A legislative hearing takes place this morning as lawmakers want to learn more about the Louisiana Department of Health’s decision not to renew UnitedHealthCare’s Medicaid contract…

Cut 9 (11) “…good reason why”

That’s Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot who says the decision not to renew with United Health Care means that 333-thousand Medicaid recpients will have a new insurance provider on January 1^st.

LSU AgCenter entomologists are looking to rebuild the firefly population. Aaron Ashbrook says kids love chasing fireflies and so do adults…

Cut 5 (09) “…would engage in”

Ashbrook says they planted native plants in the Town of Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish that mimics the environment fireflies would have lived in before human encroachment.

A state lawmaker raises concerns about the organizational changes made with the LSU System and what it means for the future of LSU Health Shreveport. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The FBI has arrested a man in New Iberia that federal authorities say was involved in an extremist group that was planning a series of New Year’s Eve attacks in southern California. FBI director Kash Patel says the Louisiana arrestee was part of a pro-Palestinian anti-government organization.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident where a neighbor used lethal force to end a domestic dispute. It happened in the Mandeville area early Monday morning. Investigators say the neighbor got involved after seeing a woman trying to flee from her boyfriend who was attacking her with a knife in the front yard. Deputies say the neighbor demanded that the man stop and when he didn’t that’s when he shot the attacker. At this time no charges have been filed.

Higher ed officials say more high school students are participating in dual enrollment.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

A legislative hearing takes place this morning to get answers on why the Louisiana Department of Health cancelled a Medicaid contract with UnitedHeathCare. The decision means that 333-thousand Medicaid recipients covered by UnitedHealthCare will switch to another health care plan on January 1^st. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he and other lawmakers want to know how that will work…

Cut 8 (11) “….and play out”

You never see fireflies anymore. The Town of Jean Lafitte has reached out to the LSU AgCenter to work on a plan to re-establish firefly populations in the Wetland Trace boardwalk trail. Entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says part of that plan involves planting 375 native plants within a 15-hundred-square-foot area.

Cut 4 (10) “…Jean Lafitte Barataria.”

Pesticides, urban development, invasive insects and light pollution are all cited as reasons for the significant drop in firefly population.

A state lawmaker is worried about the future of LSU Health Shreveport. The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of operations at its research institutions. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says the restructuring ends 25 years of local autonomy for LSU Health Shreveport.

Cut 13 (12)  “…that concerns me.”

LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to compete for major grants and attract faculty.

Element USA announces it’s investing $850 million to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. According to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, this facility will produce materials essential to advanced manufacturing, national defense, and energy technologies, and also create 200 new direct jobs.

A record 75-percent of Louisiana’s high school Class of 2024, graduated with early college credit, an increase of 11 percentage points from the Class of 2019. The goal is to reach 100-percent…

Cut 12 (11) “…workforce credential.”

That’s Tristan Denley with the Board of Regents, who says increasing dual enrollment participation is an important priority in Louisiana’s overall goal to improve educational attainment.

The LSU AgCenter and the Town of Jean Lafitte are teaming up to re-establish the firefly population. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State lawmakers will get answers today on why the Louisiana Health Department decided to end its Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says the decision to cut ties with UnitedHealthcare surprised legislators.

Cut 7 (07) “…the renewal date.”

LDH says the 333-thousand Medicaid recipients who are covered by UnitedHealthcare will be switched to another health care plan in 2026.

Education officials are celebrating the fact that three out of every four Louisiana graduates in the Class of 2024 had college credits when they received their diploma. The 75-percent rate is an 11-point increase from 2019. Tristan Denley, the deputy commissioner for academic affairs and innovation at the Board of Regents, says high school students can earn college credit in a number of ways.

Cut 10 (06) “…international baccalaureate courses.”

A state lawmaker raises concerns about the organizational changes made with the LSU System and what it means for the future of LSU Health Shreveport…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Hollywood is mourning the death of slain-director and actor Rob Reiner. Police say Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, fatally stabbed his father and mother Michelle Reiner. Did you know Rob Reiner’s last movie he released was filmed in New Orleans, Spinal Tap II, the End Continues.

One more cold morning and then mild temperatures through Christmas.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Farm is lowering its auto insurance premiums by an average of almost six-percent statewide. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple credits the approval of legislation that cracks down on lawsuit abuse as a reason why they are lowering their rates…

Cut 5 (08) “….change going forward”

Temple says there’s a direct correlation between the amount of claims that insurance companies pay out and the rates it charges driver.

Tyler Shough was one of the heroes for the Saints yesterday, earning his first comeback victory of his NFL career in leading the team to a 20-17 win over the Panthers. It was the Saints’ fourth win of the season, Shough’s third win as a starting quarterback and the team’s second win in a row. It was also Shough’s first win in the Superdome, which he says made it that much more important.

Cut 6 (13) “…lot of fun.”

The Saints are home again this Sunday to take on the Jets

Ouachita Parish won its first state title in football since 1989 by rallying from a two-touchdown deficit to beat top-seeded Ruston, 21-20. Lions Coach Benyi Lewis says they played their best football of the season in the postseason after suffering through a four-game losing streak…

Cut  14 (15) “…I’ve been around”

While State Farm will be increasing property insurance premiums, it will also be lowering auto insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

WDSU-TV in New Orleans is reporting the FBI arrested a person in New Iberia that is connected with a terror organization that was plotting New Year’s Eve attack in Southern California. The FBI says the person arrested in Louisiana was not part of the California bombings plan, but is considered a considerable threat.

It is a cold afternoon and it will be cold again tomorrow morning, but Shane Pendleton with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says a warm up begins tomorrow afternoon…

Cut 10 (11) “…Thursday afternoon”

Looking ahead to next week, Pendleton says we can expect unseasonably warm and dry conditions for Christmas week.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation has released a new edition of its “First Time Fishing in the Atchafalaya Basin.” The first edition of the “First Time Fishing” booklet was published in 2014 by Anna Wilson and it helped introduce thousands of young people to the basics of fishing.  Executive Director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Rebecca Triche, says this updated edition, hopes to inspire the next generation to connect with nature and enjoy fishing in the Basin…

Cut 21 (14) “…area”

The booklet can be downloaded from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s website.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has announced that SureChoice, the state’s second largest home insurer, is cutting homeowners insurance premiums by an average of 7.5-percent. But on the flip side State Farm, the state’s largest insurer, is increasing rates by an average of 10-percent. Temple says State Farm is projecting higher future losses due to hurricanes…

cut 6 (10) “….exposure”

The state will not have to worry about a budget deficit next year, and in fact, the Legislature will have more money to spend than anticipated as a result of higher tax collections that were originally projected…..

Cut 9 (08) “…what they forecasted”

That’s Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council. Deslatte says income tax revenues came in higher than projected, even though lower income tax rates went into effect on January 1^st.

The 2025 LHSAA Prep Classic produced some memorable moments and one of the wildest finishes ever. St. Charles Catholic kicker Tyler Milioto missed a potential game-tying extra point with 35 seconds left, but got another chance thanks to an Archbishop Shaw player throwing his helmet in the air in an act of celebration thinking the game was over. That and a shanked punt by Shaw, gave Milioto another chance and he nailed a game winning 44-yard field goal…

Cut 15 (13) “…what happened after”

It’s the fourth state championship for St. Charles Catholic, but a devasting loss for legendary coach Hank Tierney and the Archbishop Shaw Eagles.

Also heartache for the Ruston Bearcats as Ruston could not hold a two-touchdown lead and lost to 14^th seeded Ouachita Parish as the Lions won their first state title since 1989.