News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Louisiana opens registration for new round of fortified roof grants • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana opens registration for new round of fortified roof grants
by Wesley Muller, Louisiana Illuminator
February 12, 2025
Registration for Louisiana’s fortified roof grant program opened Wednesday for its first lottery round of 2025.
The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, which offers up to $10,000 to homeowners who install hurricane-resistant roofs on their houses, is now in its third calendar year.
The registration period will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 16), at which point the Louisiana Department of Insurance will randomly select 1,000 grant recipients. This round of grants is limited to residents of Louisiana’s coastal zone and the cities of Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake. Homeowners can find out if they live in the zone by entering their address into the search field of the state’s online coastal zone map. Homes within the blue-shaded area of the map are eligible.
Homeowners are required to create a profile on the program’s website before registering for the lottery. Homeowners who registered during a previous round but were not selected must register again if they want to participate in the current round.
People who register on the last day of the registration period have the same chance of being selected as those who register on the first day, so there is no need to rush to register, according to a Department of Insurance news release.
Louisiana’s fortified roof grant program carries over millions in unspent funds
The Fortify Homes Program has so far awarded about 1,800 grants since its first round of funding in October 2023, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said.
The program awards grants of up to $10,000, so homeowners need to cover any costs that exceed that amount. They also might need to pay for some of the work upfront because the state issues grant checks to contractors only after they complete the job.
A fortified roof, one that meets the standards of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, are built with improved materials and techniques that can stop leaks and withstand winds of up to 150 mph, lowering the risk of storm damage and typically leading to lower homeowner insurance rates.
To qualify for a fortified roof grant, Louisiana homeowners have to get a state-approved evaluator to inspect their home. They must then obtain bids from at least three insurance department-approved contractors who can do the work. The department’s website lists approved evaluators and contractors.
The program has a number of other eligibility requirements that can be found at www.ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes.
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Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
More rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday
SUMMARY: More rain and thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, with a small chance of strong storms producing gusty winds or hail. A stationary front will bring rain in the afternoon, clearing by evening, leaving cooler, less humid conditions for Sunday. Temperatures will be in the 50s on the North Shore and near 60 in the metro area, with a breezy, comfortable day ahead. The upcoming week will bring a better chance for rain, especially on Wednesday and Thursday, as a cold front approaches. The Kentucky Derby may experience scattered rain but no severe weather expected.

More rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday
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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
‘The Light Switch’ Episode 4: Risk and rewards from the Angola Prison Rodeo
by Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Illuminator
May 3, 2025
This week’s episode of “The Light Switch” focuses entirely on the Angola Prison Rodeo, now in its 60th year at Louisiana State Penitentiary.
While the rest of the state is deep into its unofficial festival season, about 75 incarcerated men take part in a rodeo that’s not your traditional apple pie, bucking broncos and fancy horses event.
Its critics describe it more like a sordid gladiator exhibition from peak Roman Empire times. They say this exploitation of inmates reflects outdated views on incarceration in Louisiana, a state where more than 1,000 of every 100,000 residents are behind bars according to the Promise of Justice Initiative.
But the rodeo also has its supporters – and some of the most ardent are the inmates who are part of the show. Reporter Piper Hutchinson attended the event last month and heard why they see the rodeo as a key part of positive prison culture. Read more about her visit to “The Wildest Show in the South.”
There are two ways to listen to “The Light Switch” …
Spotify (listen below on the embedded player or use this link)
Apple (listen with the embedded player or use this link)
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
The post ‘The Light Switch’ Episode 4: Risk and rewards from the Angola Prison Rodeo appeared first on lailluminator.com
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The content of this article presents both sides of the issue surrounding the Angola Prison Rodeo, offering perspectives from both critics and supporters, including the inmates who participate. The tone of the article is neutral, providing factual details about the rodeo’s history and the contrasting views on its ethical implications. The language used does not overtly favor one side over the other, and the content mainly seeks to inform the audience about the ongoing debate without pushing a clear ideological stance. The article succeeds in portraying multiple viewpoints, making it a balanced and factual report on a complex issue.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Be prepared for severe storms later today
SUMMARY: Be prepared for severe storms later today, especially in San Antonio. Rain chances are low until after lunch but will rise by early afternoon with storms forming in the Hill Country. By late afternoon and evening, there’s about a 70% chance of rain, continuing through midnight. The storms are driven by fronts from the north, ample moisture, and upper-level energy, leading to potential strong to severe storms with gusty winds, hail, and localized flooding. Tornado risk is low but present. Tomorrow will be cooler with lingering clouds, dry conditions, and temperatures around 79°F. More storms are possible next week.

The best odds for rain will be between 7 and 10pm.
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