The National Federation for Independent Business’ monthly Index on Small Business Optimism finds a decline in job openings and job creation for June. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

New Orleans-based Glo Airlines has decided to suspend service beginning Saturday while it searches for a new operator. GLO Founder and CEO Trey Fayard said he will return to its Mid South cities once the right partner is found.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has launched a tool called SmartShopper aimed at making it easier for customers to browse healthcare procedures. David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) is a senior vice president for BCBS and says this will help patients make an informed decision…:
Cut 12 (08) “10-thousand dollars”
Visit bcbs.com for details.

The Louisiana Motor Vehicles Commission has fined Shreveport’s Elio Motors $545 thousand for not adhering to Louisiana law when it comes to regulations regarding automobile distribution in the state. The three wheel car making company has yet to produce vehicles for sale.

Small business optimism dipped in June, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State director Dawn Starns says they saw increased optimism at the beginning of the year entering the new administration, but that has since dwindled due to gridlock in Congress. She blames the uncertainty surrounding the federal healthcare bill…:
Cut 3 (10) “so hard”
On the positive side, the index found an uptick in inventory satisfaction among small businesses, as well as plans to increase inventory.

The Jeanerette Police Department announces one of their officers has been arrested on a Medicaid fraud warrant out of East Baton Rouge by officials with the state Attorney General’s Office. She is identified as 38-year-old Shekeitha Lewis, and has been placed on administrative leave according to the chief. An Iberia Parish Sheriff’s deputy was booked on the same charges and fired according to reports.

A recent survey finds Louisiana drivers are the 4th rudest in the country. The report is by Kars4Kids, a driving awareness campaign that promotes courteous driving. SpokesmanAri Finkelstein says they asked drivers around the US questions about different driving scenarios. He says Bayou State motorists are not too keen on waiting in lines:
Cut 6 (10) “that scenario”
He says Louisiana also ranked last in how often they care to signal.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron says Quarterback Danny Etling is nearly 100-percent after undergoing back surgery, but he’s not ready to name him the starter and wants the other Q-Bs on the roster to step up…:
Cut 13 (08) “you like em”
Orgeron says if the season started today, Etling would be the starter.

The U.S. Senate is waiting on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make changes to proposed legislation that would repeal and replace the country’s health care law. President Donald Trump is pushing congress to pass a bill before they recess in August. Republican Bill Cassidy says if they can’t agree on a complete health care overhaul, federal lawmakers should at least address the rising premiums.
Cut 6 (07) “later action”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission and the state Department of Health are hosting workforce summits as they try to hire people to work with the developmentally and intellectually disabled. Executive Management Officer for the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Tiffany Dickerson says they hope to help healthcare providers better recruit employees.
Cut 8 (10) “organization”

The first summit begins today at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library in New Orleans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has created Smart Shopper to help members make informed decisions when it comes to getting a medical procedure. That’s according to David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) who says for example if you need a colonoscopy, Smart Shopper can help a customer see how much it costs at a nearby hospital..
Cut 11 (10) “will be”
LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Danny Etling has almost completely recovered after undergoing back surgery but isn’t ready to name him the starter for the season opener against BYU. Orgeron says the team lost a lot of talent last year but says the younger players have to step up, like Devin White, who could start at middle linebacker.
Cut 15 (09) “to do”

The U.S. Senate is waiting on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make revisions to proposed legislation that would repeal and replace the nation’s health care law. Senator Bill Cassidy says there are 52 Republicans in the US Senate, and they need to come up with a bill that has the support of some Democrats…
Cut 5 (11) “$6,000 deductibles”
President Trump wants a plan before the August recess.

The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Workforce Commission will host a series of workforce summits as they seek to hire qualified individuals to work with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Executive Management Officer for the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Tiffany Dickerson…:
Cut 9 (11) “with supporting”
The first summit is today in New Orleans.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron was asked at SEC Media Days his thoughts on Florida naming the LSU game on October 7th as its homecoming game:
Cut 14 (09) “be a battle”
Also of note on the official kickoff of football season event in Hoover, Oregeron said quarterback Danny Etling is nearly 100% ready to go after back surgery, but he wants QBs on the roster to compete for the job. He added linebacker Arden Key won’t be ready to start preseason camp.

State Police has released more details about last week’s fatal shooting involving an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Deputy. Authorities says the man who was fatally shot, 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory, allegedly stole a four-wheeler and struck the Deputy in the head during a traffic stop. L-S-P says during a struggle, is when the Deputy fatally shot Guillory.

US Senate Republicans are back from the holiday recess and arrive with disagreements about their health-care bill. Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the plan doesn’t have enough support, so he hopes Majority Leader Mitch McConnell uses some of Cassidy’s ideas…:
Cut 4 (12) “Obamacare”
President Trump has asked senators not to leave on their summer break without moving ahead on a health-care plan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has launched a tool called SmartShopper aimed at making it easier for customers to browse healthcare procedures. David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) is a senior vice president for BCBS and says this will help patients make an informed decision…:
Cut 12 (08) “10-thousand dollars”
Visit bcbs.com for details.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron likes his team as it heads into the 2017 season. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “Jeff Palermo”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man from Mississippi is under arrest amid allegations he impersonated a police officer. They say 51-year-old Timothy Wright was allegedly driving a vehicle with flashing lights and stopped another vehicle. The complainant noticed Wright wasn’t wearing a cop uniform and informed authorities. Wright was booked Monday for false impersonation of a police officer and reckless operation.

The U.S Senate is back from its July Fourth recess. Don Molino spoke with GOP Senator Bill Cassidy on the prospects of the Senate passing a health care reform bill…:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has a new way for its members to make an informed decision when it comes to getting a medical procedure. It’s called Smart Shopper and David Hochheiser (Ho-heiser) is a senior vice president for BCBS…:
Cut 10 (11) “or live”
Visit bcbs.com for details.

The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Workforce Commission will host a series of summits seeking to hire qualified individuals to work with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Executive Management Officer for the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Tiffany Dickerson says the goal is to become a conduit for healthcare providers…:
Cut 7 (10) “workforce commission”
The first summit is today in New Orleans at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library from 9 am to 3 pm.

State Police has released more details about last week’s fatal shooting involving an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Deputy. Authorities say the man who was killed, 27-year-old Dejuan Guillory, allegedly stole a four-wheeler and struck the Deputy in the head during a traffic stop. L-S-P says during a struggle the Deputy fatally shot Guillory. The investigation is still active and ongoing.

The U.S. Senate is waiting on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make revisions to proposed legislation that would repeal and replace the nation’s health care law. Republican Bill Cassidy says if they can’t agree on a complete health care overhaul, federal lawmakers should at least do something about rising premiums…:
Cut 6 (07) “later action”
President Donald Trump is urging Congress to pass a health care bill before they leave for the August recess.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron says Quarterback Danny Etling is nearly 100-percent after undergoing back surgery, but he’s not ready to name him the starter and wants the other Q-Bs on the roster to step up…:
Cut 13 (08) “you like em”
Orgeron says if the season started today, Etling would be the starter.

The state’s largest health insurer has a new tool to help its members find the lowest-cost when it comes to common medical procedures. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Since 2001, there’s been a substantial drop in the number of white Democrats registered in Louisiana. JMC Analytics and Polling analyst John Couvillon says the state’s electorate has also become more diverse. He says black voter registration comprised of 29-percent of the electorate at the start of President George Bush’s administration and is 31-percent today, but there has been more gains with other racial groups.
Cut 5 (07) “66-percent”

A 16-year-old has been arrested in Baton Rouge after allegedly beating an elderly couple in Kenner with a hammer and stealing their car and wrecking it. Lt. Brian McGregor with Kenner Police says the teen did off jobs around the victims’ home and the couple remains in critical condition.
Cut 8 (08) “hospitalized”
McGregor says the juvenile faces multiple charges including attempted first degree murder.

Angele Davis now joins the pool of candidates running for the post recently vacated by U.S. Senator John Kennedy. Davis is Governor Bobby Jindal’s ex-budget chief. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Davis has the experience to successfully become state treasurer.
Cut 13 (09) “knows it”
Also running for the position are Republican State Senator Neil Riser, former Republican state representative John Schroder and Democratic Attorney Derrick Edwards.

The Department of Education says the number of high school seniors filling out secondary education financial aid forms has increased 7-percent from the last year. Senior Educational Technology Consultant Stephanie Marcum says when people hear financial aid they think loans, but that’s a very small aspect of what you find out through FAFSA.
Cut 10 (09) “TOPS award”

A report on Louisiana voter registration finds a decline in white Democrats and steady gain of Republican and Independent voters…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

65% of students are submitting FAFSA paperwork this year compared to 58% last year. Senior Educational Technology consultant Stephanie Marcum says they expect the numbers to continue to go up when filling out FAFSA becomes a requirement for seniors next year…:
CUT 11 (05) “they’re eligible”

Governor Bobby Jindal’s ex-budget chief, Angele Davis, joins the pool of candidates running for state treasurer. Republican state senator Neil Riser, Republican former state representative John Schroder and Democratic attorney Derrick Edwards are the others seeking the post vacated by U.S. Senator John Kennedy. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says none of the candidates are known statewide…:
Cut 12 (07) “stand for”
Qualifying begins Wednesday.

A Baton Rouge teen was arrested for allegedly beating and critically injuring an 89-year-old man and 70-year-old woman with a hammer inside their Kenner home on Sunday. Kenner Police Lt. Brian McGregor says the brutal attack happened after a petty argument with the juvenile and the victims…:
Cut 7 (09) “said no”
The teen faces charges of two counts of attempted first degree murder, theft of a motor vehicle, and aggravated burglary.