Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the state’s health department could have misspent as much as 85-million dollars over a 20-month period on people enrolled in the Medicaid expansion program who did not qualify to receive the government paid for health coverage. Medicaid eligibility is determined by monthly income. The report noted that if one month, a person made too much money to qualify, they may not have been kicked off the program as long as their monthly income met the requirements by the end of the year. State Medicaid Director Jen Steele says that’s not fraud.
Cut 8 (08) “…the time”
Steele says they now have a new automated system for Medicaid eligibility that will increase the accuracy of eligibility decisions.

The LSU football program has landed a verbal commitment from one of the top running backs in the country. John Emery of Destrehan posted on Twitter that he’s proud to say I’m staying home, Committed to the Tigers. Emery was previously committed to Georgia.

We get another reminder today that we are heading into the winter months. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (26) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

And the National Weather Service is receiving reports it’s snowing in north central Louisiana and sticking to elevated roads and surfaces. A winter weather advisory is in effect for that part of the state as the snow is expected to end before 9 AM. A coating is possible on grassy areas.

We get another reminder today that we are heading into the winter months. Connor Ferrill has the story.

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The Legislative Auditor discovers the state’s Medicaid program potentially paid tens of millions in healthcare costs for people who may not have been eligible. Matt Doyle has more.

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For the 50th time, Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss will meet on the gridiron as the two Conference USA schools meet in Hattiesburg on Saturday at 2:30. The Golden Eagles have won the last three matchups in this season and Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they have to get ready for an explosive passing game…

Cut 17 (20) “high level”

Golden Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins has nine touchdown catches and quarterback Jack Abraham has thrown for over 2,000 yards. Holtz says Abraham is smart and knows where to go with the football…

Cut 18 (12) “spread quarterback”

Tech is coming off a 28-13 win over Rice. They are 7-3 with two more regular season games left. Holtz says they’ve figured out how to win games, even if they are not fully clicking on offense…

Cut 19 (20)   “…for success”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana is seeking answers into an alleged police brutality case in Winnfield. ACLU’s Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White has lost sight in her right eye after she was hit with a taser during an encounter with Winnfield police on November 5th. Hamilton says they have filed an open records request with the police department to see what kind of policies they have regarding the use of force, de-escalation and racially-biased policing have been unanswered…
cut 13 (10) “…to other races”
Police allegedly told the family that White was resisting arrest and fell, hitting her face on the ground. State Police is investigating.

Sad story out of Baton Rouge as a piano teacher was killed in Mississippi while helping out a motorist who was involved in a crash. Mississippi Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Leslie Wood was killed on I-55 in Copiah County when a semi hit Wood’s vehicle on the side of the road and hit her too. Wood taught at Baton Rouge Magnet High School.

Much of the state is under a freeze warning as the temperature is expected to drop below freezing during the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you plan on using a space heater, make sure it’s at least five feet away from anything combustible and don’t overload wall outlets. Browning says do not plug space heaters into extension cords. He says those with central heating should also take precautions…
cut 7 (07) “…to be used”
Snowflakes were falling this morning in Shreveport, but Aaron Davis with the National Weather Service says the snow didn’t stick…
cut 4 (04) “…maintain snow”
Davis it might get even colder Wednesday night into Thursday morning and then we’ll see a warm up.

Light snow fell in the Shreveport this morning and southeast Louisiana is feeling the effects of a cold rain. State climatologist Barry Keim says dryer conditions are on the way, but so is cold air.
Cut 10 (08) “…over Louisiana’s weather.“
Freeze watches and warnings for the northern half of the state and into southwest Louisiana.

It’s possible we could see a statewide teacher strike or walk out if the state legislature fails to provide educators and support staff with a pay raise. That’s according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter. The average salary for Louisiana teachers is below the Southern Regional Average. Carter says the issue of teacher pay is creating problems for some school systems….
cut 9 (10) “…compete”
Governor Edwards has said he’ll push for teachers to get at least a one-thousand dollar pay raise.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says over 54-thousand rural homes and businesses in north Louisiana will gain access to high-speed internet service as a result of a 22-million dollars in federal funding. Campbell says this is great news for businesses and students…
cut 5 (07) “…good for”
AT&T, CenturyLink and California-based ViaSat will provide the broadband service.

Republican Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that’s airing. Ward says the new bridge would help alleviate the congested roadway issues for Baton Rouge and outlying areas.
Cut 13 (09) “…the conversation forward.”
A new Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area would cost one-billion dollars and Ward says it will take voter approval to fund the project, possibly through tolls.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says a walk out or strike is possible if teachers do not see movement in the legislature to give teachers and school support workers a pay raise…
cut 8 (09) “….already”
The average teacher salary in Louisiana has fallen below the southern regional average. L-F-T also wants to see a 2.75 percent increase in funding for public education.

It’s the middle of November but winter weather is here. There have been reports of snow falling in the Shreveport area. State Climatologist Barry Keim says freeze watches and warnings are posted across the state for the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning. He says we are a couple of days away from a warm up…
cut 12 (08) “…bundle up Louisiana”

54-thousand rural homes and businesses in north Louisiana will have access to broadband internet as part of the fed’s Connect America program that’s providing 22 million dollars so three different internet providers can make it happen. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says high speed internet is a necessity…
Cut 4 (10) “…telephones.″

A TV ad is running in the Baton Rouge area calling for a new Mississippi River bridge that would help alleviate congestion. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward paid for the spot and says there will likely be a measure on a ballot in 2019 asking voters if they would be willing to fund it…
cut 15 (11) “…of that sort”
Where the bridge would be located has not been determined.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers says a walk out or strike is possible this school year if the state legislature doesn’t fund a pay raise for teachers and school support workers. Matt Doyle has more.
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It’s a dreary and blustery day across Louisiana with reports of snow falling in northwest Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says get ready for a couple of cold mornings…
cut 11 (11) “…I-10 I-12 corridor”

Republican Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that’s airing. Ward says the new bridge would help alleviate the congested roadway issues for Baton Rouge and outlying areas.
Cut 13 (09) “…the conversation forward.”
A new Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area would cost one-billion dollars and Ward says it will take voter approval to fund the project.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell will join A-T-and-T officials today to discuss plans to expand broadband serve in rural areas of North Louisiana thanks to 22-million dollars in federal funding. Campbell says once the high-speed internet service is established it’s up to the business owner or resident if they want to pay a 50 to 60-dollar monthly fee for the internet…
cut 6 (11) “….come up”