It was seven years ago today Governor John Bel Edwards expanded the state’s Medicaid program which provided an additional 500-thousand working Louisianans with health insurance. The governor’s office says during that time hundreds of thousands of Louisianans received treatment for cancer, hypertension and mental health. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist says it was the best decision the governor has made during his time in office…
cut 6 (10) “…at home”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we are seeing another uptick in COVID cases as a result of a new variant that’s considered highly transmissible.
cut 8 (10) “….to us”
Protections in the form of previous COVID infection antibodies, vaccines, boosters, and oral therapeutics.

Optimism for the near-future continues to drop among Louisiana’s small businesses. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says a recent national survey resulted in a 12th straight month of member businesses who feel the next 3-to-6 months will be rough…:
Cut 10 (07) “…growing their business.”
51-percent of NFIB member businesses say their outlook for the next six months has gotten worse.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation announces plans to repair the Interstate 10 eastbound overpass at I-49 in Lafayette after a truck driving under the overpass caused extensive damage to three of the eight grinders on the eastbound bridge. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says the repairs will come in two phases, with the first phase taking place a week from Friday…
Cut 13 (14) “…on I-10.”
Expect interstate closures when the work takes place January 20th to 22nd.