In response to a recent state audit that found Louisiana spent millions of dollars on ineligible Medicaid recipients, US Senator John Kennedy and Representative Ralph Abraham file legislation that requires states to use federal tax information to veify income eligiby for government assistance program. Abraham says it’s common sense legislation…
cut 5 (10) “…not accurate”
State health officials says they have improved their ability to check on a Medicaid recipient’s income.

Starting at 12:30 on this Ash Wednesday, the bible will be read from cover-to-cover in the Town Square of St. Martinville. Father Michael Champagne describes it as the Woodstock of Bible reading…
cut 8 (11) “…it’s highly organized”
300 faith leaders from various denominations will read in 20 minute increments. Some sections will be read in different languages.

A Switzerland based company called Kopter announces plans to assemble helicopters at a facility at the Lafayette Regional Airport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter plans to reach full production in 2025 and they’ll produce helicopters for a variety of purposes…
cut 14 (13) “….law enforcement”

West Monroe representative Frank Hoffman has filed a bill to raise the legal age to smoke cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old. If approved, the legislation could mean a loss of tax revenue for the state, but Hoffman says the measure will have a long term benefit…
cut 11 (09) “…cost for people”
Six states and over 400 local governments have raised the legal age to smoke to 21.

Sen. John Kennedy and Rep. Ralph Abraham have filed legislation with the intent of combating fraud in government assistance programs. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A Louisiana Navy recruit from Monroe collapsed and died following physical training at Great Lakes, Illinois. The Navy says personnel administered first aid to 20-year-old Kierra Evans, but she died at a hospital several hours later. A cause of death is unknown. Evans was participating in a standard physical fitness evaluation.

The town of St. Martinville will be the host of a public reading of the Bible from cover to cover starting today. The annual 100 hour Bible Marathon will run through Sunday in the town’s square. Father Michael Champagne says the Pope held a similiar event once.
Cut 7 (08) “Evangelicals, Baptists, Episcopalians.”
The event drew over three-thousand people last year.

West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman has filed legislation for the upcoming legislative session to raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old. The legislation is expected to face opposition in the regular session. But Hoffman says not everyone in the tobacco industry is opposed to raising the sale age…
Cut 12 (09) “…some of that ”
Six states have raised the legal age to smoke to 21.

A West Monroe lawmaker has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would increase the legal age a person can purchase or possess tobacco and vaping products. Brooke Thorington…
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Mississippi authorities say a Tulane student was killed in a freak accident at an Interstate 10 rest stop in Gautier. Authorities say 21-year-old Margaret Maurer was walking back to her car when she was struck by a tire that came loose from a passing 18-wheeler. Maurer was a Minnesota native.

Senator John Kennedy and Representative Ralph Abraham have filed legislation that would require states to verify eligibility for government assistance programs, before the benefits go out. The Income Verification Act would apply to Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and food stamps. Abraham says the legislation is in response to a legislative auditor’s report that found Louisiana spent as much as 85-million dollars on ineligible Medicaid recipients…
Cut 4 (10) “…really need help.”
Kennedy says taxpayer money should never be spent willy-nilly.

Switzerland-based helicopter maker Kopter selects the Lafayette Regional Airport to assemble helicopters, creating 120 jobs. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter looked at 38 locations before picking Lafayette…
Cut 13 (08) “…strong workforce.”
Kopter plans to make a four million dollar investment in new equipment and building additions to the Lafayette site.

There will be an effort in the upcoming legislative session to raise the age from 18 to 21-years-old to legally purchase or possess tobacco and vaping products. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says six states and over 400 cities have raised the tobacco age to 21 and the goal is to produce better health outcomes…
Cut 10 (09) “…18 to 21.”
Hoffman’s proposed legislation will be House Bill 38 in the legislative session that begins next month.

A Switzerland company that makes helicopters has decided to build helicopters at an 84-thousand square facility at the Lafayette Regional airport. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter plans to reach full production in 2025, producing about 100 helicopters every year…
cut 15 (12) “…with them”

The party is over in New Orleans…
cut 30 police siren”
Despite cold temperatures, thousands came out to catch throws along parade routes in New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles and other cities on Fat Tuesday. But when the clock struck midnight on Bourbon Street the party goers were told to go home for the observance of Ash Wednesday.

Starting today in St. Martinville, there will be a continous reading of the bible in celebration of the Lenten season. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
voicer 2 (25) “….Kevin Barnhart”

Cajun Navy 2016 responders from Baton Rouge are in Alabama following a tornado outbreak that left 23 dead. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Atlanta today for an economic development announcement involving Louisiana. Switzerland-based helicopter maker Kopter announced that it plans to assemble helicopters at a facility owned by the Lafayette Regional Airport. State officials say Kopter will hire 120 workers and plans to be in full production in 2025.

Temperatures are only in the upper 40s this afternoon but that’s not stopping the Mardi Gras revelers on this Fat Tuesday. State Climatologist Barry Keim is spending the day watching the parades in New Orleans…
cut 4 (11) “….despite the cold”
Mardi Gras is also known for its satire. There are several people dressed up as blind referees in reference to the blown call in the NFC Championship game…
Cut 8 (10) “…in our pockets.”
Saints owner Gayle Benson has been spotted carrying around a “Saints Robbed” Lombardi trophy.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of 17-year-old inmate, Charles Williams, at the parish jail. Authorities say at this time, no signs of foul play are suspected. Officials say Williams recently went to the hospital for treatment of an allergic reaction. He was being held on four counts of attempted second-degree murder.

The rain is behind us but it’s a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes thanks to a blast of Canadian air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the temps may peak around 50 degrees for south Louisiana….
cut 3 (07) “…southwest Louisiana”
The wind chill is in the 30s in some locations.

So how do you stay warm on a chilly Mardi Gras day? Eating a lot of tasty food is one way to do it. This man along a New Orleans parade route says he’s been cooking since four o’ clock this morning and has enough food to feed about 40 people…
cut 6 (12) “…turkey necks”
It’s a big day of parades in Lake Charles and Lafayette. There’s also a couple of parades in Shreveport.

While many may associate Mardi Gras with catching beads, in small towns like Eunice, the focus is on chasing chickens. Participants dress in costume as part of a 12-mile chicken run, with some on horseback. Captain of the Eunice Mardi Gras Pat Frey says the country version of the Mardi Gras has been going on for 123 years.
Cut 4 (09) “…prepared the gumbo.”
Frey says they expect between 800 to one-thousand people to participate in festivities.

Louisiana is joining a pilot program that will give those seeking addiction treatment the ability to see the “ratings” of a treatment facility on a range of different services they provide. State health department spokesperson Bob Johannessen says the rating system is voluntary, but Johannessen says addiction centers that participate are doing so for a good reason…
cut 14 (09) “..high rating”
Johannessen says they hope the rating system goes live next year.