A 15-year-old Neville High School student from Monroe is dead and five of his classmates are injured after their deer camp caught on fire early this morning. The incident happened in Jefferson County, Mississippi, and Sheriff James Bailey says his deputies were among the first on the scene…

Cut 9 (11) “… burning camp.” 

He says the injured teen received cuts and burns while trying to escape. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has named former assistant attorney general Terrance “Joe” Donahue to be the next Transportation Secretary. And Landry has also named Conrad Appel, Judy Armstrong, and Simone Champagne to serve as BESE members. Landry will be sworn in on Monday as the state’s 57^th governor.

Word that mortgage rates are decreasing is encouraging news for the real estate market. And Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris is hopeful lawmakers will pass legislation to help homeowners and potential buyers with their property insurance premiums.

Cut 4 (07) “…in 2024.”

He says the rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage today is 6.75%.

King Cake season kicks off tomorrow. Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says they are busy baking a variety of different flavored King Cakes but when it comes to the most popular…

Cut 7 (12) “…the tradition.” 

In addition to selling King Cakes locally he says they also ship cakes across the country. Mardi Gras is Tuesday February 13^th.

Five teenager were injured and one fatally in a fire at a deer camp in Natchez Mississippi. One of the teenagers were trapped inside the deer camp and was unable to escape. The other four teenagers were transported to a hospital with cuts and burns. The principal of Neville High School in Monroe where the teenagers attended school dismissed class for the day. The teenagers have not been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

A nationwide survey of small businesses finds labor quality is a major concern. Regional National Federation of Independent Business Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.

Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”

Thirty-three percent of owners say they have job openings for skilled workers and 14 percent have openings for unskilled labor.

2023 was not the best year for real estate with rising interest rates after an unprecedented hot market during the height of the pandemic. But Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris believes things will improve with mortgage rates expected to settle in between five and six percent.

Cut 3 (10) “…buyers and sellers.”

Morris says the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage right now is 6.75%.

King cake season kicks off this Saturday and Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says the sweet Mardi Gras tradition comes in many variations when it comes to fillings, but when it comes to the most popular…

Cut 7 (12) “…the tradition.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says in 2020 the Democrat from Tangipahoa Parish had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…

Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”

During his eight years, Cross says Edwards also navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling.

If you’re a king cake connoisseur, get ready to find the baby. One of the tastiest seasons in the Bayou State is upon us – King cake season begins tomorrow. Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says they’ve been busy between local sales and shipping out orders nationwide.

Cut 6 (13) “….on Friday.” 

Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on the 79-year-old who is retiring from politics…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Thibodeaux Police Department has issued a statement in response to the officer-involved fatal shooting of a loose dog on Christmas Day. TPD says it was justified because the dog bit the officer. You can read the full statement at LouisianaRadioNetwork-dot-com

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangipahoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.
Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”
Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. It took a sales tax increase and other budgetary moves to get the state out of the red.

Edwards first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2017 Edwards pushed criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing the state’s prison population, some of those initiatives could be rolled back in an anticipated special session on crime next month.

The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…
Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”
But property insurance rates began to escalate again after Hurricane Laura in 2020 and Ida in 2021.

As we start a new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…
Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office comes to an end Monday. Brooke Thorington looks back at his administration’s accomplishments and a major controversy that had the governor on the defensive…
Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Moderate to heavy rain will fall across the state today. Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a storm system that will hit the state on Monday, Inauguration Day.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s long political career comes to a close on Monday. Donelon has been the state’s insurance commish since 2006. He leaves office at a time when property insurance rates have seen dramatic jumps. He’s hopeful an incentive program to bring more insurers to the state and a grant program to strength roofs will help…
cut 11 (12) “…program”

A new law that went into effect this week requires Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients or those facing medical treatment that render them sterile. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis authored the legislation and remembers the emotional testimony from citizens pushing for this new law…
cut 9 (12) “…a family”

A new state law that went into this week requires health insurance plans to cover fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatments could keep them from having a child.  Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (25)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner will leave office on Monday after 17 years.  When Jim Donelon entered office, the state had some of the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country and despite his best efforts…

Cut 12 (08) “…House Insurance Chairman.” 

—–

Labor quality remains a big concern for small businesses in 2023. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they’ve been unable to fill some positions for a couple of months. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 15 (12) “…those sectors.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ leaves office Monday after two terms as governor. During his eight years, the Edwards administration navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Edwards tenure will be marred most notably by the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene while in State Police custody.

Cut 6 (12) “…the carpet.”

Louisiana health insurance providers must now pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week.  The new law went into effect this week.  The mandate does not apply to Medicaid or health insurance plans through the state health care exchange. And the bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says coverage is limited.

Cut 8 (08) “…own expense.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday. Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. As governor his first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2020 he had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…

Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”
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Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on Jim Donelan’s retirement.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Labor quality is the top concern among small businesses again this year. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.” 

The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…

Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”
Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangiaphoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.

Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”

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A new law requiring Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says it applies to new health plans and existing health care plans.

Cut 7 (11) “…is completed.”
As we begin the new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.

Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”