Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…

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US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed a bill to help veterans pay reasonable costs of urgent care. The Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay emergency room costs for military veterans. Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s third congressional district introduced companion legislation in the US House.

State Police arrest more than a dozen Acadiana residents as a result of an insurance fraud investigation. Master Trooper Brooks David says they received complaints last July about 16 individuals who were filing false insurance claims.

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David says 13 people have been arrested so far, and three suspects are still at large.

AAA projects nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, and State Police are asking travelers to make safety a priority. Trooper Dustin Dwight advises drivers to take extreme caution on the roadways this holiday weekend.

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Dwight says if you plan to drink, be sure to designate a sober driver.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs the first piece of legislation from the 2017 regular session. The measure by Leesville Representative Jason Armes establishes the Louisiana Military Medics and Corpsmen Pilot Program, which seeks to help veterans translate their military skills into civilian trades. The new law allows veterans with medical military certifications to work under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Louisiana Economic Development and other partners create a program to help veterans start their own business after leaving active duty. Secretary Don Pierson says the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program is a great way to thank those who fight for our freedom.

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Pierson hopes this program will create 100 new jobs and generate $5 million in startup capital.

The Department of Health is facing a massive budget cut, and Secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with the Senate Finance Committee to restore funding. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says healthcare spending now accounts for nearly half of the state’s entire budget.

Cut 14 (07) “fund healthcare”

Donahue says the health budget has grown more than a billion dollars since 2010.

Today and tomorrow Louisiana residents can buy hurricane preparedness items at a discounted sales tax rate. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says lawmakers approved this tax holiday to encourage families to prepare for the hurricane season.

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The full amount of any local sales tax still applies to purchases.

Health Secretary Rebekah Gee made her case to the Senate Finance Committee not to cut her budget. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says Medicaid spending has increased 250-percent over the last decade and the state can’t afford it.

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But Gee says these cuts could lead to the loss of mental healthcare and pediatric programs.

With AAA projecting nearly 40 million Americans will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, State Police urge drivers to use extreme caution. Trooper Dustin Dwight encourages people to designate a sober driver, avoid distractions, and always buckle up. He says motorists can expect to see more law enforcement on the highway this weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “impaired driving”

Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

A note on a napkin saved a woman’s life in West Monroe. KARD reports a woman was being held hostage by her boyfriend at a motel. She reportedly convinced 30-year-old Dennis Griffin to take her to Chili’s. While returning from the bathroom, she passed a note to her server asking for help. West Monroe Police responded immediately.

State health secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with lawmakers to restore funding for her department, which is facing a massive budget cut. She says without matched state dollars, we won’t be able to draw down federal funds. She adds that healthcare benefits the entire state.

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Gee says the budget reduction could lead to cuts in mental healthcare and pediatric programs.

Hurricane preparedness items can be purchased this weekend at a reduced sales tax rate. Eligible items include flashlights, batteries, portable generators and other emergency supplies. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…

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But Henderson says the full amount of any local sales tax applies to all purchases.

Louisiana Economic Development partners with other agencies to create the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the program is designed to help veterans start their own business once they leave active duty.

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The program offers an intensive boot camp at the outset and includes ongoing counseling by small business partners.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is seeking information on driver in Marksville who threw a dog out the window of a moving vehicle last Sunday afternoon. The man was driving a dark green Chevrolet. A witness took the dog to a local shelter, where a rescuer named her Penny. The Humane Society is also asking for donations towards Penny’s medical care, as she may need surgery on a fractured leg. Donations can be made at humane-la.gov.

There’s a new program from Louisiana Economic Development to help military veterans start a business after returning home. Secretary Don Pierson says the idea for the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program came after hearing LSU’s Baton Rouge campus was helping disabled veterans in a similar way.

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There are plans to expand the program to other regions of the state.

Thirteen people have been arrested and three are still at large after an insurance fraud investigation by State Police. Master Trooper Brooks David says all 16 individuals were involved in a number of fictitious crashes.

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David says it’s possible more arrests could be made.

You can buy hurricane preparedness items at a discounted sales tax rate this weekend. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the exemption applies to the first $15-hundred of the purchase price of each eligible item.

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For more information on what items are eligible, visit revenue.louisiana.gov.

State Police encourage drivers to make safety a priority this Memorial Day weekend. AAA projects nearly 40 million Americans will travel over the three-day weekend. Trooper Dustin Dwight says it’s imperative that you take extreme caution on the roadways.

Cut 9 (08) “car crashes”

Dwight encourages people to designate a driver if they plan to drink.

The state department of health is facing a massive budget reduction, and Secretary Rebekah Gee pleaded with lawmakers to restore funding for her department. But Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says healthcare spending has increased by $1.4 billion since 2010.

Cut 14 (07) “fund healthcare”

Donahue notes the health budget accounts for nearly half of the state’s entire budget.

State Police arrest 13 people in an insurance fraud scam. Master Trooper Brooks David says three suspects are still at large, and it’s possible more people may have been involved. He says these fraudulent claims can drive up premiums for everyone.

Cut 8 (09) “of Louisiana”

The suspects were involved in at least 7 fictitious crashes.

On Saturday and Sunday consumers can purchase hurricane preparedness supplies at a state sales tax discount. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A note on a napkin saved a woman’s life in West Monroe. A woman was reportedly being held against her will at a motel, where her boyfriend was beating her. The victim convinced 30-year-old Dennis Griffin to take her to Chilli’s, where she passed a note to her server asking for help. West Monroe Police were on the scene in minutes and brought the woman to safety.

16 Acadiana residents have been arrested after an insurance fraud investigation by Louisiana State Police. Master Trooper Brooks David says last year LSP received complaints about people filing false insurance claims. He says these investigations take time and fraudulent claims drive up premiums for everyone.
Cut 8 (09) “of Louisiana.”

He says all 16 individuals were involved in a number of fictitious crashes.

Louisiana Economic Development and several partners have created the Louisiana Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, to help military veterans start small businesses once returning home. LED Secretary Don Pierson says they hope this free program will raise at least 5 million dollars in startup capital and create new jobs. He says this is a great way to return the thanks back to those who fight for our freedom.
Cut 13 (10) “they’ve made”

On Saturday and Sunday consumers can purchase hurricane preparedness supplies at a state sales tax discount. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU advances to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament after a 10 -0 win over Kentucky. The Tigers are off today and will play at noon tomorrow the winner of today’s game between South Carolina and Kentucky.

A proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon could undergo changes to get the necessary support from lawmakers. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says similar legislation has failed in the past, but lawmakers need to come together to support this measure.

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Possible changes include lowering the hike or having it go up over time.

A sales tax discount is available for hurricane preparedness items this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, residents can purchase flashlights, batteries, portable generators and other emergency supplies at a reduced sales tax rate. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…

Cut 3 (08) “sales tax”

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would protect students with disabilities from corporal punishment in schools. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he was surprised to learn schools were spanking these kids at all.

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The measure has already been approved by the House and the Senate Education Committee.

According to AAA, this Memorial Day travel period is at its highest level since 2005. Spokesman Don Redman says they project nearly 40 million Americans will take travel this weekend. He says that’s a million more than last year thanks to an improving economy…:

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Redman says 88% of travelers are driving to their destinations this year.