It was announced last night that the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush has died. It was in New Orleans that his road to the White House became official when he accepted the nomination at the GOP National Convention at the Superdome in 1988. It was during his acceptance speech, he uttered words, “read my lips” in his now-famous speech. While his son George W. Bush was criticized for his response to Hurricane Katrina, the elder Bush was applauded for his efforts in establishing the Bush-Clinton Katrina fund, which he formed with Former President Bill Clinton that donated millions to local schools, libraries, and non-profits. Bush was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who passed away earlier this year. George H.W. Bush was 94 years old.
Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with Governors-elect from several states today to highlight results of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana today. Edwards will tour a New Orleans health center as well as meet with patients who have gained access to health care under the expansion. The governors-elect will take the information back to their states as they work on health care issues upon taking office in January.
A 23-year-old North Shreveport woman was seriously injured from a gunshot wound she received in the back. Her two-year-old child is believed to have accidentally discharged the unsecured weapon. The investigation is ongoing.
A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials. US Attorney David Joseph says it was a difficult case to clean up.
Holiday traditions and events around the Bayou State are becoming quite the draw for visitors. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana is more often becoming the place where families congregate for the holiday festivities.