LRN AM Newscall Sept 19

Over 300,000 have enrolled in the Medicaid program since the eligibility requirements were expanded on July 1st. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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While there’s a shortage of teachers around the country, a new study from the Learning Policy Institute finds Louisiana has very low teacher attraction compared to other states. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The City of Walker has officially signed a contract with a law firm to file a suit against the state for construction on I-12 that’s believed to have increased flooding in the city. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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More than 300,000 people have signed up for Medicaid expansion in Louisiana since coverage began on July 1st. Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says this program is already saving lives. She says so far, one-thousand mammograms have been completed…

cut 4  (08)  “pre-cancers”

Dr. Gee says we have now changed the landscape of health care coverage and have increased the likelihood that patients will seek and receive important, life-saving care.

Cut 5  (06)  “diabetes”

The state’s top health official discussed the expansion of Medicaid while speaking in front of the Baton Rouge Press Club. She also spoke about mosquitoes, which have become a big problem after the recent flooding in the southern part of the state. She says L-D-H- is working with doctors to alert expectant mothers of Zika, along with, mosquito abatement teams to keep the population down.

Cut 6 (11) “the public) 

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The US is facing a teacher shortage, and a new study from the Learning Policy Institute finds Louisiana ranks in the second lowest category for teacher attraction. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators, Debbie Meaux, says a lot of teachers are leaving the profession, and fewer people becoming teachers.

CUT 7 (10)  “our parishes”

Meaux says the biggest teacher shortages around the country are in special ed, math, languages. But she says Louisiana needs more teachers in every subject.

Cut 8 (07) “their vacancies”

Meaux says the teacher reform movement has discouraged a lot of people in education. She says the push to use standardized test scores to evaluate teachers has made some educators feel like they’re being watched under a microscope.

Cut 9 (09)  “the profession”

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The City of Walker is moving forward with its lawsuit against the state Department of Transportation for construction on I-12 that city officials believe worsened the flooding there. Mayor Rick Ramsey says he feels good about their chances of winning the case because the City of Amite won a suit against DOTD in 2002.

Cut 10 (08) “toward Walker”

Ramsey says a concrete wall was built between the lanes of I-12 near Walker when the highway was expanded a few years ago, which acted as a seawall and caused massive flooding in the city. He says contrary to public opinion, they’re not after state dollars.

cut 11 (08) “the interstate”

The city has officially signed a contract with the law firm DeGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus and Fruge, but Ramsey says other law offices could also be involved. He says the only thing he’s heard from the state is a quote from the Governor’s Office, saying it’s not the state’s job to build roads that prevent flooding.

cut 12 (06) “cause flooding”

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FEMA has clarified the qualifications for the Shelter At Home program, which means homeowners who live in mobile homes are eligible. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer says they wanted to get some clarification about who was eligible for the program.

Cut 13 (09) “funded program”

Payer says they have verified that manufactured and modular homes can be included in the program, whether or not they are on wheels or attached to the ground. She says, like with other homes in the program, inspections will be done on a case by case basis.

cut 14 (09)  “in the home”

Payer says they also got some clarification about what types of homes do not qualify for the program.

Cut 15 (07) “at home work”

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LSU’s new starting quarterback Danny Etling played well in his first SEC start and now he’ll get a chance to make his first start against an SEC team on the road when the Bayou Bengals visit Auburn on Saturday. Coach Les Miles says Etling will play well, if he focuses on the task at hand

Cut 16  (20)  “your job”

LSU’s last trip to the Plains was not a good one. The Tigers were embarrassed as Auburn beat up LSU 41-7. Etling is confident they can get the job done on the road…

Cut 17 (17)  “win or lose”

Etling has played with a lot of poise since entering in the second quarter of the Jacksonville State game. He’s completed 57-percent of his passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns. The transfer from Purdue knows there’s room for improvement…

Cut 18 (13) “keep going”