Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session. According to NFIB State Director Leah Long, lawsuit abuse is a major factor driving up insurance rates, and common sense reforms are necessary to stabilize the market and create a fair legal system.

Cut 7 (11) “…2025 session.”

The session is set to begin April 14^th.

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation – among them is the inability to deliver projects on schedule.

Cut 13 (13)  “…fall off track.”

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A new poll suggests that Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid could be a tough one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

They’ve been faced with delays and cost overruns, but city officials in New Orleans say they have a plan to get repairs to hundreds of New Orleans streets faster. The city has hired a Boston-based consulting firm to make it happen.  Among other things, the goal is to have contractors  finish the work that still needs to be done in the 1.7 billion dollar FEMA funded  program by May.

If a new poll by JMC Analytics is any indication, Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for a tough re-election campaign. The poll, commissioned by the John Fleming campaign shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon (KOO-ve-ahn) says closed primary will play a big role.
Cut 4 (13) “…Republicans and independents.”

Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. Since the day that Fields left office the first time, only 19 representatives remain, none from Louisiana, so he’s getting reacquainted.

Cut 10 (09) “…across the aisle.”

The sixth district Congressman says in terms of the House floor, the biggest difference is the use of modern technology.

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Small Business owners are urging lawmakers to focus on tax reform in the upcoming legislative session. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation, including an inability to deliver projects on schedule and lack of consistency in the messaging.

Cut 15 (08) “…get different answers.”

A new poll suggests that Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid could be a tough one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Small Business owners are urging lawmakers to focus on tax reform in the upcoming legislative session. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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If a new poll is any indication, Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for a tough re-election campaign. A new poll by JMC Analytics commissioned by the John Fleming campaign shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon (KOO-ve-ahn) says the fact that Cassidy will be participating in a closed primary could create significant headwinds for his re-election bid.

Cut 4 (13) “…Republicans and independents.”

And as such, Couvillon says the primary electorate in April of 2026 will be much more conservative than in the open primaries that Cassidy had previously ran in.

Cut 5 (16) “…on his re-election.”

Couvillon says this will be a hotly-contested primary, and the campaign will begin in earnest in a few months.

Cut 6 (11) “…and this fall.”

Couvillon says Fleming’s standing among Republican voters greatly improved when they consider his background. Like Cassidy, Fleming is a medical doctor by trade. Prior to becoming state treasurer, he served as deputy White House chief of staff during Donald Trump’s first presidency.

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Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session starting April 14. According to NFIB State Director Long, lawsuit abuse is a major factor driving up insurance rates, and common sense reforms are necessary to stabilize the market and create a fair legal system.

Cut 7 (11) “…2025 session.”

Long says the NFIB supports legislation that would place medical damages in a trust to prevent excessive costs, cap non-economic damages at 750-thousand dollars for predictability, and bar individuals more than 50-percent at fault from recovering damages to reduce frivolous claims.

Cut 8 (11) “…taking the case”

Long argues that lawsuit abuse stifles business growth and hiring while increasing costs. Passing these reforms would ensure fairness and give small businesses the stability they need to support Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 9 (05)  “…small business owners.”

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It’s a reacquaintance of sorts – Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. Since the day that Fields left office the first time, only 19 representatives remain, none from Louisiana.

Cut 10 (09) “…across the aisle.”

The sixth district Congressman says in terms of the House floor, the biggest difference is the use of modern technology.

Cut 11 (07) “…done through iPhones”

And if Congress seems much more polarized to you these days, Fields will tell you you’re exactly right.

Cut 12 (08) “…to come back.”

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DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation – among them is the inability to deliver projects on schedule.

Cut 13 (13)  “…fall off track.”

Donahue says of the projects completed in recent years, a small percentage were actually in the Highway Priority Program’s pipeline, and that’s something that will change in the strategic improvement plan.

Cut 14 (14) “…course of development.”

Donahue says another deficiency identified was the lack of consistency in the department’s messaging.

Cut 15 (08) “…get different answers.”

Donahue says as a result, what the department was telling people was not the same as what it was reporting to the federal government each year.

After a successful Super Bowl, New Orleans can now boast about a successful Mardi Gras. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell credits a strong partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Cut 4 (20) “…of Mardi Gras”

A recent online solicitation sting by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office nets 11 arrests. The sheriff’s office partnered with Chris Hansen, who once hosted a segment on Dateline NBC called “To Catch A Predator.” Hansen says he thought people would catch on after the first couple segments, but nope.

Cut 8 (10) “…exploit a child.”

A Mardi Gras celebration in Mamou turns into a mass shooting that left two people dead. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in Franklinton last weekend is leading some to question the future of that city’s parade. As such, Keneshia Neal has started a petition on Change-dot-org to preserve the event. She says the actions of a few should not overshadow a tradition that has united the community for over 50 years.

New Orleans had a rocky start in 2025, but after a successful Super Bowl, the city can also boast about a successful Mardi Gras. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says Governor Jeff Landry’s emergency declaration following the Bourbon Street attack allowed for more federal resources that helped make sure Mardi Gras was safe.

Cut 5 (16) “…have hard assets.”

With the help of former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 men in a recent online solicitation sting. Hansen says what’s especially scary is that many people arrested were everyday people, some working in positions in which they were routinely around children.

Cut 7 (08) “…walks of life.”

At least two people are reportedly dead and many more were injured from gunfire during a Mardi Gras celebration in the Evangeline Parish town of Mamou. Shots were fired when musician Chris Ardoin was performing at the Mamou Mardi Gras Zydeco concert. Ardoin went on Facebook to say he was previously shot in 2021 while performing at the Louisiana Mudfest in Grant Parish, which is also outdoors. Ardoin doesn’t understand why something like this would happen…

Cut 11 (11) “…100 rounds.”

An Oil City man was arrested at Northwood High School after allegedly threatening and attacking a school resource officer with an umbrella.  Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Lt. Breck Scott Scott emphasized when schools are on lockdown its for security purposes to protect students and faculty.

Cut 14 (13) “…pick up the children.”

Fenner is being held at Caddo Correctional Center.

With the help of former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 men in a recent online solicitation sting. Last month, the sheriff’s office had deputies pose as 14-year-olds online. Sheriff Jason Ard says all suspects agreed to meet who they thought was the 14-year-old at a house.

Cut 6 (09) “…14-year-old.”

New Orleans had a rocky start in 2025, but after a successful Super Bowl, the city can also boast about a successful Mardi Gras. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

Cut 3 (19) “…city of New Orleans” 

At least two people are reportedly dead and many more were injured from gunfire during a Mardi Gras celebration in the Evangeline Parish town of Mamou. Chris Ardoin was performing at the time. He took to Facebook to say this was the first time he had one of his sons on stage with him, because he wanted to attend Mardi Gras for the first time…

Cut 10 (10) “…shield us.”

An Oil City man was arrested after allegedly threatening and attacking a school resource officer with an umbrella. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Breck Scott says 70-year-old Gary Fenner arrived at Northwood High School around 9 a.m. to pick up his grandchild but was denied access due to a tornado-related lockdown.

Cut 12 (13) “…Mr. Fenner.”

A Mardi Gras celebration in Mamou turns into a mass shooting that left two people dead.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

No major incidents in New Orleans as Mardi Gras 2025 concluded last night. Mayor LaToya Cantrell credits a strong partnership between local, state and federal law enforcement…

Cut 4 (20) “…of Mardi Gras”

A man from Oil City is facing several charges after Caddo Parish deputies say he used an umbrella to attack a school resource officer during a tornado warning. Lt. Breck Scott with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 70-year-old Gary Fenner got angry when he was told his son could not leave with him at that moment because of the tornado warning. Scott says Fenner was eventually subdued and arrested and he has a criminal history…

Cut 13 (13) “….use a of weapon”

Former NBC Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen has a history of catching child predators and Hansen just helped Livingston Parish Sheriff deputies arrest 11 men in an online solicitation sting. Hansen previously hosted a show called “To Catch a Predator” and says

Cut 8 (10) “…a child”

Hansen now has web series called “Takedown with Chris Hansen” on the TruBlu streaming service.