “…that is needed.”

The Blood Center is also encouraging first-time donors to participate, stressing that each donation can save multiple lives.

 
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hosting a cybersecurity training session for law enforcement at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this week. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says this training is part of a broader effort to bolster the state’s defenses against cyber threats.

cut 9 (12) “…in the spring.”

The training is designed to enhance the capabilities of local law enforcement in handling cyber incidents, making them better prepared to protect their communities from digital threats.

A state trooper has been released from the hospital with minor injuries after being hit head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way along Louisiana Highway 24 North last night. The trooper attempted to stop 63-year-old Deak Matteson Jr of Guin, Alabama as he went the wrong way down the highway, but was struck head-on when Matteson did not stop.

New Orleans Police are searching for two missing girls. NOPD says 12-year-old Lo’Tre Williams and 13-year-old Micha Stewart were last their home in the 2200 block of North Miro Street on Wednesday, at 6 p.m. They have not been heard from since that time. 12-year-old Williams is African American 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 90 pounds and Stewart is African American 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 90 pounds. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two juveniles is asked to call Fifth District detectives at 504-658-6050.

According to the CDC Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID. LSU-Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says there’s a surge in cases nationwide, with growing emergency room admissions.

Cut 4 (1) “…so hot.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hosting a cybersecurity training session for law enforcement at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. GOHSEP Director Jaques Thibodeaux says public-private partnerships and private businesses donating to this training to strengthen its overall cyber resilience and ensure that law enforcement is equipped to tackle the evolving challenges of cybersecurity.

Cut 11 (07) ” …free of charge.”

The Louisiana Blood Center issued an urgent appeal for blood donations, stating that at least 200 donors are needed daily to meet the demand. The call for increased donations comes amid a critical shortage intensified by the summer months, when blood donations typically decrease. Blood Center Medical Director Tim Peterson says donations have been declining for a decade…

Cut 6 (12) “..7 million people.”

According to the CDC Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID. LSU-Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the uptick in cases has been found via wastewater detection.

Cut 3 (13) “…with COVID.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Saints have signed 25-year-old linebacker Pete Werner to a three-year contract extension worth a maximum of 25-million dollars. 17.5 million dollars is guaranteed. Werner has looked good in training camp and is coming off a season in which he had a career high 93 tackles.

The Louisiana Blood Center is in urgent need of blood donations saying that at least 200 donors are needed daily to meet the demand. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

This week, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hosting a cybersecurity training session for law enforcement at the ULL. GOHSEP Director Jaques Thibodeaux says the aim is to equip officers with the skills and knowledge needed to respond to and mitigate cyberattacks, which can target a wide range of critical infrastructure, including government agencies, businesses, and public services.

Cut 10 (07) “…GOHSEP Academy.”

The CDC says Louisiana has twice the national average of COVID cases. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints have signed linebacker Pete Werner to a three-year contract extension worth 25-million dollars.

The Louisiana Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff concert in New Orleans featuring Eric Church has been cancelled with no reason given. Church and other country artists were set to play in the Caesars Superdome on August 31st.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hosting a cybersecurity training session for law enforcement at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this week. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says this training is part of a broader effort to bolster the state’s defenses against cyber threats
Cut 9 (12) “…state of Louisiana.”
The Humor & Harmony Weekend kicks off today, hosted by rapper Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, in downtown Shreveport. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this festival, which runs until Sunday, comes at the perfect time.
Cut 14 (12) “…to the area.”
Organizers are expecting the event will bring about 30-thousand people.

As a result of a new law, we might see more mugshots released to the public. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh’s law repeals a law from 2022 that set parameters for what mugshots could be released. Seabaugh says the 2022 law had good intentions….

Cut 10 (12) “…put it back.”

The 2022 law only allowed law enforcement to release mugshots of suspects booked for violent offenses.

The Louisiana Blood Center issued an urgent appeal for blood donations, stating that at least 200 donors are needed daily to meet the demand. Donating blood is essential for a variety of medical treatments, including surgeries, cancer care, and emergencies. With demand often outpacing supply, Blood Center Medical Director Tim Peterson is urging Louisianans to roll up their sleeves and donate.

Cut 8 (06)  “…patient who needs the blood.”

It’s that time of year when school buses taking students back and forth from school are on the road. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 30 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

And here’s a look at today’s commodities