Attorney General Liz Murrill announces that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. During a news conference at the Capitol, Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money from the program.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the program (2x).”

A recall involving hundreds of thousands of bags of popular Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips has been classified under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s most serious warning level due to the risk of salmonella contamination.  The FDA announced the voluntary recall as a Class 1 recall just yesterday meaning there’s a “reasonable probability” that consuming or being exposed to the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The chips were first recalled in May by Utz Quality Foods

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If it seems like summers here in Louisiana are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

More than 61-million travelers are projected to hit the roads this Fourth of July weekend.  That’s according to Tripple A. Gas prices are at a four-year high for this time of year, but Don Redman with Tripple A says that won’t deter travelers.

Cut 8 (09) “…it’s still high.”

If it seems like summers here in Louisiana are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Over 72-million Americans are expected to travel this Fourth of July weekend. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill announces scores of arrests in connection with a nationwide Medicaid fraud crackdown. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If it seems that summers here in Louisiana and across the country are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Shel Winkley, the chief meteorologist at Climate Central, says Louisiana’s average summer temperatures – accounting for both the daytime highs and overnight lows in June, July and August – have been steadily rising ever since records have been kept.

Cut 4 (13) “…of about 82.4.”

Winkley says nationally, since 1970, the average summer temperature has risen two and a half degrees; and while that might not seem like a significant difference, it really is.

Cut 5 (06) “…wouldn’t feel well.”

Winkley says humans have only themselves to blame for this, with all the coal, oil and methane gas that we burn.

Cut 6 (07) “…heat in more.”

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Triple-A projects more than 72-million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the Fourth of July weekend, a slight increase over last year’s record. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says many are taking advantage of the holiday falling on a Saturday and extending vacations through next week.

Cut 7 (12) “…who are cruising.”

More than 61-million travelers are projected to hit the road, while nearly six-million are expected to board planes. Gas prices are at a four-year high for this time of year, but Redman says that won’t deter travelers.

Cut 8 (09) “…it’s still high.”

Triple-A says if you’re hitting the road today or tomorrow, it’s best to try to leave before noon. The most congestion on the roads is expected in the afternoon and early evening.

Before you leave, check battery conditions, tire pressure and oil status. Triple-A responded to more than 687-thousand roadside assistance calls last year. Redman says if you are driving a long distance, it’s best to take breaks every two hours.

Cut 9 (11)  “…you are impaired.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill announces that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. During a news conference at the Capitol, Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money from the program.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the program (2x).”

Murrill says Medicaid fraud is by no means a victimless crime.

Cut 11 (10) “…services and support.”

Murrill says she has made fighting Medicaid fraud a top priority ever since she was elected.

Cut 12 (13) “…residential care facilities.”

Murrill says her office has also secured 105 convictions and 73-million dollars in restitution orders.

Murrill also announced that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been elevated to a standalone division within the Louisiana Department of Justice, and that Matt Stafford has been promoted to lead the newly-created division.

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State Representative Gabe Firment of Pollock is running for Congress. Firment joins at least two fellow Republicans — Monroe Representative Michael Echols and State Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell — in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Senate nominee Julia Letlow. Firment says voters can trust him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…get to Congress.”

Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race.

The Grant Parish representative has served in the House since 2019. He describes himself as a true conservative who can represent the rural district well. His opponents have a head start after beginning their campaigns months ago, but Firment believes he has an advantage as the southernmost candidate.

Cut 14 (08) “…of this district.”

The reshaped district covers all or parts of 24 parishes, stretching from Monroe south to Avoyelles and Rapides parishes and into southeast Louisiana. The November 3rd party primary will be an open ballot due to the late redistricting caused by the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s previous congressional map. Firment says voters will be able to hear from all candidates.

Cut 15 (12) “…really well there.”

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After a red-hot June for LSU recruiting, Lane Kiffin’s staff will look to keep the momentum going. Ruston High School four-star safety Jayden Anding was scheduled to announce his commitment between LSU and Ole Miss yesterday, but he pushed it back at the last minute. Geaux247’s Andre Champagne says he can do it all in the secondary.

Cut 16 (11) “…pretty much anywhere.”

Anding is the brother of current Tigers corner Aiden Anding.

Brother Martin five-star wideout Easton Royal is still committed to Texas, but he hasn’t shut the door on his recruitment. LSU is trying hard to flip the nation’s top receiver. Champagne says his final decision will go down to the wire and will consider more than just who offers the most money.

Cut 17 (17) “…the entire class.”

Five-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster is the top-rated prospect in the class, and he’s been committed to Texas Tech since October. The 6-3, 300-pound athletic freak can have an immediate impact wherever he ends up. Champagne says LSU is all-in on trying to flip him, and it may even be a higher priority than landing Royal.

Cut 18 (13) “…or no one.”

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury is reportedly investigating whether Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill made illegal threats to New Orleans officials. During a news conference this morning, Murrill said she knew nothing beyond what had been reported by the media.

Cut 12 (09) “…I said, ‘No.’”

Earlier this year, Murrill sent letters to Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, threatening to remove them from their offices over their opposition to a new state law that merged clerk of criminal and civil courts.

Murrill spoke with reporters today, because she also announced that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the program (2x).”

Murrill says the Louisiana Fraud Control unit made the arrests. That unit has been elevated to a standalone division.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment announced his campaign for Congress today. Firment joins Monroe Representative Michael Echols and State Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Firment says he was born and raised in the district and knows its communities.

Cut 13 (11)  “…get to Congress.”

Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race.

Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and the season lasts until November.

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury is reportedly hearing evidence over whether Attorney General Liz Murrill violated state law by threatening to remove New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams and five New Orleans Council members from office if they didn’t follow a new state law that combined the civil and criminal clerks of court in Orleans Parish. Murrill says she’s heard nothing about a grand jury and doesn’t believe she did anything wrong…

Cut 14 (02) “…I sent”

When the letters were sent on May 13^th, Moreno said in a social media post that it is against the law to intimidate or threaten public officials in an effort to try to influence their decision or change their position.

For the first time in the state’s modern history, there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says Democrats were once the dominant party in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “…to fall”

Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador has passed away at the age of 74 after a bout with brain cancer. Cador, who was also an outstanding baseball player for the Jaguars, was the head coach of the Baton Rouge school for 33 years, winning 14 SWAC titles and two HBCU national titles. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says Coach Cador won a lot of games and changed a lot lives….

Cut 3 (09) “…young men.”

Cador won 913 games from 1984 to 2017.

Louisiana Tech officially joined the Sun Belt Conference today, a move that will reduce travel costs and renews historical rivalries. Athletics Director Ryan Ivey says they are already seeing the impacts…

Cut 19 (12) “…of the schedule”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is under investigation by an Orleans Parish grand jury. Earlier this year, Murrill sent letters to Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, threatening to remove them from their offices over a special election for a newly-merged clerk of criminal and civil courts. Murrill said she stands by the letters she wrote.

Cut 13 (12) “…think is appropriate.”

The number of Republican voters in the state has surpassed the number of registered Democrats for the first time in Louisiana’s modern history, according to a monthly report from the Secretary of State’s office. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and polling says the number of registered no-party voters is 820-thousand and growing.

Cut 10 (08) “…Independents.”

Former Southern baseball coach and player Roger Cador passed away yesterday. The New Roads native led the Jaguars baseball program for 33 years and transformed Southern baseball into an HBCU powerhouse. Southern Board of Supervisors Chair Tony Clayton says he asked Cador one day how he could recruit the nation’s top prospects like Golden Spikes winner Rickie Weeks.

Cut 4 (11) “…still is.”

LDWF announced a special increase of the red snapper bag limit to five per person for the Fourth of July weekend. The declaration of emergency will be in effect tomorrow through this Sunday before reverting back to the normal four-fish limit. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes fishing is on the agenda for your Independence Day weekend.

Cut 8 (12) “…out there.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill’s threats to New Orleans officials is now the subject of an investigation by an Orleans Parish grand jury. During a news conference this morning, Murrill said she knew nothing beyond what had been reported by the media.

Cut 12 (09) “…I said, ‘No.’” 

Murrill had threatened to remove Mayor Helena Moreno and others from their offices over a special election for a newly-merged clerk of criminal and civil courts.

Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

The Secretary of State’s voter registration report for July shows that for the first time in Louisiana’s modern history there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The fourth and final Central Louisiana law enforcement officer charged in connection with an immigration fraud case pleads guilty. Former Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. It was part of a years-long scheme in which the officers prepared bogus violent crime reports for immigrants to help them obtain U-visas.

A report on registered voters in the state shows that for the first time in modern history, there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. Registered Republican voters out number Democratic voters by 23-hundred and John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says it is becoming harder for a Democrat to win a statewide office…

Cut 11 (11) “…conservative voters”

To help celebrate the Fourth of July and America’s 250^th Birthday, the red snapper bag limit has been increased to five fish per angler starting tomorrow and running through Sunday. The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the red snapper population can support extra harvesting.

Cut 7 (12) “..bag numbers.”

Former Southern baseball coach Roger Cador has passed away at the age of 74.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

State Representative Gabe Firment has announced he will run for Congress as he will look to replace Julia Letlow as Louisiana’s representative in the 5^th Congressional District. State Representative Michael Echols is also running and so is Misti Cordell of Monroe, who is the chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents. All three of them are Republicans and GOP state senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race. The open primary is in November.