The House approves a bill allowing the Legislative Auditor access to the tax records of Medicaid recipients. The proposal sparked an intense floor debate between Republican Tony Bacala and Democrat Gary Carter, who says it’s unfair to the poor…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Eunice Police Department says they received a Snapchat video of a 17-year-old girl pouring “all-purpose” cleaner into the teacher’s cup while a 17-year-old boy kept a lookout for the teacher’s return. Both students admitted their participation and have been charged with a felony of mingling harmful substances.

The incident is still under investigation

The state’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is the lowest on record dating back to 1976. The rate dropped to 3.5% in April in the numbers that come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says it is welcome news for the state.

Cut 6 (08) “…a good sign.”

Another round of severe weather is on its way. Most of north, central and southwest Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe weather on Saturday and the Shreveport-Bossier area is under an enhanced risk. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service says we’ll see scattered storms during the day and stronger storms will move in later…

cut 12(09)   “…some tornadoes”

The House voted 66-32 in favor of allowing the Legislative Auditor to access income tax records of Medicaid recipients, sparking a testy back and forth between bill author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala and New Orleans Representative Gary Carter, who voted against it.

Cut 4 (14) “…gunna find” 

Other opponents of the legislation argue the proposal would result in the expulsion of tens of thousands of Medicaid recipients from the program who make just above the 16,764-dollar yearly limit.

Select movie theaters nationwide will show Steel Magnolias this weekend, as a way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary movie’s release, which was filmed in Natchitoches. Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Kelli West….

Cut 14 (12) “…moments” 

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The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill adding PTSD to the the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits. One Madison Parish firefighter testified saying he has suffered from PTSD related depression since 2014 and says that his PTSD was not caught early and now is disabling.

Cut 10 (12) “…keep me alive.“

The Social Security Administration says the top baby boy name in 2018 in Louisiana was Noah, followed by Lian, Elijah, James and William. The top girls name in Louisiana last year was Ava, followed by Olivia, Emma, Amelia and Harper. 

The House voted 66-32 in favor of allowing the Legislative Auditor to access income tax records of Medicaid recipients, sparking a testy back and forth between bill author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala and New Orleans Representative Gary Carter, who voted against it.

Carter called the legislation an assault on working class Medicaid recipients…

Cut 3 (13) “…benefits.”

The House Labor Committee advances a Senate-approved bill to address PTSD and mental health among firefighters and police, adding the mental illness to the list of injuries eligible for public employee benefits.  One Madison Parish firefighter testified saying he has suffered from depression since 2014, adding he had suicidal thoughts while on leave for PTSD related to his job.

Cut 9 (08) “…was going on.”

US Senator Bill Cassidy is working with a bipartisan collection of Senators to combat surprise medical billing with the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act.  Cassidy says a care provider would be paid the cost difference between a patients in-network cost sharing and the median or average cost for the in-network rate for their services.

Cut 7 (08) “…is held harmless.”

Scenarios in which patient balance billing occurs would be prohibited include emergency services and non-emergency services performed by an out of network provider at an in-network facility.
Two people are dead after the car they were traveling in collided with a train.  The driver 48-year-old Shonda Hayes and the passenger 38-year-old Gary Briggs, both of Monroe, were traveling in a Chevy Cruze when the driver failed to yield to the train while crossing the tracks on Sumlin Ranch Road in Richland Parish.  The crash is under investigation.

Louisiana has hit a record low all-time non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 3.5 percent for the month of April. This tops a previous all-time low of 3.6 set in April of 2008. The total number of unemployed in the state is now 72,754, also the lowest on record.

A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking for more households to open their doors to teen foster kids as part of National Foster Care Month. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says teens can be some of the hardest foster system kids to find good homes for.

Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”

The drive is focused on finding foster homes for kids in the communities they were raised in so, that they don’t have to leave their schools, friends, and other local connections when they enter the system.

The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have now unified to become a single, statewide affiliate.  Executive Director of Komen Louisiana Angela Miller says the funds that are raised in Louisiana end up staying in Louisiana with 75% of the funding going toward the cost incurred in helping with women’s health.

Cut 15 (10) “also very very important.”

Louisiana U-S Senator is the co-author of a bipartisan proposal that seeks to end the surprise medical bills some patients receive after their treatment. Cassidy says the legislation comes down to one principal…
cut 8 (09) “….into a practice”
Cassidy says the bill would ensure that patients owe no more than their in-network cost sharing in the case of a non-emergency service that is provided by an out-of-network at an in-network facility.

The Department of Children and Family Services are seeking families who are willing to raise teenagers who are in the foster care system.
cut 6 (10) “….to”
That’s D-C-F-S Secretary Marketa Garner Walters who says this is part of the department’s commitment to improve outcomes for youth in foster care by increasing permanency and connections before they transition to adulthood.

A merger between the state’s affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization result in one statewide affiliate. What does that mean for the fight against the disease? Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Social Security Administration says the top baby boy name in 2018 in Louisiana was Noah, followed by Lian, Elijah, James and William. The top girls name in Louisiana last year was Ava, followed by Olivia, Emma, Amelia and Harper. Nationally, Liam was the most popular boy name, while Emma was the top girl name.

US Senator Bill Cassidy is among a bipartisan group of Senators that has filed legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills. Cassidy believes the measure is a good fit for insurers and caregivers while also addressing constituents concerns….
cut 9 (05) “….that sweet spot”
The bill would require that a patient is only required to pay the in network cost-sharing amount for an emergency, even if they are treated by an out-of-network facility or an out-of-network provider.

The Department of Children and Family Services has launched a campaign to recruit foster parents for teenagers. Some families might be intimidated to take in someone who’s going through the often turbulent and hormone driven teenage years, but DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says it’s certainly not the most difficult period of a kid’s life.
Cut 5 (11) “…fast”
Teens account for about 20-percent of the kids under the state’ care, but fewer than five-percent are placed in non-relative foster homes.

Louisiana lawmakers are moving closer to approving a ban on nearly all abortions in Louisiana. The proposal would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. Governor Edwards says he’ll sign that legislation when it reaches his desk, but he also points out that abortions would automatically be prohibited in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade gets overturned…
cut 11 (07) “….now”
Louisiana’s fetal hearbeat abortion ban is awaiting House approval, before it reaches the governor’s desk.

The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have unified to become a single, statewide affiliate. Executive Director of Komen Louisiana, Angela Miller, says the organization has a hefty goal of cutting in half the number of breast cancer deaths in Louisiana by 2026.
Cut 13 (10) “…to the decision.”
To reach the goal, Komen’s will work to ensure breast cancer patients receive the treatment they need to beat the disease.

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking for more households to open their doors to teen foster kids as part of National Foster Care Month. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they have a difficult time finding foster homes for teens…
Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent go to Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov.

A proposal to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected is getting close to reaching Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. The pro-life Democrat believes this is a bill that Louisiana voters support…
cut 12 (09) “…any different”
Several pro choice demonstrators were arrested at the capitol earlier this week after they poured fake blood on the floors outside of the House and Senate chambers.

A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The U-S Senate has confirmed Wendy Vitter as a federal judge in Louisiana’s Eastern District which covers 13-parishes in southeast Louisiana. The Senate voted 52-45 to give the wife of former US Senator David Vitter a lifetime job. Democrats voiced concerns about her anti-abortion record.

Governor Edwards addressed the growing controversy in Alabama surrounding the state’s passing of a bill that almost completely bans abortions. Edwards has historically supported pro-life legislation, and a fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill is currently working its way through the Legislature. During a gathering with reporters, he reiterated his support for that legislation.
Cut 10 (12) “…consistent”

Local affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have officially joined together to form a new statewide affiliate called Susan G Komen Louisiana. Executive director Angela Miller says the merger will help the group reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50-percent by 2026…
cut 14 (07) “…our state”
To reach the goal, Komen’s will work to ensure breast cancer patients receive the treatment they need to beat the disease.

20 percent of kids in the foster care system are teens, but only 5 percent of homes are requesting teenagers. Matt Doyle talked with the DCFS Secretary about their push to change that.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

20 percent of kids in the foster system are teens, but only 5 percent of homes are requesting teenagers. Matt Doyle talked with the DCFS Secretary about their push to change that. Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________

A bipartisan group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, is working to combat surprise medical billing. Kevin Barnhart has the story. Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________________

A merger between the state’s affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization result in one statewide affiliate.  What does that mean for the fight against the disease?  Kevin Barnhart has the story. Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking for more households to open their doors to teen foster kids as part of National Foster Care Month. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says teens can be some of the hardest foster system kids to find good homes for. Cut 4 (09) “… teens.”

The drive is focused on finding foster homes for kids in the communities they were raised in so, that they don’t have to leave their schools, friends, and other local connections when they enter the system. Some families might be intimidated to take in someone who’s going through the often turbulent and hormone driven teenage years, but Walters says it’s certainly not the most difficult period of a kid’s life. Cut 5 (11) “…fast”

Walters says having foster parents who are invested in helping teens make and maintain connections in their community, even after they age out, is vital to ensure they go on to lead fruitful and fulfilling lives… Cut 6 (10) “…to.”

The Secretary says if you’re interested in getting more information about fostering, visit Louisianafosters.la.gov

_____________________

US Senator Bill Cassidy is working with a bipartisan collection of Senators to combat surprise medical billing with the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act.  Cassidy says a care provider would be paid the cost difference between a patients in-network cost sharing and the median or average cost for the in-network rate for their services. Cut 7 (08) “…is held harmless.

” Scenarios in which patient balance billing occurs would be prohibited include emergency services and non-emergency services performed by an out of network provider at an in-network facility.   Cassidy says the legislation comes down to one principal. Cut 8 (09) “…into a practice.”

The Act would also prohibit surprise billing non-emergency services following an emergency service at an out or network facility due to a patient not being able to be moved from the out of network facility.   Cassidy says he believes the legislation is finding a good fit for insurers and caregivers while addressing the concerns of legislators. Cut 9 (11) “…that sweet spot.

″ _____________________

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the growing controversy in Alabama surrounding the state’s passing of bill that almost completely bans abortion procedures. Edwards has historically supported pro-life legislation, and a fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill is currently working it’s way through the Legislature. Edwards, the deep south’s only Democrat, reiterated his support for anti-abortion legislation. Cut 10 (12) “…consistent”

Opponents argue the heartbeat bill is tantamount to a near ban itself.

The Alabama law was designed by it’s author to provoke a direct challenge to Roe vs. Wade. Edwards pointed out that Roe were ever to be overturned, Louisiana would immediately be off-limits to the procedure. Cut 11 (07) “…now”

The Alabama ban does not include exemptions for rape or incest and comes with an up to 99-year prison sentence for doctors who perform the procedure. The Governor says he’s confident that most Louisianans have his, and the Legislature’s back when it comes to the increasing number of laws being passed in the Bayou State that would, if approved by the courts, place significant restrictions on the procedure. Cut 12 (09) “…any different”

______________________

The Louisiana affiliates of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization have now unified to become a single, statewide affiliate.  Executive Director of Komen Louisiana Angela Miller says the organization has a hefty goal of cutting in half the number of breast cancer deaths in Louisiana by 2026. Cut 13 (10) “…to the decision.”

Miller says the merger creates efficiencies in helping fight breast cancer as they work to try to meet their aggressive target for 2026. Cut 14 (07) “…in our state.”

Miller says the funds that are raised in Louisiana end up staying in Louisiana with 75% of the funding going toward the cost incurred in helping with women’s health. Cut 15 (10) “also very very important.”

______________________

Cut 16  (20) “…right around the corner” 

cut 17 (14)   “to be” 

Legislation that would undo a 1997 law prohibiting local government’s from raising the minimum wage above the state level fails to get out of the House Labor Committee. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The House Judiciary committee heard serious procedural debate about a bill that would legalize and strictly regulate recreational marijuana. They then moved the bill to the House criminal justice committee. The bill has neither been killed or advanced at this point.

The House Labor committee voted nine-to-six against legislation requiring  private employers to pay men and woman the same for similar work. Studies show that Louisiana has the largest gender wage gap in the country, but Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says men are more willing to work on holidays, work longer hours and perform more dangerous work

Cut 13 (07) “…pay better.”

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says the panel should approve this legislation to help out their female relatives

Cut 14 (11) “…love them today” 

Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon shot back at proponents of the bill, who suggested that lawmakers would vote against this legislation to hurt women…

Cut 15 (11) “…kill anyone”