A mineral processing company is investing in a new facility in St. James Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the National Defense Autorization Act contains hundreds of millions of dollars for Barksdale Air Force Base in northwest Louisiana. 116-million for a Weapons Generation facility, 18 million for personnel housing and 931-million dollars for continued modernization of the B-52 bomber, which will primarily go to Barksdale.

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract. She says the state has been litigating with UnitedHealthcare for five years…

Cut 12 (09) “…documents.”

Frank Wilson will reportedly leave LSU after the Texas Bowl on December 27^th to join the Ole Miss coaching staff. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says new LSU head football coach Lane Kiffin is expected to hire the running backs coach he had at Ole Miss, Kevin Smith, as Wilson’s replacement and Smith could help the Tigers acquire a 12-hundred yard rusher…

Cut 7 (11) “…Ole Miss.”

While former New Iberia police officer Micah Legnon is currently charged with threat by interstate commerce in an alleged terror plot in New Orleans, many more serious charges are likely. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it will take quite a while before those more serious charges are filed, and even longer before an indictment can be handed down.

Cut 10 (09) “…can go forward.”

ElementUSA announces that it will build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says the addition of ElementUSA would enhance the production that’s happening at the adjacent Atlantic Alumina plant.

Cut 5 (13) “…for the community.”

Following the Texas Bowl, Tigers interim head coach Frank Wilson will leave LSU for an assistant coaching job at Ole Miss. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’d like to see Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff against Tulane Saturday, be prepared to fork over some serious dough. Currently, the cheapest ticket on the secondary market is more than 250 dollars. Or you can stick around and watch the Saints in their home finale the following day for as cheap as less than 20 bucks.

A former New Iberia police officer who allegedly plotted a terror attack in New Orleans is currently charged with one count of threat by interstate commerce. But Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says many more serious charges are likely forthcoming against 29-year-old Micah Legnon (LEN-yahn).

Cut 9 (12)  “…bomb-making materials.”

ElementUSA announces plans to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says ElementUSA chose St. James Parish because the industrial infrastructure is already in place with the Atlantic Alumina plant.

Cut 4 (12) “…that same material.”

After the Texas Bowl December 27th, LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson will be taking his talents to Ole Miss. He has accepted a job as the Rebels’ running backs coach. Wilson is known as an outstanding recruiter and has convinced several great high school players from the New Orleans area to play at LSU during his two stints with the Tigers. But Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says money matters more than relationships in today’s world of recruiting.

Cut 8 (12) “…it’s all about cash.”

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

ElementUSA announces that it’s investing 850-million dollars to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says the facility will lead to the creation of 200 new direct jobs and more than 550 new indirect jobs.

Cut 3 (06) “…we greatly need.”

It seems that LSU and Ole Miss have an exchange program of sorts going on. LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson has announced that he will be leaving LSU after the Texas Bowl to become the running backs coach at Ole Miss. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says this is not a surprising development.

Cut 6 (08) “…not coming back.”

Guilbeau says as Wilson’s replacement, Lane Kiffin is expected to hire Kevin Smith – the running backs coach he had at Ole Miss.

The U.S. Department of Education awards Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second-graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools.

Cut 7 (12) “…around literacy instruction.”

With the legislature ending the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus, State Treasurer John Fleming is suggesting giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

The Revenue Estimating Conference identified stronger than expected income tax revenue as one of the main drivers behind the surplus, despite the fact that the legislature cut the income tax rate across the board last year.

The Alexandria Police Department has arrested a ten-year-old for shooting an eight-year-old on December sixth. At first, investigators determined it was an accidental shooting, but upon further investigation they’ve charge the ten-year old with aggravated second-degree battery and juvenile in possession of a handgun. At last report, the eight-year-old was in critical condition.

A former New Iberia police officer is arrested for allegedly plotting an attack in New Orleans. Andre Champagne reports he allegedly has ties to an anti-government group in California.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana lawmakers expressed concern about ending a Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare on January 1^st because the short notice could temporarily leave thousands of Medicaid recipients without coverage, so LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders to provide documents proving they are in compliance with the contract they have Louisiana. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she’s okay with that…

Cut 11 (07) “…asked for.”

She says UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs.

Louisiana has received a 15-million dollar grant from the U-S Department of Education to lead a five-year study on increasing the impact of high-dosage tutoring for first and second graders reading below grade level. Deputy Superintendent with the state Department of Education Jenna Chaisson…

Cut 9 (11) “…Louisiana can read”

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says, last year, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors. She says not only do public libraries offer books to borrow; they also host scores of programs. She says in 2024, Louisiana’s 337 public libraries hosted almost 90 thousand in-person and live virtual programs.

Cut 5 (10) “…are looking for.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools. She says this grant award recognizes the state’s leadership in advancing evidence-based literacy solutions.

Cut 8 (10) “…more about it.”

Chiasson says Louisiana has been a national leader in high-dosage tutoring

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract. She says the state has been litigating with UnitedHealthcare for five years…

Cut 12 (09) “…money back.”

LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders because the original January 1^st target could have caused a lapse in coverage for thousands of Medicaid patients.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Louisiana is awarded a substantial grant to study the impacts of high dosage tutoring on literacy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frank Wilson will serve as the interim head coach of the LSU Tigers through the Texas Bowl and then he’ll leave for an SEC rival. CBS Sports is reporting Wilson will leave his home state to be the running backs coach at Ole Miss. This will be Wilson’s second stint with Ole Miss as he served as the running backs coach for the Rebels when Ed Orgeron was the head coach there. He also has a relationship with new Ole Miss head coach Pete Goulding who was the defensive coordinator of the Roadrunners when Wilson was the head coach at UTSA.

Louisiana lawmakers expressed concern about ending a Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare on January 1^st because the short notice could temporarily leave thousands of Medicaid recipients without coverage, so LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders to provide documents proving they are in compliance with the contract. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she’s okay with that…

Cut 11 (07) “…asked for.”

She says UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs.

The Revenue Estimating Conference determined that stronger than expected income tax revenue is one of the main drivers behind an estimated 293-million-dollar budget surplus for the current fiscal year. State Treasurer John Fleming is suggesting giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts and says the ultimate goal is to make income taxes in Louisiana a thing of the past.

Cut 15 (06) “…in this state.”

The state’s libraries are growing in popularity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools.

Cut 7 (12) “…around literacy instruction.”