News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Dry, sunny, and nice conditions
SUMMARY: Southeastern Louisiana is experiencing clear skies and dry weather, with temperatures in the 80s expected to drop to the 60s tonight. As the region benefits from the dry air behind a post-tropical system, conditions will remain pleasant throughout the weekend. Hurricane Isaac is moving north in the Atlantic and is forecasted to weaken, while Tropical Storm Joyce will also move away without impacting the area. There’s a low 30% chance of development in the western Caribbean, but no immediate threats are anticipated. Highs will stay in the mid to upper 80s into next week with slim rain chances.

Dry, sunny, and nice conditions
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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds
Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds
by Wesley Muller, Louisiana Illuminator
March 10, 2025
The state’s grant program that helps homeowners pay for upgrades for a fortified roof is proving effective in lowering the cost of their homeowner’s insurance, according to a review published Monday by the state auditor.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack reviewed the Fortify Homes Program, which offers $10,000 grants to homeowners who install hurricane-resistant roofs, and found that the grants directly reduced insurance costs at a median rate of 22%.
Homeowners who received fortified roof grants saved $1,250 on their insurance bill, lowering their annual premium from $5,625 to $4,375, according to the report.
The roof grants have mostly gone to middle-income households. The audit found very low-income households, with home values less than $90,000, are underrepresented in the program.
The state’s grant program is in its third calendar year of existence and has awarded more than 1,800 roof grants since its first round of funding in October 2023.
A fortified roof, according to standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), is 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.
Many more homeowners have opted to upgrade their roofs without grant money. As of Feb. 1, the IBHS had issued 5,413 fortified certificates to property owners in Louisiana, according to the auditor’s report.
The state awards grants of up to $10,000, meaning 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 the grant checks directly to the roofing contractors only after they complete the job.
The audit reviewed insurance rating data and surveyed homeowners who applied for the program, receiving a total of 694 unique responses out of 3,257 participants.
The calculations took into account the upfront costs that most homeowners have to provide in order to complete their roof installation. It found that the median total cost of a fortified roof upgrade was approximately $16,229 or $6,229 after accounting for the $10,000 grant.
With annual insurance premium savings of $1,250, a fortified roof upgrade with a 15-year lifespan would pay for itself in less than five years.
About 80% of a fortified roof price tag, or $12,981, is the baseline cost of replacing an existing roof to meet current building code standards. The remaining 20%, or $3,248, is the additional cost to upgrade it to fortified standards and pay for an evaluator to certify the roof.
“In South Louisiana, the benefits of retrofitting to the fortified roof standard generally exceed the costs,” the audit states.
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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.
The post Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds appeared first on lailluminator.com
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Midday Ark-La-Miss News Update: March 10, 2025
SUMMARY: Grambling Police are searching for Dietrich Shelburn Jr., wanted for multiple charges, including first-degree rape, after allegedly assaulting his wife on February 28th. In Baton Rouge, Southern University student Khib Wilson died during a hazing ritual; one suspect, SC McCrae, has turned himself in, while two others remain at large. In local consumer news, egg prices have surged due to avian flu, impacting businesses like Bell’s Old South Diner, which is adjusting prices to manage costs. Weather forecasts predict mild conditions today with temperatures rising to the 70s, but potential severe storms may occur late Wednesday and Friday.

Midday Ark-La-Miss News Update: March 10, 2025
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Meet the Acadiana woman saving birds of prey – The Current
SUMMARY: Letitia Labbie runs a wildlife rehabilitation operation on her 5-acre property in Youngsville, Louisiana, where she cares for injured birds of prey. A licensed specialist since 1999, Labbie relies on donations and her own funds to support her work, which includes building enclosures for raptors and restoring their health. Although many volunteers initially express interest, few are willing to manage the challenging upkeep. Labbie believes in educating the public on human impacts on wildlife and maintains that her efforts, though financially burdensome, are vital for each bird’s recovery. Her commitment stems from a personal tragedy that motivated her to protect the land.
The post Meet the Acadiana woman saving birds of prey – The Current appeared first on thecurrentla.com
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