The first Senate Committee hearing on the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 takes place today. It’s a legislative package Senator Bill Cassidy helped craft. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Allstate has released its America’s Best Driver’s Report and Baton Rouge is rated as the 188th safest driving city out of 200. New Orleans is 177th, Metairie 128th, and Shreveport 76th. Interstate 10 was listed as a risky road for Baton Rouge.

Governor Edwards has signed into law a measure that allows a company like Waitr to deliver low alcohol content to your home along with your food order. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody authored the legislation and expects many Louisiana residents will take advantage…
cut 14 (09) “…container of alcohol”
But Carmody says the law does not allow you to order a margarita with your fajitas.

The state health department reports there have been over 300 cases of Hepatitis A since January, which is a significant increase for the highly infectious liver disease. Assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says most cases of Hep A do not leave the patient with long term damage, but getting infected can be an unpleasant experience…
cut 12 (12) “…sick”
Kanter says L-D-H is working to vaccinate those who are most susceptible, which is the homeless and drug users.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has helped craft the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 and it gets its first hearing in front of a Senate committee today. Cassidy, who is a medical doctor, says the legislation will end surprise medical bills, increase cost transparency and lower prescription drug costs…
cut 6 (09) “…will be healthier”
The legislation has received bipartisan support in the Senate.

Dust from the Sharan Desert in Africa will continue to move across parts of Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the dust can create some respiratory issues and hazy conditions…
Cut 7 (09) “…situation .”
Keim says the dust reduces the chance of tropical storm activity and it also can help produce beautiful sunsets.

Louisiana’s Hepatitis A outbreak is growing, with 305 new cases since January. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter says while we haven’t seen outbreaks in the thousands like other states, it’s still significantly more cases than normal.
Cut 10 (12) “…for us.”
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection, but it’s preventable with a vaccine and L-D-H has been aggressive in trying to vaccinate those who visit homeless shelters and rehab facilities.

The governor has signed into law a bill authored by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody allowing delivery services to bring low alcohol content beverages along with a food order to your front door. Carmody says only W-2 employees of delivery services can make the drop-offs, which disqualifies several popular services.
Cut 13 (08) “…has W-2 employees.”
The governor has also signed a bill allowing grocery and liquor stores to hire their own drivers to make deliveries to homes.

Senator Bill Cassidy says a proposal to end surprise medical billing, lower the cost of prescription drugs and increase cost transparency in healthcare will receive a hearing in front of a Senate committee today. Cassidy says the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 faces hurdles but has a good chance of reaching the President’s desk.
Cut 4 (09) “…what is in the bill.”
The measure is receiving bipartisan support in the Senate.

Parts of Louisiana will be covered by dust from the Sharan desert in Africa today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the massive blanket of dust has taken an epic journey to get here…
cut 9 (10) “….miles”
The dust creates air quality problems, but it also helps provide for spectacular sunsets and prevents tropical disturbances from popping up.

New legislation signed into law will make it possible to have alcohol delivered to your home along with your food order. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
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The LSU Vet School is receiving viral fame after equipping a turtle with wheels. 

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A former Playboy playmate has been arrested on drug charges by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. A deputy conducted a traffic stop over a brake light issue. Inside the car they found the driver and two passengers, one of which was Valerie Mason, a playmate of the month from 2008. The deputy searched the vehicle, finding 2 grams of meth and syringes.

Two men are behind bars for allegedly robbing and murdering a Natchez, Mississippi schoolteacher and then burying his body under garbage in an abandoned Ferriday food plant. McCray was visiting family across just across the state line after wrapping up his first year as an educator at Morgantown Middle School in Natchez, where he was named one of the district’s top ten teachers. Concordia Parish Chief Deputy David Hedrick…

Cut 14 (06) “…of him” 

Personal income growth was up four-percent in the first quarter of the year, outpacing the national average according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The news comes on the heels of an announcement by Coast Professional call center in West Monroe adding 146 jobs. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the state’s FastStart workforce program will guide recruitment…

Cut 5 (11) “…to play.”

LSU’s new passing game coordinator Joe Brady has complete faith in returning starting quarterback Joe Burrow. Brady says Burrow is everything you look for in a quarterback….
cut 30 (18) “…ready to go”
LSU has ranked in the top five in scoring in the SEC since 2011.

The Pelicans announced today that Todd Graffagnini is the team’s new radio play-by-play guy. The New Orleans native has served as the voice of the Tulane Green Wave for the last 12 seasons. NOLA-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan reported today that Antonio Daniels will be the Pels new color analyst on the T-V side, replacing David Wesley, who has held down that job for the last seven seasons.

The Monroe News-Star reports Louisiana Tech and Eric Konkol have agreed to a one-year contract extension. The Bulldogs were 20-and-13 last season, nine and nine in Conference USA, which is an improvement from the prior season.

UL-Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing open heart surgery because the 57-year-old suffered a heart attack. Ragin Cajuns athletics spokesperson Patrick Crawford says the coach will be on bed rest for a bit…
cut 15 (12) “….will look like”
Robichaux just completed his 25th year at the helm on the baseball program for the school, scoring his 900th victory in this most recent season.

And the 2019 college baseball season could come to an end tonight if Michigan takes down Vanderbilt. The Wolverines are looking for their first title since 1962.

And the Astros have activated George Springer. The two-time All-Star missed 27 games with a left hamstring injury.

Two men are behind bars for allegedly robbing and murdering a Natchez, Mississippi school teacher and then burying his body under garbage in an abandoned Ferriday food plant. 48-year-old Jimmy Lewis of Ferriday and Cedric Tennessee are facing first-degree murder charges. Concordia Parish Chief Deputy David Hedrick says there’s probably no way McCray could have known these two were planning the brutal crime…

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2,300 of the state’s best teachers have begun specialized training aimed at preparing them to be mentors to new educators. Assistant Superintendent Hannah Dietsch says the program will give experienced educators the tools to be able to better prepare their rookie peers.

Cut 9 (10) “teachers.”

Video of a box turtle missing his rear legs has gone viral after getting a new set of wheels courtesy of some clever LSU veterinarians. LSU Vet School spokesperson Ginger Guttner says medically, Pedro the turtle was fine, but zoological medicine intern Dr. Kelly Rockwell was up for the challenge…

Cut 6 (10) “…look at toys.”

Pedro’s family had adopted the turtle when he was missing only one leg, but following an escape from his enclosure and being on the lam for a bit, when he returned, he didn’t have either of his hind legs.

Personal income growth was up four-percent in the first quarter of the year in Louisiana, and the news comes on the heels of an announcement by Coast Professional call center in West Monroe adding 146 jobs. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says they’re decent paying jobs as well…

Cut 4 (09) “…area.”

A Natchez, Mississippi school teacher was brutally robbed and murdered just across the state line while visiting family in Louisiana, and two suspects are now in jail. Matt Doyle has more.

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According to Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan, 39 year old Oshay Booker has been arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma after he fatally shot his stepfather two weeks ago. There was a brief standoff with the Tulsa Police Department Fugitive Squad before he surrendered to police. Booker was wanted for killing Ronald Goff. Goff was a former Mayor of Winnfield, LA.

Video of a box turtle missing his rear legs has gone viral after getting a new set of wheels courtesy of some clever LSU veterinarians. LSU Vet School spokesperson Ginger Guttner says the story has since spread like wildfire, gaining Pedro and the vet school plenty of media attention.

Cut 8 (08) “…resonated with people.”

Pedro now has a Lego block glued to the bottom of his shell where the axel of the wheels snaps into place.

2,300 of the state’s best teachers have begun specialized training aimed at preparing them to be mentors to new educators and struggling students. Assistant Superintendent Hannah Dietsch says this is the first year they’re offering training for interested educators who would like to specialize in academic interventions for low performing students who may come from at-risk backgrounds.

Cut 10 (12) “…their peers.”