2,290 Medicaid and Corrections patients received Hepatitis C treatments in a two and a half month period starting July 15^th, more than all of Fiscal Year 2019 treatments combined. Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that’s thanks to a new agreement with Asegua that’s given Louisiana unlimited access to a pill that treats the nation’s deadliest infection…

Cut 4 (08) “…infection”

The homeless, drug users, and those who live or work in non-sterile environments are most at risk for catching Hep C.

Grambling State completes one of the institution’s largest fundraising campaigns, collecting more than $6.6 million over the course of three years. University Vice President of Advancement Marc Newman says basketball star Magic Johnson’s company was the biggest contributor…

Cut 8 (12) “…higher education in general.”

Savoie’s Sausage and Food Products announces a 12.7-million dollar expansion at its St. Landry Parish production facility. President Frederick Lafluer says construction will begin next month on a 41-thousand square foot facility on their existing property near Opelousas

Cut 12 (09) “more customers” 

LaFleur says once construction is completed, he’ll hire six more workers. They currently have 100 employees. The project is also expected to generate an estimated 172 construction jobs. Savoie’s was founded in 1955.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces articles of impeachment will be drawn up against the President for his alleged efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating a political rival. Louisiana’s lone Democratic Congressman, Cedric Richmond of New Orleans, supports the effort…

Cut  12 (11) “…easy” 

Republicans are calling it a partisan witch-hunt.

A new Hepatitis C treatment agreement allows the Louisiana Department of Health to treat more Medicaid and Corrections patients in 75 days than in all of Fiscal Year 2019. Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says it’s resulted in 2,290 people getting treatment since July 15^th.

Cut 3, 9 seconds, folks

Hep C is the deadliest infectious disease in the nation.

Grambling State completes one of the institution’s largest fundraising campaigns, collecting more than $6.6 million over the course of three years. University Vice President of Advancement Marc Newman says the school saw a 150% increase in alumni participation with more than 5,700 gifts over the course of the campaign.

Cut 6 (10) “…to do that.”

Newman says the money will support scholarships and the institution’s programs.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces bipartisan legislation that will allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their year after they have a kid, or adopt. The legislation is a form of paid leave, and Cassidy says the additional 3,000 dollar tax credit will help parents when they need it most, in that expensive first year of child-rearing.

Cut 8 (08) “…goes up”

The Trump administration issues new work requirements for food stamp recipients, which could impact 49-thousand Louisiana residents. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says Louisiana receives a waiver that allows able-bodied adults who do not have dependents to receive food stamps for more than three months, but that statewide waiver is set to go away.
Cut 13 (13) “…since that time.”
The new rule goes into effect on April 1^st
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the U-S House is moving forward with drafting impeachment charges against President Donald Trump. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond says evidence has been presented during the impeachment hearings that shows President Trump leveraged taxpayer dollars to get Ukraine to dig up dirt on a political rival…
Cut 11 (09) “aggression”
Meth, Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana and stolen guns made up some of the findings by the St. Landry SWAT team while executing a search warrant at the Opelousas home of 35-year-old Kelonda Thibodeaux and her husband 30-year-old Brandon Thibodeaux.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the operation was a long term investigation.
Cut 5 (10) “…seeing it growing.”
The total value of the drugs is around $100k.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces bipartisan legislation that will allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their year after they have a kid, or adopt. The child tax credit is currently 2,000 dollars a year, and Cassidy says this bill would allow them to borrow against the next six years of tax credits and receive 5,000 dollars in the child’s first year.
Cut 7 (10) “childcare”
Cassidy says the legislation will not raise taxes or hurt social security.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the U-S House is moving forward with drafting impeachment charges against President Donald Trump. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond fully supports the effort…
cut 12 (11) “…easy”
But House Republican Whip Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish says the impeachment hearings have proved the President did not leverage aid in exchange for information on a political rival.

The Trump Administration has announced new work requirement rules for food stamp recipients. Sammy Guillory with the Department of Children and Family Services says about 49-thousand Louisiana able-bodied adults receive a waiver to get benefits for more than three months, but that waiver is going away…
cut 14 (12) “…takes effect”
The new rule takes effect on April 1st.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill, with bipartisan support, that will allow parents to receive a much larger child tax credit in their first year of child-rearing. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

St. Landry Parish sheriff deputies arrest a married couple in their 30s on drug and weapon charges after an extensive investigation. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says a search warrant was executed on their Opelousas home and the public’s help led to the arrests of Brandon Thibodeaux and Kelonda Thibodeaux…
cut 6 (06) “…these cases”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked a House committee to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says the evidence is clear…
cut 10 (11) “…rivals”
Republican Congressman Mike Johnson says the Democrats are performing a fraudulent impeachment production.

While Capitol Hill is fiercely divided on impeachment, Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy has filed legislation that would make new parents eligible for up to a five-thousand-dollar tax credit during the child’s first year of life. Cassidy says the proposal has the support of Democrats…
cut 9 (08) “….pass something”
The White House is also in support of the proposal.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says about 49-thousand food stamp recipients could be impacted by new work requirement rules that will go into effect on April 1st. Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says under the new rules, working bodied adults with no dependents will have a harder time receiving food stamps beyond three months…
cut 15 (11) “….for three months”
The USDA says the change in the work requirement rule will save 5.5 billion dollars over five years.

The St. Landry parish SWAT team found meth, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and stolen guns during a search warrant at the Opelousas home of 35-year-old Kelonda Thibodeaux and her husband 30-year-old Brandon Thibodeaux. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the total value of the drugs confiscated is nearly six-figures.
Cut 4 (09) “…two different parishes.”
Bond has yet to be set for the two suspects.

Nearly 50,000 Louisiana residents could be impacted by the Trump administration’s new work requirement changes for food stamp recipients. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says currently, able-bodied adults who do not have dependents can receive food stamps, but that waiver is set to go away…
Cut 13 (13) “…since that time.”
The new rule will go into effect on April 1st.

The White House is in support of Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would give parents the ability to access up to five-thousand dollars in tax credits during the first year of child-rearing…..
cut 8 (03) “…most expensive”
Cassidy introduced the legislation yesterday and it has the support of Democrats. Under current law, new parents can only receive a two-thousand dollars tax credit during a child’s first year of life.

U-S Immigration and Customs Enforcement say about 50 migrants at the Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield were pepper-sprayed to end their protest over prolonged detention. Spokesman Bryan Cox says the action resulted in protesters becoming compliant and no injuries were reported. There are about eight-thousand immigrant detainees at Louisiana prisons.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff deputies arrest a married couple in Opelousas on drug and weapon charges. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces bipartisan legislation that will allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their year after they have a kid, or adopt. The child tax credit is currently 2,000 dollars a year, and Cassidy says this bill would allow them to borrow against the next six years of tax credits and receive 5,000 dollars in the child’s first year.
Cut 7 (10) “childcare”
Cassidy says the legislation will not raise taxes or hurt social security.

New Orleans Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond says evidence has been presented during the impeachment hearings that shows President Trump leveraged taxpayer dollars to get Ukraine to dig up dirt on a political rival…
cut 11 (09) “….aggression”
Louisiana Republican Congressman Mike Johnson calls the whole production a sham.

New work requirement changes for food stamp recipients could impact nearly 50,000 Louisiana residents in April. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “ I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

An investigation by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office results in the arrest of a married couple in Opelousas. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

________________________________________

Senator Cassidy introduces a bill, side-by-side with Democrats, that will allow parents to receive a much larger child tax credit in their first year of child-rearing. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________________________

New work requirement changes for food stamp recipients could impact nearly 50,000 Louisiana residents coming up in April. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “   I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Meth, Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana and stolen guns made up some of the findings of an executed search warrant by the St. Landry SWAT team at the Opelousas home of 35-year-old Kelonda Thibodeaux  and her husband 30-year-old Brandon Thibodeaux.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the total value of the drugs is nearly six-figures.

Cut 4 (09) “…two different parishes.”

All the guns seized still have serial numbers, so investigators are going through ATF to get info as to who they belong to.  Guidroz says the operation was a long term investigation.

Cut 5 (10) “…seeing it growing.”

Guidroz says many late nights of surveillance, intel from the street, and help from the public contributes to the success of this bust and that public tips are always welcomed.

Cut 6 (06) “…on these cases.”

______________________________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces bipartisan legislation that will allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their year after they have a kid, or adopt.

The child tax credit is currently 2,000 dollars a year, and Cassidy says this bill would allow them to borrow against the next six years of tax credits and receive 5,000 dollars in the child’s first year.

Cut 7 (10) “childcare”

The Legislation does not call for increased taxes to fund the program, or for people to dip into their Social Security.

The legislation is a form of paid leave, and Cassidy says it will help parents when they need it most, in that expensive first year of child-rearing.

Cut 8 (08) “…goes up”

Other proposals push for mandatory paid parental leave from US companies. America is one of the only western nations not to have legally required paid parental leave for employees.

The bill comes at a time when Capitol Hill is fiercely divided on impeachment, but Cassidy says his proposal is proof Congress can still get major accomplishments in this highly partisan era.

Cut 9 (08) “…something”

______________________________________________________

The House Judicial Committee held it’s first impeachment hearings, with Louisiana’s lone Democrat stating the case for impeachment while questioning the panel’s legal experts.

Democrats released a compilation of revelations from Intelligence Committee hearings into the Ukraine Scandal Tuesday, and New Orleans Representative Cedric Richmond says it’s damning.

Cut 10 (11) “rivals”

Richmond reiterated Democratic accusations that the Ukrainian “Quid Pro Quo” was no only unethical, it endangered national security.

Cut 11 (09) “aggression”

Richmond was one of many Congressmen, including Northwest Louisiana Republican Representative Mike Johnson, to question the two experts called by Democrats, and the one called by Republicans.

Richmond, a co-chair for former VP Joe Biden’s Presidential campaign, says he and other Democrats on the committee feel there is plenty enough evidence to continue the hearings…

Cut  12 (11) “…easy” 

Republicans on the panel called yesterday’s hearings a partisan witch-hunt.

_________________________________________________________

Nearly 50,000 Louisiana residents could be impacted by the Trump administration’s new work requirement changes for food stamp recipients. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support Sammy Guillorie he major change would change the criteria for states to request a waiver of the three-month time limit of receiving SNAP benefits within a 36-month period for able-bodied adults without dependents.

Cut 13 (13) “…since that time.”

Louisiana has a statewide waiver that will remain in effect through March 31, 2020, so recipients do not need to worry about losing their food assistance during the holidays because of this rule change. Guillorie says the when April rolls around, DCFS will be working on a case-by-case basis to see if a recipient meets an exemption.

Cut 14 (09) “…the time limit.” 

Guillorie says officials have their hands full in doing a full analysis of the changes.

Cut 15 (11) “…for three months.”

Estimates show the changes could result in roughly 700,000 losing SNAP benefits nationwide.

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LSU’s high-powered offense will go up against a defense that ranks among the top five nationally in all major categories when they face Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Tigers center Lloyd Cushenberry says they do all of the little things right

Cut 16  (10)  …for us” 

Cushenberry says it will take a complete team effort to beat Georgia…

Cut 17  (12)  worried about ” 

LSU is in its first SEC title game since 2011. The Tigers will leave later today for Atlanta and practice at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium tomorrow. Cushenberry says he can’t wait…

cut 18  (12)  this week 

_____________________________________________________

Two of the top teams in the N-F-C square off on Sunday in the Superdome as the Saints host the 49ers. San Francisco leads the NFL in total defense, but on offense the 49ers lead the conference in rushing, averaging 148 yards a game. Coach Sean Payton on defending San Fran’s run game…

cut 19 (22)   come from it ”  

One reason for San Francisco’s resurgence this season is the play of rookie defensive end Nick Bosa, who has eight sacks on the season. Payton says Bosa is tough to block…

cut 20 (17) “ fantastic season”    

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to be sworn in for a second-term on January 13th, but there will not be an inaugural ball that night because of a football game. Don Molino has more…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”    

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will close on December 15th. C-M-S administrator Seema Verma says if you need to change your current health plan or find a new one, time is running out

Cut 12 (08) “price deductible” 

LSU remains second in the latest college football rankings, right behind Ohio State. The final rankings will be unveiled on Sunday. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the Tigers can regain the top spot if LSU wins in the SEC Championship game and Ohio State doesn’t play well in the Big 10 title game…

Cut 9 (07) “…good debate.”

LSU faces Georgia in the SEC title game on Saturday

According to Credit Cards-dot-com, Louisianans have the second-highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  Credit Cards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says one way to get out of debt is to dedicate 15% of your monthly income to paying off your and there’s a good chance you’ll be debt-free in a year and a half.

Cut 5 (10) “…every month”

New Mexico ranked first, West Virginia third, followed by Arkansas and Mississippi.

32-year-old Mark Ebarb, a Dutchtown High teacher has turned himself into after being indicted on charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. The investigation began after police received a complaint about Ebarb’s sharing inappropriate messages and pictures with students back in October, and 23^rd District Court spokesperson Tyler Cavalier says so far it appears the contact was not widespread.
Cut 7 (10) “…this time.”
The investigation was handled by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

LSU remains second in the latest college football rankings, right behind Ohio State. The final rankings will be unveiled on Sunday. LSU faces Georgia in the SEC title game on Saturday, while Ohio State takes on Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game that night. If the top three doesn’t change when the new rankings come out on Sunday, then LSU will play defending national champion Clemson in the semi-finals. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says that will be a tough game….

Cut 10 (08) “…great athletes”

According to Credit Cards-dot-com, Louisianans have the second-highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  Credit Cards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says when you compare states by just the average amount of credit card debt, Louisiana is tied for 21^st with the average household carrying $8,364 of credit card debt.

Cut 4 (10) “…that debt.”

Rossman recommends balance transfer cards if you carry high credit card debt.

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will close on December 15th. C-M-S administrator Seema Verma says when choosing a policy through health-care-dot-gov, you’ll notice the different plans have star ratings next to them

Cut 13 (07) “…decision making.”