Congressman Ralph Abraham attacked the Edwards Administration’s handling of Medicaid this morning on the steps of the Louisiana Department of Health. Abraham says despite a 14.8-billion-dollar Department of Health budget the state is still one of the least healthy in the nation.

Cut 9 (09)  “healthcare”

The Congressman adds the amount the state will have to spend to maintain the Medicaid expansion will increase further in 2020 after the federal match rate decreases.

State Farm announces the company is cutting it’s auto insurance rates by 2.6 percent effective November 25^th. State Farm Spokesperson Felicia Van Frank says there’s other ways you can lower your rate, and if you are a State Farm customer now would be a good time to check in with your insurance agent.

Cut 14 (10) “…coverages”

September is airbag recall repair month. Are you one of the motorists that’s procrastinated about getting yours replaced? Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “..I’m Brooke Thorington”

NBC News’ Lester Holt spent a couple of nights locked up at Angola for a segment set to air Friday night on Dateline. The segment will air as part of Dateline’s look at the long-lasting effects of the 90’s era “Tough on Crime” legislation that garnered bi-partisan support in Congress. Holt slept in Angola’s death row.

State Farm is set to lower it’s auto insurance rates again. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (28) I’m Matt Doyle”

Jefferson Parish authorities have arrested one person who they say was involved in a quadruple shooting last night in Marrero that resulted in two deaths and two others wounded. One of the deceased was a six-year-old girl.

A member of the Byrd High School football staff, 33-year-old James Allen Opie of Shreveport, has been arrested for child pornography.

There are reportedly 152-vehicles in Louisiana under recall because of an issue with the airbag. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles spokesperson Chris Freeman says the recall is of major concern in Louisiana because of the heat and humidity…
cut 5 (13) “….shrapnel”
Go to check-to-protect-dot-org and enter your VIN number to see if your vehicle is under a recall.

In St. Tammany Parish, 52-million dollars in federal money will be used to widen I-12 in between Highway 190 and Highway 59. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they’ll open the project up for bids in December…
Cut 8 (12) “…get budgeted”

Governor Edwards provided details today on the 52-million dollars in federal money that will go towards expanding I-12 in St. Tammany Parish from Highway 190 to Highway 59. Edwards says this investment will provide more economic opportunities and ease congestion for a three-mile stretch of I-12…

Cut 7 (08) “…every day.”

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Congressman Ralph Abraham lashed out at the Edwards administration’s handling of Medicaid. Abraham says he would save the state money and fix Medicaid by implementing a more detailed income analysis for the program, and removing people who make over the 16,764 dollars annually.

Cut 11 (09) “…system.” 

State Farm announces the company is cutting its auto insurance rates by 2.6 percent effective November 25^th. State Farm Spokesperson Felicia Van Frank says the savings come down to improving their expense situation and lower loss numbers.

Cut 13 (10) “change”

September is Airbag Recall Repair Month. The National Safety Council and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are all urging motorist to have their airbags checked and repaired immediately. FCA spokesperson Chris Freeman says many motorists have ignored the recall and do not realize that defective airbags can cause more harm than good.

Cut 4 (11) “…device”  for more info go to Check-To-Protect-dot-org. All repairs are free.

Gubernatorial candidate, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, spoke out against the Edwards Administration’s handling of Medicaid this morning. Abraham says despite a 14.8-billion-dollar Department of Health budget the state is still one of the least healthy in the nation. Abraham called out the Division of Administration, the LDH Secretary, and Governor for not being transparent about Medicaid and it’s increasing costs, but says he would not undo the expansion…

Cut 10 (06) “…now”

State Farm announces the company is cutting its auto insurance rates by 2.6 percent effective November 25^th. State Farm Spokesperson Felicia Van Frank says their rates have been steadily dropping for several years as costs have decreased in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (09) “…percent”

The 2.6 percent decrease comes out to 36.6 million dollars in savings for State Farm customers.

Is your car one of the 152-thousand in Louisiana that has recalled airbag? The National Safety Council and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are urging motorist to have their air bags checked and repaired immediately. FCA spokesperson Chris Freeman says September is Recall Awareness Month.

Cut 3 (12) “…today.”

To see you need a replacement go to Check-To-Protect-dot-org, that’s Check-To-Protect-dot-Org and enter your Vehicle Identification Number. All repairs are free.

Gubernatorial candidate, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham spoke out against the Edwards Administration’s handling of Medicaid this morning on the steps of the Louisiana Department of Health. Abraham says despite a 14.8-billion-dollar Department of Health budget the state is still one of the least healthy in the nation.

Cut 9, 9 seconds, healthcare

State Medicaid costs will increase in 2020 as a result of a declining federal match.

Governor John Bel Edwards provided details today on the 52-million dollars in federal money that will go towards expanding I-12 in St. Tammany Parish from Highway 190 to Highway 59. Edwards says the state faces a 14-billion dollar backlog in highway projects, but they are using any available dollars wisely

Cut 6 (06) “…previously”

Edwards says this investment will provide more economic opportunities for the region.

Gun control is expected to be a hot topic when Congress returns to session next week. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t had a chance to review any proposals, but he knows the Democrat-controlled House is planning on introducing a number of fixes that just won’t pass muster in the upper chamber.

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Polls show a majority of Americans are in favor of background checks for guns.

Southeast Louisiana is under a heat advisory today as heat indexes are expected to sit between 108 to 113. The blazing temperatures and dry weather are thanks to a high-pressure system that’s set up shop across the southeast US, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not all bad news. He says without it Hurricane Dorian may have entered the Gulf.

Cut 12 (07) “…states.”

The same high-pressure system is keeping other storms like Fernand away from the region as well.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports there have been nine reported cases of pulmonary illness linked to vaping. Health officials say there have been over 200 cases reported nationwide this summer. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says if you use e-cigarettes, there are symptoms you should look for…
cut 15 (10) “….checked out”
Those affected in Louisiana ranged from ages 20 to 33-years-old.

Data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission shows there are 15-thousand fewer construction jobs than in 2017, but Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors CEO David Helveston says that could change quickly…
cut 5 (10) “…range”

Congress returns to the capitol next week and with several mass shootings over the summer, gun control will be a hot topic. Brooke Thorington spoke with Louisiana’s Junior Senator…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A heat advisory is in effect for southeast Louisiana today as hot temperatures combined with high humidity will create heat indices between 108 to 113-degrees. We’re also looking at highs of 96 in Lafayette, 100 in Alexandria, and 101 in Shreveport. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 10 (04) “…Louisiana”
The blazing temperatures and dry weather are thanks to a high-pressure system that’s set up shop across the southeast US.

The state health department has issued an alert after recording nine cases of severe lung disease from vaping. Those affected in Louisiana ranged from ages 20 to 33. Health officials aren’t sure what is causing the respiratory problems, but assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter says, they have a few ideas
cut 14 (08) “…products”
Kanter says if you use e-cigarettes and are experiencing a persistent cough, shortness of breath or chest pain, contact your doctor.

Democrats are expected to make a push for stronger gun laws when lawmakers return to Capitol Hill next week. Polls show a majority of Americans are in favor of expanded background checks. But Republican Senator John Kennedy says a background check system is already in place, but some states do a poor job of reporting important information…
cut 9 (09) “…thru”

Heat index values could crack 105 and higher today as the state endures what’s set to be four to five days of brutually hot temperatures…
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After a one night stay in the hospital, former Governor Edwin Edwards, is back home. Edwards was brought to the hospital Tuesday morning after he suffered a sharp drop in blood sugar that left him unresponsive. The 92-year-old was apparently dehydrated after battling a stomach virus over the Labor Day Weekend. Spokesperson Leo Honeycutt says Edwards passed all the medical tests and his vital signs are good.

Nine Louisianans have come down with a mysterious illness connected to E-cigarettes. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Jefferson Parish authorities say an argument inside a home in Marrero last night led to a shooting that killed two people and injured two others. One of the people killed was a female child. The sheriff’s office says they do have several leads, but they are not releasing any information about possible suspects.

Congress returns next week and Democrats are expected to push for new gun control laws. Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy says Democrats will have to present convincing facts that it will lead to a decline in gun violence…
cut 8 (10) “…sizzle”
Polls show a majority of Americans are in favor of expanded background checks to purchase guns.

Louisiana could be on the verge of another construction boom. Data from the state workforce commission finds construction jobs are down 15-thousand from a high of 156-thousand in mid-2017. But Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors CEO David Helveston says over 100-billion dollars in new construction projects will soon start and it’s not unusual to see peaks and valleys with the state’s construction economy…
cut 6 (11) “….cyclical”

A mysterious illness is impacting vapers and E-cigarette users across the country and the Louisiana Department of Health urges medical professionals to keep an eye out for symptoms. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter…
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Those affected in Louisiana ranged from ages 20 to 33 and they are experiencing a cough and severe shortness of breath.

Data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission shows there are 15-thousand fewer construction jobs than in 2017, but Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors CEO David Helveston says that could change quickly…
cut 5 (10) “…range”

Congress returns to the capitol next week and with several mass shootings over the summer, gun control will be a hot topic. Brooke Thorington spoke with Louisiana’s Junior Senator…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Triple-digit temperature readings are possible in north and central Louisiana today and heat indices could reach 110-degrees in southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 11 (07) “…period”
Temperatures should return to normal early next week.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports there have been nine reported cases of pulmonary illness linked to vaping. Health officials say there have been over 200 cases reported nationwide this summer. Assistant state health officer Joseph Kanter says if you use e-cigarettes, there are symptoms you should look for…
cut 15 (10) “….checked out”
Those affected in Louisiana ranged from ages 20 to 33-years-old.

Congress returns to session next week and one of the most discussed topics many Americans are waiting to see how lawmakers tackle is gun control. Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy hasn’t had the opportunity to review any democratic proposed gun laws yet but he has his opinions.
Cut 7 (10)“…handguns”
Despite the recent mass shootings, Kennedy says the Democrats will have to present convincing facts in order for him to vote for any gun control legislation.

A lull in construction jobs is one of the reasons the Louisiana economy seems to have slowed down a bit, but those in the industry are optimistic the tide is set to turn. Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors CEO David Helveston says it’s true that this year and last year haven’t been great for the construction industry.
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But Helveston says there are over 100 billion dollars of new construction projects on the horizon centered on petrochemical plants in southeast Louisiana.