BY DEANNA B. NARVESON | Staff writer Insurance bill passes: Over the strong objections of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and the insurance industry, the Louisiana House deferred to Gov. Jeff Landry and gave final passage to a bill Tuesday that Landry says will make it harder for insurance companies to raise rates. Temple objects because he says the measure, House Bill 148, will allow the insurance commissioner to reject rate increases without justification. That, he adds, will discourage companies from investing in Louisiana, and the reduction in competition will make it harder to keep rates down — the opposite of what Landry says. The controversial measure is one of several the governor plans to sign into law that will impact the insurance industry. Read the full story. Pecue Lane: The final phase of building an Interstate 10 interchange at Pecue Lane in Baton Rouge is on track to finish next year. Here's how that could improve traffic. Pope Leo XIV: David Whidden, Ph.D., professor of theology and vice president for mission at Franciscan University in Baton Rouge, specializes in systematic and historical theology. He has taught on a wide variety of topics, including courses on the Old and New Testaments, Trinitarian Theology, Sacramental Theology, Church History and Catholic Social Teaching. The Advocate spoke to him this week about the new pope and the recent conclave. Read the Q&A with Whidden here. | 