Today marks the seven-year anniversary of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana, Whitney Thomas reports what this means for the state.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”
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The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5. (XBB-dot-1-dot-5) is said to be the most transmissible variant yet. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism for the near-future has dropped again, for a 12th straight month. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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On January 12th, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order expanding Medicaid. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist that the decision seven years ago provided health insurance to over half a million working Louisianans…
Cut 4 (12) “…for hypertension.”
Leist says more than 180 thousand residents received specialized mental health treatment as a result of the Medicaid expansion. She says an expanded Medicaid program played a critical role in the state’s battle against COVID…
Cut 5 (11) “…from covid.”
Before Governor. Edwards took office Louisiana’s uninsured rate among adults was nearly 23 percent, it’s now down to nine percent. Leist says the decision to expand the Medicaid program also benefited taxpayers…
Cut 6 (10) “…at home.”
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The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5. (XBB-dot-1-dot-5) is rapidly growing in the US, health experts say nationally the variant accounts for 30 percent of cases. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says currently it only accounts for about 18 percent of cases in Louisiana.
Cut 7 (11) “…would imagine.”
Kanter says the World Health Organization believes this to be the most transmissible variant yet, which he says is to be expected. He also says holiday gatherings are responsible for the uptick in cases.
Cut 8 (10) “…available to us.”
Protections in the form of previous COVID infection antibodies, vaccines, boosters, and oral therapeutics.
The XBB.1.5 variant is expected to become the most dominant version in the next few weeks. Kanter says fortunately it’s not increasing hospitalizations at this point, but he does expect to see an increase in cases the closer we get to Mardi Gras.
Cut 9 (11) “…with earlier.”
Kanter says about 95 percent of those in Louisiana have either been vaccinated, had COVID, or both.
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Optimism for the near-future continues to drop among Louisiana’s small businesses. The National Federation of Independent Business regularly canvasses members for its Optimism Index, and NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says the survey posted a 12th straight month of member businesses who feel the next 3-to-6 months will be rough…:
Cut 10 (07) “…growing their business.”
51-percent of NFIB member businesses say their outlook for the next six months has gotten worse. McVea says a large number say inflation is still their biggest obstacle in meeting costs and eking out a profit…:
Cut 11 (11) “…is not great.”
41 percent of members report continued trouble filling job openings. 43-percent report they’re unable to raise prices to offset costs; an all-time high. Also, fewer members expect their sales to improve in the near future. McVea says many are looking to their legislators for policy changes that may help them prosper…:
Cut 12 (13) “…from all of this.”
McVea says almost certainly, some Louisiana businesses will be forced to close their doors unless the economy improves.
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The Louisiana Department of Transportation announces plans to repair the Interstate 10 eastbound overpass at I-49 in Lafayette after a truck driving under the overpass caused extensive damage to three out of the eight grinders on the eastbound bridge. DOTD spokesperson, Deidra Druilhet says the repairs will come in two phases, with the first phase taking place a week from Friday…
Cut 13 (14) “…on I-10.”
Currently, one lane is open on I-10 eastbound at Evangeline Thruway. Druilhet says the first phase of work is expected to be completed between January 20th and 22nd.
Cut 14 (14) “…at time.”
Phase two of the project includes the removal of necessary bridge components and installing newly constructed grinders and a bridge deck.
After all of the pieces are secured and in place, a concrete closure pour will be performed to tie in all new components to the existing bridge overpass. Druihet says phase two will not take place until after Mardi Gras…
Cut 15 (13) “…all finished up.”
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The Warhawks hosts the Ragin Cajuns tonight on the hardwood and it’s the 2,000th game in the ULM men’s basketball program history. Coach Keith Richard says it’s appropriate to play a milestone game against their big in-state rival…
Cut 16 (10) “…milestone night.”
The Cajuns enter the game 12-4 overall, 2-and-2 in the Sun Belt. Coach Bob Marlin’s team lost their first two conference games on the road, but returned to the Cajundome and picked up a couple of wins. Marlin wants to keep the positive momentum going…
Cut 17 (15) “…simple game.”
ULM is 7-and-10 overall, but off to a 3-and-1 in the Sun Belt. Richard says the team has found its identity…
Cut 18 (18) “…a good game.”
Tip-off is at 6:30 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
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The fifth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers look to improve to 17-0 when they visit Missouri tonight in Columbia. In every game this season, player-of-the-year candidate and six-foot-three sophomore Angel Reese has recorded a double-double. LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says Reese brings more than just points and rebounds to the team…
Cut 19 (14) “…more years.”
Missouri is 14-and-3, 3-and-1 in the SEC. Mulkey says Mizzou is a good shooting team…
Cut 20 (14) “…the floor.”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.