There are burn bans in affect in parts of Louisiana this morning after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over the weekend. State Ag and Forestry officials say there were 124 fires in Louisiana from Friday to Monday. Commissioner Mike Strain says dry vegetation and high winds allowed brush piles that were being burned to quickly get out of control and others who were burning timber.

Cut 14 (09) “…get away from you.”
As rural hospitals across the country struggle to maintain services and some even to survive, Louisiana is right there as one in four here are at risk.   But Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says Louisiana has taken some steps that may put us in a better position than other states.

Cut 11 (08) “…expanded Medicaid.” 

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple will push for fewer regulations as part of his agenda for the regular legislative session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
The number are in on Mardi Gras and law enforcement is reporting they made 383 arrests in New \Orleans and removed 143 guns from the French Quarter and Downtown Development District during a twelve day period leading up to Fat Tuesday. That’s a slight increase over last year. Meanwhile New Orleans Emergency Medical Services saw a 41 percent increase in calls this year over the same time last year.