Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee announces her resignation effective January 31st. Republicans applaud the announcement, while Democrats say Gee improved health outcomes for thousands of Louisiana residents. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow…
cut 14 (12) “….ever intentional”
The Louisiana Republican Party says Gee mismanaged the Medicaid program spending millions of dollars on ineligible Medicaid patients.

Bankrate-dot-com says 2020 is a good year to refinance your mortgage with rates below four percent. Chief financial analyst Greg McBride says for those looking to buy a new home, there are some hurdles…
cut 7(10) “….entry-level price points”

Democrats and Republicans combined to spend 73 million dollars in the 2019 Governor’s race…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Borden Dairy company can use some cash as it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing also covers the Borden Dairy Company of Louisiana which operates a milk processing plant in Lafayette. There are an estimated 220 people who work for Borden and a company spokesperson says there are no plans for plant closures or personnel implications.

Louisiana Health Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee is resigning effective January 31st. Governor Edwards says Gee was on the front lines of Medicaid expansion which brought health care to more than 460-thousand adults. Parks Senator Fred Mills worked closely with Gee as chairman of the Senate Health Committee

Cut 12 (09) “…rural areas” 

Gee was a frequent recipient of GOP criticism over Medicaid spending.

Candidates and PACs combined to spend a record 73 million dollars in the 2019 governor’s race, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says don’t expect to see those kinds of numbers for the only statewide race of 2020, a Senate seat held by Bill Cassidy…

Cut 5 (10) “…him”

Democrats accounted for 39 million of the spending, Republicans dropped 34 million.

Two horses are dead following Saturday’s opening day at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs racetrack in Bossier City.  Both horses fell on the track and had to be euthanized.  Animal Wellness Action Executive Director Marty Irby says many similar deaths are attributed to doping leading to dehydration and brittle bones.

Cut 9 (11) “…results come back.”

Irby says deaths of this nature will not end until federal lawmakers pass the Horseracing Integrity Act.

Mortgage rates are expected to remain low in 2020 with the national average mortgage rate currently at 3.86 percent and dropping. Bankrate.com chief financial analyst Greg McBride says we could see rates stay below four percent, a critical threshold.

Cut 8 (09) “…candidates to refinance.”

Experts guess the peak mortgage rates in 2020 will hit 4.25 percent.

Republicans spent 34 million on the 2019 governor’s race, but were topped by Democrats who spent a whopping 39 million between the Edwards campaign, and pro-Edwards super PACs.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the party knew how important it was…

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The combined 73 million spent was a record for a Louisiana election.

Mortgage rates are expected to remain low in 2020 with rates that may peak around 4.25 percent.  Bankrate.com chief financial analyst Greg McBride says the current rate is teetering around 4% and expects the economic factors to be conducive to homeownership and mortgage refinancing.

Cut 6 (11) “…the 4% mark.”

The national average mortgage rate is currently at 3.86 percent and dropping.

Saints QB Drew Brees had a rough game in the team’s 26-20 playoff loss to the Vikings yesterday. He only threw for 208 yards, but had two costly turnovers, one being a 4^th quarter fumble that may have cost the Black and Gold the game. Brees will turn 41-years-old this month but did not want to speculate on his playing future during his postgame press conference. But expressed optimism about the Saints future…

Cut 15 (15) “…free agency”

A big weekend of national championship game events kicks-off  Saturday with a fan fest at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans and musical acts performing at Woldenberg Park. New Orleans host committee executive director Jeff Hundley says fans can also participate in media day at Xavier University on Saturday

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A record-setting 73 million dollars was spent by both sides combined in the 2019 Governor’s race. The Advocate reports 34 million of that came courtesy of Republican candidates and their allies. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the national party saw an opportunity to pick off a Dem in a deep red state…

Cut 3, 8 seconds, been there

Those GOP numbers come after adding up Eddie Rispone and Congressman Abraham’s campaign spending with Republican Governor’s Association funds, and pro-GOP super PACs.

The Vikings once again end the Saints season prematurely, scoring a touchdown on the first drive of overtime to win 26-20. The game started with a fumble recovery on defense, but QB Drew Brees says the offense couldn’t capitalize…

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Brees wouldn’t comment about his future at a post-game press conference.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife will stock 13 fishing sites later this month with rainbow trout as part of the “Get Out and Fish” community fishing program.

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32-year-old Major Jones of Sabine Parish dies at Angola after an altercation with another inmate, 30-year-old Gary Francois. Both Jones and Francois were serving life sentences for second-degree murder in unrelated cases, and both had been at the facility since 2017, but Francois could be facing additional charges and penalties as a result.

For the second year in a row, the Saints lose a home postseason game in overtime as Minnesota upset the Black and Gold 26-20 in overtime. QB Drew Brees says it was a hard-fought game, but it hurts to come up short…

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The countdown is on for next Monday’s national championship game between LSU and Clemson. Matt Doyle has more…

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will stock 13 fishing sites around Louisiana later this month with rainbow trout.  LDWF fisheries biologist Megan MacMenamin says by doing the stocking, it really increases an angler’s odds of catching a fish.

Cut 8 (08) “…bit more appeal.”

Rainbow trout is a cold-water fish, and will only be able to survive in Louisiana during winter months.

An LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine professor details the treatment of a blood clot involving an astronaut on the International Space Station. Dr. Serena Aunon-Chancellor is the lead author of the paper and she says the findings demonstrate that the human body reaction to space travel still surprises us…

Cut 4 (11) “…moon or Mars.”

An ultrasound performed about two months into the mission revealed a blood clot in one astronaut. It’s the first time NASA had encountered this condition in space before.

Another Saints season has ended in heartbreak as New Orleans fell in overtime to Minnesota 26-20 in the wildcard round of the NFL playoffs. It’s the second straight the Saints were 13-and-3 in the regular season and failed to reach the Super Bowl. 40-year-old Drew Brees did not want to speculate on his playing future but expressed optimism the Saints will be back in contention again next year…
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Brees is in the final year of his contract and could be a free agent in March.

A week from tonight it’s the national championship game between LSU and Clemson. New Orleans host committee executive director Jeff Hundley says even though Baton Rouge is just up the road from New Orleans, they expect hotel capacity in the Crescent City to be close to capacity…
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An LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine professor details the first reported case and treatment of stagnant blood flow with an astronaut stationed at the International Space Station. Kevin Barnhart has the story
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The final financial totals are in and a record 73-million dollars were spent on the 2019 Louisiana governor’s race. The previous record for a gubernatorial election was 2015, when about 50-million dollars were spent. The three main candidates spent 47-million dollars, the additional spending came from political action committees.

For the second year in a row, the Saints lose a home postseason game in overtime as Minnesota upset the Black and Gold 26-20 in overtime. The Vikings had the better running attack, Kirk Cousins made some big throws and the Saints offense struggled through the first three quarters. Coach Sean Payton says they didn’t lose by a miracle or bad call this time…
Cut 12 (11) follow up game”
The Vikings fumbled on their first possession, but the Saints had to settle for a field goal despite great field position. Quarterback Drew Brees says not scoring a touchdown on the first drive set a bad tone…
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Brees turns 41-years-old this month but did not want to speculate on his playing future during his postgame press conference.

LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Clinical Associate Professor Doctor Serena Aunon-Chancellor’s paper on the diagnosis and treatment of an astronaut’s blood clot has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Aunon-Chancellor says the astronaut took blood thinners to reduce the clot an ultrasound detected it…
cut 5 (08) “…here on earth”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will stock 13 fishing sites around Louisiana this month with 44-hundred pounds of rainbow trout. LDWF fisheries biologist Megan MacMenamin says it is all part of the “Get Out and Fish” program.
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MacNemamin says these fish are fun to catch and delicious to eat.

It’s more playoff heartbreak for the Saints. For the third consecutive year, New Orleans’ season ended on the final play as Minnesota defeated the Black and Gold 26-20 in overtime. Quarterback Drew Brees says it was a hard-fought game, but it hurts to come up short…
cut 13 (07) “…disappointing”
Brees is in the final year of his contract and could be a free agent in March.

There is some positive news out of New Orleans, LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Serena Aunon-Chancellor’s paper on an astronaut on the International Space Station being treated for a blood clot has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Aunon-Chancellor says the human body still surprises us in space…
cut 6 (10) “….much broader community”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will stock 13 fishing sites this month with rainbow trout as part of the “Get Out and Fish” program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Mystery surrounds the decision by Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall to put police chief Jerrod King on administrative leave. Hall’s administration calls it a personnel matter and assistant chief of police Farrell Gaspard has put in charge of the A-P-D. Chief King has used social media to publically support his officers, but it’s unclear if any of those posts have led to King being put on leave.

For the second year in a row, the Saints lose a home postseason game in overtime as Minnesota upset the Black and Gold 26-20. The Vikings had the better running attack, Kirk Cousins made some big throws and the Saints offense struggled through the first three quarters. Coach Sean Payton says they didn’t lose by a miracle or bad call this time…
Cut 12 (11) follow up game”
It’s the third straight year the Saints season ended on the final play of a playoff game.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will stock 44-hundred pounds of rainbow trout at 13 Get Out and Fish community fishing ponds throughout Louisiana this month. L-D-W-F fisheries biologist Megan MacMenamin says the rainbow trout will average from one to two pounds…
cut 9 (07) “….one to two pounds”

The countdown is on for next Monday’s national championship game between LSU and Clemson. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 3 (30) “… I’m Matt Doyle”

Tonight the Ragin Cajuns will play Miami of Ohio in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Kick-off is at 6:30.

The Saints and Vikings are set to meet for the fifth time in an N-F-L postseason game on Sunday at noon. Minnesota has won three of the four previous meetings, but they are the underdog this time around. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the Vikings will need a big game out of running back Dalvin Cook

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Hundreds of U-L Lafayette football fans will watch the game from Mobile, Alabama as the Ragin Cajuns are set to face Miami of Ohio in the Lending Tree Bowl on Monday night. Season ticket holder Craig Melancon says for them to close out the season with an eleventh victory in Mobile is huge for the program.

Cut 11 (09) “…to Cajun Field.”

The Lending Tree Bowl Kickoff is at 6:30 Monday night.

After a U-S airstrike in Baghdad, oil prices and futures see an uptick. GasBuddy-dot-com says we should see gas prices start to rise at the pump over the next week or two at least 5 to ten cents a gallon. But GasBuddy Head of Petroleum Analysis Patrick DeHaan says if the situation worsens there are fears we could see prices hit the $3-a gallon mark.

Cut 4 (10) “…in Louisiana.”

The average gas price per gallon in Louisiana is $2.33

A single-vehicle crash south of Alexandria killed a man from Bunkie and a woman from Marksville. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the victims were not buckled up when the driver lost control on Highway 71 early Friday morning…

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43-year-old Hoang Thai Nguyen and 40-year-old Le Bui Chatelain were pronounced dead at a hospital.