LSU public health professor Doctor Rebekah Gee has been named the new secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says putting procedures in place to expand the state’s Medicaid program will be one of his first duties when he takes office on Monday. Edwards says the expansion will go into effect this summer..

cut 8 (11) “wallets”

Gee takes the job during a budget crisis, but says the challenge doesn’t faze her.

Tonight’s $450 million PowerBall jackpot is the 4th largest in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says a lot of people in Louisiana play PowerBall when the jackpots get this big…

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The deadline to purchase a ticket for tonight’s drawing is 9PM.

Although nationwide auto sales hit a record in 2015, Louisiana didn’t see such a boost. Bob Israel, President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, says Louisiana set a record for auto sales in 2014, but sales were down about 3.7 percent last year…

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He says our oil based economy is suffering which played a part in a slight auto sales decline in the state last year.

Twelfth night is today and that means it’s the kick off to Mardi Gras season and a busy time for bakeries. Co-owner of Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans, David Haydel, says with Fat Tuesday falling on February 9th, king cakes will be selling quickly…

cut 10 (08) “us busy”

Haydel says this is the time where the bakery has all hands on deck to make sure they make enough king cakes for everyone.