One of the biggest conversations coming out of the tax cuts and spending bill that President Trump just signed is the fate of rural hospitals. Democrats have been sounding the alarm, saying that 33 of them across the state will close as a result of cuts to Medicaid. Rustin Loyd, a nurse from Hammond and a former hospital administrator, says those closures will cost lives.

Cut 10 (06) “…of these cuts.”

But Mark Ballard, who covered the hearings on Capitol Hill for The Advocate, told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that it’s important to note that the Medicaid cuts don’t happen for another two to three years, and hospitals are hoping they can get Congress to reconsider those cuts by then. If they can’t, only then would the effects of those cuts be felt.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a few years.”

Furthermore, the bill also sets up a 50-billion-dollar fund to help struggling rural hospitals.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign announces he has raised a little more than two-million dollars during the second quarter of this year and he now has nine million in cash on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy needs to be well-funded, with two well-known Republican candidates challenging him in an April primary

Cut 3 (10) “…to spend.”

They made it official in Vernon Parish this morning – Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again. They rededicated Louisiana’s largest military base in a 30-minute ceremony this morning. However, it is not named for its prior namesake, Confederate General Leonidas Polk. Instead, it is now named for General James H. Polk. His son, James H. Polk the Third, addressed the ceremony.

Cut 6 (10) “…James H. Polk.”

The tax and spending bill will mean more money for Louisiana for coastal protection and restoration projects. Neal McMillan, the director of federal affairs of the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources, says Louisiana will get an additional 50-million dollars a year.

Cut 7 (07) “…lifting the cap.”

The MLB Draft gets underway in Atlanta this weekend. LSU is sure to have several names come off the board following their national championship-winning season. Along with projected number-one overall pick Kade Anderson, Anthony Eyanson is also expected to be taken early. His stock skyrocketed after a dominant season in Baton Rouge, and D1 Baseball analyst Aaron Fitt says it might not be done rising.

Cut 15 (13) “…in Omaha.”

The rift between Shreveport Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh and GOP Governor Jeff Landry widens after Seabaugh tells KEEL Radio that Landry is not doing a good job as governor. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

They made it official in Vernon Parish this morning – Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again. They rededicated Louisiana’s largest military base in a 30-minute ceremony this morning, now naming it for General James H. Polk.

The rift between Shreveport Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh and GOP Governor Jeff Landry widens after Seabaugh tells KEEL Radio that Landry is not doing a good job as governor. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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One of the biggest questions surrounding the tax and spending bill that President Trump signed last week is what will happen to rural hospitals. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The MLB Draft begins Sunday night, and three LSU pitchers are hoping to hear their names called early. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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An outspoken GOP lawmaker in north Louisiana says Republican Governor Jeff Landry has been a huge disappointment. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh made that statement on KEEL Radio. A rift between Landry and Seabaugh has been growing since last year, and Seabaugh says it got more personal after the governor used his line-item veto power to scrap funding for four projects in his district.

Cut 4 (07) “…isn’t.”

Seabaugh is one of several Republican lawmakers who were on the wrong end of governor’s veto pen for funding of local projects. The governor said funding for some of the projects was removed because the construction budget was over-funded. But the Republican legislators who lost funding for their district also voted against an insurance reform bill supported by the governor.

Seabaugh says he had a lot of hope when Landry was sworn in, but he’s no longer a fan.

Cut 5 (11) “…huge disappointment.”

Landry’s spokeswoman, Kate Kelly, says during the regular session, the governor focused on passing real reforms that will move the state forward and the results were historical.

But Seabaugh questions why the governor would take away funding for a road project to make it safer to enter and exit Parkway High School in Bossier City.

Cut 6 (08) “…hurts people.”

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The tax and spending bill will mean more money for Louisiana for coastal protection and restoration projects. Neal McMillan, the director of federal affairs of the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources, says Louisiana will get an additional 50-million dollars a year.

Cut 7 (07) “…lifting the cap.”

The cap McMillan is referring to is the 500-million dollars of offshore oil and gas revenue shared among the four Gulf states for coastal projects. McMillan says that cap will now be lifted to 650-million dollars.

Cut 8 (08) “…than that limitation.”

McMillan says there’s a wide range of projects that money can be used for.

Cut 9 (16)  “…projects as well.”

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One of the biggest conversations coming out of the tax cuts and spending bill that President Trump just signed is the fate of rural hospitals. Democrats in Louisiana have been sounding the alarm, saying that 33 rural hospitals across the state will close as a result of cuts to Medicaid. During a press conference at Louisiana Democratic Party headquarters, Rustin Loyd, a nurse from Hammond and a former hospital administrator, says those closures will cost lives.

Cut 10 (06) “…of these cuts.”

Loyd says closures to rural hospitals will have a profound effect on hospitals in urban areas.

Cut 11 (10) “…more people dying.”

But Mark Ballard, who covered the hearings on Capitol Hill for The Advocate, told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that one important thing to note is that the Medicaid cuts don’t happen for another two to three years, and hospitals and medical providers are confident that they can get Congress to reconsider those cuts before they take effect.

Cut 12 (08) “…the state treasurer.”

Ballard says only at that time would we start to see any impacts from Medicaid cuts, should they ever occur.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a few years.”

Furthermore, the bill also sets up a 50-billion-dollar fund to help struggling rural hospitals.

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The MLB Draft gets underway in Atlanta this weekend. LSU is sure to have several names come off the board following their national championship-winning season. D1 Baseball analyst Aaron Fitt expects pitcher Kade Anderson to go first overall to the Nationals. He says he’s already the best pitcher in college baseball.

Cut 14 (13) “…even harder.”

Anderson’s pitching partner, right-hander Anthony Eyanson, is another top-50 prospect. After transferring from UC San Diego, his stock skyrocketed after a dominant season in Baton Rouge, and Fitt says it might not be done rising.

Cut 15 (13) “…in Omaha.”

Many Tigers will be faced with the tough decisions of beginning their MLB careers or returning to Baton Rouge to improve their draft stock and defend their national title. Junior D-H Ethan Frey hit .331 in his first full season but hasn’t had a chance to show off his fielding ability. While Tigers fans hope to see him back in purple and gold, Fitt isn’t holding his breath.

Cut 16 (12) “…would expect.”

A survey paid for by the state shows Louisiana’s menhaden industry is not killing as many red fish as feared. The study shows that about 30-thousand redfish were killed by the industry last year, and Golden Meadow Representative Joe Orgeron wants that number to come down.

Cut 13 (13)  “…is good.”

Paul McCartney is returning to New Orleans as his “Got Back Tour” will make a stop at the Smoothie King Center on October 29th. NOLA-dot-com entertainment reporter Keith Spera says Sir Paul has a long history with New Orleans…

Cut 5 (14) “…studio.”

University Lab five-star defensive lineman Lamar Brown committed to LSU live on ESPN 2 today. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A man who killed a state trooper and a female relative in October of 2021 reached a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty. 35-year-old Matthew Mire (“meer”) was sentenced in Ascension Parish to two consecutive life prison terms, plus nearly 350 years, without the possibility of parole. Mire killed Master Trooper Adam Gaubert (go-BEAR) and Pamela Adair during the three-parish rampage.

A deadly two-vehicle crash in Richland Parish, and State Police say the lack of seatbelt use may have made the difference between life and death. Trooper Ryan Davis says in one vehicle, 28-year-old driver Billie Myers and 59-year-old James Washington were killed; and in the other vehicle, 18-year-old Alexis Cox is in stable condition with serious injuries.

Cut 6 (12) “…head on.”

U-High football star Lamar Brown has announced that he will be playing his college ball at LSU. Brown is ranked as the number one athlete in the country and is highly touted as both an offensive and defensive lineman. Brown, though, told schools he’d rather get after the quarterback than protect him.

Cut 11 (07) “…defensive line.”

Brown chose LSU over Texas A-and-M.

Paul McCartney is bringing his “Got Back Tour” to New Orleans. Michelle Southern has more on his October 29th show at the Smoothie King Center…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Some scary moments in the French Quarter this afternoon as a building on St. Louis Street partially collapsed. Crews were working on the gutter system of the LTD Building, which houses an art gallery on the ground floor and five apartments above, when brick and concrete started to fall. No one was hurt.

A deadly two-vehicle crash in Richland Parish. 28-year-old driver Billie Myers and 59-year-old James Washington were killed; and the driver of the other vehicle, 18-year-old Alexis Cox, is seriously injured but in stable condition. Neither Myers nor Washington was wearing a seat belt, and State Trooper Ryan Davis says that may have made the difference between life and death.

Cut 8 (11) “…those energies.”

Lamar Brown is staying home for college. The U-High football star has announced that he will be playing his college ball across the street at LSU. Brown says his Baton Rouge roots run deep.

Cut 10 (10) “…mean a lot.”

Brown chose LSU over Texas A-and-M.

A survey paid for by the state shows Louisiana’s menhaden (men-HAY-den) industry is not killing as many red fish as feared. Menhaden is not edible, but the oily fish is processed to produce human and animal supplements or animal feed. Golden Meadow Representative Joe Orgeron says the study was conducted to see if there was a high mortality rate of red fish entangled in menhaden nets.

Cut 12 (08) “…survive.”

Paul McCartney will Jet to New Orleans as his “Got Back Tour” will make a stop at the Smoothie King Center October 29th. NOLA-dot-com entertainment reporter Keith Spera says McCartney may be 83 years old, but he’s still an elite performer, and he put in a Hard Day’s Night at his last New Orleans performance in 2019.

Cut 3 (08) “…any performer.”

A 64-year-old Iranian woman living in New Orleans legally since 1978 has been freed from ICE custody after being detained for two weeks. Donna Kashanian was released following a robust letter-writing campaign orchestrated in part by New Orleans Republican State Representative Stephanie Hilferty, who says Kashanian is an upstanding member of the community.

Cut 14 (10) “…teacher organization there.”

President Trump has said he wants to phase out FEMA after this year’s hurricane season. Governor Landry says the goal is to have a competent and functional agency, saying local governments and residents should not have to wait years for FEMA to distribute disaster aid.

Cut 9 (11)  “…implement it.”

A long overdue honor for a Louisiana military hero killed in action eight decades ago. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Paul McCartney just can’t Let It Be – he can’t wait to Get Back to New Orleans to play some Silly Love Songs. The legend is bringing his Got Back 2025 tour to the Smoothie King Center on October 29th. That’s one of 19 newly-announced shows, with potentially others Coming Up. With A Little Luck, you can score some VIP tickets.

A 64-year-old Iranian woman taken from her New Orleans home by ICE agents last month is back home. Donna Kashanian was released from ICE custody following national outcry and outreach from elected officials from both parties, including New Orleans Republican State Representative Stephanie Hilferty.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to the administration.”

Kashanian first came to the U.S. in 1978 on a student visa and applied for asylum after the shah was overthrown a year later. She eventually was allowed to remain in the U.S. as long as she checked in with immigration authorities, which she never failed to do.

Colorado State University researchers have decreased their hurricane season forecast. Experts are now predicting 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes, one less than the school’s initial prediction for each category. C-S-U lead researcher Phil Klotzbach says the wind shear and Saharan dust have deterred tropical formation so far this summer.

Cut 11 (11) “..potentially substantially.”

President Trump has threatened to phase out FEMA following the current hurricane season. Governor Landry was asked if that would really happen. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The CEO of the finalist to build LSU’s proposed on-campus arena is indicted in a federal bid-rigging scheme. The Department of Justice says Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke orchestrated a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for a similar project at the University of Texas at Austin.

A long overdue honor for a Louisiana military hero killed in action eight decades ago. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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President Trump has threatened to phase out FEMA following the current hurricane season. Governor Landry was asked if that would really happen. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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An Iranian woman taken by ICE from her New Orleans home last month is back home. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A long overdue honor for a Louisiana military hero who was killed in action more than eight decades ago. Marine Private First Class Harry LeBert was killed in June of 1944 during World War Two. However, Louisiana V-A Secretary Charlton Meginley says his remains went unidentified for many years.

Cut 4 (08) “…World War Two.”

LeBert’s remains were transferred to the Philippines in the 1950s; and three years ago, they were transferred again to Hawaii, where forensic scientists conducted DNA testing. With 95-percent of LeBert’s remains intact, that helped scientists conclusively put LeBert’s name with the body. Meginley says LeBert was interred July 2nd at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.

Cut 5 (10) “…was finally home.”

Meginley says while the LeBert family finally got the closure that it had been waiting for, countless others are still waiting.

Cut 6 (09) “…to be identified.”

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The FEMA Review Council, which is looking to make major reforms to the federal disaster response agency, held its second meeting in New Orleans. Last month, President Trump said he wants to phase out FEMA after the current hurricane season. Governor Jeff Landry, who attended yesterday’s meeting, says the President’s goal is to have a competent and functional agency whether that’s FEMA or something else.

Cut 7 (10) “…that need”

Reforms were made to FEMA following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. But Landry says the agency still requires too much red tape when it comes to providing financial relief following a natural disaster.

Cut 8 (12) “…in 2020.”

Landry says local governments and residents should not have to wait years for FEMA to distribute disaster aid.

Cut 9 (11)  “…implement it.”

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Colorado State University researchers have decreased their hurricane season forecast. Experts are now predicting 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes, one less than the school’s initial prediction for each category. C-S-U lead researcher Phil Klotzbach credits wind shear in the Caribbean.

Cut 10 (10) “…the reduction.”

Researchers still predict slightly above average activity due to warm Atlantic temperatures and other conditions conducive to hurricane formation and intensification. Klotzbach says the wind shear and Saharan dust have deterred tropical formation so far this summer.

Cut 11 (11) “..potentially substantially.”

Researchers now say there’s a 31-percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall along the Gulf Coast. Klotzbach says Colorado State will release its final forecast August 6th, when activity historically ramps up.

Cut 12 (13) “…hurricane season.”

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A 64-year-old Iranian woman taken from her New Orleans home by ICE agents last month is back home. Masked men wearing tactical gear took Donna Kashanian (ka-SHAHN-ee-in) from her home on June 22nd while she was gardening. It happened in the wake of the U.S. bombing Iranian targets. Kashanian was set to be deported to Iran; but on Monday, she was released following national outcry and outreach from elected officials from both parties, including New Orleans Republican State Representative Stephanie Hilferty.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to the administration.”

Hilferty says those letters of support described how much of an upstanding member of the community Kashanian is.

Cut 14 (12) “…teacher organization there.”

Kashanian first came to the U.S. in 1978 on a student visa and applied for asylum after the shah was overthrown a year later. She eventually was allowed to remain in the U.S. as long as she checked in with immigration authorities, which she never failed to do. She married her husband in 1990, and the couple raised a daughter. Hilferty says now that Kashanian is back home, she wants to make sure she stays home.

Cut 15 (06) “…attorney on that.”

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The Pelicans tip off Summer League action in Las Vegas today at 2:30 against the Timberwolves. The New Orleans summer league roster is headlined by first-round duo Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, and last year’s first-rounder Yves Missi. McNeese forward Christian Shumate played against Fears in high school.

Cut 16 (15) “…in the future.”

Shumate, a Chicago native, spent four years in Lake Charles, where he helped revitalize the Cowboys program along with coach Will Wade. Shumate helped McNeese to back-to-back tournament appearances and signed to the Pels Summer League roster after graduating.

Cut 17 (19)  “…back here.”

The Pelicans also signed former LSU center Will Baker to the Summer League squad.

Wind and solar power tax credits created during the Biden Administration are being phased out, thanks to the budget bill signed by President Trump. These tax credits help energy companies pay for projects that produce solar and wind energy. Dr. Greg Upton, the director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says without this federal subsidy, ratepayers will have to pay for these investments, but the impact to the consumer is several years away.

Cut 3 (09) “…the facility.”

Louisiana Democrats say they plan on making inroads ahead of the midterm elections by launching what they call the “Fight For Our Lives.” State Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says that involves reaching out to people from outside the party.

Cut 9 (09)  “…that we build.”

The Saints trade in black for white with their new alternate helmet. Kace Kieschnick has more

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

University High-Baton Rouge two-way lineman Lamar Brown is set to make his college commitment at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow. Most outlets have Brown a top ten recruit, and ESPN has him as its top overall prospect. While LSU is the odds-on favorite to land Brown, given that his high school’s stadium is in Tiger Stadium’s shadow, Texas A-and-M is also very much in the mix.