7:30 LRN Feb 27

Senator John Kennedy lit into the Louisiana Department of Health, demanding to know exactly how much money has been spent on Medicaid recipients who were found to be ineligible for the program. Kennedy is asking L-D-H to work with federal officials to recoup the misspent money…

Cut 13 (11) “…for good.”

LDH alerted 37-thousand Medicaid recipients last week that they are no longer eligible for Medicaid, because they make too much money Secretary Rebekah Gee credits a new computer system for finding the ineligible patients.

The Lafayette District Attorney has decided not to pursue charges against a 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student, who was arrested last week for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt say the mother may want to think about civil charges against the Scott Police Department who booked her into jail…

Cut 8 (08) “…and move forward.”

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will open over 30 bays on Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish this morning and the flood control structure could remain open for the next month to relive pressure on the New Orleans levee system. Colonel Michael Clancy says they’ve been in a flood fight on the Mississippi since November 2nd…

Cut 4 (10) “….Snow melt”

 

The Corps could open as many as 200 bays on the Bonne Carrie Spillway.

 

Louisiana set another record high for total GDP in the third quarter of 2018. The state’s GDP rose to 252 billion in the third quarter, up 2.3 billion from the second.

Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the numbers are impressive when you consider the negative impact a series of trade wars have had on Louisiana’s agricultural and export/import based economy.

Cut 12 (10) “…we’re hopeful”

6:45 LRN Sportscast Feb 27

For the second straight game, the 13th ranked LSU basketball team played without starting point guard Tremont Waters, but for the second straight contest it didn’t stop the Tigers from winning. The Tigers started strong and finished with a 66-55 win over Texas A-and-M. Coach Will Wade says his team set the tone by defending well…
cut 30 (20) “…tremendous”
The Aggies shot just 35-percent from the field, their lowest total of the season. Naz Reid led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

LSU improves to 13-and-2 in the SEC. Kentucky also won last night, beating Arkansas 70-66. So the Wildcats improve to 13-and-2 in league play as well. Tonight, seventh ranked Tennessee is at Ole Miss. LSU’s next game is Saturday at Alabama.

The NFL competition committee met in Indianapolis but came away from that meeting with no consensus on changes to instant replay, despite the controversial no call in the NFC Title game. New York Giants owner John Mara, a member of the competition committee, told reporters he doesn’t sense a lot of support to use replay to call penalties. Expect more discussion next month when all of the owners gather in Pheonix.

In college baseball last night, Louisiana Tech outlasted Little Rock five to three in 12 innings. A couple of throwing errors led to the winning runs crossing the plate.

Tulane topped Nicholls seven to four, Northwestern State blanked ULM 15-0. McNeese downed Alcorn State eight to one and UNO upset 23rd ranked Southern Miss two to one as the Privateers improve to 6-and-1.

Tonight, top ranked LSU is scheduled to host Southern. The Tigers scheduled game last night against South Alabama was postponed until April 3rd. Eric Walker is scheduled to start on the mound for LSU.

6:30 LRN Newscast Feb 27

In a conference call with reporters, 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.

The Edwards administration says Louisiana set another record high for total Gross Domestic Product in the third quarter of 2018. The state’s GDP rose to 252 billion in the third quarter, up 2.3 billion from the second. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it continues the success story for the state’s economy.
Cut 10 (11) “…record number.”
Pierson says the numbers are even more impressive when you consider the negative impact a series of trade wars have had on Louisiana’s agricultural and export/import based economy.

AM Newscall 02.27.19

This morning, just 23 miles west of New Orleans, the Bonnet Carre Spillway will open its bays, allowing water from a swelling Mississippi to drain into Lake Pontchartrain. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

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”  

_______________________________

 Senator John Kennedy is demanding to know how much the Louisiana Department of Health spent on ineligible Medicaid recipients after the implementation of a new system kicked tens of thousands of recipients off the rolls. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will open over 30 bays on Bonnet Carrie Spillway in St. Charles Parish this morning and the flood control structure could remain open for the next month to relive pressure as the Mississippi River swells, threatening the New Orleans levee system. Colonel Michael Clancy says they’ve been in a flood fight since November 2nd.

Cut 4 (10) “….Snow melt”

When the Spillway opens, it diverts a portion of the Mississippi’s flow into a seven mile long empty plain that drains into Lake Pontchartrain.

The river’s flow is set to exceed 1.25 million cubic feet per second, surpassing the New Orleans levee system’s capacity. Clancy says that’s enough water to fill up the entire volume of the Superdome every minute.

Cut 5 (08) “…picture that.”

It’s the first time in history the Spillway has opened in back-to-back years and it’s only been used 13 times since it was constructed. The structure was built in 1931 after the 1927 floods.

41 percent of the nation’s watersheds drain into the Mississippi, and Clancy says to compensate for the abnormally large amount of water, they’ll have to flood the salt water Pontchartrain with tens of thousands of cubic feet per second of Mississippi fresh water.

Cut 6 (09) “…From there.”

200 bays could be opened during peak usage.

___________________________________________________

 

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. DA Keith Stutes says he has reviewed the case, and is not accepting the charges.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he believes the decision by the DA’s office is fair and just.

Cut 7 (10) “…in prosecuting it.”

Borghardt says now the mother Maegan Adkins-Barras doesn’t have to worry about prosecution, the situation may give rise to a civil suit against the Scott Police Department for the arrest.

Cut 8 (08) “…and move forward.”

The charge of Unlawful Posting of Criminal Activity for Notoriety and Publicity is a relatively new law and has not been constitutionally challenged.  Borghardt says the DA’s decision sets a precedence on whether law enforcement will make future arrests for the crime.

Cut 9 (10) “…waste of energy.″
____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating the news that Louisiana set another record high for total GDP in the third quarter of 2018. The state’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 it’s part of a continued string of success stories for the state economy.

Cut 10 (11) “…record number.”

Pierson says the numbers are even more impressive when you consider the negative impact a series of trade wars have had on Louisiana’s agricultural and export/import based economy.

Cut 11 (11) “…timber sectors.”

The President recently extended a deadline for imposing further tariffs on China, citing recent progress in negotiations.

The Secretary says there’s a few heavy industries in particular you can point to for the state’s rising GDP.

Cut 12 (10) “…we’re hopeful.”

Critics have pointed out that the state’s 1.9 percent growth rate in Q3 is far below the US’s total GDP growth of 3.4 percent.

________________________

Senator John Kennedy lit into the Louisiana Department of Health, 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 would like the Legislator Auditor to find out how much was spent, but at the end of the 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. The usual turnover in a given month is 18,000.

LDH Secretary Rebekah Gee defended the department saying under the old system income was self reported, and even if an ineligible person received services, almost all of the cost was covered by the feds. Gee says the majority of those found ineligible made just above the line, and would still be considered working poor.

Cut 14 (08) “…any money”

Kennedy criticized the defense, citing one case of a person making 300,000 a year while signed up for Medicaid.

The new program, implemented this year, confirms a persons income with Workforce Development before approving or denying an application, or booting an enrollee off the program. Kennedy says the new system may not be trustworthy, but Gee says it was installed by a vendor who’s done trustworthy work in other states.

Cut 15 (10) “that statement”

But Kennedy distrust of the new income check system. The Senator called for the Legislative Auditor to confirm the system’s integrity, saying LDH leadership was not trustworthy, and claims Gee’s past record indicates that you shouldn’t just take her at her word.

Cut 16 (12) “…times faster.

Gee says the Senator has been uncooperative in the past, refusing to return calls or talk to LDH after making previous accusations against the department.

5:30 PM Newscast

`

An attorney for the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who consumed alcohol and marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  The Gruver family has responded in a Facebook post saying “Let the victim shaming begin.  We will not back down. We will not be threatened.” Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon is doing exactly what a defense lawyer is supposed to do in defending his client.
Cut 11 (12)   “…period of time.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. Cassidy says he wants to read the legislation before he decides on how he’ll vote

Cut 3 (06) “…I see that.”

Northeast Louisiana has seen a 44 percent drop in the violent crime rate since 2016. The Western District of the US Attorney’s Office credits that drop with a new policy that busts criminals for firearms offenses, before they end up using that gun to commit a violent crime. Guns can be a touchy issue in Louisiana, particularity in the Northeast. But Attorney David Joseph says he’s gotten full cooperation from agencies and locals in the area after he let them know that he’s no politician…

Cut 8 (10) “…the books.”

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. Early childhood education has seen a rise in interest as a national movement has brought the issue into the limelight. White says expanding childcare assistance benefits the most vulnerable, working class families in the state.

Cut 14 (09)  “…their child” 

4:30 PM Newscast

A Rapides grand jury has indicted three people for second-degree murder and other charges in the suspected murder case of a 25-year-old woman who suffered from cerebral palsy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Preliminary notifications have been sent out to representatives of both Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller and LSU basketball coach Will Wade that they will be subpoenaed for the April 22 federal basketball corruption trialfollowing the FBI’s wide-ranging investigation into college basketball. Wade isn’t alone, as Arizona coach Sean Miller will also be subpoenaed.  The FBI has audio of both coaches in conversations with Christian Dawkins, a former agent who has since been implicated in paying players.

An attorney for the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who consumed alcohol and marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that Gruver is responsible for his own death, adding a filing of this nature is likely admissible in this case.

Cut 10 (08)“…present a defense.”

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. Early childhood education has seen a rise in interest as a national movement has brought the issue into the limelight. White says he’s disappointed that despite the program’s popularity, it didn’t make the cut for increased funding in the state’s largest ever proposed budget.

Cut 13 (11) “…seen” 

 

445 LRN Sports

The 13th ranked LSU men’s basketball team continues its pursuit for an SEC championship tonight when they host Texas A-and-M. The Tigers are in a three-way tie for first place with four games left, while the Aggies are 5-and-9 in league, but playing their best basketball of the season, as they’ve won four of their last five. Coach Will Wade says his team better be ready…
cut 30 (15) “…with precision”
No word on if Tremont Waters will play tonight after missing the Tennessee win with an illness. Wade says his starting point guard is feeling better though.
No LSU baseball game tonight. The Tigers-South Alabama game has postponed until April 3rd, the same goes for the Ragin Cajuns at Southeastern Louisiana. It will also be made up on April 3rd. LSU is scheduled to host Southern tomorrow.
_____________________________________________________________
The NFL’s competition committee was unable to reach a consensus on possible changes to the league’s replay system during a meeting in Indianapolis. New York Giants owner John Mara says there’s not a lot of support among committee members to expand reviewable calls, but that could change when the league’s owners get together next month in Phoenix. The Saints and even Governor John Bel Edwards have asked the league to change the rules, so that a blown no call would never cost a team a chance at playing for the Super Bowl.
Former LSU Tiger and veteran Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth will return for the 2019 season. The 37-year-old tweeted today he can’t wait to ride with the boys again. Whitworth helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl this past season.
Despite a big comeback, the Pelicans lost to the 76ers 111 to 110 last night. Now New Orleans will hit the road for the next four games, starting tomorrow night in Los Angeles against the Lakers, who are trying to make the Western Conference playoffs.
Today at the girls state basketball tournament, St. Louis Catholic advanced to the Division Two championship game with an 87-86 overtime win over U-High.

3:30 PM Newscast

Northeast Louisiana has seen a 44 percent drop in the violent crime rate since 2016. The Western District of the US Attorney’s Office credits that drop with a new policy that busts criminals for firearms offenses, before they end up using that gun to commit a violent crime. Attorney David Joseph says most of those targeted under the new policy are drug dealers.

Cut 6 (07) “…drug trade”

An attorney for the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who consumed alcohol and marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that Gruver is responsible for his own death.

Cut 9 (11) “…caused by himself.”

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. He praised the budget’s inclusion of a teacher pay raise, and increases in education spending elsewhere, but says the pending expiration of a federal grant means Louisiana needs has to fill the impending funding gap.

Cut 12 (10)   “…9800.”

A Rodessa man has been arrested and faces multiple charges for sex crimes involving children following an investigation by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.  47-year-old Darin Chandler is accused of committing the offenses upon children ages 5 and 6.   The total bond is set at a quarter million dollars.  Chandler is charged with one count of first degree rape, two counts of sexual battery, and two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles.

2:30 LRN Newscast Feb 26

Court documents filed today by the defense attorney for Matthew Naquin, the former LSU student, charged with negligent homicide, in the suspected hazing death of Maxwell Gruver, portrays Gruver as a party animal, who drank a lot and smoked marijuana, before he died in 2017. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Naquin’s lawyer is doing what he should be doing…
cut 11 (12) “…period of time”
The Gruver family posted on Facebook “Let the Victim shaming begin.” The trial is set for July.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall.
Cut 3 (06) “…I see that.”
Cassidy says his big concern is the precedent that the national emergency sets for future presidents.

State Superintendent of Education John White is not happy the governor’s budget proposal to lawmakers does not include extra dollars to help low income families pay for early childhood expenses. White says they have a waiting list of 33-hundred families seeking assistance and the waiting list will grow to 10-thousand once a federal subsidy runs out…
cut 14 (09) “…their child”
A statement from the governor’s office says Edwards has committed to giving teachers a pay raise this year and he’ll push for an increase in early childhood funding in 2020, if he’s re-elected.

There’s been a 44-percent drop in the violent crime rate in northeast Louisiana according to the U-S Department of Justice. US Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, David Joseph, credits the prosecution of 200 defendants in the past year on gun charges, more than 60 of which have been in the Monroe area…
cut 7 (07) “…in office”
The state has also provided a special prosector as well.

PM Newscall

A Rapides grand jury has indicted three people for second-degree murder and other charges in the suspected murder case of a 25-year-old woman who suffered from cerebral palsy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

____________________________

New court filings in the suspected hazing death of an LSU student paints the deceased, Maxwell Gruver, as a party animal.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________________________

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. The Democratic controlled U-S House of Representatives is expected to vote on the resolution today and Cassidy says he wants to read the legislation before he decides on how he’ll vote

Cut 3 (06) “…I see that.”

The national emergency frees up billions of dollars to enhance the southern border wall. Cassidy says he’s for improved border security, but is concerned about the precedent the president is setting by calling a national emergency

Cut 4 (07) “…would not like″

Democrats say the national emergency declaration is unconstitutional and unnecessary. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says there is no emergency at the border. Cassidy says the national emergency called by President Trump could pave the way for a future Democratic president like Elizabeth Warren, calling a national emergency so the federal government can confiscate assault rifles

Cut 5 (06)“…looking at”

_________________________________________________

Northeast Louisiana has seen a 44 percent drop in the violent crime rate since 2016. The Western District of the US Attorney’s Office credits that drop with a new policy that busts criminals for firearms offenses, before they end up using that gun to commit a violent crime. Attorney David Joseph says most of those targeted under the new policy are drug dealers.

Cut 6 (07) “…drug trade”

Joseph says people in the drug trade, even those who commit lower level offenses, and who possess guns are more likely to commit a violent crime.

Joseph says the policy is effective, but The effort was bolstered when the US Attorney General sent in some reinforcements to help enforcement.

Cut 7 (07) “…in office.”

Guns can be a touchy issue in Louisiana, particularity in the Northeast. But Joseph says he’s gotten full cooperation from agencies and locals in the area after he let them know that he’s no politician…

Cut 8 (10) “…the books.”

_______________________

An attorney for the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who consumed alcohol and marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that his client is not responsible for Gruver’s passing, but that blame falls on the deceased.

Cut 9 (11) “…caused by himself.”

The filings insist Gruver began using alcohol and smoking pot from the first day he set foot on the LSU campus.  Meche says a filing of this nature is likely admissible in this case.

Cut 10 (08)“…present a defense.”

Meche says Naquin’s lawyer is doing exactly what a defense lawyer is supposed to do in defending his client.

Cut 11 (12)   “…period of time.

The trial is set for July.  The Gruver family has responded in a Facebook post saying “Let the victim shaming begin.  We will not back down. We will not be threatened.”

_______________________________

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. He praised the budget’s inclusion of a teacher pay raise, and increases in education spending elsewhere, but says the pending expiration of a federal grant means Louisiana needs has to fill the impending funding gap.

Cut 12 (10)   “…9800.”

He noted only seven percent of infants and toddlers and only 30 percent of three-year-olds who qualify for childcare programs have gained access.
Early childhood education has seen a rise in interest as a national movement has brought the issue into the limelight. White says he’s disappointed that despite the program’s popularity, it didn’t make the cut for increased funding in the state’s largest ever proposed budget.

Cut 13 (11) “…seen” 

White says childcare assistance has dropped to 15,000 enrollees today from a high of 40,000.

The Superintendent says expanding childcare assistance benefits the most vulnerable, working class families in the state.

Cut 14 (09)  “…their child”