Louisiana News

Rail Crossing Collisions Down in Louisiana

Officials with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission say collisions at rail crossings in Louisiana fell in 2011from 106 in 2010 to 96 last year. The Louisiana Operation Lifesaver program also reported that deaths from such incidents fell from 13 to …

New Flood Maps Affecting Thousands in Louisiana’s Livingston Parish

New federal flood insurance rate maps are going into effect and affecting thousands of Livingston Parish, La., homeowners. The Advocate reports many people whose homes have never flooded will be required by their mortgage companies to buy insurance that could …

Louisiana Congressman Objects to Shifting Recovery Money to Dome

A New Orleans U.S. representative from the New Orleans area has objected to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal administration’s plan to redirect federal hurricane recovery money from housing aid programs to Superdome upgrades. U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond sent a letter to …

Oilfield Cleanup a Big-Money Dispute in Louisiana

A behind-the-scenes firestorm in Louisiana’s legislative session centers on a big-money, years-long dispute between landowners and the oil and gas industry over how cleanup should be handled of environmental damage from drilling years ago. More than a dozen bills have …

Study: Agriculture Worth $10.7B in Louisiana

The LSU AgCenter says agriculture was worth $10.7 billion to Louisiana’s economy last year. AgCenter economist John Westra says the 7 percent gain from 2010 represents the first $10 billion year since 2007. Last year was plagued by drought and …

K2 Acquires Majority Stake in Midwestern

San Diego, Calif.-based managing general agent K2 Insurance Services LLC has acquired a majority stake in Midwestern Insurance Alliance Inc., an MGA based in Louisville, Ky. that underwrites workers’ compensation coverage with a focus on transportation. Terms of the deal …

Lafayette, Louisiana, Officials: Flood Cost More Than $2M

The bill for debris cleanup and repairs of damaged roads and water systems from recent flooding is expected to climb above $2 million in Lafayette Parish, La., officials said. The Advocate reports that’s in addition to the yet-to-be-tallied repair costs …

Ex-Sheriff Candidate Booked for Insurance Fraud in Louisiana

State police say a former candidate for St. Helena Parish, La., sheriff has been booked on counts of insurance fraud and felony theft. Trooper Nick Manale tells The Advocate 36-year-old Frederick Bell of Kentwood is accused of falsely claiming three …

Report: Risk for Corruption High in South Central States

Although none of the 50 U.S. state governments were found to be exemplary, three out of four of the South Central states received very lackluster rankings in a report evaluating state governments on integrity and the ability to prevent corruption …

Payout of Louisiana Citizens Insurance Judgment Blocked Again

A state appeals court has blocked policyholders of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from collecting more than $100 million for the company’s failure to handle claims quickly enough following the 2005 hurricanes. The state 5th Circuit Court of Appeal issued …