The proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health is off, at least for now. Blue Cross withdrew its filing and cancelled a policyholder vote saying their stakeholders need more time and information to understand the proposal. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says he and other senators had many concerns…
Cut 10 (09) “…last week.”
Pressly says one of his major concerns is Elevance’s track record in other states.

Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes $198 million for a second round of stipends for teachers, but no permanent salary increase. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says educators thought the stipend pay hike would last more than one year.
Cut 4 (13) “…be kept.”
The Landry administration is concerned about the loss of 550-million dollars in annual revenue when a temporary .45 cent sales tax expires in July of 2025.

A special session on crime begins next week and Hammond Representative NIcholas Muscarello has filed a bill that would give the state more options to carry out death sentences. Muscarello would also like to protect the identity of drug makers who provide the drugs to perform a lethal injection. He knows discussion of the death penalty is an emotional issue…
cut 9 (10) “….families”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the number of chronic wasting disease cases confirmed in deer in Louisiana is up to 19. So far the fatal disease has only been found in deer in Tensas Parish. CWD has not been found to be contagious to humans, but state wildlife veterinarian Doctor Jim LaCour recommends not to consume a deer known to be positive.
Cut 15 (12) “…consuming it.”