330PM LRN News

After 15 years on the run, 44 year old Lonnie Payne is returning to East Feliciana Parish in shackles. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Georgetown study is out that touts the results of the state’s Medicaid expansion as a major success when it comes to improving the quality of life in rural communities. Research Professor Adam Searing says the numbers were fairly astonishing.

Cut 3 (10) “…small towns.” 

He says the disparity between rural and urban health outcomes has begun to shrink.

According to a report, the state should see just shy of 60-thousand jobs added going into 2020, surpassing the 2 million job mark for the first time in history in 2019.  LSU economist Loren Scott says after emerging from the 2016 floods and the 2017 lull in construction, Baton Rouge should see a continuing rise.

Cut 12 (06)   “…19 and 20.” 

Scott says Louisiana economy suffered a 28-month recession.

After treading water Congress only has four days to reauthorize the Land and Water conservation fund before the environmental program that helps funds outdoor destinations across the state comes to an end. Louisiana Hypoxia Working Group Coordinator Doug Daigle, on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, says it’s a vital program that funds the construction of many parks.

Cut 6 (08) “…conservation fund.”

The fund was created in 1964.