Governor John Bel Edwards announced in a Senate committee that enrollment for Louisiana’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (28) “….I’m Don Molino”

The governor is slowing down on the building and expansion of facilities on Louisiana’s community college campuses, because of a lack of dollars in the state’s construction budget. Over half of the projects on the 280-million dollar list for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System have been put on hold.

Legislation that would allow for the sale of raw milk in Louisiana passes the Senate on a 23-12 vote. The bill’s author, Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFluer was passionate about the subject in his closing remaks…
cut 30 (10) “….this is a America’
The bill heads to the House for more debate.

Legislation that establishes a legal framework for surrogacy births is heading to the House floor. Under current law, a child born to a surrogate woman is considered the infant’s mother. Metairie Rep. Joseph Lopinto wants to change the law so the genetic parents are immediately the legal guardians of the child….
cut 29 (09) “…going forward”
Similar legislation was vetoed by former Governor Bobby Jindal.

Enrollment for the expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1, according to Governor John Bel Edwards. Edwards says the money saved by the expansion will go towards reducing cuts to healthcare and reinvesting in higher ed. He says this expansion will also reduce the amount the state pays for uninsured patients in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (06) “10-percent”

Edwards says over 300-thousand people will be covered under this expansion.

Governor John Bel Edwards will make an appearance on the HBO series Vice, and his interview for the show will take place today. The governor’s press secretary Shauna Sanford says the episode will highlight college affordability and the future of higher ed.

Cut 12 (07) “affordability”

The episode will air in mid-June.

The talk about uncommitted delegates choosing Ted Cruz over Donald Trump is not true, according to one delegate who has yet to make up his mind. Luke Letlow, a Marco Rubio delegate from North Louisiana, says he is still not committed to either candidate.

Cut 6 (08) “in November”

Letlow says he’s been approached by both the Trump and Cruz campaigns since Rubio dropped out.

Dead sea turtles are washing up on the Gulf Coast, and biologists are trying to figure out why. Director of the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies, Moby Solangi, says this is concerning because the Kemps Ridley sea turtles are endangered.

Cut (05) “this year”

Solangi says earlier this year, they also saw an increase in the number of dolphins dying.

Calling it the right thing to do for Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the enrollment period for Louisiana’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Edwards says over 300-thousand people will benefit from the government paid for insurance. He says the expansion will also save the state much needed dollars…
cut 3 (06) “….million dollars’
The Medicaid expansion will cover more working poor individuals and the coverage will kick in on July 1st.

Governor Edwards is interviewing with producers of the HBO series “Vice” who is examing the rising cost of higher education for students. Edward’s press secretary, Shauna Sanford, this is an issue that’s important to the governor…
cut 14 (07) “….more people”
The show will air in mid-June.

Talk of uncommitted delegates choosing Ted Cruz instead of Donald Trump for president is not true according to one of the members who said he has yet to make up his mind. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

On this tax day, the Department of Revenue announces a Lafayette used car dealer has been arrested for tax fraud. Investigators say the owner of LA Auto Sales, Larry Dwayne Brown, underreported the sale price of dozen of vehicles, remitted too little sales tax and pocked the difference. It’s alleged he defrauded the state an estimated 20-thousand dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today that enrollment will begin June 1st for Louisiana’s expanded Medicaid program. Edwards says over 300-thousand Louisiana residents will qualify for the government health care under the new eligibility requirements…
cut 5 (09) “…critical date”
The Edwards aministration says the Medicaid expansion will result in a net savings of 677-million dollars in the first five years.

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has threatened a lawsuit over the possibility of uncommitted delegates from Louisiana going to Ted Cruz, even though Trump won Louisiana’s presidential primary. But Luke Letlow and three other uncommitted delegates have signed a letter, agreeing to stay uncommitted until the Republican National Convention….
cut 7 (10) “….will be”
Letlow was a Marco Rubio delegate.

Governor Edwards will do an interview today for the HBO news documentary series “Vice.” Edwards press secretary, Shauna Sanford, says the governor will discuss funding issues facing public colleges…
cut 13 (09) “…the country”
The show will air in mid-June.

Biologists have seen an increase in the number of dead sea turltes washing up along the Gulf Coast. Director of the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies, Moby Solangi, says the turtles could be suffering from toxins left over from oil spills, as well chemicals flowing out of the Mississippi River. Solangi says they are doing what they can to rehabilitate turtles struggling to survive
cut 11 (05) “….rescue facility”

June 1st will be the day that new enrollees can sign up for Medicaid under the expanded program. Governor John Bel Edwards says this expansion will reduce the amount the state pays for uninsured patients in Louisiana…:
CUT 4 (06) “10-percent”
He says it will also cut healthcare costs and improve health outcomes.

Newspaper reports indicated that Louisiana’s unbound GOP delegates were going to choose Ted Cruz over Donald Trump for president, but at least one says he’s not decided. Luke Letlow, a Marco Rubio delegate from north Louisiana, says he’s very conflicted about which candidate he will ultimately pledge his support, but they both have their strengths and weaknesses…:
CUT 8 (08) “general election”
He says he and three other uncommitteds said they will wait until the convention before making a decision.

Edwards will be interviewed today for an appearance on the HBO series “Vice” to discuss the future of higher education. The governor’s press secretary, Shauna Sanford, says this episode of the 30 minute news documentary will highlight college affordability…:
cut 12 (07) “affordability”
Sanford says the governor will address the problems facing universities, as well as the plans to remedy those issues.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says a Lafayette used car dealer is facing charges in connection to a tax fraud scheme which robbed the state of tens of thousands of dollars. They say Larry Dwayne Brown, owner of LA Auto Sales, did not report the sale price on dozens of vehicles, he remitted too little sales tax and pocketed the difference. It’s estimated he defrauded the state of an estimated $20,000. Brown is booked with theft, penalty for failure to file and criminal penalty for failing to account for state tax monies.

Talk of uncommitted delegates choosing Ted Cruz instead of Donald Trump for president is not true according to one of the members who said he has yet to make up his mind. Trump is trying to decry the system because even though he won the primary here, Cruz could end up with more delegates. Luke Letlow, a Marco Rubio delegate from north Louisiana, says he is 100% unbound at the moment..:
CUT 6 (08) “in November”
Letlow says he and three other delegates signed letters saying they’ll remain undecided until the Republican Convention.

Dozens of dead sea turtles are washing up along the Gulf Coast and biologists are not sure why. Director of the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies, Moby Solangi says the Kemps Ridley sea turtles that are stranding early in the season are the most endangered sea turtles in the world:
CUT 9 (05) “this year”
He says the animal deaths could be linked to red tide, which is caused by toxins released by algae in the water.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces enrollment for Louisiana’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

The governor’s office says Edwards will be sitting down to interview with producers of HBO’s documentary TV series VICE later this afternoon. They say the episode is expected to focus on college affordability and the future of higher education.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces enrollment for the state’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Edwards told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that expanding Medicaid will benefit the state greatly by cutting healthcare costs and improving health outcomes. He says the expansion will also save the state much-needed dollars in critical budget times…:
CUT 3 (06) “million dollars”
He says over 300-thousand Louisiana residents will be eligible for enrollment.

If there isn’t enough money to fund the TOPS scholarship program, there’s a measure that could get a vote on the Senate floor this afternoon that would line out a contingency plan. Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish seeks to change it, so all TOPS students receive at least some scholarship money…:
Cut 13 (04) “totally”
TOPS is expected to cost the state 300-million dollars next fiscal year.

Nicholls State launches a lecture series tonight that’s designed to encourage females to pursue a career as a chef. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Fire investigators are still working to determine how a blaze started in a Ville Platte home that claimed the life of a 106 year old man. They say Edwards “Knotoe” Thomas Jr, one of Louisiana’s longest-living citizens and retired police officer, was alone at the home he shared with family members when the tragic fatal fire started in the attic.