The US Senate’s version of the healthcare bill has state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee concerned about the future of healthcare in Louisiana. She says this bill could even impact the state’s economy by tying healthcare reimbursement to medical inflation. She says that could cause the state’s budget to upswing up to a billion dollars from year to year.

Cut 12 (09) “lot of tweaking”

Supporters of the bill say it will save money and reduce insurance costs.

A former Monroe choir director is accused of violating his probation just weeks after receiving a plea deal. 25-year-old Christian Amos was told to register as a sex offender and not to live near a school. The former Neville High School teacher was booked after records show he failed to reside at a residence provided. Amos was arrested in March for allegedly giving pot to students and having sex with them.

Two new laws seek to curb the state’s opioid epidemic, but East Baton Rouge Parish coroner Dr. Beau Clark says more can still be done. He says the new laws seek to prevent people from becoming addicts, but he says many people are already addicted to opioids.

Cut 4 (10) “takes place”

Clark says another challenge is the lack of state funding for rehab centers.

An Iberia Parish man and his son have been cited for illegally killing a Louisiana black bear. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 59-year-old Ellie Dupre and his son were cited because Louisiana black bears are a protected species.

Cut 9 (11) “it is disturbing”

The bear was killed in November of 2015.