The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness urges residents to get a game plan as hurricane season begins today. Emelie Gunn has more…
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A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Governor’s John Bel Edwards approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up since February. Jeff Palermo has more…
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A three-day conference begins today in New Orleans that will address what’s being done to protect Louisiana’s coast, which is disappearing at a rate of 16 square miles a year. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Today is the first day Louisianans can enroll in Medicaid under the newly expanded program. Governor John Bel Edwards and Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah will attend an enrollment kick-off event this morning at University Medical center in New Orleans. Edwards says Louisiana is simply bringing federal tax dollars home to put them to work for the poor…:
cut 4 (10) “in the first year”
Plans go into effect July 1st, and you can get more information online at healthy.la.gov. Edwards says “Healthy Louisiana” will bring insurance coverage to an estimated 375,000 working citizens in the state. He says that’s very important, but that’s not entirely what Medicaid expansion is all about…:
Edwards says with the $600 million dollar budget deficit for next fiscal year, this newly expanded program will be a significant money saver for the state. Dr. Gee says it’s vital that citizens of our state start doing things that improve their health like eating better and exercising, and this new program will be the extra factor and getting people on that path…:
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Hurricane season begins today and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness warns residents to be ready in case of a big storm. NOAA and the Colorado State forecast team predict a near-normal season with around 12 named storms. GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom reminds everyone that major hurricanes Andrew and Betsy hit during an average year, so it’s good to be prepared.
Waskom says make sure to make copies of important documents, have an evacuation plan and create a plan for your pet. He says state has been working hard since Hurricane Katrina to put the people of Louisiana’s minds at ease in the event of an emergency.
Cut 8 (09) “state requirement”
Waskom says a big concern going into this year’s hurricane season is the flooding the state has already seen this year, which has produced a lot of sediment in the rivers. He says this could create additional problems if we get a big storm this year.
Cut 9 (10) “emergency officials”
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Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up in the past few months, according to a new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says that’s because 34% of respondents in a February poll either didn’t have an opinion or wouldn’t respond.
The poll shows Edwards approval rating at 50%, which is 9 points higher than it was in the last poll, but his disapproval rating of 40% is 15 points higher. The survey also asked residents about the upcoming special session that will seek to raise revenues to address a 600-million dollar shortfall. Pinsonat says based on the results Edwards’ disapproval rating could rise even more if additional taxes are raised.
According to the poll, 63% of respondents, particularly Republicans, say there is too much spending in state government. Also, 57% of voters surveyed are opposed to raising more taxes. Pinsonat says his poll also shows GOP lawmakers could be hesitant to raise taxes in the special session.
cut 12 (07) “additional taxes”
Republican respondents are 74% less likely to reelect their legislators if they vote to raise taxes.
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A three-day conference focused on restoring Louisiana’s disappearing coast begins today at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says this is the largest conference of its kind on the entire Gulf Coast. He says one-thousand scientists, engineers and policy makers are coming together to discuss strategies for protecting the state’s wetlands.
Frederick says Louisiana is set to receive $6.8 billion for coastal restoration from the BP oil spill settlement. He says the state has to decide how to best use that money. Frederick says the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has already agreed to use the Mississippi River to direct sediment to areas that can help rebuild the wetlands.
Governor Edwards is expected to speak at the conference this morning. Frederick says Louisiana is losing 16 square miles a year on its coast, and we need to do everything we can to save it as 80% of all oil and gas that comes into the US from offshore comes through Louisiana.
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LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is not ready to announce his starting rotation for this weekend’s Baton Rouge Regional and he’s also not sure who will be behind the plate. Mike Papierski and Jordan Romero have split time as the Tigers starting catcher and Mainieri says he’ll see how the next couple of days of practice will go…
LSU will open the Baton Rouge Regional by taking on Utah Valley out of the Western Athletic Conference. Freshman right fielder Antoine Duplantis admits the don’t much about the Wolverines, but the coaching staff is providing the players a scouting report…
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Louisiana Tech is gearing up for its first NCAA Tournament baseball game in 29 years. The Bulldogs will face Cal State Fullerton in the Starkville regional opener on Friday. Tech catcher Brent Diaz believes this is the start of something special for the Bulldogs baseball program…
Tech has won 40 games this year, while Cal State Fullerton is 35-and 16. Diaz says they know the Titans are a good ball club…
Louisiana Tech has been scoring a bunch of runs lately, reaching double figures in the run column in five of their last eight games. Diaz hopes the bats stay hot in Starkville…