Governor John Bel Edwards has called a press conference for 1:30 this afternoon to announce his plans for Medicaid expansion in Louisiana. Edwards has stated that he hopes to increase Medicaid access to Louisianians by July 1st. Louisiana would join 30 other states that have expanded Medicaid access. It is unsure if the Republican led Louisiana Legislature will try to slow down the governor’s plans.

The US Army Corp. of Engineers has decided not to open the Morganza spillway at this time. Emelie Gunn has more on the rising Mississippi River levels….

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New Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is focusing on ways to bring new tourists to Louisiana. Nungesser says he plans to promote horse shows and the state’s vast hunting and fishing opportunities. He says focusing on these areas will help tourism in smaller towns throughout the state…

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He says we need to create a plan to put our best foot forward in Louisiana so when people come to visit they see what a great state we really are.

The state House of Representatives handed Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards his first political defeat yesterday. House conservatives gathered enough votes to elect New Iberia Republican Taylor Barras as the Speaker of the House over Edwards’ choice of Democrat Walt Leger. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this could be a bad sign for Edwards…

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