Officials gathered in Lutcher today for a signing ceremony that sets into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for the river parishes. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Thanks to a computer upgrade, the Louisiana Health Department has notified 37-thousand Medicaid recipients they may no longer be eligible for the taxpayer funded program, because they make too much money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Congressman Garret Graves says the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain project will consist of 18.5 miles of earthen levees and floodwalls… .

Cut 3 (10) “…the last several years.”

Communities on the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.  Graves says it’s estimated this massive flood control project can reduce annual damaged from flooding by 865-million dollars over the next 50 years….

Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″

Graves says for 45 years the state has been attempting to gain the funding for the project and says construction should begin later this year.

Cut 5 (08)“…being made here.”

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Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer meet the income requirements for the government health insurance. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the new program automatically confirms your wages and income with Workforce Development and other agenices…

Cut 6 (10) “…information”

Gee says the usual turnover for Medicaid is 18,000 people a month, and after running the entire database, this month was 37,000.
The Secretary says most of those who no longer qualify are still considered low-wage and income workers, and may qualify for Obamacare subsidies.

Cut 7 (09) “…for it.”

All of those removed from the program qualified under the 2016 Medicaid expansion and are non-elderly adults.

Gee says the new system of checks also will make it easier for prospective Medicaid recipients to figure out whether or not they qualify.

Cut 8 (08) “…navigate.”

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The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says funding remains uncertain, because an official forecast that shows increased revenues coming into the state has yet to be adopted

Cut 9 (08) “…recognized.”

State economists project higher tax collections than previously estimated, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast. Barras says the economy is volatile and the Revenue Estimating Conference has been wrong before, so why not wait…

Cut 10 (05)“…smaller and smaller”

But Dardenne says eventually state lawmakers will need an official forecast in order to make decisions on funding…

Cut 11 (06)   “…do that.”

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Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  So did someone show up at Louisiana Lottery headquarters to claim the prize?  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.

Cut 12 (05)   “…claim the prize.”

Annison says it’s rare that winnings of this magnitude go unclaimed.  The prize money will now go into the unclaimed prize fund.

Cut 13 (05) “…throughout the years.” 

Annison says the excitement around the lottery headquarters was high as the staff waited to see if anyone would show up in time to claim the prize.

Cut 14 (06)  “…it’s surprising.” 

The Edwards administration laid out its spending proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. It calls for an across the board teacher pay raise of one-thousand dollars and more funding for education and health care. But funding remains unclear, because House Republican leaders have blocked efforts to increase the state’s revenue forecast, despite recommendations from economists. House Speaker Taylor Barras says he wants to wait, to reduce the chance of spending money the state really doesn’t have. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says…
cut 11 (06) “…do that”
Dardenne hopes the Revenue Estimating Conference adopts a revised income forecast soon.

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25th drawing. So did someone claim the prize? Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.
Cut 12 (05) “…claim the prize.”
Annison says it’s rare that winnings of this magnitude go unclaimed. The prize money will now go into the unclaimed prize fund.

Officials gather in Lutcher today for a signing ceremony that will set into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for several River Parish communities. Kevin Barnhart has more
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s been 10 days since an abandoned newborn baby was found 50 yards from the entrance of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and authorities have yet to locate the mother. But the infant is said to be doing well and is in a foster home. Deputies say the child was outside for about 15 minutes, before being discovered.

A 32-year-old Lafayette Parish mom has been charged with an obscure crime for posting a video to social media showing two kids fighting at the school her son attends. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department has let 37-thousand Medicaid enrollees know they could lose their taxpayer financed health care coverage. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says it’s been determined these individuals make too much money to be eligible for coverage and credits an upgraded computer system for double-checking a Medicaid recipients’ income.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has given approval to Entergy Louisiana to buy solar power from a 50-megawatt power plant that will be built in West Baton Rouge Parish. Entergy spokesperson Lee Sabatini says the utility company is committed to bringing green, reliable energy to customers…
cut 6 (12) “….from this power plant”
Construction on the plant is expected to be completed next year.

One of the largest Mardi Gras parades in the state is set to roll at 4:30 on Saturday in Shreveport. Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Chris Jay says the Krewe of Centaur features 45 floats…
cut 7 (10) “…of stuff”
On Sunday, it’s the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux in Bossier city which usually attracts 10-thousand spectators.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports it was an alumnus of Delta Kappa Epislon who sparked an investigation that resulted in the arrest of nine fraternity members at the LSU chapter on hazing allegations. The man was a DKE at another university five decades ago and became alarmed when he saw hazing wounds on his grandson while he was swimming.

An Acadiana mom has been charged with the unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity after she posted a video of two children fighting at Acadiana High School. Legal analyst Franz Borghart believes the Scott Police department charged 32-year-old Maegan Adkins-Barras with the wrong crime, because according to the relatively unknown state law she would have to be a principal or accessory to the fight, but she was not present when the fight occurred…
cut 15 (12) “…first place”
The district attorney’s office says the charge could be changed to the illegally sharing of images of juveniles without parental consent.

Mardi Gras parade goers may have to dodge some rain drops. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the parade weather for Saturday looks iffy for some parts of the state…
cut 11 (09) “…stunningly beautiful”
Much of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather on Saturday.

The Krewe of Centaur is set to roll rain or shine at 4:30 on Saturday on Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport. It’s one of the largest parading krewes in Louisiana. Chris Jay with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Visitors Bureau also asks parade goers to check out the Mardi Gras Bash tent…
cut 9 (10) “…the bars”
On Sunday it’s the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade from noon to four PM in Bossier City.

Governor John Bel Edwards will release his proposed budget today amid a fight over how much money the state actually has available to spend. State economists have recommended over the last few months the amount of revenue that should be available is higher than what was adopted last June. But House Republican leaders have refused to increase the state’s official revenue forecast. Edwards is seeking to use the extra dollars to fund a teacher pay raise.

The arrest of a 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school is getting a lot of attention. Scott Police have charged Maegan Adkins-Barras with Unlawful Posting of Criminal Activity for Notoriety and Publicity, but attorney Franz Borghart says she had to be present at the fight to be charged with this little known law..
Cut 13 (10) “…school fight”
Many legal observers have never heard of this law.

Those looking to catch Mardi Gras beads this weekend also need to prepare to catch some rain drops. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s a big weekend of parades in northwest Louisiana. Shreveport has a long history of celebrating the carnival, but Shreveport-Bossier Visitor Conventions Bureau spokesperson Chris Jay says there were several decades when no parades rolled…
cut 8 (09) “…was founded”

It’s the first big weekend of Mardi Gras parades across the state, but will rain damper the Carnival spirit. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 12 (06) “….on Saturday”
There is a slight risk for severe weather for nearly all of Louisiana on Saturday, except for Southeast Louisiana.

And South Louisiana isn’t the only place to load up on beads this weekend…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An Acadiana mom spent a night in jail after she was arrested on one count of unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity. The video is a fight between two students at Acadiana High School and 32-year-old Maegan Adkins-Barras has been charged with this obscure law. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there are some serious questions as to whether the charge violates first amendment rights to free speech…
cut 14 (08) “….to speak”
The D-A’s office tells a Lafayette TV station they may change the charge to illegally sharing of images of juveniles without parental consent.

Entergy Corporation receives the green light from the Public Service Commission to enter a 20-year agreement to buy solar power from a 50-megawatt plant that will be built in Port Allen. Entergy spokesperson Lee Sabatini says it’s one of the largest solar facilities planned for the state.
Cut 4 (07) “…to our customers.”
Construction on the solar power plant is expected to be complete in 2020.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is warning you to keep your head on a swivel for tax scammers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Governor John Bel Edwards defends the changes made to a tax break program for manufacturers while speaking at a statewide business summit. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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With tax season comes the need to be on the lookout for scammers who are hoping to exploit taxpayers in an effort to nab a dishonest dollar. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says there are a wide range of shady tactics being used.

Cut 3 (10) “…to exploit taxpayers.”

There are some warning signs to look for in the realm of preparer fraud.  Henderson says it’s important to review your completed tax return before signing it and asking questions.  Ultimately the taxpayer is responsible financially and legally for all information submitted on a return.

Cut 4 (09) “…blank tax return.″

Also, avoid hiring a preparer who bases their fee based on a percentage of the refund.

Henderson says some scammers are resorting preying on people via phone calls.  Often they will demand immediate payment for tax debts via a credit card or other means.

Cut 5 (11)“…a tax debt.”

On the cyber side, Henderson recommends using security software with a firewall, strong passwords that are hard to guess, secured networks, and two factor authentication when possible.

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Tough night for the 13th ranked LSU basketball team last night as the Tigers were upset on their home floor, falling to Florida 82-77 in overtime. LSU’s offense had trouble getting into a rhythm and Coach Will Wade says he tried to tell the players that the Gators are a good defensive team…

Cut 6 (09) “…we do”

The loss drops LSU’s record to 21-5 overall, 11-2 in the SEC and into a tie with Kentucky for second place in the league. Wade says teams like Florida, who play at a slower pace have given the Tigers trouble this season…

Cut 7 (13) “…to end.”

Some fans started leaving before the final buzzer, but Wade is more disappointed his team has lost two conference home games

Cut 8 (12) “…sickening.” (2x)

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A 13 year old is dead after the Yamaha ATV he was riding collided with a Peterbuilt log truck.  Troopers responded to the crash just before 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon on LA Hwy 772 just east of Jena.  Master Trooper Scott Moreau says the truck driver attempted evasive action, but it was unsuccessful.

Cut 9 (10) “…and they collided.”

Moreau says the 13-year-old, identified as Wayden Savell, was pronounced dead at the scene. 72-year old Lloyd Worsham was behind the wheel of the log truck and was treated for minor injuries.

Cut 10 (07)“…with the ATV.”

Moreau says it’s unlawful to ride an ATV on or along the roadway.  He adds the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but is uncertain if that would have made the difference.

Cut 11 (09)   “…of the child.”

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Governor Edwards delivered the keynote address today at a statewide business summit that brought about 500 business leaders together to discuss how to move Louisiana’s economy forward. Edwards says the state has made a significant investment in an effort to produce more technology graduates…

Cut 12 (11)   “…that effort”

Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham calls the summit a farce and points to the state’s unemployment rate, which is above the national average. But Edwards says since he took office, he’s announced dozens of economic development projects that will create more than 27-thousand new jobs

Cut 13 (10)     our history” 

The governor also took time to defend the changes he made to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which provides a large property tax break for manufacturers. For decades, a state board approved I-TEP requests, but now Edwards also requires approval from local governments, which has upset some in the business community. Edwards says the program remains generous and competitive

Cut 14 (11)  stronger communities”