The Louisiana Public Health Institute releases a survey that finds 80-percent of parents believe schools should be required to offer sex education. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The reason more than 46 thousand people in the state lost their Medicaid coverage this month was because they did not respond to warning letters, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

The agency said over 50 thousand letters to were sent to Medicaid recipients telling them they had to prove eligibility for the program by October 31st. Children were reportedly exempted from the automatic removal from the Medicaid program.

The National Retail Federation expects over 165 million people to shop over the five-days from Thanksgiving Thursday though Cyber Monday.

NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says the shopping at physically located stores should be about 47 percent while the online shopping figures for the period is close to 41 percent. Cullen says…

Cut 9 (08) “…something with family..”

Top-ranked LSU is spending this Thanksgiving week getting ready for Texas A-and-M. This a game the Tigers have been waiting for, ever since they lost to the Aggies in seven overtimes last year.

Coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t want his team thinking about what happened last year

Cut 13 (12) “..this team.”

LSU lost that away-game last year in College Station, Texas.

The National Retail Federation expects over 165 million consumers to get shopping done over the holiday weekend. Michael Farrar has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Michael Farrar.”

The Office of Motor Vehicles plans to re-open a few more offices today as the state agency continues to get its computers back online after a ransomware attack.

And there’s a slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight for northeast Louisiana.

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association is encouraging Governor Edwards to lead the discussion with the new legislative leadership team about how the state can increase funding for better roads and bridges. President Ken Perrett says Louisiana deserves an honest debate on increasing infrastructure, even if that means raising the gasoline tax…
cut 11 (13) “…highway trust fund”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute releases a survey that finds an overwhelming percent of Louisiana parents support sex education in schools. Sex ed is currently not a requirement for public schools L-P-H-I managing director Kristie Bardell says the new legislature will be presented with this survey…
cut 6 (09) “….sex education”

The National Retail Federation expects over 35 million consumers to shop online and in-stores on turkey day, up 3.5 million from last year. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says over the course of the five-day weekend, which includes Cyber Monday, 165 million Americans will shop.
Cut 7 (09) “…on turning out..”

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to initiate the discussion with the new legislative leadership on increasing infrastructure funding. President of Louisiana Good Roads Ken Perrett says it is vital to come up with a plan that everyone can support.
Cut 10 (08) “…to work together.”
Perret recommends adjusting the state’s gasoline tax.

There’s been a long debate in Louisiana on whether schools should be required to offer sex education. A survey released by the Louisiana Public Health Institute finds 80-percent of parents believe it should be a requirement. L-P-H-I managing director Kristie Bardell says sex-ed could lead to healthier lives…
Cut 4 (11) “…contraceptive use.”
Louisiana’s legislature has not been willing to pass legislation requiring sex ed in public schools.

After opening eight regional main offices on Monday, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles plans to open ten other offices today as the O-M-V continues to recover from last week’s ransomware attack. Other state government agencies are up and running.

Senator John Kennedy is working to get $10 billion for rural broadband infrastructure through the “Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment, or C-Band, Act.” Kennedy filed the measure in part because there are many people in less populated areas do not have reliable internet service.

Cut 3 (10) “don’t have broadband.”

It’s a historic debut today as Mississippi residents could purchase Louisiana Lottery scratch-off tickets for the first time in their home state.

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the Louisiana Lottery transferred more than 184-million dollars to the state treasury for K-through-12 public education. She credits their creative scratch-off games.

Cut 11 (07) “…Mardi Gras themed game”

The Louisiana Lottery reports that 2019 is coming its most successful fiscal year ever in their 28-year existence.

The Transportation Security Administration expects nearly 27-million people will fly from November 22nd to December 2nd. T-S-A Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says T-S-A agents confiscated at least 72 guns at security checkpoints at Louisiana airports in 2019. She says you can travel with a gun, but it must go in your checked luggage…

Cut 14 (06) “…check in”

Louisiana State Parks will soon reduce the 3-night minimum to book weekday stays at state campgrounds and cabins. The change begins December 9th. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says the repeal sends an encouraging message to those that want to explore sportsman’s paradise.

Cut 8 (07) “ …open for business”

For more info on booking a Louisiana State Parks stay, head to L A State Parks dot com.

The FCC is holding a public auction for airwaves to be used in 5G wireless technology that should result in improved access to broadband internet in rural communities. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana State Parks will soon end its 3-night minimum requirement for weekday stays at state campgrounds and cabins. The change starts December 9th. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says they’ve heard the feedback from visitors to get rid of the minimum weeknight stay policy that has been in place for the last few years.

Cut 6 (10) “the weekdays only.”

Burris expects an uptick in reservations due to the policy change.

Approximately 12-hundred convenience stores in the across Mississippi began selling Louisiana Lottery scratch off tickets today. It marks the first time Bayou State scratch off games were available in Mississippi. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says Texas and Arkansas have popular lottery games, but residents in those states also play in Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “some time”

Chopin says Louisiana Lottery is coming off its most successful fiscal year ever.
The Transportation Security Administration is getting the word out, make sure you don’t pack anything firearms in carry-on bag. Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says T-S-A agents confiscated at least 72 guns at security checkpoints at Louisiana airports. She says you can travel with a gun, but it must go in your checked luggage…

Cut 14 (06) “…check in”

Louisiana State Parks end the 3-night minimum stay for weekday stays at campgrounds and cabins. The change starts December 9th. State Parks Director Brandon Burris expects an increase in reservations, adding that in some of the less-populated areas, ta state park is the only available overnight accommodations.

Cut 7 (06) “…local economy there.”

For more info on booking a stay, head to L A State Parks dot com.

The Transportation Security Administration expects nearly 27-million people will fly from November 22nd to December 2nd. So the T-S-A is getting the word out, make sure you don’t pack anything in your carry-on bag that could be used as a weapon. Spokesperson Sari Koshetz

Cut 12 (12) “…to jail”

Koshetz says you can travel with a gun, but it must go in your checked luggage.

For the first time ever, Mississippi residents do not have head to Louisiana to buy scratch-off lottery tickets. About 12-hundred convenience stores in the Magnolia State began selling them today. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says hopefully this will not result in lower revenues for the Bayou State

Cut 9 (08) “…monitor″

Mississippi residents no longer have to travel into Louisiana to play lottery scratch-off games. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Health Department says 46-thousand people in Louisiana have lost their Medicaid coverage this month after failing to respond to warning letters that they might be no longer eligible for the taxpayer-funded health care. These individuals who lost their Medicaid coverage had until October 31st to prove their eligibility.

Senator John Kennedy has legislation that he says can bring 5G internet-capable infrastructure to rural areas. Kennedy says high-speed internet is so important in this day and time…
cut 5 (11) “….have the surgery”
Kennedy says legislation seeks to make 10-billion dollars to get high-speed internet service to rural areas.

Starting December 9th, Louisiana State Parks will end the three-night minimum stay that’s been required to stay during the week at one of their campgrounds or cabins. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says the repeal sends an encouraging message to those that want to explore the sportsman’s paradise…
cut 8 (07) “….open for business”
For more info on booking a stay, head L-A State Parks dot com.

The FCC is holding a public auction for airwaves to be used in 5G wireless technology that should result in improved access to broadband internet in rural communities. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New Orleans Saints Offensive tackle Terron Armstead was taken out of the game due to an upper ankle sprain. The injury is leading to expectations that Armstead will likely miss Saints on-the-field action for the next several weeks. But the good news for Saints fans is that with San Francisco Chargers beating Green Bay Packers last night, the Saints now have the number two seed in the NFC playoffs.

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming this Thursday, drivers need to be aware of the Click or Ticket campaign that will run this week. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says state troopers and local law enforcement will be on the lookout to see if drivers are buckled up…

Cut 13 (11) “…properly restrained.”

Although the increased surveillance may lead to more tickets issued to driver who fail to buckle up, Manale says a ticket is better than a tragedy on the roadway.

Louisiana State Parks end the 3-night minimum stay for weekday accommodations at campgrounds and cabins. The change starts December 9th. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says they’ve heard the feedback from visitors to waive the minimum 3 weeknight stay requirement that has been in place the last few years.

Cut 6 (10) “the weekdays only.”
For more info on booking a stay, head to L A State Parks dot com.

Senator John Kennedy files the “Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment, or C-Band, Act” in an effort to secure $10 billion for rural broadband infrastructure. Kennedy says there are many people that do not have reliable internet in less populated areas.
Cut 3 (10) “don’t have broadband.”
Kennedy says his legislation will ensure a public auction for the C-Band spectrum will be held and at least 10-billion of the proceeds will go towards rural broadband infrastructure.

The American Farm Bureau finds that Louisiana residents can expect to pay $47.54 for a Thanksgiving dinner that caters to a party of ten. That’s $1.37 less than the national average price. Louisiana Farm Bureau federation spokesperson Avery Davidson says a 16-pound turkey is about $2 less than the national average.
Cut 7 (06) “…whole lot more.”
Davidson says sweet potatoes also cost less here, compared to nationally.

Law enforcement across the state are participating in the Click or Ticket campaign this week. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says state troopers and local officers will be on the lookout to see if drivers are buckled up… The increased surveillance may lead to more tickets, but Manale says a ticket is better than a tragedy…
Cut 14 (09) “…time of year.”

Today eight regional offices of O-M-V opened this morning after they were closed last week from a cyberattack on state computers. The Office of Motor Vehicles is asking the public to only conduct time-sensitive business.