Louisiana health insurance shoppers now have the option of buying new, cheaper, but potentially far less comprehensive plans in the marketplace. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Orleans Parish Coroner Office has released its findings in the death of 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux, whose body was pulled from Lake Pontchartrain in August after her companion was rescued and his sailboat found unoccupied in the lake.  At the time she went missing, the case was investigated as a potential homicide by NOPD.  Now the coroner’s report indicates Thibodeaux died of accidental drowning.

Usually, gasoline prices fall at this time of year, but the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is actually on the rise to $2.65 per gallon. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump is at its highest level since 2014.

Cut 12 (04)   “…a week ago.” 

Redman says the price of crude oil could go even higher, so a break between now and the holidays is not likely.

A proposal to build an airstrip on Elmer’s Island in Jefferson Parish has been grounded after receiving complaints from conservation groups and environmentalists who questioned whether it’s a good idea to have an airport in a protected wildlife refuge. Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet signed an agreement in August to begin planning the construction of the air strip. Cynthia Duet, Deputy Director of Audubon Louisiana, says they argued you can’t have an airport near an important bird-nesting site…

Cut 10 (09) “…south and north” 

New, cheaper health insurance plans are available on the Louisiana marketplace, but there’s a catch: they don’t have to provide the same level of coverage as was mandated under Obamacare. Since 2010 many Louisianans have likely grown used to the guarantee that their health insurance covers pre-existing conditions, emergency services, hospital stay, and likely comes with a reasonable deductible, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says you may not get that with these new plans.

Cut 5 (09)  “…health insurance.” 

The Commissioner says Louisianans may need to employ an insurance expert before shopping for the new plans.

And Southern Louisiana Community College, the location that was set to hold Drag Queen Story Time has backed out of hosting the event stating a concern about the safety of students and other visitors to the campus. Story time was set to move from the Lafayette Public Library to SLCC after a surge of interest in the event where drag queens will read stories to children about the importance of accepting their LGBTQ classmates. The Lafayette City-Parish Council did not pass a resolution that would have denounced the event.

A buyer has purchased the Avondale Shipyard in Jefferson Parish, with plans to turn the site into a global logistics hub that could employ 2,000 people. The 254 acre site was purchased by T. Parker Host and Hilco Redevelopment in a joint venture labeled Avondale Marine LLC. Governor Edwards says it’s a substantial project.

Cut 6 (10) “…at Avondale”

The shipyard shut down back in 2014.

Usually gasoline prices fall at this time of year, but the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is actually on the rise to $2.65 per gallon. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the price hike may catch some by surprise, but says several factors contribute to the latest numbers, including tremendous demand seen over the summer having an impact on the inventories of crude oil.

Cut 13 (08) “…dollars a barrel.”

Redman says the price of crude oil could go even higher.

Gas prices are on the rise, seeing the highest autumn prices since 2014.  If you were expecting a break between now and the holidays, Kevin Barnhart has some tough news for you.

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A buyer has purchased the Avondale Shipyard in Jefferson Parish, with plans to turn the site into a global logistics hub that could employ 2,000 people. T. Parker Host CEO Adam Anderson says they’ll be utilizing the skills of many of the former Avondale workers for their new project.

Cut 8 (09) “of Louisiana.”…

The 254 acre site was purchased by T. Parker Host and Hilco Redevelopment in a joint venture.

A proposal to build an airstrip on Elmer’s Island in Jefferson Parish has been grounded after receiving complaints from conservation groups and environmentalists who questioned whether it’s a good idea to have an airport in a protected wildlife refuge. Cynthia Duet, Deputy Director of Audubon Louisiana, says the big fear is bird strikes, with planes flying in and out of the airport…

cut 9 (04) “…about this”

Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet signed an agreement in August to begin planning the construction of the air strip.

New health insurance plans are available on the Louisiana marketplace, but there’s a catch: they don’t have to provide the same level of coverage as was mandated under Obamacare. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the plan may not cover things like pre-existing conditions and prescriptions.

Cut 3 (10) “…a result.” 

The short term plans can be utilized for up to three years.

Louisiana health insurance shoppers now have the option of buying new, cheaper, but potentially far less comprehensive plans in the marketplace….
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Usually gasoline prices fall at this time of year, but the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is actually on the rise to $2.65 per gallon. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump is at its highest level since 2014.
Cut 12 (04) “…a week ago.”

Governor John Bel Edwards believes two-thousand new jobs can be created at the old Avondale shipyard in Jefferson Parish now that it has new owners, Avondale Marine LLC . That group plans to redevelop the site into a massive shipping hub. Edwards says the Avondale Shipyard, which at one time employed 26-thousand workers, is beginning a new era…
cut 7 (06) “…at Avondale”
The shipyard has been closed since 2014.

At nearby Elmer’s Island, a decision has been made to nix a proposed air strip on the island, which has a protected wildlife refuge. L-D-W-F supported the airstrip, because it would increase recreational access to Elmer’s Island and make it easier for their biologists to get to their research lab and oyster hatchery. The mayor of Grand Isle also believed the project would result in more tourism. But Cynthia Duet with the Audubon Institute is glad all sides thought better of the idea…
Cut 11 (10)“…Wildlife refuge”

A buyer has purchased the Avondale Shipyard, with plans to turn the site into a global logistics hub that could employ 2,000 people. The 254 acre site was purchased by T. Parker Host and Hilco Redevelopment in a joint venture labeled Avondale Marine LLC. Governor Edwards says it’s a substantial project.

Cut 6, 10 seconds, at Avondale

The shipyard shut down back in 2014.

New, cheaper health insurance plans are available on the Louisiana marketplace, but there’s a catch: they don’t have to provide the same level of coverage as was mandated under Obamacare. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it fills a gap in cover for some upper-middle class familes

Cut 4 (09) “…our state.″

Donelon says the problem is exacerbated by declining numbers of employers who offer health care plans.

Louisiana soybean farmers are facing a major issue as storage silos are full and they are having issues finding places to store their crops before they can be shipped. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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With the recent trade negotiations with China who buys 60 percent of US soybeans, having disrupted shipping lanes, as well as a higher yield from farmers, soybean storage silos are full and Louisiana farmers are having issues finding places to store their crops before they can be shipped. Congressman Ralph Abraham says if this isn’t resolved quickly, the consequences could be dire.

Cut 6 (12) “…this thing resolved.”

New, cheaper health insurance plans are available on the Louisiana marketplace, but there’s a catch: they don’t have to provide the same level of coverage as was mandated under Obamacare. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the plan may not cover things like pre-existing conditions and prescriptions.

Cut 3 (10) “…a result.” 

The short term plans can be utilized for up to three years.

A 50-year-old Slaughter woman is headed to trial in Baton Rouge facing First Degree Murder charges in the death of her boyfriend Damian Skipper who she allegedly poisoned to death with barium in 2015. Meshell Hale received 10,000 dollars in life insurance as a result of Skipper’s death, which was initially ruled natural causes until Hale was linked a year later to the suspicious death of her husband. 1^st Degree Murder isn’t all that common, but Moore says in this case…

Cut 14 (08)   “…this person”

A warrant for her arrest showed her phone search history littered with questions like, “How common is Barium poisoning?” and “How bad does Barium taste, truly?”

Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport says a book borrowed 84 years ago has been returned by the son of the woman who checked it out when she was 11.  The copy of “Spoon River Anthology” was in pretty rough shape, so it’s probably not worth much.  The book was found while cleaning house.  The library’s maximum late fee is $3, but that was waived.

The Secretary of State’s office is warning of scammers trying to collect voter information through phone calls.  The callers would get in touch with potential victims and ask for information in order to register to vote or to receive an absentee ballot.  Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin…

Cut 7 (07) “…do nefarious things.”
A 50-year-old Meshell Hale of the town of Slaughter is headed to trial in Baton Rouge facing First Degree Murder charges in the death of her boyfriend Damian Skipper who she allegedly poisoned to death with barium in 2015. And that may not be the only barium poisoning Hale is eventually linked to. New Orleans Police are investigating the death of her husband Arthur Noflin, whose charred remains were found in the back of a burned out truck in 2016. Hale was in line to collect 750,000 dollars of insurance money in that case. Moore says they’re on the case.
Cut 15 (11)   “…to investigate.”

With recent trade negotiations having disrupted the usual shipping lanes for soybeans as well as a higher yield from farmers, storage silos are full and Louisiana farmers are having issues finding places to store their crops before they can be shipped. Congressman Ralph Abraham says among the suggestions he’s presented to the USDA, he says it may be time to reach out to private farmers of other crops to use their empty storage facilities.

Cut 5 (08)  “…offload them all.” 

Abraham says if this isn’t resolved quickly, the consequences could be dire. China usually buys 60 percent of U-S soybeans, but heavy tariffs on the crop have kept them from going to Asia.

A Bossier Parish School Board member and two others have been indicted on federal charges related to unlawful distribution of anabolic steroids. Michael Mosura, the District 5 rep on the Bossier school board is facing one count of conspiracy related to the distribution of anabolic steroids.  Morusa was elected to the school board in 2002 and is currently running for re-election unopposed.

Starting this month, the department of environmental quality is increasing the fee to recylce used tires. Matt Doyle tells us why.
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Gasoline prices appear to be on the rise as the state’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline increased two-cents over night to $2.65. Triple-A says that’s about seven-cents more than a week ago and we are now paying 33-cents more than a year ago.

A 50-year-old Slaughter woman is headed to trial in Baton Rouge after she was indicted on a First Degree Murder charge in the death of her boyfriend Damian Skipper, who she allegedly poisoned to death with barium in 2015. Investigators say Meshell Hale received 10,000 dollars in life insurance as a result of Skipper’s death, who she claimed to be her husband. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says it’s not often you see cases of alleged poisoning.
Cut 13 (06) “…fairly rare.“
New Orleans Police are also investigating Hale for the death of her husband Arthur Noflin.

Louisiana soybean farmers are dealing with wet weather during harvest and there’s also no place to put their crop because of the trade dispute with China. US Representative Ralph Abraham says he’s asked the U-S-D-A to find places where farmers can store their harvested soybeans…
cut 6 (12) “…thing resolved”
China usually buys 60-percent of U-S soybeans, but heavy tariffs on the U-S soybean crop have kept the beans from going to Asia.