Louisiana

Letters: Louisiana on wrong path to address insurance crisis

Published

2 years ago

June 20, 2024

Letters: Louisiana on wrong path to address insurance crisis

The increased threat of severe weather is driving Louisiana’s insurance crisis. There are no easy solutions, but state regulators should not make the situation worse. Unfortunately, this is precisely what Commissioner Tim Temple did during the 2024 legislative session.

Temple worked to pass legislation that makes it easier for insurers to cancel policies and harder for storm victims to file claims. His package does nothing to lower insurance rates. In fact, it allows insurers to raise rates more frequently.

The centerpiece of Temple’s package repeals Louisiana’s three-year rule, enabling insurers to non-renew tens of thousands of policies, which will result in more policies migrating to Citizens, the insurer of last resort. Louisiana won’t solve an insurance crisis that revolves around a lack of availability by forcing people to insure with “the last resort.”

Another part of Temple’s package allows rate increases to go into effect without prior approval from the Department of Insurance. It also allows more frequent rate changes. This follows Temple’s elimination of the cap on expected profits insurers file with the state. Temple’s push to deregulate the industry will lead to insurers raising rates on Louisiana policyholders more frequently.

Other bills in Temple’s package gut vital consumer protections and weaken laws that hold insurers who act in bad faith accountable. While Commissioner Temple advocated for these bills, he was sitting on the results of an investigation by his department that, according to the newspaper, found that after Hurricane Ida two companies “failed to pay claims on time in nearly a quarter of cases.” Temple kept his promise to the industry to be “a more friendly department,” choosing not to fine them.

Louisiana is facing a climate-fueled insurance crisis. Unfortunately, Commissioner Temple’s approach focuses more on Big Insurance’s profit margins than on providing relief for suffering homeowners and small businesses.

BEN RIGGS

executive director, Real Reform Louisiana

Source link

Louisiana

Heart of Louisiana: Lafitte Wetlands

Published

9 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

NEW ORLEANS, La (WVUE) – A new education center in the town of Jean Lafitte is giving visitors a chance to learn about south Louisiana’s coast.

Dave McNamara explores how the center combines history, culture, science, and a walk through a cypress swamp in the heart of Louisiana.

For more, visit the Heart of Louisiana archive here.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.

Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.

Source link

Louisiana

Looking for a luxurious place to stay? These are Louisiana’s 6 best resorts

Published

20 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Looking for a luxurious place to stay? These are Louisiana’s 6 best resorts

When you think of resorts, you probably think of hotels with expansive grounds, upscale amenities and all-inclusive packages.

While these types of resorts can surely be found in major-destination cities and foreign countries, Louisiana has its own resorts that are just as nice.

At Louisiana’s resorts, you can enjoy all the same amenities and stay at locations that are just as luxurious.

Plan your stays with Booking.com

Why these 6 resorts are the best in Louisiana for 2026

Travel US News has ranked the six best resorts in Louisiana based on hotel class rating, property type and guest reviews.

1. L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles

L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles is the best resort to stay in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. More than just a nice place to stay, this resort offers premiere casino games, plenty of shopping, golfing opportunities, a spa, relaxing cabanas and upscale restaurants. The hotel also has business and fitness centers, and the rooms are in the modern arts and crafts style.

2. Caesars in New Orleans

Caesars in New Orleans is the second-best resort in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.9 out of 10. This resort has a great location within the Central Business District, making it near all the top attractions in the Crescent City. Here, there are plenty of dining and gambling opportunities. The rooms are equipped with standard amenities and are in a Louisiana-inspired style.

3. Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City

Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City is the third-best resort in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. Strategically located across the Red River from Shreveport, this resort offers plenty to do, like testing your luck at the casino, spending a day by the pool, relaxing at the spa, eating delicious food at one of the restaurants or enjoying live entertainment at the performance hall.

4. Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport

Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport is among the best resorts in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.6 out of 10. Bally’s offers plenty of casino games and dining opportunities, and you can keep the night going with drinks and dancing at one of the lounges. The hotel offers business and fitness centers and the rooms come with standard amenities, like flat-screen TVs and minifridges.

5. Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle

Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle is one of the best resorts in Louisiana, as it is among the 4.0 star hotel class. This historic antebellum plantation, originally constructed in 1859, includes nine Acadian-style cottages, a salon, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and tennis courts. Visitors can tour the plantation house itself and embark on a guided tour of the on-site museum.

6. Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many

Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many is among the best resorts in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 7.7 out of 10. This hotel features two restaurants, a golf course, fitness center indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a bar and lounge. Belonging to the 3.0 star hotel class, this casual resort is the perfect spot for a quick getaway, as it’s set on 600 acres on Toledo Bend Lake.

Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

Source link

Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 6, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 6 drawing

17-44-63-66-67, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 6 drawing

8-7-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 6 drawing

5-9-3-6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 6 drawing

0-3-3-5-6

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link