A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is released from ICE custody following two months in detention. Colleen Crain reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Governor Jeff Landry hosted OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams on his “Diner Days” podcast to announce a long-awaited software enhancement. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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And now, we present you the story of the Medicaid Millionaire. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is back home after being held in ICE detention for two months. 25-year-old Paola Clouatre (CLOO-aht) was brought to the U.S. when she was 14 and was legally processed. Her family’s attorney, Carey Holliday, says she had an appointment with Citizenship and Immigration Services on May 27th, when she found out something that would change everything.
Cut 4 (11) “…the two children.”
Holliday says Clouatre only found out about this days prior to her appointment. Clouatre is married to a Marine veteran and has a 19-month-old boy and a nine-week-old girl; and Holliday says while at her appointment, things took a turn for the worst for her.
Cut 5 (09) “…her under arrest.”
So with Clouatre in detention and separated from her newborn daughter, Holliday worked to secure an emergency stay of removal – and with the help of Senator John Kennedy, he was able to accomplish that.
Cut 6 (09) “…have it vacated.”
Holliday says he’s now working with Clouatre to get her Green Card and eventually her citizenship.
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Governor Jeff Landry announced a partnership with a new software vendor to overhaul the state’s OMV system on his “Diner Days” podcast. OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says the outdated system would frequently shut down, causing long lines, wasted resources and fraud.
Cut 7 (12) “…four months.”
Landry says he’s set out to make the OMV experience as close to Disney World as possible. Childlike wonder aside, Adams says they’re working to build a brand-new driver’s license system that will be the greatest thing the state has seen in 50 years.
Cut 8 (11) “…OMV offices.”
Adams says the department is prioritizing the driver’s license system because it’s one experience that touches most Louisiana citizens. When the new software is fully implemented, he hopes to revolutionize everything from renewing a Real ID to registering a vehicle.
Cut 9 (10) “…get it there.”
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The Attorney General’s Office dubs her the “Medicaid Millionaire.” 35-year-old Candace Taylor of Slidell is facing charges for allegedly collecting government benefits, despite being very well off financially. Investigators say Taylor intentionally misspelled her name as she applied for benefits, alleging that she was earning just two-thousand dollars a month. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Taylor’s investigators found that Taylor actually owns many businesses that generate millions of dollars in revenue, and they found her purchases rather peculiar.
Cut 10 (09) “…had no money.”
Murrill says cases like this are why Louisiana is very diligent in investigating Medicaid fraud.
Cut 11 (08) “…from the program.”
Murrill says the money that Taylor was collecting in Medicaid benefits could have gone to someone else who could have used that money, so Medicaid fraud is not a victimless crime.
Cut 12 (08) “…stealing those benefits.”
Taylor’s new digs aren’t nearly as luxurious as the ones she’s accustomed to; she’s booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
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With scorching heat making for life-threatening conditions, communities in Louisiana are opening up cooling centers. Among them is Lafayette. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:
Cut 13 (10) “…the extreme conditions.”
Boudreaux says Lafayette is working with many community and faith-based organizations to take care of vulnerable people, including seniors.
Cut 14 (08) “…55 and over.”
Boudreaux says they’re also working to make sure that people who need food and water get them.
Cut 15 (09) “…at that location.”
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The Saints have tried to build the roster from the inside out and prioritize quality trench play. New Orleans used the ninth overall pick on left tackle Kelvin Banks in this year’s draft, and he joins a starting line with four first-rounders. He says that’s a blessing and a curse.
Cut 16 (16) “…play football.”
Right tackle Taliese Fuaga was the team’s first-round selection last year and started at left tackle last season. Since the arrival of Banks, he’s moved back to the right side where he played in college. He says he feels comfortable on his natural side and enjoys playing next to Cesar Ruiz.
Cut 17 (15) “…like that.”
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is a 330-pound force in the middle of the D-line. The Saints traded for the former Patriot this offseason for his ability to stuff the run after struggling to do so last season. Godchaux says he wants to bring the Saints’ defense back to its dominant ways.
Cut 18 (18) “…football is back.”