Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says, last year, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors. She says not only do public libraries offer books to borrow; they also host scores of programs. She says in 2024, Louisiana’s 337 public libraries hosted almost 90 thousand in-person and live virtual programs.

Cut 5 (10) “…are looking for.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools. She says this grant award recognizes the state’s leadership in advancing evidence-based literacy solutions.

Cut 8 (10) “…more about it.”

Chiasson says Louisiana has been a national leader in high-dosage tutoring

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract. She says the state has been litigating with UnitedHealthcare for five years…

Cut 12 (09) “…money back.”

LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders because the original January 1^st target could have caused a lapse in coverage for thousands of Medicaid patients.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Louisiana is awarded a substantial grant to study the impacts of high dosage tutoring on literacy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frank Wilson will serve as the interim head coach of the LSU Tigers through the Texas Bowl and then he’ll leave for an SEC rival. CBS Sports is reporting Wilson will leave his home state to be the running backs coach at Ole Miss. This will be Wilson’s second stint with Ole Miss as he served as the running backs coach for the Rebels when Ed Orgeron was the head coach there. He also has a relationship with new Ole Miss head coach Pete Goulding who was the defensive coordinator of the Roadrunners when Wilson was the head coach at UTSA.

Louisiana lawmakers expressed concern about ending a Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare on January 1^st because the short notice could temporarily leave thousands of Medicaid recipients without coverage, so LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders to provide documents proving they are in compliance with the contract. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she’s okay with that…

Cut 11 (07) “…asked for.”

She says UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs.

The Revenue Estimating Conference determined that stronger than expected income tax revenue is one of the main drivers behind an estimated 293-million-dollar budget surplus for the current fiscal year. State Treasurer John Fleming is suggesting giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts and says the ultimate goal is to make income taxes in Louisiana a thing of the past.

Cut 15 (06) “…in this state.”

The state’s libraries are growing in popularity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools.

Cut 7 (12) “…around literacy instruction.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

A former New Iberia police officer has been arrested for allegedly plotting an attack in New Orleans. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. The latest report shows that in 2024, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors – up eight and a half percent from 2023. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says the trend is very encouraging.

Cut 6 (09) “…workforce development classes.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident where a neighbor used lethal force to end a domestic dispute. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The application period for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ 38th enforcement academy is open through December 22nd. It open to those with and without law enforcement experience. Division Superintendent Stephen Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy

Cut 5 (08) “…to 24 weeks.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Though the legislature cut income taxes last year, stronger than expected income tax revenue is said to be one of the main reasons for the surplus. Fleming points out that the economies of Texas, Tennessee and Florida are doing the best in the country, and none of them have a state income tax.

LSU moves one step closer to launching the School of Construction. It would build on the current construction management program. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says the earliest graduates are paying it forward in creating the new School of Construction.

Cut 7 (11) “…possible for us.”

Over three hundred people have been detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Louisiana since Operation Catahoula Crunch began over two weeks ago. That’s according to a social media post by Commander Gregory Bovino. The Department of Homeland Security said their goal was to detain 5,000 “worst of the worst” violent illegal immigrants targeting those with criminal records. Bovino said an aggravated felon drug trafficker who had previously been deported has been arrested. Some detainees have charges for violent crimes and others have traffic violations.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man was attacking his girlfriend with a knife when her neighbor fatally shot him. The Mandeville area woman attempted to flee her attacker by going through a window and frantically knocking on a neighbors’ door. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says one of the neighbors went outside to help her and commanded the attacker to stop and when he refused, the neighbor shot the attacker. Carboni says no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation continues

Cut 11 (04) “..the facts”

LSU is about to lead a building revolution. The Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the School of Construction within its College of Engineering, last week. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says the school would build on the current construction management program.

Cut 6 (07) “…two-thousand students.”

She says construction is a vital part of the U.S. economy. The Board of Regents will vote on the program’s approval sometime next year.

LDWF is looking to train new Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officers. Stephen Clark, the superintendent of the enforcement division of LDWF, says applications are now being accepted for the department’s 38th enforcement academy.

Cut 4 (06) “…end of March.”

He says the academy is a hybrid academy, open to both POST-certified police officers and non-POST-certified officers. Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy.

The Louisiana law that requires social media companies to verify users’ ages and provide parental controls including parental consent has been blocked by a federal judge. In his ruling that granted a permanent injunction, Judge John deGravelles said, the Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation Act passed in 2023 violates the First Amendment. He cited a ruling on a California law that attempted to restrict violent video games and said legal speech is protected on social media even for minors. Attorney Liz Murrill called the ruling unfortunate, saying the ruling protects corporations that facilitate child exploitation over the legislative policy to require simple age verification mechanisms.

A man attacking his girlfriend with a knife was fatally shot by the woman’s neighbor while he was attacking her says the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says the victim escaped her Mandeville area home through a window and knocked on neighbors’ doors. The neighbor commanded the attacker to stop and when he refused, the neighbor fired his gun

Cut 10 (07) “…the scene.”

Carboni says no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation continues

LSU is on the cusp of creating the School of Construction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you’ve ever thought of becoming a Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officer, now’s your chance. Stephen Clark, the superintendent of the enforcement division of LDWF, says applications are now being accepted for the department’s 38th enforcement academy.

Cut 3 (06) “…through December 22nd.”

He says when the application window closes, they will choose the best applicants to take part in the academy.

Tomorrow morning, State lawmakers will get answers on why the Louisiana Health Department decided to end its Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare.  Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Kirk Talbot says the decision to cut ties with United Health Care surprised legislators…

Cut 27 (07) “…renewal date.”

LDH leaders will be at the Senate Health and Welfare meeting at 10 AM.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of research operations at its research institutions. LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to successfully compete for major grants, attract exceptional faculty and expand discoveries that can improve life in Louisiana. But Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly is concerned LSU Health New Orleans and Pennington Research Center in Baton Rouge will get more of the research grant dollars…

Cut 14 (10) “…of things.”

While State Farm will be increasing property insurance premiums, it will also be lowering auto insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It was cold this morning, with temperatures below freezing and afternoon highs will barely hit 50-degrees. If you hate the cold, good news, Shane Pendleton, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we’ll see a warm-up beginning tomorrow afternoon…

Cut 9 (09)  “…each afternoon.”

Looking ahead to next week, Pendleton says expect unseasonably warm and dry conditions for Christmas week

The FBI arrested a person in New Iberia that they say was plotting a violent New Year’s Eve attack. FBI Director, Kash Patel said in a social media post, that this person whose identity has not been released, was part of a radical pro-Palestinian group. The FBI says the person arrested in Louisiana was not part of the group planning multiple New Year’s Eve bombings in Los Angels, California, and it is not yet clear if the person’s attacks were planning for California, Louisiana, or elsewhere but the FBI considers the threat considerable.

A state lawmaker is worried about the future of LSU Health Shreveport. The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of research operations at its research institutions. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says the restructuring ends 25 years of local autonomy for LSU Health Shreveport…

Cut 13 (11)  “…concerns me.”

LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to successfully compete for major grants, attract exceptional faculty and expand discoveries that can improve life in Louisiana.

State Farm is raising premiums on property insurance policies by an average of almost ten percent statewide but, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says they’re lowering auto insurance premiums by almost six percent on average. He says State Farm requested the decrease because…

Cut 4 (06) “…what they forecast.”

Temple says the rates insurance companies charge their drivers are related to the claims that insurance companies pay out.

The Saints have a winning streak. With yesterday’s 20-17 win over the Panthers, it’s two in a row. The key play came with 12 seconds left and the Saints out of timeouts, Quarterback Tyler Shough ran it down the middle for four yards and slid. Panthers’ safety Lathan Ransom hit Shough as he was sliding, drawing a 15-yard penalty. That penalty put Smyth in position to kick a 47-yard game winning field goal. But if not for that penalty, Shough says he and his teammates were ready to sprint to the line for him to spike the ball and stop the clock.

Cut 7 (14) “…to clock it.”

The legislature has more money at its disposal than they anticipated. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 26 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

While State Farm will be boosting premiums on property insurance policies by an average of almost ten percent statewide, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says it will be lowering auto insurance premiums by almost six percent on average.

Cut 3 (06) “…smaller than that.”

Temple says State Farm requested the decrease because in the last year they paid fewer claims than they had forecast.

The Saints put the Panthers away yesterday 20 – 17. The game winning drive started at the Saints’ nine-yard line with only 57 seconds left. With one time out Tyler Shough got the Saints into Charlie Smyth’s field goal range. Shough says the entire offensive unit was locked in.

Cut 8 (13) “…really, really well.”

If cold weather is not your thing, good news, after tomorrow, we warm up for the rest of the week. Then next week for Christmas, Shane Pendleton, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we can expect my kind of weather, unseasonably warm and dry conditions for Christmas week.

Cut 11 (11) “…holidays.”

High temperatures next week will range from the upper 60s to the 70s.