The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health is off, at least for now. Blue Cross withdrew its filing and cancelled a policyholder vote saying their stakeholders need more time and information to understand the proposal. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says he and other senators had many concerns…
Cut 10 (09) “…last week.”
Pressly says one of his major concerns is Elevance’s track record in other states.

Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes $198 million for a second round of stipends for teachers, but no permanent salary increase. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says educators thought the stipend pay hike would last more than one year.
Cut 4 (13) “…be kept.”
The Landry administration is concerned about the loss of 550-million dollars in annual revenue when a temporary .45 cent sales tax expires in July of 2025.

A special session on crime begins next week and Hammond Representative NIcholas Muscarello has filed a bill that would give the state more options to carry out death sentences. Muscarello would also like to protect the identity of drug makers who provide the drugs to perform a lethal injection. He knows discussion of the death penalty is an emotional issue…
cut 9 (10) “….families”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the number of chronic wasting disease cases confirmed in deer in Louisiana is up to 19. So far the fatal disease has only been found in deer in Tensas Parish. CWD has not been found to be contagious to humans, but state wildlife veterinarian Doctor Jim LaCour recommends not to consume a deer known to be positive.
Cut 15 (12) “…consuming it.”

Governor Landry did not include a permanent teacher pay hike in his proposed budget. And educators in the Bayou State are not happy. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Because of the difficulty finding drug companies willing to supply what’s needed to perform lethal injections, a bill has been filed to add options and protections to those companies.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has cancelled their policyholder vote and withdrawn their filing to be acquired by Elevance Health. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes $198 million for a second round of stipends for teachers, but no permanent salary increase. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says educators thought the stipend pay hike would last more than one year.

Cut 4 (13) “…be kept.”

Lawmakers elected to give the same stipend amount of $2000 for teachers, and $1000 for support workers. Landry’s proposal would allocate alternating stipends based on teachers performance levels.

Posey says the pay gap plays a role in the state’s shortage of qualified educators. And teachers are not only leaving the classrooms, but they’re also leaving the state.

Cut 5 (09) “…in Texas.” 

The average teacher salary for the 2021-2022 school year was $54,907, compared to Texas at $58,887, according to the Southern Region Education Board.

Posey says BESE is expected to take up the teacher compensation for a vote in early March. She believes lawmakers making the modest size pay raise permanent for teachers in the Bayou State would be…

Cut 6 (12) “…first step.”

Governor Landry decided not to make teachers pay raise permanent because it would be illegal to remove in the future.

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Among the legislation filed for the special session to address crime would expand the methods used to carry out the death penalty. Baton Rouge Representative Nicholas Muscarello says there’s an ongoing shortage of the drugs used for lethal injections so House Bill 6 would offer alternatives…

Cut 7 (10) “…the bill.”

Because of the difficulty obtaining the drugs used for lethal injections, the bill would also offer protections for drug manufacturers. Muscarello says drug companies are often reluctant to provide the ingredients needed for an execution.

Cut 8 (13) “…as well.” 

Any legislation about the death penalty brings on emotional debate, but Muscarello says this bill is only about expanding methods and providing protections to drug manufacturers.

Cut 9 (10)  “…families.”

Muscarello’s bill is one of the 24 pieces of legislation Governor Jeff Landry wants passed in the special session that begins Monday and wraps on March 6^th, just days before the regular legislative session convenes on March 11^th.

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The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health is off, at least for now. Blue Cross withdrew their filing and cancelled a policyholder vote saying their stakeholders need more time and information to understand the proposal. Louisiana Senator Thomas Pressly says he and other senators had many concerns…

Cut 10 (09) “…last week.”

Pressly says one of his major concerns is how Elevance has done business in other states…

Cut 11 (10) “…in Georgia.” 

Pressly also voiced concern over 20 million dollars he says Blue Cross spent on what he called a “propaganda machine” to solicit votes from policyholders to approve the deal.

Pressly says why hand over a financially healthy Blue Cross Blue Shield to a company that has a billion dollars in fines nationally since 2000 and has falling CMS ratings. He says he understands the larger pool of people from Elevance may get the company better prices on technology and information, but Blue Cross is currently in good shape and has the vast majority of the market in Louisiana…

Cut 12 (06) “…financial health.” 

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State officials have confirmed seven additional cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD), with a total of 19 cases all in Tensas Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim Lacour says the first case was discovered two years ago.

Cut 13 (09)  “…this point.”

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease caused by an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and it is 100 percent fatal to deer after an indeterminate incubation period. The first confirmed case of CWD was detected in 2022.

Lacour says a feeding an baiting ban has been implemented in Tensas, Madison, Concordia, and Franklin Parishes. He says hunters are prohibited from bringing out a deer or deer head with the brain in it but…

Cut 14 (13) “…a cape.”

LDWF has set up 13 free CWD collection sites throughout the region including Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, Madison, Morehouse, Tensas, and Union Parishes.

And while CWD has not been found to be contagious to humans, CDC recommends not to consume a deer known to be positive. LaCour says LDWF provides free testing for hunters across the state.

Cut 15 (12) “…consuming it.”

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The Ragin Cajuns begin a four-game road trip tonight at Old Dominion. U-L Lafayette is 8-4 in the Sun Belt, which is good for fourth place. Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin says he wants to stay in the top four, which gives them a better chance at winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament

Cut 16 (23) “…at that time” 

Old Dominion is 2-and-10 in league play, entering tonight’s game. After O-D-U, U-L Lafayette will visit Appalachian State, who is tied with Troy for first place in the Sun Belt. Point guard Themus Fulks says they will not overlook the Monarchs…

Cut 17 (17) “…game by game” 

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LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has named Thatcher Hurd as his starting pitcher for Friday’s season opener against V-M-I. Hurd was the winning pitcher in the national championship game and Johnson says he deserves the opening day assignment after a strong finish to last year…

Cut 18 (20)  “…do that.”

Alabama transfer Luke Holman will start game two for the Tigers on Saturday against Central Arkansas. Holman was Alabama’s ace last season as he went 7-4 with a 3.67 ERA. Johnson says Holman has been a great addition…

Cut 19 (18) “…what we are doing” 

Johnson has been impressed with the team’s preparation…

Cut 20 (24) “…on that.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has decided not to move forward with a proposed sale to Elevance Health. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

In Simmesport a 60-year-old woman and 16-year-old girl were killed in a house fire Sunday. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says they still don’t know the cause of the blaze in Avoyelles Parish and the victim identities have not been released, they were found in separate bedrooms of the home.

Willis Knighton Health is celebrating its 100th birthday and marking the occasion with a renewed commitment to northwest Louisiana. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says the facility was originally known as the Tri-State Sanitarium in 1924. It was a small suburban hospital on the outskirts of Shreveport.

Cut 6 (12) “…the state.”
Last year, Willis Knighton Health was ranked the number-one hospital in the state by Newsweek magazine.

A New Orleans couple is being recognized for the second year in a row, as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple by the Louisiana Family Forum. Ira and Margery Milan have been married for 82 years. Forum President Gene Mills says their story is one of love, faith, and joy.

Cut 3 (13) “…more children.”

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health is off. State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office received word last night from Blue Cross that they decided to withdraw its plan to merge. Temple’s approval was needed for the sale to go through. The commissioner says he received a lot of public input on the proposed transaction.

Cut 10 (09) “…their backs.”

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name. Louisiana. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says their logo will get a slight makeover, with a modern and sleek font.

Cut 8 (07) “…health system.” 

They will now be known as Willis Knighton Health.

For the second year in a row, Ira and Margery Milan, married for 82 years, are recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

If you have an ex with an outstanding warrant, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says why not turn them in and let them celebrate Valentine’s at the Livingston Parish Detention Center. He says quote “Nothing says I love you more than three hots and a cot,” meaning three hot meals and a night in jail.

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health is off. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office received word last night from Blue Cross that it decided to withdraw its plan to merge with Elevance.

Cut 9 (04) “…of this matter”

This is the second time Blue Cross has decided not to move forward with a merger with Elevance. Blue Cross CEO Steve Udvarheyli (Ood-ver-high) told lawmakers he’s concerned about the future of Blue Cross, because healthcare costs are rising faster than the premiums it charges. UNO Department of Economic and Finances Chair Walter Lane says it’s a legitimate concern and it’s why they need a partner.

Cut 12 (07)  “… changing marketplace.”  

A two-day public hearing about the merger was canceled this morning.

Shreveport Police have arrested 27-year-old Deanthony Griffin in connection with the fatal shooting of a one-year-old Sunday. Griffin is charged with one count of second-degree murder. Chief Wayne Smith says through the help of the community and dedicated detectives they were able to make a quick arrest. They are asking anyone else with information about the shooting that happened in the 500 block of East Stoner Avenue to come forward, the investigation is ongoing.

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name, and logo. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says the word system implies a building and he says they are much more than a facility, so their new name is Willis-Knighton Health.

Cut 7 (07) “…our logo.”  

Last year, Willis Knighton Health was ranked the number-one hospital in the state by Newsweek magazine.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana’s proposed sale to Elevance Health is off. UNO Department of Economic and Finances Chair Walter Lane says there was a lot of resistance to the proposed sale because Blue Cross failed to explain why as a non-profit it’s necessary to merge with a for profit company
Cut 11 (11) “…of Louisiana”
This is the second time Blue Cross has decided not to move forward with a merger with Elevance.

Willis Knighton Health is celebrating its 100th birthday. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says the facility was originally known as the Tri-State Sanitarium in 1924. It was a small suburban hospital on the outskirts of Shreveport.
Cut 6 (12) “…the state.”

Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians are the major religious groups that abstain from eating meat today and Fridays during the Lenten season. Many turn to crawfish during this time of year, but owner Harlon Pearce of Harlon’s L-A Fish in Kenner says mudbugs are expensive because of a low supply…
cut 19 (11) “….have crawfish”

For the second year in a row, Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans are recognized as the state’s longest known married couple. They’ve been married for 82 yards. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says music has been a major component of their happiness…
cut 4 (13) “….they do”
Mills says during their search for the longest known married couple, they found three other couples who have been married for 77 years.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has decided not to move forward with a proposed sale to Elevance Health. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

If you have an ex with an outstanding warrant, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says why not turn them in and let them celebrate Valentine’s at the Livington Parish Detention Center. He says quote “Nothing says I love you more than three hots and a cot,” meaning three hot meals and a night in jail. They are also willing to chauffeur your ex free of charge.

Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans who have been married for 82 years are Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple this Valentine’s Day, Family Forum President Gene Mills says they also want to recognize Burl and Mary Clark of Jena, Lloyd and Audrey Schroeder of Jefferson, and Leland and Gussie Lacaze of Robeline who’ve all been married for 77 years.

Cut 5 (12) “…to tell.”

Willis Knighton Health System is celebrating its 100^th birthday and marking the occasion with a new name. Louisiana. President and CEO Jaf Fielder says their logo will get a slight makeover, with a modern and sleek font.

Cut 8 (07) “…health system.” 

They will now be known as Willis Knighton Health.