23-year-old Kenneth Gleason, who cops said could have been racially motivated, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two black men in Baton Rouge.…:

Voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor Edwards says he can’t support Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Edwards says his primary objection is the elimination of the Medicaid expansion program, which he says has provided health insurance to 430-thousand working individuals. Cassidy says the Edwards administration’s concerns are unfounded.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy supports his fellow Louisiana lawmaker’s health care bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Kennedy says he plans to vote for U.S Senator Bill Cassidy’s measure but it can be better. He says for example, Cassidy’s legislation gives states the choice if they want to impose a work requirement.

Cut 6 (08) “healthcare”

Criminal and civil penalties are possible in the death of 18 year old Maxwell Gruver. The coroner says Gruver had a high alcohol level in his system after an apparent hazing incident at Phi Delta Theta.  Loyola Law Professor Dane (SEA-Oh-LEAN-OH) Ciolino says there are laws that protect social hosts and bars from liability for serving alcohol to adults, but not to minors.”

Cut 14      (10)  “…was the victim.”

The Baton Rouge Police Department announces Kenneth Gleason is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the random deaths of two black men last week that cops had said could be racially motivated.  BRPD Interim Police Chief Jonny Dunnam said Gleason is also being charged for allegedly shooting up a black family’s home near his parents’ house…:
CUT 9 (07) “killed again”

No one was injured in the shooting at the home.

There could be a number of legal issues if any type of hazing related charges are pressed against fraternity members at LSU where an 18-year-old pledge died last week. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino (See-oh-lean-no) says a major grey area in a case like that of Max Gruver, is whether the hazing victim consented to some extent

Cut 12 (09) “be a battery” 

Senator John Kennedy supports Senator Bill Cassidy’s effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Healthcare Act, but he believes the legislation has some weaknesses.  Kennedy wants to put provisions in the bill to prevent Medicaid fraud.  He says currently patients do not really know how much a procedure costs and Kennedy wants to change that.

Cut 7     (09)  “…actual cost.”

Kennedy is also concerned about states taking money from the federal government and creating a single-payer system.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has received a grant to increase the number of child welfare workers. DCFS Secretary (MAR-KEY-TUH) Marketa Garner Walters says her staff has decreased by 600 employees over the last 10 years and this is an opportunity to address the high turnover rate…:

Cut 3 (10) “very best”

Two counts of second degree murder charges have been leveled at 23 year old Kenneth Gleason in the shooting deaths of a pair of black men in Baton Rouge.  Michelle Southern reports….

Voicer 2    (28)   “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he can’t support Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Edwards says his primary objection is the elimination of the Medicaid expansion program in 2020, which has provided health insurance to 430-thousand working individuals. Cassidy says the Edwards administration’s concerns are unfounded.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s bill to issue block grants to states as an alternative to the Affordable Care Act has support from Louisiana’s junior senator.  Republican John Kennedy not only wants to vote for the legislation but he plans to propose an amendment to prevent states from accepting block grants to establish a single payer health insurance system.  Kennedy says he would prefer to have private insurance companies provide coverage that could help lower healthcare costs.

Cut 8    (10)    “… real work.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has received a grant to hire more child welfare workers.  DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says her staff has decreased by 600 employees over the last 10 years and this grant will help find solutions to the increased rate of turnover

Cut 5 (10) “…for them”

Avoyelles, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and Rapides sheriffs have filed lawsuits against multiple drug companies and some doctors for allegedly helping to make the opioid addiction an epidemic across the country. Attorney David Laborde says opioids were orginally intendended to be used for a short period of time,…
cut 12 (09) “…the country”
Laborde says the settlement seeks money from the defendants to help opioid addicts get treatment.

Two elected officials in the village of Stanley were burned in a home explosion on Monday. DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says 92-year-old Dwena Henry, who is currently an alderwoman and former mayor, is fighting for her life. Arbuckle says Mrs Dwena is important to the community…
cut 15 (09) “….Mrs Dwena”
Her daughter. Stanley Mayor Sharon Fletcher, was also injured.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a six-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to study how to improve soldiers’ nutrition. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities in Baton Rouge are expected to announce at a press conference this morning that 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason has been charged in the fatal shootings of two black men last week. Police have said they believe the homicides were racially motivated. Gleason was booked on drug charges over the weekend, but bonded out of jail.

A Baton Rouge man considered a person of interest in the shooting deaths of two black men last week, has bonded out of jail. 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason was arrested over the weekend on drug charges. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says Gleason has yet to be cleared of the homicides…:
Cut 3 (09) “together”
He says it’s a possibility that these murders were racially motivated.

Phi Delta Theta has shut down its LSU chapter as result of 18-year-old Max Gruver’s death. Gruver was a pledge at the frat and died from the result of a possible hazing incident. No charges have been filed and East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says that could take awhile. Moore says he’s met with the Gruver family and they are devasted…
cut 11 (08) “….pick up your son”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a six-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to study how to improve soldiers’ nutrition. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

An explosion in a home injured three people today including 92 year old Dwena Henry, an alderman for the village of Stanley in DeSoto parish and her daughter Sharon Fletcher who is the mayor. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says William Roe, a friend of the family was also injured. Arbuckle says Henry suffered third-degree burns to over 50-percent of her body and is fighting for her life.

A person of interest in the two deaths last week of two black men in Baton Rouge is free on bond, but he still faces drug charges.  According to Baton Rouge Police, 23 year old Kenneth Gleason was charged with possession of a schedule one substance, marijuana and a schedule three substance, human growth hormone.  Sgt. Don Coppola says the circumstances surrounding both shootings are extremely similar.

Cut 5  (09)  “two together”

The separate killings claimed the lives of 59 year old Bruce Cofield as well as 49 year old Donald Smart.

The Louisiana Democratic Party opposes U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy’s and three other Republican lawmakers bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.  Party Spokesperson D’Seante Parks says this legislation would end the Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 430-thousand Louisiana residents.

Cut 12 (11) “health insurance” 

Senator Cassidy’s proposed legislation would give block grant funding to each state if it passes.

According to the U.S. Census data Louisiana’s uninsured rate is 10.3 percent.  These were the numbers of uninsured Louisiana residents in 2016.  That’s a small decline from 11.9 percent in 2012.  The trend comes after Louisiana’s Medicaid program was expanded by Governor John Bel Edwards to offer government-financed health insurance to over 430 thousand low-income adults.

Whether or not charges will be filed in the case of the LSU freshman who died in a possible hazing incident is still a long way from being known.  Michelle Southern has the story.

Voicer 2     (28)  “I’m Michelle Southern.”