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.

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.”