LDI Review of NAIC Data Shows Frequent Bodily Injury Claims and Excessive Litigation Drive High Auto Rates in Louisiana

Louisiana has a higher rate of bodily injury claims and insured losses compared to most of its neighboring states, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

“The numbers overwhelmingly show that Louisiana’s bodily injury claims environment is unsustainable compared to national and regional markets,” said Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

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Avery Davidson
What is Regenerative Agriculture?

This is the first in a series of columns featuring conversations with state Farm Bureau presidents about current issues in agriculture. Joe Newland is president of Kansas Farm Bureau. He and his wife, Dana, farm 4,000 acres of wheat, corn, soybeans and hay, in addition to managing a 450-head cow-calf beef cattle herd.

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Livestock Markets and Dealers Support Efforts to Prevent New World Screwworm

Livestock markets and dealers strongly support recent efforts to stop the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) into the U.S.

The introduction of the bipartisan and bicameral Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act, which would authorize funds for and direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin construction on a new sterile fly production facility to combat the growing NWS outbreak, was welcomed by livestock marketers and dealers.

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USA Rice Trade Fly-in Part Two: Logistics, Iraq, and Trade Policy

The afternoon session of this week’s USA Rice Trade Fly-in sparked excellent conversation and policy analysis and debate from attendees and distinguished guests.

Staff from the U.S. Department of State’s Iraq desk and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff responsible for Iraq shared the U.S. government’s view towards the U.S.-Iraq relationship, in which normal and growing trade and U.S. rice play a major role today and going forward.

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Rice, USDAAvery Davidson
House GOP Agriculture Bill Advances Out of Committee

The House Agriculture Committee voted to advance legislation that would make significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the effort to institute federal spending cuts to pay for President Trump’s legislative agenda. 

The legislation directs states to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs, narrows eligibility requirements for the program, and aims to prevent the federal government from being able to increase monthly benefits in the future.

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USDAAvery Davidson
Louisiana Weekly Climate Summary: April 30-May 6, 2025

The Louisiana Drought Team (LDT), in coordination with the national USDM authors, agreed to “status-quo” across the state this week. Thus, D0 “abnormally dry” coverage was maintained but not expanded across portions of Cameron and Vermilion parishes. 

Several periods of rain during the 7-day monitoring period resulted in street/nuisance flooding in some areas, saturated or over-saturated soils, and rivers and streams rising to near or above flood stage. Moisture demands will be increasing as we move later through spring and into summer, but right now moisture reserves are more than sufficient to meet that increase. 

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The Alexandria Zoo & The LSU AgCenter's Effect On Low-Income Families

Low-income households frequently encounter significant barriers in accessing safe and affordable opportunities for physical activity. Many neighborhoods lack parks, recreational facilities and safe walking paths, making it difficult for families to engage in regular exercise. Interestingly, many zoos in the United States are situated in low-income areas, presenting a unique opportunity to address the lack of accessible recreational spaces.

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Chairman Thompson Delivers Ag's Portion of the One Big, Beautiful Bill

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement after the committee passed its portion of H. Con. Res. 14 Title 2001(b)(1):

"Our section of the One Big, Beautiful Bill restores integrity to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides relief to farmers, invests in the future of rural America, and prevents the largest tax increase on American families.”

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Avery Davidson
A Sugar Refinery That Supports Over 800 Farmers Wants an Air Permit Renewal

A sugar refinery in St. James Parish that produces more than 1.2 million tons of granulated sugars and molasses annually is seeking to renew its air permit with the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Louisiana Sugar Refining LLC in Gramercy handles roughly two-thirds of the sugar cane crop grown in Louisiana. It receives raw sugar from eight mills that process sugar from 800 farmers in the state.

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