Governor John Bel Edwards says a Texas judge’s decision to declare the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional could lead to the loss of health insurance for 480,000 recipients of the Medicaid expansion, and 850,000 people with pre-existing conditions, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told nothing is potentially changing until the case works its way through the courts.

Cut 6 (10) “…the decision.

The case is headed to the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

South Louisiana Community College has inked a deal with Nicholls State University for four articulation agreements which should provide a smoother transition from the community college into the four year university in select fields.  SLCC spokesperson Christine Payton…

Cut 12 (10)   “…justice and nursing.” 

The Saints defense has been dominate in the second half of the season, and in the last six games has grabbed 8 interceptions, 28 sacks, and only allowed an average of 12 points per game. That’s come down largely to two factors, the league’s best rush defense, and the 5^th most sacks this year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says that rush defense will prove even more important in the playoffs.

Cut 3 (11) “…was about.”

The Saints have not allowed a 100 yard individual rusher in twenty straight weeks.

If you have seen one of the state’s digital message boards lately, you may have noticed the safety messages are more creative. State department of transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says says they’ve received great feedback about their unique traffic safety messages…

Cut 11 (10) “…with some”

The Saints defense is now one of the elite units in the league, allowing an average of 12 points per game over their last six contests. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is using holiday themed safety messages to get motorists to buckle up or travel the speed limit. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”  

_____________________________________________

The Saints defense has been dominate in the second half of the season, and in the last six games has grabbed 8 interceptions, 28 sacks, and only allowed an average of 12 points per game. That’s come down largely to two factors, the league’s best rush defense, and the 5^th most sacks this year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says that rush defense will prove even more important in the playoffs.

Cut 3 (11) “…was about.”

The Saints have not allowed a 100 yard individual rusher in twenty straight weeks.

All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan and 2016 first round pick Sheldon Rankins have combined for 20 sacks to spearhead the Saints devastating pass rush, and Detillier says they’re on pace to be the top Black and Gold pass rushing unit of the Sean Peyton era.

Cut 4 (10) “…2013.″

Six different Saints have four or more sacks on the year.

Detillier credits most of the success to the growth from the team’s young core that carried over from last year, but says the additions of linebacker Demario Davis in free agency and cornerback Eli Apple, who was traded from the Giants, have put them over the top, and into elite territory.

Cut 5 (06) “…have.”

_________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says a Texas judge’s decision to declare the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional could lead to the loss of health insurance for 480,000 recipients of the Medicaid expansion, and 850,000 people with pre-existing conditions, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told nothing is potentially changing until the case works its way through the courts.

Cut 6 (10) “…the decision.

The case is headed to the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, one of the most conservative courts in the nation, and likely to the Supreme Court after that.

Obamacare was struck down due to the illegality of the individual mandate that taxes people who don’t have health insurance. Donelon says other aspects of the ACA are now in peril because in their rush to pass Obamacare, Congressional Democrats put out a “half baked” law, and…

Cut 7 (12) “expansion”

90 percent of new enrollees on the expansion is paid for by the feds.

Donelon says because of the popularity of certain aspects of the ACA, if it were to be struck down in the Supreme Court, it’s like Congress would take up an effort like the one proposed by Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Cut 8 (11) “…care act”

_______________________

If you have seen one of the state’s digital message boards lately, you may have noticed the safety messages are more creative. State department of transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says drivers tend to ignore a mundane message that says to slow down or buckle up, so they decided to spice it up with messages like…

Cut 9 (11) “…not roadways″

The state has just over 100 digital message boards that can be found along interstates or major thoroughfares that alert motorists about accidents and provide other traffic safety information. Mallett says they want to put a message on the boards that gets a driver’s attention

Cut 10 (11) “…little bit.”

Mallett says they’ve received great feedback about their unique traffic safety messages…

Cut 11 (10) “…with some”

_____________________________

South Louisiana Community College has inked a deal with Nicholls State University for four articulation agreements which should provide a smoother transition from the community college into the four year university in select fields.  SLCC spokesperson Christine Payton…

Cut 12 (10)   “…justice and nursing.” 

Payton says the partnership between the two schools will hopefully result in retaining students in the area.

Cut 13 (08) “…for their lifestyle.”

Payton says the agreement has been in the works for months, and says more articulation agreements could be coming down the line.

Cut 14 (04) “…spring with Nicholls.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is using holiday themed safety messages in an effort to get motorists to buckle up or travel the speed limit. Don Molino has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

The Louisiana Health Department declares an outbreak of hepatitis A, as there’s been at least 24 confirmed cases of the highly contagious liver disease. The illness can be spread by consuming contaminated beverages and food, during sex or through close contact of an infected person. Drug users and homeless individuals are most at-risk.

Many are wondering about the future of the Affordable Care Act now that a federal judge in Texas ruled its unconstitutional because the feds no longer penalize a person for not having insurance. The A-C-A remains intact until the appeals process is completed. However, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the ruling should be a signal to Congress to pass an improved health care law…
cut 8 (11) “…care act’

South Louisiana Community College and Nicholls State has signed an agreement that will make it easier for certain students who attend an S-L-C-C campus to transfer to Nicholls. S-L-C-C spokesperson Christine Payton says students who study biology, business administration, criminal justice and nursing should be able to transfer smoothly into Nicholls and they hope to add more fields soon…
cut 14 (04) “…spring with Nicholls”

Governor John Bel Edwards says a Texas judge’s decision undo Obamacare could lead to the loss of health insurance for hundreds of thousands of Louisianans. The ACA was struck down due to the illegality of the individual mandate that taxes people who don’t have health insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says other aspects of the ACA are now in peril because in their rush to pass Obamacare, Congressional Democrats put out a “half baked” law, and…

Cut 7 (12) “expansion”

90 percent of the cost for new enrollees on the Medicaid expansion is paid for by the feds.

Safety messages on roadside traffic boards are getting more creative. State department of transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says drivers tend to ignore a mundane message that says to slow down or buckle up, so they decided to spice it up with messages like…

Cut 9 (11) “…not roadways″

The Saints defense is now one of elite units in the league, only allowing on average 12 points per game over their last six. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

22 year-old Verenize Alvarez has been arrested for criminal trespassing and theft in relation to an amazon Christmas package theft in Ascension Parish. The package was allegedly stolen yesterday at a Pascal Drive residence, but police say surveillance footage shows Alvarez taking the gifts, and leaving. When contacted, police say Alvarez admitted to the thefts, but says the packages were tossed and not recovered. She’s been booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

Governor John Bel Edwards says a Texas judge’s decision to declare the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional could lead to the loss of health insurance for 480,000 recipients of the Medicaid expansion, and 850,000 people with pre-existing conditions, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told nothing is potentially changing until the case works its way through the courts.

Cut 6 (10) “…the decision.

The case is headed to the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Two people are under arrest for child trafficking in a case where investigators allege a juvenile was forced to engage in sexual acts across Louisiana, and even trafficked across state lines. State Police spokesperson Sergeant Jarden Sandifer.

Cut 11 (09) “…this case.”

The Saints defense has been dominate in the second half of the season, and in the last six games has grabbed 8 interceptions, 28 sacks, and only allowed an average of 12 points per game. That’s come down largely to two factors, the league’s best rush defense, and the 5^th most sacks this year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says that rush defense will prove even more important in the playoffs.

Cut 3 (11) “…was about.”

The Saints have not allowed a 100 yard individual rusher in twenty straight weeks, and has paired that rush defense with 45 sacks on the year.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Saints beat Carolina 12-9 last night. New Orleans lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter and Quarterback Drew Brees says the defense also made winning plays down the stretch…
cut 15 (11) “…win the game”
New Orleans is 12-and-2 and can secure homefield advantage throughout the N-F-C playoffs with a win Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Two New Iberia residents are under arrest for child trafficking. Investigators allege a young girl was forced to engage in sexual acts across Louisiana, and into Texas. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer credits the Special Victims Unit for ending this disgusting crime.
Cut 10 (10) “…as these.”
39-year-old Derrick Hall and 21-year-old Shaena Kelly face various charges.

The next hearing in the case that could undue Obamacare will likely be held in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state health department has declared a Hepatitis A outbreak as they’ve confirmed 24 cases of hepatitis A, which is a highly contagious liver disease. The illness is spread by consuming contaminated food or beverages, during sex or through close contact with an infected person. The state has received funding to vaccinate at-risk groups, which are drug users and those who are homeless.

A ruling that strikes down the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional because of the individual mandate, which no longer punishes taxpayers for not having health insurance, is expected to go before the U-S 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says that court could agree with Judge Reed O’ Connor of Texas…
cut 9 (09) “…5th circuit”
Supporters of the Affordable Care Act say the US Supreme Court already upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate in a 2012 ruling.

The Saints improved to 12-and-2 last night by beating Carolina 12-9 in a defensive slugfest. Coach Sean Payton’s defense forced two turnovers, held the Panthers to 247 yards of offense and had four sacks…
cut 14 (10) “…year too”
It’s the first time New Orleans won a game when scoring 12 or fewer points since 1998.

An 8-year-old in Vinton who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor earlier this year is receiving Christmas cards from across the nation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

State Police have booked two New Iberia residents on child sex trafficking charges. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says their investigation began in October after the St. Landry Sheriff’s Office learned about a juvenile female being offered up for sex….
cut 11 (09) “this case”
The two people arrested have been identified as 39-year-old Derrick Hall and 21-year-old Shaena Kelly.

The court case, involving a ruling from a federal judge in Texas that declared the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional could be headed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s interesting the feds have decided not to defend the A-C-A as a collection of state’s attorney generals, including Louisiana’s Jeff Landry, have attacked Obamacare in court…
cut 8 (12) “…existing law”
Depsite last Friday night’s ruling, the nation’s health care law is still in effect and those who are covered or just purchased policies through the Affordable Care Act still have valid policies.

After beating Carolina 12-9 last night in a defensive slugfest, the Saints are now one win away from locking up the top seed in the N-F-C playoffs. New Orleans will host Pittsburgh this Sunday.

A New Iberia man and woman are behind bars after allegedly forcing a girl to have sex for money in Iberia and Lafayette Parishes and in Texas. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer says 39-year-old Derrick Hall and 21-year-old Shaena Kelly were arrested in the Baton Rouge area. Sandifer says the public plays an intergral role in identifying suspects in trafficking…
cut 12 (10) “….agency”

Eight-year-old Drake Quibodeaux of Vinton has an inoperable brain tumor. When asked what he wanted for Christmas, he made a simple request for Christmas cards. The nation has responded and his mother, Danielle, says the show of support has been amazing….
cut 4 (09) “….from the mail”
Many of the cards contain money to pay for Drake’s medical expenses.

The next hearing in the case that could undue Obamacare will likely be held in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development says there’s been a seven-percent decline in the homeless population in Louisiana. Louisiana is one of 31 states to report a decline, but HUD says there’s been a six-percent rise from last year in homelessness among veterans.

An eight-year-old boy in Vinton with an inoperable brain tumor has received 34-thousand Christmas cards. His wish for this holiday season was Christmas cards and that wish went viral and his mother, Danielle Quibodeaux, says some well-known individuals took time to send Drake a card…
cut 5 (09) “….sent us stuff”
The Fiesta Bowl has also invited the Quibodeaux’s to the game between LSU and U-C-F on New Year’s Day.

It was far from a Masterpiece, but the Saints moved a win away from claiming the top seed in the NFC with a hard fought 12-9 win over the Carolina Panthers. It’s the first time New Orleans won a game by scoring 12 points or less since 1998, but Coach Sean Payton didn’t care. He says a win is a win, especially in December…
Cut 13 (09) “…to do that”
The Saints host Pittsburgh this Sunday.