A bill sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy to redirect Affordable Care Act subsidies to patients in the form of health savings accounts has failed in the Senate. Cassidy said his goal was to come up with a solution that works for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

Cut 16 (13) “…an A solution.”

The vote was 51-to-48, falling nine votes short of the 60 votes needed to advance.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry has announced that all six voting system vendors that her office tested earlier this year passed certification. It comes as the office is working to select a new voting system to replace the current one they say is outdated. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says the office did not reach out to the vendors; the vendors reached out to the office.

Cut 3 (08) “…answered that invitation.”

Tomorrow, North DeSoto and Iowa will take the field, each with a chance to win the first state championship in school history. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Also tomorrow, St. Charles Catholic and Archbishop Shaw compete for the Division Two select title. St. Charles Catholic coach Wayne Stein says last year after the Comets finished 4-and-7 they did some soul searching.

Cut 13 (15)  “…to happen again.”

Voting system vendors seeking certification by the State of Louisiana batted a thousand. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted five people yesterday in connection with the alleged hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson.  Wilson was a mechanical engineering major and played the trumpet for the Human jukebox.  He died February 27^th.  His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in September.

It’s been a very successful season for Christmas tree farms throughout the state this year. Kevin Steele, who owns Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Angie, in Washington Parish, says business was brisk this year.

Cut 6 (09) “…on the farm.”

Tomorrow at the LHSAA Prep Classic, two teams who have never won a state championship meet in the Superdome for the Division 2 non-select title. The Iowa Yellow Jackets will face the North DeSoto Griffin’s fire-powered offense, which is led by quarterback Luke Delafield. Iowa coach Tommy Johns says his defense has come up when it’s mattered most this season and believes they can continue to do so.

Cut 10 (12) “…and it shows.”

A bill sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy to redirect Affordable Care Act subsidies to patients in the form of health savings accounts has failed. The vote in the Senate was 51-to-48, falling nine votes short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Republican Rand Paul joined all Democrats in voting no. Before the vote, Cassidy responded to criticism that his plan amounted to what they call “junk insurance.”

Cut 15 (09) “…one we’re using.”

Cassidy said his goal is to come up with a solution that works for everyone

Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that all six voting system vendors tested earlier this year passed certification. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says now Secretary Landry will either put out a request for proposals or an invitation to negotiate at some point next year. The office will then select one system that will be used by every voter in the state.

Cut 5 (09) “…same voting system.”

The LHSAA Prep Classic is underway and tomorrow two Division 2 non-select teams North Desoto Griffins and the Iowa Yellow Jackets will vie for their first ever state championship. North DeSoto’s quarterback Luke Delafield led the Griffins to the state championship game as a freshman in 2022. He returns to the Dome as a senior and says he’s stoked to be back in New Orleans.

Cut 11 (11) “…super excited.”

Kick off is at noon.

Also tomorrow, St. Charles Catholic will take on Archbishop Shaw for the title in Division Two select.

The two teams met in November with St. Charles Catholic winning 24-0.  coach Wayne Stein says he knows that the Comets will be facing a very different Eagles team tomorrow night.

Cut 14 (11) “…be the champion.”

Kickoff is scheduled for seven p-m.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that all six of the voting system vendors that reached out to the state passed the state’s certification. Joel Watson, with the Secretary of State’s Office, says that shows they are all committed to secure elections.

Cut 4 (09) “…the procurement process.”

Nancy Landry is working to replace the state’s voting system that she says is outdated.

The previous year’s weather made shopping for a Christmas tree on a Christmas tree farm very nice this year and owner of Steele’s Christmas Tree farm, Kevin Steele, while it’s difficult to predict the future, given the weather we had this year and the current condition of the trees, it’s shaping up to be a successful season next year too.

Cut 8 (09) “…expect any hiccups.”

Tomorrow, North DeSoto and Iowa High School compete for the first state championship in either school’s history. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Also tomorrow, St. Charles Catholic and Archbishop Shaw compete for the Division Two select title. St. Charles Catholic coach Wayne Stein says last year after the Comets finished 4-and-7 they did some soul searching.

Cut 13 (15)  “…to happen again.”

A bill sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy to redirect Affordable Care Act subsidies to patients in the form of health savings accounts has failed in the Senate. Cassidy said his goal was to come up with a solution that works for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

Cut 16 (13) “…an A solution.”

The vote was 51-to-48, falling nine votes short of the 60 votes needed to advance.

The LHSAA Prep Classic is underway and runs through Saturday. Tomorrow’s first matchup features Division 2 non-select the North Desoto Griffins and Iowa Yellow Jackets. Iowa head coach Tommy Johns says playing in the state championship for the first time in school history is special.

Cut 9 (10)  “…truly meant.”

Voting system vendors seeking certification by the State of Louisiana batted a thousand. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Those getting their Christmas trees from Christmas tree farms in Louisiana will find a nice selection this year. Kevin Steele, who owns Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Angie, in Washington Parish, says the shoppers are getting excellent quality.

Cut 7 (07) “…are very healthy.”

He says the current weather points to a successful crop next year too.

A vote on a healthcare bill co-sponsored by Bill Cassidy is expected in the Senate today. He says under his plan, instead of insurance companies deciding how patients’ are treated, money would go to taxpayers’ health savings accounts and they would be in control of how money is spent on their health care.

Cut 6 (10) “…an Obamacare policy.”

Cassidy says his plan has the support of some Democrats. He needs seven to advance the bill.

There’s optimism among small businesses says State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Leah Long. She says positives in 2025 include making the 20% small business deduction permanent and the state’s action on insurance reform. In 2026, she would like to see state lawmakers continue to work on lawsuit abuse.

Cut 9 (09)  “…those employers too.”

Requirements for unemployment insurance benefits are increasing. Beginning January 4^th, claimants must complete five work-search activities per week, up from three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says there are also new rules that if broken could cause a person to lose their unemployment benefits.

Cut 15 (09) “…lose your benefit.”

The Jena High School football team is preparing for its first ever state championship game appearance. Jena is 13-and-0 and the top seed in Division Two non-select. Coach Jay Roark says he’s proud of how the defense improved throughout the season.

Cut 11 (12) “…and getting better.”

The Giants will face defending champion Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30.

A vote on the healthcare reform bill co-sponsored by Bill Cassidy is expected in the Senate today. Cassidy says the current Affordable Care Act grants insurance companies 20% of funds and allows the insurance companies to release 80% for what the insurance company believes the patient needs but under his plan, insurance companies would no longer get that money.

Cut 5 (07) “…health savings account.”

He says his plan has the support of some Democrats; whether it has the support of the seven Democrats needed to advance the bill remains to be seen.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up. So what are work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

As 2026 approaches, small businesses are a little more optimistic. Andre Champagne explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Jena High School football team will compete in their first ever state championship game this weekend. The Giants are the top seed in Division Two non-select and will face defending champion, Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30. Coach Jay Roark expects a big crowd from LaSalle Parish to cheer on the Giants.

Cut 12 (05) “…this weekend.”

Starting January 4th, to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, a claimant will need to complete at least five work-search activities each week — an increase from the current requirement of three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says the new rule is not intended to punish an unemployed individual.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to live on (2x).”

As we approach 2026, the National Federation of Independent Business says there’s more optimism among small businesses. NFIB State director, Leah Long, says optimism spikes with the passage of the when the Big Beautiful Bill made the 20% small business deduction permanent and she was glad to see the Louisiana legislature tackle insurance reform which will be a huge help for small businesses.

Cut 8 (09) “…your bottom line.”

The Senate is expected to vote on Bill Cassidy’s health care insurance reform bill today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Healthcare will no longer be an insurer for Louisiana’s Medicaid program which means over 300,000 recipients may have to find a new primary care provider who is in-network with one of the other 5 Louisiana Medicaid insurers by January first. LDH made the decision to not renew United’s contract due to some legal issues that according to Attorney General Liz Murrill involves the state’s requests for documents on how United manages prescription drug benefits.

Louisiana Works is alerting you that new requirements to qualify for unemployment will be in place starting January 4th. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Senate is expected to vote on the healthcare bill co-sponsored by Bill Cassidy’s today and Cassidy says his bill is an alternative to a Democratic proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which he says disproportionately benefits insurance companies.

Cut 4 (09) “…release the money.”

Small businesses are a little more optimistic as we approach 2026. State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Leah Long, says the biggest challenges for small business owners heading into the new year are operating costs and labor shortages. She says 2025 was a good year for small businesses, spearheaded by legislation at all levels.

Cut 7 (11) “…was made permanent.”

The Jena High School football team is preparing for its first ever state championship game appearance. After losing in the semifinals the last two seasons, head coach Jay Roark says it’s nice to get over the hump.

Cut 10 (10) “…great teammates.”

A plan that would have sold a large portion of Louisiana’s share of Toledo Bend water to Texas is off, and Hornbeck Republican Rodney Schamerhorn says he will be filing a bill that would block any future water sale and he realizes the populations of Texas and Louisiana are going in opposite directions.

Cut 5 (11) “…abundance of water.”

But he says, if during a drought, Louisiana couldn’t get out of a contract, the lake could become a mud hole.

Crawfish season will be here soon and LSU AgCenter crawfish extension agent Todd Fontenot says some farmers are already offering mudbugs and as long as Louisiana doesn’t have long periods of below freezing temperatures, crawfish will be mor plentiful in January and February.

Cut 12 (11) “…to our crawfish.”

As if advancing in the College Football Playoff wasn’t enough, Tulane has an extra incentive to beat Ole Miss on December 20th – they would get a virtual home game in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Georgia New Year’s Day. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says a Sugar Bowl appearance for the hometown Green Wave would not be unprecedented. But let’s just say it would be a long time coming – a VERY long time coming.

Cut 7 (10) “…be tremendous enthusiasm.”

But in order to play in the Sugar Bowl in front of their home fans, they will have to beat a team that beat them by five touchdowns just four months ago.

The Pelicans rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit, only to lose to San Antonio 135 to 132. Career night for rookie Derik Queen as the Pelicans center had a triple-double, 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But he missed a game-winning three-point attempt in the final seconds.