Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera is confident the Medicaid program is headed in the right direction after the implementation of a new computer check system that verifies a person’s income automatically.  Purpera says they have a good working relationship with the department, but occasionally there are disagreements.

Cut 7 (10) “…eligible.”

The old state capitol in Baton Rouge has opened a new, permanent exhibit celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the building’s restoration called “Castle on the River: The Evolution of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol.” It documents the building from its inception to the current function as a museum. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the free exhibit will take those making the tour through some of the historical sections of the building.

Cut 10 (10)“…something for everybody.”

U-S Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy have blocked two President Trump nominees to the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development in the hopes it will lead to more money for 2016 flood victims. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Robeline teenager is dead after his vehicle left the roadway and collided with several trees in Natchitoches Parish yesterday. 17-year-old John Hunter Owens was pronounced dead at a local hospital. L-S-P says a deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Owens sped off before the fatal wreck occurred.  Toxicology tests are pending and the crash remains under investigation.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says testimony on capitol hill today from President Trump’s former personal lawyer is just part of the political game Democrats are playing. Higgins, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, wrapped up his questioning for Cohen this way…
cut 14 (08) “…impeachment proceedings”
In his opening statement, Cohen called the President a racist, conman and cheat.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy had a chance to question top executives from pharmaceutical companies about the high cost of prescription drugs. Cassidy pointed out Humira, which treats arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, is sold at an 80-percent discount in Denmark and the drug manufacturer still makes a profit.
Cut 4 (06) “…we are not″
Cassidy says at least the pharmaceutical industry acknowledges there is a problem.

Matt Doyle spoke with Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera about Senator John Kennedy concerns with the state’s new computer system that checks income eligibility for Medicaid.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering a reward of up to 75-hundred dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fatally shot a whooping crane last November. A male crane was found seriously wounded between Crowley and Rayne on November 2nd. It was later euthanized.

Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy had an opportunity to question top executives of several pharmaceutical companies about rising prescription drug costs. During a Senate Finance hearing, Cassidy, who is a medical doctor, says there is acknowledgment from the pharmaceutical industry that there is a problem in prescription drug affordability, which is a good first step…

Cut 5 (06)“…that innovation”

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says confident the Medicaid program is headed in the right direction after the implementation of a new computer check system that verifies a person income automatically, instead of the old program that relied on self reporting. Purpera says on a whole the new system is a good start, but…

Cut 6 (11) “…in may”

The old state capitol has opened a new, permanent exhibit celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the building’s restoration called “Castle on the River: The Evolution of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol,” that documents the building from its inception to the current function as a museum. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the building has storied history chronicled in the exhibit.

Cut 9 (11) “…in 1862.”
The exhibit is free.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins questioned President Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who said before the House Oversight committee that Trump is a racist, a conman and a cheat. Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a Moscow real estate project that Trump denies ever pursuing. Higgins, a former law enforcement officer, had this to say to Cohen…

Cut 12 (04)   “…many of them.”

Senator John Kennedy is demanding to know exactly how much money has been spent on Medicaid recipients who were found to be ineligible for the program. Kennedy says he wants a full accounting, but at the end of the state may be unable to recoup the costs.

Cut 13 (11) “…for good.”

37,000 people were found income ineligible after a new computer system ran a check of the entire Medicaid database.

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says an audit did reveal that a significant portion of the past Medicaid population may have been income eligible.

Cut 8 (06) “…income levels.”

LDH Secretary Rebekah Gee defended the department saying even if an ineligible person received services, almost all of the cost was covered by the feds, and noted that most who were found to be making too much money to qualify would still be considered working poor.

The 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student was arrested last week for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school will not be prosecuted.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student arrested last week for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school will not be prosecuted. 15th Judicial District Attorney Keith Stutes says he has reviewed the case, and is not accepting the charges. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt believes the decision by the DA’s office is fair and just…
cut 7 (10) “…in prosecuting it”
Maegan Adkins-Barras was charged with unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity and spent a night in jail.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy had a chance to question top executives from pharmaceutical companies about the high cost of prescription drugs. Cassidy pointed out Humira, which treats arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, is sold at an 80-percent discount in Denmark and the drug manufacturer still makes a profit.
Cut 4 (06) “…we are not″
Cassidy says there is acknowledgment from the pharmaceutical industry that there is a problem in prescription drug affordability, which is a good first step.

The U-S Army Corps of Eningeers has opened the first bays on the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish, which allows water from a rising Mississippi River to drain into Lake Ponthchartrain, protecting New Orleans from flooding. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police say a 17-year-old traveling at a high rate of speed lost his life when his vehicle left the roadway and collided with several trees in Natchitoches Parish. John Hunter Owens of Robeline was pronounced dead at at a local hospital. L-S-P says a deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Owens sped off before the fatal wreck occurred.

Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time for Governor Edwards to fire Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee. Kennedy is frustrated that L-D-H has discovered 37-thousand Medicaid recipients are no longer eligible for the taxpayer funded health care, because they make too much money. The health department credits a new computer system for finding the ineligible Medicaid recipients, but Kennedy doesn’t buy it…
cut 16 (12)”…ten times faster”
Gee says the majority of those found ineligible made just above the elibility line and would still be considered working poor…
cut 14 (08) “…any money”
Kennedy would like to see the legislative auditor do a thorough audit of the Medicaid program.

Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy had an opportunity to question top executives of several pharmaceutical companies about rising prescription drug costs. During a Senate Finance hearing, Cassidy, who is a medical doctor, thanked them for their advancements in medicine, but he says some patients can not take advantage of it, because of the high cost…
cut 3 (05) “…one concern”
Cassidy says Humira, which treats arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, is sold at an 80-percent discount in Denmark and the drug manufacturer still makes a profit.

Lafayette District Attorney Keith Stutes will not prosecute an Acadiana high school mother who posted a video of a school fight on social media. Scott police charged 32-year-old Maegan Adkins-Barras with unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says Adkins-Barras should not have been charged, because she was not physicaly present when the fight occurred…
cut 9 (08) “…waste of energy”

The 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student arrested last week for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school will not be prosecuted. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A federal judge has ordered former district attorney Walter Reed to report to prison on April 1st. Reed was convicted almost three years ago on allegations he used campaign money for personal use. The former top prosecutor for St. Tammany and Washington parishes was sentenced to four years in prison.

U-S Senator John Kennedy wants to know how much money was wasted on ineligible Medicaid recipients. Last week, the state health department told 37-thousand Medicaid recipients they are no longer eligible for the government health care, because they make too much money. Kennedy says it’s another example of L-D-H incompetence, but Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says that’s not the case….
cut 15 (06) “…incorrect”
Gee says a new computer system is doing what it’s supposed to do, alert the state when Medicaid patients no longer qualify for the taxpayer funded health care.

For the third time in four years the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish will open to help reduce the pressure on the New Orleans levee system, because of a rising Mississippi River…
cut 6 (09) “…from there”
That’s Colonel Michael Clancy. The water diverted from the Mississippi River flows into Lake Pontchartrain.

The 13th ranked LSU basketball team followed up last Saturday’s overtime win over 5th ranked Tennessee with a 66-55 victory over Texas A-and-M last night. Tigers Coach Will Wade was glad there was no hang over from the big win over the Vols…
cut 30 (06) “…big victory”

Senator John Kennedy wants to know how much the Louisiana Health Department spent on ineligible Medicaid recipients after a new computer system kicked tens of thousands of recipients off the rolls…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana’s  GDP rose to 252 billion in the third quarter, up 2.3 billion from the second. Department of Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says there’s a few heavy industries in particular you can point to for the state’s growth

Cut 11 (11) “…timber sectors.”

Critics point out the state’s growth is below the national average of 3.4 percent.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will open over 30 bays on Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish this morning because of the rising Mississippi River. Water will be diverted from the Mississippi and sent into Lake Pontchartrain. Colonel Michael Clancy says the spillway will open to make sure the river’s flow doesn’t exceed 1.25 million cubic feet per second…

Cut 5 (08) “…picture that.”

This is the first time ever that the Bonnet Carre Spillway has been used in back to back years to control the flow on the Mississippi.