Governor John Bel Edwards encouraged Medicaid recipients to check their eligibility status and take action to avoid losing coverage. Eligibility reviews were paused due to the COVID pandemic. In a public service announcement released earlier today, Edwards says this is important for every Louisianan receiving health coverage.

Cut 9 (11) “…their coverage.”

The massive outreach effort will cost nearly $196-million.

Legislation that would designate the pecan as the official state nut and authorize its use on official state documents and with the insignia of the state has been filed by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris. Louisiana harvests an average of 17.7 million pounds of pecans annually. The Republican lawmaker says the state is one of the largest producers of pecans in the country – it’s time to make it official.

Cut 5 (10) “…produce them”

Lawmakers will hear the bill in the legislative session that begins April 10.

House Majority Leader and Congressman Steve Scalise says the indictment of former President Donald Trump is political.  Trump has been indicted for alleged illegal use of campaign dollars as hush money to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Scalise says the New York City D.A. Alvin Bragg is abusing his power.

Cut 12 (13) “…after Donald Trump.” 

He is the first former (or seated) U.S. President to ever be formally accused of a crime.

With crawfish prices dropping an average 15-cent this week, it will be another great weekend to congregate with friends and enjoy. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the drop in prices wasn’t at the dock this time, it was retailers who dropped their prices.  King says if you’re interested in ready to eat crawfish you will pay about $4.00 a pound.

Cut 8 (08)  “…can expect.” 

This weekend prices are down 20-cents a pound compared to the same weekend last year.

Tens of thousands of Louisiana Medicaid recipients could lose coverage, unless they take steps to update their information within the system. Governor John Bel Edwards says Medicaid eligibility reviews will begin in April, and it’s important to assure your contact info is up-to-date…:’

CUT 11(08)      “…keep your coverage”

He says look for a package from LDH in the mail and respond to it right away to prevent loss or interruption of benefits. LDH estimates more than 300-thousand people will be taken off of Medicaid during this re-eligibility process.

A date has been set for ceremonies to officially re-name Fort Polk, in Vernon Parish. The Armey has set June 13^th for the event, in which the fort will be re-dubbed Fort Johnson; named for World War I hero and Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. William Henry Johnson.

District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the indictment of former President Donald Trump is a political maneuver. Trump has been indicted for alleged illegal use of campaign dollars as hush money to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He is the first former (or seated) U.S. President to ever be formally accused of a crime. Scalise says the charges are alleged violation of federal law, and federal prosecutors have not seen fit to indict Trump. He questions why a New York City D.A. would press the issue…:

CUT 14(08)      “…standard in America.”

There’s one of these every year: a bill to proclaim something as the Louisiana state BLANK. This time, it’s a bill from CenLa Representative Lance Harris, proclaiming the pecan the official State Nut…:

CUT 03(12)      “…state nut.”

There are too many jokes here and they’re all far too easy.

Governor Edwards urges Medicaid recipients to update their contact information with the program, as eligibility checks are re-starting in April. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

Parishes in Northwest Louisiana are under a tornado watch until 9 tonight. Areas north of Natchitoches and from the Texas line to just east of Ruston should be prepared for severe thunderstorms and be alert to possible tornado warnings that may occur.

District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the indictment of former President Donald Trump is a political maneuver. Scalise says the New York district attorney is pretty obviously acting in the best interests of his political party; not his constituents…:

Cut 13  (11)      “…politically-charged.”
Trump has been indicted for alleged illegal use of campaign dollars as hush money to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

It’s another great week for crawfish consumers with an average 15-cent drop in prices this week. That’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. She says the drop in prices wasn’t at the dock this time, it was retailers who dropped their prices…:

CUT 06(09)      “…crawfish season.”

Which of course is Easter weekend.  You can expect to pay about $2.64 a pound this weekend for live crawfish.

District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the indictment of former President Donald Trump is a political maneuver. Scalise says the New York City D.A. Alvin Bragg is abusing his power…:

CUT 12  (13)        “…after Donald Trump.”

Trump has been indicted for alleged illegal use of campaign dollars as hush money to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Scalise says the indictment is clearly intended to hurt Trump’s 2024 election plans.

Governor John Bel Edwards urges Medicaid recipients to take action and check their eligibility status to avoid losing coverage. He says look for a package in the mail and reply right away…:

CUT 10(09)      “…contact information.”

Baton Rouge Police are investigating the death of a pedestrian Thursday night in Interstate 12. Officers say – for reasons unknown – 35-year-old Michael Williams ran out into the middle of the roadway and then stopped. He was struck by traffic and killed. The coroner rules the death an accident, but cops want to know WHY he did it.

State lawmakers are accused of coming up with nutty ideas, well one Central Louisiana lawmaker wants to make the pecan the official state nut…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Governor Edwards urges Medicaid recipients to check their eligibility status to avoid losing coverage in a public service announcement released earlier today. Eligibility reviews are usually done yearly but were paused due to the pandemic. Edwards says this is an important and critical process for many Louisianans.

Cut 9 (11) “…their coverage.”

It will cost the state close to $196 million to conduct outreach for eligibility reviews.

Among the legislation filed for the upcoming session is one to bestow the designation of the official state nut to the pecan. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is sponsoring the bill and he says since Louisiana sports one of the largest crops of pecans in the south and Louisianans love them and it’s time to make it official.

Cut 5 (10) “…produce them”

The average price for a pound of crawfish dropped 15-cents so you’re looking at an average of $2.64 a pound for live mudbugs, 70 to $80 a sack. And if you’re hankering for some crawfish this weekend and aren’t in the mood to boil them yourself, Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says you’ll pay about $4.00 a pound at your favorite restaurant.

Cut 8 (08)  “…can expect.” 

As we approach Easter, she’s predicting a quarter-per-pound increase.

And you might want to pick up a strawberry biscuit this weekend too. For a limited time, Popeyes has added the treat to their dessert menu. It’s their signature biscuit with reportedly the right balance of salty and sweet with strawberry bits baked in and creamy icing on top. The strawberry biscuits are available nationwide but again for a limited time.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed some nutty legislation for the upcoming session. Because Louisiana harvests an average of 17.7 million pounds of pecans annually and ranks top five among pecan-producing states he wants it to be honored as the state nut.

Cut 4 (11)  “…that designation” 

And another favorite delicacy in the Bayou State is crawfish. This weekend expect to pay an average of $2.64 a pound for live mudbugs or about four dollars for boiled. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says even though there’s been a consistent drop in prices weekly that’s about to change as we approach Easter.

Cut 7 (10)  “…quarter a pound.” 

The LSU women’s basketball team will appear in its 6th Final Four tonight and its first since 2008 when it faces Virginia Tech in Dallas. The Lady Tigers are seeking their first National championship. Senior Alexis Morris says the team that’s the toughest mentally will advance to Sunday’s championship game…

Cut 17 (13) “…these moments.” 

Tip-off tonight is at 6 o’clock.

And it was a memorable baseball game at the Box last night with 13-thousand fans witnessing the Tigers pull off a five-to-two victory over ninth-ranked Tennessee. Game two of the series is also at 6 tonight.

A 19-year-old student at Southwood High School is facing charges after a school resource officer allegedly found a fully loaded gun in his backpack. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Officer Calvin Williams confronted Caleb Morris after he allegedly threatened to kill a coach at the school…

Cut 12 (08)  “…being shot.”
Morris faces several charges including terrorizing and possession of a weapon in a gun free zone.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation some nutty legislation he wants – the pecan to be the official state nut. In a quest to identify the state nut Harris realized there wasn’t one and a constituent requested he propose one.

Cut 3 (12) “…state nut”

The legislative session begins on April 10th.

Congressman Steve Scalise’s comprehensive energy bill that would bolster oil and gas production in the United States received approval from the U-S House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for the best price for crawfish this weekend, according to the Crawfish App you can expect to pay $2.64 a pound or $70 to $80 a sack for live mudbugs and $4.83 a pound for boiled crawfish. Prices are down an average of 15-cents this weekend.

During his first seven years in office, Governor John Bel Edwards did not provide a strong opinion on the death penalty. But in an interview on KNOE-TV in Monroe, Edwards said his Catholic beliefs and pro-life stance are reasons why he opposes capital punishment…
cut 8 (10) “….death penalty”
There is a bill filed for the upcoming regular session to end the death penalty in Louisiana.

Senator John Kennedy says in an effort to combat crime in New Orleans police officers in that city should have the ability to stop and frisk potential crime suspects. Kennedy says it’s an effective and legal crime fighting tool…
Cut 14 (12) “…Supreme Court.”
But WWL-TV in New Orleans reports the NOPD already conducts these stops, they call them “Terry Stops”

The actions of a Southwood High school resource officer prevented a possible school shooting in Caddo Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to new U-S Census Bureau data, Louisiana has four parishes ranked in the top ten for largest declines in population among counties in the United States. Saint John’s population declined five percent from 2021 to 2022, Terrebonne lost four-percent of its population, while Plaquemines and St. Charles lost three percent. Hurricane Ida could be a factor.

The controversial legislation to end capital punishment received public approval from Governor John Bel Edwards. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers women’s basketball team will play in its 6^th final four and first since 2008 today against Virginia Tech in Dallas. The Tigers will be in a search of their first National Championship with second-season Coach Kim Mulkey. In order to reach the National Championship, LSU will need to go through Virginia Tech who is the No. 1 seed from the Seattle 3 region.

Good news for energy consumers. The U-S House approved Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise’s ‘Lower Energy Costs Act’. The bill restores the country’s energy independence and lower energy costs for families. Scalise says the legislation will reverse what he calls the Biden Administration’s anti-energy policies.

Cut 5 (12) “…from China”

The GOP Energy Bill passed on a 225-204 vote. 

A 19-year-old student in Caddo Parish was arrested for threatening to kill a coach yesterday. Sheriff Steve Prator says a Southwood High School coach told Caleb Morris to stop vaping, Morris responded with a death threat and left the gym. A school resource officer stopped Morris as he walked back toward the school.

Cut 11 (04)  “…in his backpack.”

Prator says once the investigation is complete, the District Attorney’s office will take over.

Governor John Bel Edwards has publicly come out against the death penalty – after remaining neutral on the controversial issue during his tenure. Edwards told KNOE TV in Monroe he is concerned about executing an innocent person.
Cut 7 (07) “…actual executions.”
There is a bill filed by Marrero Representative Kyle Green that would end the death penalty in Louisiana. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t expect the governor’s support of the legislation will lead to legislative passage…..
cut 9 (06) “….both chambers”
The state has carried out only one execution since 2010.

A record crowd of 13-thousand fans at Alex Box Stadium saw top ranked LSU beat ninth ranked Tennessee five to two last night. The same two teams tonight at 6 PM.

A 19-year-old student at Southwood High School is facing charges after a school resource officer allegedly found a fully loaded gun in his backpack. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Officer Calvin Williams confronted Caleb Morris after he allegedly threatened to kill a coach at the school…
cut 12 (08) “…being shot”
Morris faces several charges including terrorizing and possession of a weapon in a gun free zone.

Benjamin Riggs is the new executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, which pushes for pro consumer insurance related legislation at the state capitol. There’s a bill that will be heard in the next few weeks that would prohibit the use of gender when factoring auto insurance rates. Riggs supports the proposal…
cut 21 (12) “…gender’
According to Zebra-dot-com, Louisiana is one of 25 states where women on average pay a higher annual car insurance premium than men.