Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the state’s health department could have misspent as much as 85-million dollars over a 20-month period on people enrolled in the Medicaid expansion program who did not qualify to receive the government paid for health coverage. Medicaid eligibility is determined by monthly income. The report noted that if one month, a person made too much money to qualify, they may not have been kicked off the program as long as their monthly income met the requirements by the end of the year. State Medicaid Director Jen Steele says that’s not fraud.
Cut 8 (08) “…the time”
Steele says they now have a new automated system for Medicaid eligibility that will increase the accuracy of eligibility decisions.

The LSU football program has landed a verbal commitment from one of the top running backs in the country. John Emery of Destrehan posted on Twitter that he’s proud to say I’m staying home, Committed to the Tigers. Emery was previously committed to Georgia.

We get another reminder today that we are heading into the winter months. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (26) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

And the National Weather Service is receiving reports it’s snowing in north central Louisiana and sticking to elevated roads and surfaces. A winter weather advisory is in effect for that part of the state as the snow is expected to end before 9 AM. A coating is possible on grassy areas.

We get another reminder today that we are heading into the winter months. Connor Ferrill has the story.

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The Legislative Auditor discovers the state’s Medicaid program potentially paid tens of millions in healthcare costs for people who may not have been eligible. Matt Doyle has more.

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For the 50th time, Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss will meet on the gridiron as the two Conference USA schools meet in Hattiesburg on Saturday at 2:30. The Golden Eagles have won the last three matchups in this season and Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they have to get ready for an explosive passing game…

Cut 17 (20) “high level”

Golden Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins has nine touchdown catches and quarterback Jack Abraham has thrown for over 2,000 yards. Holtz says Abraham is smart and knows where to go with the football…

Cut 18 (12) “spread quarterback”

Tech is coming off a 28-13 win over Rice. They are 7-3 with two more regular season games left. Holtz says they’ve figured out how to win games, even if they are not fully clicking on offense…

Cut 19 (20)   “…for success”

The cold temps are raising concerns for State Fire Marshal Butch Browning.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

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Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.  The state’s coldest temperatures of the week are still to come.

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state is seriously lacking in support for working class families early childcare needs.

Cut 11 (08) “…a slot.”

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White had gone to a private residence to speak with someone, and called the Winnfield Police to ask for a ride and upon their arrival she was eventually tased.
Cut 12 (06)   “in the eye”
Hamilton says the open request for policies regarding the use of force have been unanswered.  The department has not yet commented on the case.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana is seeking answers into an alleged police brutality case in Winnfield. ACLU’s Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White has lost sight in her right eye after she was hit with a taser during an encounter with Winnfield police on November 5th. Hamilton says they have filed an open records request with the police department to see what kind of policies they have regarding the use of force, de-escalation and racially-biased policing have been unanswered…
cut 13 (10) “…to other races”
Police allegedly told the family that White was resisting arrest and fell, hitting her face on the ground. State Police is investigating.

Sad story out of Baton Rouge as a piano teacher was killed in Mississippi while helping out a motorist who was involved in a crash. Mississippi Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Leslie Wood was killed on I-55 in Copiah County when a semi hit Wood’s vehicle on the side of the road and hit her too. Wood taught at Baton Rouge Magnet High School.

Much of the state is under a freeze warning as the temperature is expected to drop below freezing during the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you plan on using a space heater, make sure it’s at least five feet away from anything combustible and don’t overload wall outlets. Browning says do not plug space heaters into extension cords. He says those with central heating should also take precautions…
cut 7 (07) “…to be used”
Snowflakes were falling this morning in Shreveport, but Aaron Davis with the National Weather Service says the snow didn’t stick…
cut 4 (04) “…maintain snow”
Davis it might get even colder Wednesday night into Thursday morning and then we’ll see a warm up.

A Winnfield woman has lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser, and now the ACLU wants answers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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When temperatures go below freezing in Louisiana, the fire risk increases. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the first priority to keep your family safe is to make sure your home has working smoke alarms.

Cut 6 (08) “…time and escape.”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says its solid progress for programs vital to student’s pre-kindergarten educational preparation.

Cut 9 (07) “…their ratings.”

Six percent of programs were rated excellent, up from 3 percent last year.

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped. Davis says the state’s coldest temperatures of the week are still to come.

Cut 5 (04)  “…the lowest temperatures.” 

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning, and those Cold temps are raising concerns for State Fire Marshal Butch Browning.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year, but 23 percent of child care providers did not make the cut this year, according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says state shouldn’t have any non-proficient providers, something that can only be accomplished with better funding.

Cut 10 (08)   “…quality care“

Six percent of programs were rated excellent, up from 3 percent last year.

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says often tasers are used in ways that they should not be, and the goal is to make sure this type of incident doesn’t happen again.

Cut 14 (08) “…have severe consequences.”

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.  Davis says the snow didn’t stick…

Cut 4 (04) “…maintain the snow.″

The cold temps predicted to be impacting Louisiana this week are significant and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is remind people to stay warm in a safe manner.  Browning insists that no one use a kitchen stove top or oven in an attempt to warm their home.

Cut 8 (10) “…cause a fire.”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state is seriously lacking in support for working class families early childcare needs.

Cut 11 (08) “…a slot.”

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White had gone to a private residence to speak with someone, and called the Winnfield Police to ask for a ride and upon their arrival she was eventually tased.
Cut 12 (06)   “in the eye”
Hamilton says the open request for policies regarding the use of force have been unanswered.  The department has not yet commented on the case.