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, 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.”  

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

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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”
Temple scheduled a two-day public hearing on the proposed sale and it was scheduled to start this morning, but it has been canceled.

Several lawmakers expressed reservations about the sale. Blue Cross and Elevance Health made the case the acquisition will lead to more affordable care, a better overall experience, and improved health outcomes. Elevance says its resources can also bring better technology. But Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly was skeptical…
cut 11 (09) “…technology issues”
Blue Cross’s CEO told legislators that Blue Cross could run into problems because health care costs are rising faster than the premiums it charges.

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 of New Orleans have been married for 82 years. President Gene Mills says the Milan’s story is one of love, faith, and joy.
Cut 3 (13) “…more children.”
Ira and Margery are both over 100 years old.

Major news this morning…as Blue Cross Blue Shield has back out of its plan to sell to Elevance Health. Several lawmakers like Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Patrick McMath believed it was a bad deal for Blue Cross’s one-point-nine million policyholders…
cut 12 (14) “…in Louisiana”
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has cancelled a two-day public hearing on the proposed sale that was set to begin today.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 40 days of Lent. LSU Professor of Religious Studies, Michael Pasquier says this is the Christian holy season leading up to Easter…
cut 13 (10) “…of Jesus”

The National Retail Federation says they expect consumers to spend on average 185-dollars on Valentine’s Day gifts this year. That’s up nearly more than 8-dollars than the average Valentine’s Day spending over the last five years. Katherine Cullen, vice president of consumer insights with the National Retail Federation, says about a third of consumers plan to gift an experience to their Valentine…
cut 6 (12) “….painting class”

The Lenten season means many Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians abstain from meat today and Fridays and consume seafood. Harlon Pearce, owner of Harlon’s LA Fish in Kenner, says if you’re planning an Easter Crawfish boil….
cut 9 (11) “….usage week”
And be ready to pay a pretty penny for crawfish, because of the low supply.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has announced its not moving forward with a merger with Elevance Health. The Indiana-based company was attempting to buy the non profit health insurance company for two-point-five billion dollars. Several lawmakers were concerned about this deal. Blue Cross says its stakeholders need more time and information to understand the benefits of the changes proposed.

Love is in the air on this Valentine’s Day and it’s making a dent in the economy with a record 25 billion dollars expected to be spent on gifts this year. That’s according to the National Retail Federation and Vice President of Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen says that’s the third highest dollar figure in their survey’s history.
Cut 4 (05) “…partner.”
Consumers plan to spend on average $186 for Valentine’s Day this year, that’s up almost $8 more than the average spending over the last five years.

Today marks the first day of Lent and during the Lenten season many Christians give up something like sweets or alcohol. LSU Professor of religious studies Michael Pasquier…
cut 14 (12) “….positive ways”
Many Christians abstain from meat during Lent, especially today and on Fridays. Crawfish is in short supply, but Harlon Pearce, owner of Harlon’s L-A Fish in Kenner, says there are plenty of other seafood choices like crabs, oysters and shrimp. He says fish is also a great choice during Lent…
cut 8 (13) “….be beat”
When it comes to crawfish, Pearce says give it give another month or so and there should be more mudbugs available.

Major news this morning…as Blue Cross Blue Shield has back out of its plan to sell to Elevance Health. Several lawmakers like Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Patrick McMath believed it was a bad deal for Blue Cross’s one-point-nine million policyholders…
cut 12 (14) “…in Louisiana”
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has cancelled a two-day public hearing on the proposed sale that was set to begin today.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 40 days of Lent. LSU Professor of Religious Studies, Michael Pasquier says this is the Christian holy season leading up to Easter…
cut 13 (10) “…of Jesus”

Catholics, Methodists, Lutherns 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 7 (11) “….have crawfish”

It’s also Valentine’s Day. Vice president of consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, Katherine Cullen says consumers plan to spend a total 25-billion dollars to celebrate Valentine’s Day…
cut 5 (08) “….greeting cards”
Consumers expect to spend 185-dollars on average, nearly eight dollars more than the average Valentine’s Day spending over the last five years.

The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, a non-profit, to a for profit company out of Indiana, Elevance Health, is off after several lawmakers expressed reservations. Blue Cross and Elevance Health made the case the acquisition will lead to more affordable care, a better overall experience, and improved health outcomes. Elevance says its resources can also bring better technology. But Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly remained skeptical…
cut 11 (09) “…technology issues”
What happens next for Blue Cross Blue Shield is unclear. It’s CEO told legislators that Blue Cross could run into problems because health care costs are rising faster than the premiums it charges.

The Mardi Gras season came to an end yesterday. Bars in the New Orleans French Quarter shut down at midnight and there was a shooting at 12:23 AM at the intersection of Canal and Royal Street. NOPD says three people were shot and one was taken to the hospital.

Cupid is doing his part to stimulate the economy on this Valentine’s Day. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

And today marks the start of the Lenten season. Many Christians give up things like sweets, alcohol or even soda. LSU professor of religious studies Michael Pasquier says others use Lent to focus on others…
cut 15 (10) “….their coworkers’

Shreveport police have made an arrest in Sunday’s fatal shooting of a one-year-old. Twenty-seven-year-old Deanthony Griffin allegedly fired his gun into an apartment complex and one of the bullets struck the infant.

A two-day public hearing on the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health of Indiana has been canceled as the Louisiana Department of Insurance has been informed the acquisiton is off. Several state lawmakers are concerned this was a bad deal for Blue Cross’s one-point-nine million policyholders. Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Patrick McMath says Elevance Health has a troubled history…
Cut 10 (09) “…profits soaring.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has raised concerns about its future with health care costs are rising faster than premiums.

Lenten season starts today and there should be plenty of seafood in the Bayou State for Catholics who abstain from meat.
cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

During the Lenten season many Christians give up something like sweets or alcohol. LSU Professor of religious studies Michael Pasquier…
cut 14 (12) “….positive ways”

In Metairie, a man fell off a two-story Krewe of Argus float this afternoon. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says there were no serious injuries as a result. It happened around 2 o’clock at the intersection of Causeway and Veterans Boulevard, once the rider was up the parade continued.

Klint Kubiak is reportedly the new offensive coordinator for the Saints. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The Mardi Gras party will come to an end at midnight tonight. Former interim New Orleans Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says the revelers are enjoying sunny but cool Fat Tuesday….

Cut 12 (08)  “..Super Mardi Gras”  

As for how Mardi Gras 2024 will be remembered, Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy is quick to point out that while the Fat Lady hasn’t sung just yet he believes it will be recalled as a regular one with back-to-normal parade routes.

Cut 5 (12) “…believe me.”

As for next year Hardy believes it won’t be as calm as this year’s with Super Bowl LIX (59) on February 9th at the Superdome and Fat Tuesday three weeks later on March 4th.