The United Health Foundation’s annual America’s Health Rankings lists Louisiana as the least healthy state in the country. United Health Foundation’s Rhonda Russell says Louisiana fell two spots from last year. She says several factors lead to the state’s low ranking…:
CUT 6 (09) “graduation rate”
She says Louisiana also ranks 50th in the country in the percentage of children living in poverty.

The first deadline for Louisiana residents to purchase health insurance for 2016 through the Affordable Care Act is approaching. Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Andy Slavitt, says time is running out if you want insurance that begins with the new year through the Health Insurance Marketplace…:
cut 1 (05) “December 15th”
Open enrollment ends on January 31st.

Famed Angola Warden Burl Cain will resign at the end of the year. The 73-year-old has been warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary since 1995.

The first published poll on next year’s US Senate race shows Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, a Democrat, and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy leading the field in a hypothetical match up. The survey was commissioned for the super PAC supporting Kennedy. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he can see Kennedy on top of this one:
Cut 13 (11) “know who he is”
Other GOP potential candidates included in this poll are Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, Congressmen Charles Boustany and John Fleming, and Retired Col Rob Maness.

A motorcyclist in Ascension Parish died late Wednesday after running off the side of the road according to State Police, who also believe the man was drunk. They say 43-year-old John Carrizal of Decatur Alabama was also not wearing a helmet when he slammed into a mailbox and was pronounced dead on the scene.