Construction is set to begin next month for a project to replace the 52-year-old LA 507 bridge between Womack and Castor in Red River Parish.  The state has received $76 million from the feds to fund several projects.  DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says projects include replacing three closed bridges in Red River and Bienville Parishes.
Cut 4 (12) “…in those parishes”
The $2.1 million project is expected to finish in Spring 2021.
The Louisiana Division of Administration had to spend 2.3 million dollars, mostly on personnel, responding to cyberattacks last year. Spokesperson Jacques Berry says these kinds of attacks require fast responses, and they don’t come cheap.

Cut 7 (10) “…hours”

He says the 2.3 million dollar figure does not include local government spending on the responses.

Louisiana volunteers are helping in the aftermath of a deadly tornado outbreak in Nashville, Tennessee.  United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says his organizations is feeding about 500 people with basic hotdogs and hamburgers for now, but Cajun cuisine is on the way.

Cut 10 (11) “…are really effected.”

At least 24 people are dead as the result of the early Tuesday morning tornado outbreak and many are still unaccounted for.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 21-year-old Ashlin Faith Lewis, who was found passed out inside a vehicle in a field south of Bogalusa with a crying infant in a car seat. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says EMS was called to the scene and the infant was transported to Our Lady of Angels Hospital

Cut 13 (11) “…the infant.”

Haley says a deputy woke Lewis up and she failed a sobriety test.

Louisiana had to shell out 2.3 million dollars responding to cyberattacks last year, 1.7 million of it on the November ransomware attack that shut down the state Office of Moter Vehicles. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

As many as 31,000 Louisiana food stamps recipients could lose their benefits this summer. April 1st marks the beginning of a new Trump administration rule requiring recipients to meet stricter work requirements to continue receiving benefits. But 14 parishes will not be affected because of their high unemployment rate.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 21-year-old Ashlin Faith Lewis, who was found passed out inside a vehicle with a crying infant in a car seat. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says the engine was running when a deputy approached the vehicle in a field south of Bogalusa
cut 12 (06) “..in urine”
Haley says the infant was released by a local hospital and is now in custody of the state, while Lews faces numerous charges.

Louisiana volunteers are helping in the aftermath of a deadly tornado outbreak in Nashville, Tennessee. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says the organization is receiving assistants from volunteers around the region.
Cut 9 (12) “…we got 43.″
He says they are accepting financial contributions on their Facebook page.. United Cajun Navy.

The Louisiana Division of Administration had to spend 2.3 million dollars, mostly on personnel, responding to cyberattacks last year. Spokesperson Jacques Berry says last year’s series of attacks are evidence that the threat to public sector entities from cyberspace is growing.

Cut 6, 10 seconds, as well

1.7 million of it went towards response to the massive ransomware attack that crippled state services in November.

About 31-thousand Louisiana food stamp recipients could soon lose their benefits as a result of stricter work requirement rules put in place by the Trump Administration. Sammy Guillory with the Department of Children and Family Services says the new rules go into effect April 1st and they will soon start notifying those who could be impacted…

cut 12 (07) “….April May June”

A Blue Cross Blue Shield reports show the rate for early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increased 200 percent across the nation, how did the Bayou State fare. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

New food stamps work requirements may ultimately lead to a loss benefits for 31,000 Louisianans when the new requirements kick in April 4^th.  DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says notices for impacted recipients will go out later this month.

Cut 11 (11) “…case in April.”

The changes to the food stamp program is an attempt by the Trump administration to reduce government spending, but there are concerns it will lead to increased homelessness and health problems.

Construction is set to begin later this month for a project to replace the 60-year-old LA 532 overpass over I-20 in Webster Parish.  DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the final utility relocation is underway now and once that is finished, the construction will start.

Cut 3 (10)  “…the construction process.”  

The brand new overpass is just east of Minden is expected to be complete in Fall 2021 and will cost $8 million.

President Donald Trump endorses Senator Bill Cassidy’s reelection effort. Cassidy says the President offered the endorsement some time back, and said he would publicly announce it when the Senator was ready. Cassidy says he’s become a close ally…

Cut 13 (13) “…program”

Baton Rouge Democrat Antoine Peirce is Cassidy’s only announced challenger so far.

Senator Elizabeth Warren drops out of the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary, making the race a tight two way contest between Senator Bernie Sanders and former VP Joe Biden. State Party Director Stephen Handwerk says expect to see both candidates visiting Louisiana in pursuit of it’s critical 54 delegates April 4th…

Cut 4 (09)_ “…htoday with activity.”

The last day for non-Democrats to register online as a Democrat for the closed primary is March 14^th.

As many as 31,000 Louisiana food stamps recipients could lose their benefits this summer. April 1st marks the beginning of a new Trump administration rule requiring some recipients to meet stricter work requirements to continue receiving benefits. DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory on who might lose food stamp eligibility…
cut 10 (07) “…not disabled”
Guillory says they plan to reach out to those who might be affected. Fourteen parishes, most of them in northeast Louisiana, will not be affected because of their high unemployment rate.

Louisiana Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk believes the Bayou State will play a role in the Democratic presidential nomination process when our presidential primary arrives on April 4th. It appears to be a two-person race and Handwerk says the candidates will need volunteers…
cut 5 (09) “….here in Louisiana”
Handwerk expects Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will visit the state soon.

A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association report has found that Louisiana had one of the highest rates for early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease between 2013 and 2017. Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesperson Robin Mayhall says heightened awareness and better diagnostic tools are helping to detect early-onset cases, but as for causes…
cut 9 (11) “…will be done”
In 2017, 131-thousand people between the ages of 30 and 64 were diagnosed with either form of dementia.

President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Senator Bill Cassidy’s re-election. Cassidy is expected to win a second term in November. The Baton Rouge doctor is not concerned about a GOP challenger…
cut 14 (04) “….politics”
Baton Rouge Democrat Antoine Pierce is Cassidy’s only announced challenger so far.

A Blue Cross Blue Shield report shows the rate for early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increased 200 percent across the nation, how did the Bayou State fare. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The U-S House has passed an eight-point-three billion-dollar measure that will fund the United States’ efforts to battle the coronavirus outbreak. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says he’s glad Congress pulled together to pass a clean, bipartisan funding measure to assist in the federal government’s response to Coronavirus.

We’re about a month away from the Louisiana Presidential primary and Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden continue to fight for the nomination. Louisiana Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk says he expects Louisiana will still be in play for the April 4th primary and he’s been encouraged by the turnout for the previous Democratic presidential primaries…
cut 6 (08) “….like for Democrats”
The last day for non-Democrats to register online as a Democrat for the closed primary is March 14th.

Senator Bill Cassidy has received President Trump’s endorsement as Cassidy is ramping up a re-election bid. Cassidy says if re-elected in November he will continue to work on lowering drug prescription prices and end surprise medical billing, plus…
cut 15 (10) “….cost”
Cassidy does not face a major challenger at this moment.

Recent developments in the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination make it likely Senator Bernie Sanders and former VP Joe Biden will visit the state. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

There are now three announced candidates seeking to replace the retiring Ralph Abraham as Louisiana’s Fifth District Congressman. State Representative Lance Harris of Alexandria entered the race yesterday, joining the other announced Republican Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson. Candy Christophe of Alexandria is the lone announced Democrat.

A report from Blue Cross Blue Shield finds Louisiana has one of the highest rates in the country for of early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s between 2013 and 2017. Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesperson Robin Mayhall says rates have increased, especially in the south….
cut 8 (10) “….about 8.7”
Mayhall believes heightened awareness and better diagnostic tools as reasons why diagnoses have gone up.

About 31-thousand Louisiana food stamp recipients could soon lose their benefits as a result of stricter work requirement rules put in place by the Trump Administration. Sammy Guillory with the Department of Children and Family Services says the new rules go into effect April 1st and they will soon start notifying those who could be impacted…
cut 12 (07) “….April May June”

As many as 31,000 Louisiana residents could be without food stamp benefits soon, and the clock starts ticking April 1.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Advocate reports Louisiana has spent two-point-three million dollars responding to cyberattacks over the past year. Officials say there were five different incidents. One-point-seven million dollars was spent responding to a ransomware attack last November that impacted the state Office of Moter vehicles.

Louisiana Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s likely Democratic Presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden will visit the state soon. Handwerk says the race for the Democratic nomination should remain competitive through our April 4th primary, and Louisiana’s 54 delegates could be crucial to both campaigns.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…today with activity.”
To vote in the Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary you must be a registered democrat and you have until March 14th to register and you could do so at geaux-vote-dot-com.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Senator Bill Cassidy’s reelection effort. Cassidy says the President offered the endorsement some time back and said he would publicly announce it when the Senator was ready. Cassidy says he’s become a close ally to the President.
Cut 13 (13) “…program”
So far Cassidy does not face a well-funded opponent.

Louisiana Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk believes the Bayou State will play a role in the Democratic presidential nomination process when our presidential primary arrives on April 4th. It appears to be a two-person race and Handwerk says the candidates will need volunteers…
cut 5 (09) “….here in Louisiana”
Handwerk expects Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will visit the state soon.

As many as 31-thousand Louisiana residents could lose their food stamp benefits as new Trump administration work rules go into effect April 1st. The new restrictions cover able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 and do not have children living with them. Sammy Guillory with D-C-F-S says they’ll notify impacted residents later this month…
cut 11 (11) “…case in April”

A new report shows the diagnosis rate for early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Louisiana between 2013 and 2017 is one of the highest in the nation. The findings come from a new report released by Blue Cross Blue Shield, ranking Louisiana 42nd in the nation. Blue Cross Blue Shield Spokesperson Robin Mayhall says early on-set rates increased not only in the Bayou State but across the nation.
Cut 7 (09) “…very concerning”
Mayhall says several factors could be driving the increase in prevalence, including a heightened awareness of symptoms, better usage of diagnoses codes or simply an increase in those who are afflicted with the condition.