Connect with us

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

‘Medical funding companies’ inflating insurance payouts | Louisiana

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan Mckendry – 2024-10-11 16:00:00

SUMMARY: In a recent House Joint Insurance Committee hearing, attorney James Prather highlighted the issue of inflated insurance payout claims in Louisiana. During the “Operation Sideswipe” case, a third-party medical funding company billed defendants $720,000 despite actual costs being $240,000. Louisiana’s legal environment, influenced by the collateral source rule and the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020, attracts such companies, driving up auto insurance premiums, which are the highest in the U.S. Tim Temple from the Louisiana Department of Insurance stated that inflated claims and a lack of competition among insurers exacerbate the problem. Reducing litigation and accidents is essential for lower rates.

Read the full article

The post ‘Medical funding companies’ inflating insurance payouts | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Saturday 10 PM Tropics Update: One far-off tropical wave to watch

Published

on

www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-09-13 22:34:05

SUMMARY: A tropical wave near Africa is emerging over the Atlantic but remains disorganized. The National Hurricane Center gives it a 60% chance to develop into a depression or tropical storm, possibly becoming Gabrielle. This system may move northward, staying over the open Atlantic and away from the Gulf, posing no immediate threat. Since the last named storm in late August, stable air, dry conditions, and increased wind shear have suppressed tropical activity in the Atlantic. The next storm names are Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda, with only the current wave showing potential for development at this time.

Meteorologist Alexandra Cranford tracks a lone disturbance with a chance of development on Saturday night, September 13, 2025.

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says

Published

on

thecurrentla.com – Leslie Turk – 2025-09-11 15:30:00

SUMMARY: Dusty Guidry, a former consultant who pleaded guilty to accepting $800,000 in bribes, testified that Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes sought involvement in a bribery scheme at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Haynes, on trial for conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, and obstruction, was previously appointed to run Lafayette’s pretrial diversion program after supporting DA Don Landry. Guidry revealed Haynes pressured him to include him in a similar diversion program scheme at Wildlife & Fisheries, receiving checks totaling $90,000. The scheme involved splitting bribes among Guidry, vendor Leonard Franques, and former department secretary Jack Montoucet, who has also been charged. The statewide program never launched.

Read the full article

The post Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says appeared first on thecurrentla.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

OPPJ Comprehensive Plan

Published

on

www.youtube.com – KTVE – 2025-09-10 21:15:08

SUMMARY: The Ouachita Parish Police Jury is conducting a series of community meetings to gather public input for their comprehensive plan guiding future growth. Police Jury members, including Larry Bratton from District D, emphasize the importance of reflecting residents’ voices in the master plan. Community members participated in interactive stations, allocating resources to priorities like infrastructure and downtown development, to help shape goals for the next 2, 5, and 20 years. Landscape architect Matt Pizatella and partners from Atlas support the effort. Bratton stresses that without proactive planning, the parish risks costly and less beneficial outcomes in the long term.

OPPJ Comprehensive Plan

Source

Continue Reading

Trending