Governor John Bel Edwards spoke in front of lawmakers today as the regular legislative session is now underway. Edwards is moving forward with the expansion of Medicaid, proposing a higher minimum wage, and reforming public education. He wants to make sure the working poor have affordable access to healthcare and the state will save 100 million dollars within the first year with the expansion.

cut 14 (07)  “health outcomes”

President Barack Obama declared seven parishes in Louisiana as a federal disaster area. The President’s action makes federal funding available to those affected in Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Richland and Webster Parish. National Weather Service Forecaster C.S. Ross says we’ll get a better idea of the damage in a few days.

CUT 3 (10)  “the week”

Ross says this kind of immense flooding seems to happen every 25 to 30 years in northern Louisiana.

The chef and co-owner of the New Orleans restaurant Mother’s, Jerry Amato, has passed away at 65 due to complications from cancer. Louisiana Restaurant Association president Stan Harris says Mother’s is one of the most iconic Louisiana restaurants. He says many know them for their homemade biscuits, delicious gumbo and jambalaya, and unique sandwiches…:

CUT 9 (09) “name of the sandwich”

The Pearl River in southeast Louisiana is expected to crest at 21 feet today, the highest the river has been since the 1980s. St. Tammany parish President Pat Brister says the shelters in the western part of the parish are closed. She says they have yet to receive any requests for shelter on the eastern side yet, but are prepared if those calls do come, up to five-thousand homes could be impacted.

CUT 6 (06) “arises”

She says they are getting information out to residents in the area so they can prepare for potential flooding.