The state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, announces plans to purchase the parent company of north Louisiana’s Vantage Health Plan. Once the transaction is finalized, Blue Cross and Vantage will retain their own corporate and product brands and over time it could lead to more jobs in Monroe. Vantage CEO Gary Jones hopes Vantage can expand into more markets outside of Louisiana.

President Trump plans to withdraw from a 144-year-old postal treaty that has allowed Chinese companies to ship small packages to the US at a significantly lower rate. US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says its another way to punish China for unfair trade practices…
cut 15 (11) “…the American public”
It’s unknown if China will retaliate if the United States pulls out of the treaty.

A Houma man has been committed to a state mental facility after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in last year’s stabbing death of his mother. Assistant District Attorney in Terrebonne, Dennis Elfert, says four mental health professionals examined 36-year-old John Monteiro the Third and each came away with the same conclusion that he did not have the requisite intent in the murder and needs long-term treatment…
cut 6 (07) “…himself and others”
Monteiro was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 65-year-old Ellen Monteiro.

A vaccinate before you graduate public information campaign has been started to get the word out that high school students need to make sure they are properly vaccinated before they get their diploma. Jeri Acosta’s son died during a meningitis outbreak in 2006 and they learned he never received a second vaccine to protect against Meningitis B…
cut 9 (09) “….took his life”
For more information go to the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.