Louisiana’s Attorney General has partnered with his colleague in Connecticut to sue generic drug manufacturers for conspiring to keep prices artificially high. Matt Doyle.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state department of revenue will begin collecting sales taxes in two weeks on purchases made on websites that do not have a physical presence in Louisiana. The sales tax will be 8.45 percent and about half of that will be sent to local governments based on a parish’s population.

The US Justice Department is drawing up the paperwork to ban bump stocks, which can a turn legal weapon into an illegal machine gun. Bump stocks were used in the Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 people at a country music concert. Earlier this year, New Orleans Senator Troy Carter pushed the Louisiana legislature to pass a state law to ban bump stocks…
cut 5 (10) “….communities”
The Justice Department estimates 520,000 bump stocks have been sold in the US since 2010.

The Louisiana Health Department is asking certain segments of the population to get vaccinated against hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver disease. L-D-H Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch…
cut 12 (06) “…protection”
Risk groups include illegal drug users, the homeless, inmates or those in transient housing.

The Trump Administration has banned bump stocks, giving owners 90 days to destroy, or turn in their devices….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Louisiana’s two US Senators are on opposite sides of a criminal justice reform bill approved by the Senate on an 87-12 vote. Bill Cassidy says the legislation helps non-violent and low risk parolees re-enter society, get a job and stay out of trouble. But John Kennedy says the First Step Act is a violation of American public safety.

State health officials declare an outbreak of hepatitis A, with 24 known cases of the highly contagious liver disease. Several states have experienced an outbreak since 2016 and LDH Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch says it seems like its Louisiana’s turn…
Cut 10 (10) “…Louisiana”
Welch says people who are most at-risk need to get vaccinated. Risk groups include illegal drug users, the homeless, and those in transient housing.

Construction of the Prien Bridge portion of I-210 in the Lake Charles area is set to begin in early January. The project will see the addition of extra lighting and a new surface for the 930-foot stretch of bridge. DOTD spokesperson Tammy York…
Cut 7 (08) “…that first exit.”
The project will cost 35-million dollars and the federal government is paying for 90-percent of the costs.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has teamed up with Connecticut AG George Jepsen in a suit against generic drug manufacturers, claiming the companies violated anti-trust laws to push prices higher than they should be on over 300 drugs. Landry says they’re discussing a settlement with 18 manufacturers in a suit that involves 47 other states.
Cut 13 (07) “…fixed prices”
Generic drugs account for almost 90-percent of prescriptions.

The Trump Administration announces a ban on bump stocks. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is glad to see it…
cut 4 (10) “…mass destruction”
Carter filed a bump stocks ban bill in the state legislature and it failed to pass the Senate.

The Louisiana Health Department has declared an outbreak of hepatitis A. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Connor Ferrill.”

An Ascension Parish woman has been arrested after she was caught on surveillance video taking packages sitting outside of a Prairieville home. Deputies have charged 22-year-old Verenize Alvarez with theft and criminal trespassing. The items in the packages have not been recovered.

The Saints defense is now one of the elite units in the league, allowing an average of 12 points per game over their last six contests. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation is using holiday themed safety messages to get motorists to buckle up or travel the speed limit. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”  

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The Saints defense has been dominate in the second half of the season, and in the last six games has grabbed 8 interceptions, 28 sacks, and only allowed an average of 12 points per game. That’s come down largely to two factors, the league’s best rush defense, and the 5^th most sacks this year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says that rush defense will prove even more important in the playoffs.

Cut 3 (11) “…was about.”

The Saints have not allowed a 100 yard individual rusher in twenty straight weeks.

All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan and 2016 first round pick Sheldon Rankins have combined for 20 sacks to spearhead the Saints devastating pass rush, and Detillier says they’re on pace to be the top Black and Gold pass rushing unit of the Sean Peyton era.

Cut 4 (10) “…2013.″

Six different Saints have four or more sacks on the year.

Detillier credits most of the success to the growth from the team’s young core that carried over from last year, but says the additions of linebacker Demario Davis in free agency and cornerback Eli Apple, who was traded from the Giants, have put them over the top, and into elite territory.

Cut 5 (06) “…have.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says a Texas judge’s decision to declare the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional could lead to the loss of health insurance for 480,000 recipients of the Medicaid expansion, and 850,000 people with pre-existing conditions, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told nothing is potentially changing until the case works its way through the courts.

Cut 6 (10) “…the decision.

The case is headed to the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, one of the most conservative courts in the nation, and likely to the Supreme Court after that.

Obamacare was struck down due to the illegality of the individual mandate that taxes people who don’t have health insurance. Donelon says other aspects of the ACA are now in peril because in their rush to pass Obamacare, Congressional Democrats put out a “half baked” law, and…

Cut 7 (12) “expansion”

90 percent of new enrollees on the expansion is paid for by the feds.

Donelon says because of the popularity of certain aspects of the ACA, if it were to be struck down in the Supreme Court, it’s like Congress would take up an effort like the one proposed by Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Cut 8 (11) “…care act”

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If you have seen one of the state’s digital message boards lately, you may have noticed the safety messages are more creative. State department of transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says drivers tend to ignore a mundane message that says to slow down or buckle up, so they decided to spice it up with messages like…

Cut 9 (11) “…not roadways″

The state has just over 100 digital message boards that can be found along interstates or major thoroughfares that alert motorists about accidents and provide other traffic safety information. Mallett says they want to put a message on the boards that gets a driver’s attention

Cut 10 (11) “…little bit.”

Mallett says they’ve received great feedback about their unique traffic safety messages…

Cut 11 (10) “…with some”

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South Louisiana Community College has inked a deal with Nicholls State University for four articulation agreements which should provide a smoother transition from the community college into the four year university in select fields.  SLCC spokesperson Christine Payton…

Cut 12 (10)   “…justice and nursing.” 

Payton says the partnership between the two schools will hopefully result in retaining students in the area.

Cut 13 (08) “…for their lifestyle.”

Payton says the agreement has been in the works for months, and says more articulation agreements could be coming down the line.

Cut 14 (04) “…spring with Nicholls.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is using holiday themed safety messages in an effort to get motorists to buckle up or travel the speed limit. Don Molino has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

The Louisiana Health Department declares an outbreak of hepatitis A, as there’s been at least 24 confirmed cases of the highly contagious liver disease. The illness can be spread by consuming contaminated beverages and food, during sex or through close contact of an infected person. Drug users and homeless individuals are most at-risk.

Many are wondering about the future of the Affordable Care Act now that a federal judge in Texas ruled its unconstitutional because the feds no longer penalize a person for not having insurance. The A-C-A remains intact until the appeals process is completed. However, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the ruling should be a signal to Congress to pass an improved health care law…
cut 8 (11) “…care act’

South Louisiana Community College and Nicholls State has signed an agreement that will make it easier for certain students who attend an S-L-C-C campus to transfer to Nicholls. S-L-C-C spokesperson Christine Payton says students who study biology, business administration, criminal justice and nursing should be able to transfer smoothly into Nicholls and they hope to add more fields soon…
cut 14 (04) “…spring with Nicholls”

It wasn’t pretty, but the Saints beat Carolina 12-9 last night. New Orleans lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter and Quarterback Drew Brees says the defense also made winning plays down the stretch…
cut 15 (11) “…win the game”
New Orleans is 12-and-2 and can secure homefield advantage throughout the N-F-C playoffs with a win Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Two New Iberia residents are under arrest for child trafficking. Investigators allege a young girl was forced to engage in sexual acts across Louisiana, and into Texas. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer credits the Special Victims Unit for ending this disgusting crime.
Cut 10 (10) “…as these.”
39-year-old Derrick Hall and 21-year-old Shaena Kelly face various charges.

The next hearing in the case that could undue Obamacare will likely be held in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state health department has declared a Hepatitis A outbreak as they’ve confirmed 24 cases of hepatitis A, which is a highly contagious liver disease. The illness is spread by consuming contaminated food or beverages, during sex or through close contact with an infected person. The state has received funding to vaccinate at-risk groups, which are drug users and those who are homeless.