Governor-elect Jeff Landry is expected to name former Congressman Ralph Abraham the next Secretary at LDH. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Governor John Bel Edwards is leaving office after two terms. He spoke to the media about his accomplishments. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Today begins the three-day early signing period for college football recruits and LSU’s 2024 class will feature some standout players from the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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It’s anticipated that Governor-elect Jeff Landry will announce the appointment of former Congressman and physician Ralph Abraham to be the next Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health today. ULM political science professor Dr. Pearson Cross….
Cut 4 (11) “…that position.”
With the majority of LDH’s budget funded by federal dollars, Pearson says it’s a plus the former congressman understands the allocation and appropriation process.
Cut 5 (10) “…quite important.”
While in Congress Abraham was in favor of the repealing of the Affordable Care Act and against Medicaid expansion, which LDH oversees. On the campaign trail, Landry stated it would be difficult to roll Medicaid back once it’s been expanded.
The pandemic placed even more scrutiny on the department and Cross says whoever is appointed Secretary will have a large responsibility.
Cut 6 (09) “…to vaccines.”
Abraham graduated from LSU School of Medicine in 1994 and practiced family medicine. In 2014 he was elected to his first of three terms in Congress. In 2020 he ran for governor but failed to make the runoff between Eddie Rispone and Governor John Bel Edwards.
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After serving two terms, Governor John Bel Edwards is leaving office next month. He spoke to the media about his accomplishments and says he’s leaving the state in better shape than he found it…
Cut 7 (11) “…a balanced budget.”
Edwards says Medicaid expansion was an easy decision for him and he is proud that no rural hospitals closed during his time in office. He also said higher education funding grew 465 million dollars in recurring general funds for operations…
Cut 8 (11) “…when I did.”
While Edwards spoke about all of the goals he was able to achieve regarding the economy, healthcare, coastal restoration, and education, he also pointed out they occurred during multiple historic natural disasters and a global pandemic.
Cut 9 (11) “…eight years.”
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The Better Business Bureau has drawn up its list of the top three most popular Christmas scams to avoid. Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau says don’t give into scams trying to steal your personal information or money through social media ads.
Cut 10 (12) “…social media.”
The 2022 BBB Online Scams Report found online purchase scams were the most common scheme reported to their Scam Tracker during the holidays.
Fake texts claiming you’ve been hacked are also on the naughty list. If you get such a text, Million says don’t respond to any unknown numbers.
Cut 11 (12) “…for it.”
Million says buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals through social media gift exchanges are also on the popular list. To avoid falling victim, she says never to make a payment by wire transfer, through a third party, or by prepaid debit or gift card, treat it as a red flag. Because if you’re victimized…
Cut 12 (07) “…trace them.”
For more information BBB.org/AvoidScams.
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2023 was a tough year for Louisiana cattle and hay producers because of extreme heat and drought conditions. According to an LSU Ag Center report, these two agriculture entities lost more than 360 million dollars this year, and LSU AgCenter Area Beef Specialist Ashley Edwards says the hot temperatures also stressed cattle and led to much lower weights when they went to sale barns…
Cut 13 (08) “being sold.”
Herd numbers in Louisiana are at their lowest since the 1960s and cattle producer Mitch Marsalis says hay production was way down. He says disaster payments helped provide more relief…
Cut 14 (04) “…these calves.”
Marsalis says he’s holding cattle up to two months longer to get more weight on them. Edwards says producers that can get more weight on their cattle there is a small silver lining…
Cut 15 (05) “…per hundredweight.”
Edwards expects to see lower calf birth weights in the spring and she advises producers to closely monitor these calves in their first 24 hours.
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Today begins the three-day early signing period for college football. LSU’s recruiting class features eight of the ten best players from the state of Louisiana according to on3.com. Recruiting analyst for the Bengal Tiger, Shea Dixon, says six-foot-six Zachary tight end Trey’Dez Green is an intriguing prospect…
Cut 16 (16) “…flexed out tight end.”
The defensive secondary was a weak position group in 2023 for the Tigers. Dixon says LSU will address that by signing six defensive backs out of high school, including four cornerbacks. He says Lafayette Christian quarterback JuJuan Johnson is set to transition from quarterback to cornerback…
Cut 17 (24) “….from the start”
The 2024 class has 27 commitments and Dixon expects they will all honor their commitment…
Cut 18 (18) “…all sign.”
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Angel Reese will have the opportunity to play in her hometown tonight as the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers visit Coppin State in Baltimore. Reese, who played her two years of college baseball at Maryland University, is looking forward to the homecoming…
Cut 19 (19) “…big thing.”
Reese played high school basketball at St. Frances Academy. Her number ten jersey is retired.
After LSU’s national championship, Reese threw out the first pitch before a Baltimore Orioles game, was gifted a key to the city of Baltimore, and a basketball court in Baltimore has been named after her.
Reese says she’s looking forward to playing in front of her high school coaches and her grandparents…
Cut 20 (20) “…always remember.”