A mass shooting in New Orleans left three dead over the weekend.  Now, investigators are looking for answers from the public and they are increasing the reward money for information in the case.  NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison says the shooting initially appears to be gang-related, but continues to encourage the witnesses to come forth with information.

Cut 14 (07) “…investigation is ongoing.”

The reward for information leading to arrests is up to 25,000 dollars.

The Legislative Auditor has a new report claiming the state health department and the Attorney General’s Office misappropriated a combined millions in money intended to fight Medicaid fraud. Auditor Daryl Purpera says they initiated the investigation at the request of LDH and the AG’s office, who’ve since put the money back in the program.

Cut 9 (09)  “time period.”

A state lawmaker admits it was couple of weeks following the final special session, before the legislature learned it had suspended sales tax holidays until 2025 as a result of the final tax and budget deal. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former Saints special team legend and now ALS advocate Steve Gleason’s wife Michel Varisco is expecting. The couple say their second child is due sometime in October.

There’s now a reward of 25-thousand dollars for information that leads to the conviction of the gunmen responsible for Saturday’s mass shooting in New Orleans that killed three people and wounded seven others. Becca Dill has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…Becca Dill”

Union Parish authorities say a Bastrop man drowned in Lake D’Arbonne attempting to retreive his pontoon boat that had blown off its trailer during a thundestorm Sunday afternoon. Authorities say 65-year-old Roddy Watt was found about 100 yards from the launching area.

A state lawmaker admits it was not the legislature’s intention to discontinue sales tax holidays for the next seven years. But Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the state’s three different sales tax holidays went away as result of the budget and funding deal passed in the last special session.
cut 3 (11) “tax holiday”
McFarland says legislation seeking to bring back the sales tax holidays will likely be introduced next year.

Another audit is released critical of how state agencies manage Medicaid dollars. The latest report criticizes the health department and the attorney general’s office for failing to deposit money into a fund to fight Medicaid fraud. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the state also blew 642-thousand dollars in 2012 on software not compatible with their systems…
cut 11 (07) “….use them”
L-D-H says they’ve been correcting a problem that was inherited from the previous administration.

The reward has been increased to 25-thousand dollars for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in Saturday night’s mass shooting that killed three people and wounded seven others in New Orleans. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison says they are searching for at least two suspects…
cut 13 (06) ‘…rifle”
Harrison says one of the victims was targeted as a result of gang activity.

Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says it was not the legislature’s intention to halt three different sales tax holidays when legislators agreed in the last special session to a tax deal to fully fund state government. McFarland says he wouldn’t be surprised if there was legislation next year to bring them back…
cut 5 (08) “…tax holiday”
As it stands now, the sales tax holidays have been suspended until 2025.

The state legislative auditor has found the Louisiana Health Department and the attorney general’s office previously failed to identify and dposit the required money into a fund to fight Medicaid fraud. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says when companies overcharge the state for services, they pay a fine, and return the overpaid amount of money….
cut 10 (10) “…the future”
LDH says under the Edwards administration, steps were immediately taken to correct the problem. And the state agency says fraud-fighting and fraud prevention efforts were never compromised.

According to state Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Michael Seymour the state’s bald eagle population is flourishing with at least 600 nests statewide. In the early 1970s, there were only a handful of nests in the state. Seymour says banning the pesticide DDT was the key as DDT can lead to thin egg shells…
cut 8 (10) “…falcons and osprey”

A mass shooting in New Orleans left three dead over the weekend.  Now, investigators are looking for answers from the public and they are increasing the reward money for information in the case.  NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison says the money is now up to $25,000.

Cut 12 (13)   “…someone knows something.”

According to the latest LDWF bald eagle nest survey, the population continues to flourish in the state.  Once a rare sight, spotting bald eagles in Louisiana is now commonplace, as the population in the 1970s was devastated by use of the now-banned pesticide, DDT. LDWF Nongame Bird Biologist Michael Seymour says anywhere there is a big body of water that would support the food of the species, bald eagles have a tendency of moving into the area.

Cut 7 (05) “…throughout the state.”

A state lawmaker admits it was couple of weeks following the final special session, before the legislature learned it had suspended sales tax holidays until 2025 as a result of the final tax and budget deal. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A state lawmaker admits it was not the legislature’s intention to discontinue sales tax holidays for the next seven years. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says it two weeks after the third special session ended, before legislators learned there would be no sales tax holidays until 2025, as a result of the legislation approved to fully fund state government.

Many consumers would take advantage of the annual sales tax holiday during the first weekend of August to purchase back to school supplies. But McFarland says he’s getting more of a mixed response from businesses…
cut 4 (12) “…his business”

State Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a Mississippi man by a police officer on Saturday in Pineville. Authorities say a Ball police officer attempted to stop 32-year-old Michael Neal for a traffic violation. A pursuit ensued and Neal was shot in Pineville.

A formerly fringe position has taken off as a new Democratic norm in Louisiana…
Voicer 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

According to the latest LDWF bald eagle nest survey, the population continues to flourish in the state. Once a rare sight, spotting bald eagles in Louisiana are commonplace, as the population in the 1970s was devastated by use of the now-banned pesticide, DDT. L DWF Nongame Bird Biologist Michael Seymoury….
Cut 6 (07) “…in the state.”

Many folks are surprised to see state sales tax holidays have been suspended for the next seven years as a result of the budget and funding deal approved at the end of the last special session. It wasn’t until a few weeks after the session wrapped up that the public found out about the cancellation. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the decision to end sales tax holidays wasn’t intentional, but…
Cut 3 (11) “tax holiday”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they’ve arrested one of their guards at Angola who allegedly hid marijuana in his Subway sandwich. 33-year-old Jeffery Day of Mississippi has resigned from the department is facing criminal charges. Officials say his attempt to smuggle drugs was thwarted during a routine shakedown.

LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford has learned Baton Rouge businessman and former Democratic Party Chairman Jim Bernhard is considering a possible campain to challenge John Bel Edwards in next year’s governor’s race. Alford says Bernhard has thought about running before, but never pulled the trigger. He says Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham is a better bet to run…
cut 6 (09) “…campaign staffers”
Republican Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry have also indicated they may run for governor next year.

Rapides Parish deputies have arrested Sherman Lane Nash on animal cruelty charges. Captain Tommy Carnline says they discovered 17 Pit Bull dogs, all chained, on his property in Pineville as part of an alleged dog fighting operation….
cut 12 (07) “…it’s also inhumane”
Nash was released on a 13-thousand dollar bond.

Baton Rouge Businessman Jim Bernhard has contemplated running for statewide office before and according to LaPolitics.com, the former CEO of a Fortune 500 company is considering running for governor again. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says that means Governor John Bel Edwards could face a serious challenger from his own party…
cut 5 (09) “…PACs”
Alford says he’s heard Governor Edwards supporters have reached out to Bernhard in an effort to convince him not to run.

A Gallup poll finds that 38-percent of Americans view vaping as harmful to your health. Angel Lopez, tobacco treatment specialist at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, says e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other chemicals…
cut 8 (08) “….its similiar to COPD”
Lopez also doesn’t see vapor products as a sucessful smoking cessation tool.

Medicare for All may have been a fringe position just two years ago, but an analysis of Louisiana’s 2018 Democratic congressional candidates shows nearly unanimous support for the policy. 3rd district candidate Mimi Methvin, who’s running against Congressman Clay Higgins, says it may take some time to build consensus for a Medicare expansion, because the Affordable Care Act isn’t enough.
Cut 13 (10) “people suffer.”
But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Medicare for All maybe popular among certain voters, it won’t translate into major changes when the Democratic candidates attempt to knock off Republican Louisiana Congressman in November….
cut 16 (11) “…is bleak”
Five Republican Congressmen from Louisiana are up for re-election.

The New Orleans Police Department believes Saturday night’s mass shooting that killed two men and one woman and wounded seven others was a gang related incident. Authorities say one of the victims was shot multiple times. Police say they are looking for two suspects.

Jim Bernhard rumors are swirling again as LaPolitics.com reports the former Shaw Group CEO is considering a run for the governor’s mansion in 2019. Bernhard now operates the energy investment firm Bernhard Capital Partners. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says Bernhard has the deep pockets to challenge fellow Democrat, Governor John Bel Edwards.
Cut 4 (11) “pretty quickly”
Alford says he’s heard reports that backers of Governor Edwards have reached out to Bernhard to convince him not to run.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested Sherman Nash Junior for running a suspected dog fighting operation in the Wardville community of Pineville. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (25) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

According to a new Gallup survey, most Americans see vapor cigarettes as better than traditional cigarettes. Tobacco treatment specialist at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital , Angel Lopez, says experts are debating vaping’s health risks.
Cut 7 (11) “…also risks involved.”
Lopez says e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other chemicals that can be harmful.