Health officials say at least 39-thousand people in Louisiana’s Medicaid program and prison system suffer from hepatitis C infection, which is why the state is working on a plan to purchase normally expensive hepatits C drugs at a lower a cost to treat the contagious and sometimes fatal liver disease….
cut 14 (09) “…as possible”
That’s Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee, who says the department of health’s goal is to treat over 10-thousand Medicaid-enrolles and prisoners by the end of 2020.

A Lake Charles Police officer was involved in a fatal shooting early this morning. The L-C P-D says the officer responded to a complaint that a man entered a store and threatened another individual with a gun. An officer arrived three minutes later and found the suspect and the officer involved shooting left the man with a gun dead. State Police is conducting an investigation.

The state has completed the purchase of a 515 acre track of land to resettle the residents Isle De Jean Charles community who will lose their homes on an island that will one day be covered by the Gulf of Mexico. The 11.7 million dollar land purchase outside of Schriever is the first step in relocation. State Office of Community Development executive director Pat Forbes says they hope to start construction on the new community later this year.
Cut 10 (12) “…preliminary master plan.”
The island in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98 percent of it’s landmass since 1955.

State emergency planners are concerned about flooding along rivers with more rain in the forecast for tonight and into Saturday morning. Deputy director of GOHSEP Casey Tingle has this message for drivers who come across any flooded roadways…
cut 5 (09) “…flooded roads”

Isle De Jean Charles in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98% of its landmass since 1955, and now the state is helping to relocate the community that lives there.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana is seeking a pharmaceutical partner to join in providing a “subscription” based approach to Hepatitis C medication that Governor Edwards says will greatly increase the treatment levels…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt doyle.”  

_______________________________

Five years ago the Eagles flew into New Orleans for a wildcard contest, and flew out with a 26-24 loss. There’s a few familiar faces who’ll be back in town for this year’s throw down, a few of them in different jerseys…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________________

Gov. Edwards has issued a state of emergency declaration due to flooding concerns.  Deputy director of GOHSEP Casey Tingle says the agency is continuing to ramp up prep for local emergency managers as they begin to combat issues relating to river flooding from periods of excessive rainfall over the last few weeks, and more rainfall in the forecast.

Cut 4 (09) “…period of time.” 

Currently, eight parishes are included in the declaration including Beauregard, Bassier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Rapides, St. Tammany, and Washington.  Tingle says residents should keep an eye on local alerts of road closures.

Cut 5 (09) “…into flooded roads.”

Many regions saw record rainfall for the first few days of 2019.  Tingle says while lately things have been better and provides reason for some optimism, GOHSEP continues to closely monitor the situation.

Cut 6 (09) “…that trend continues.”

__________________________________

A study shows the University of Louisiana System contributes 10.9 billion dollars to the state’s economy. The report shows that one out of 18 jobs in the state are supported by the universities of Louisiana. UL System President Jim Henderson says it’s evidence the system produces a large return on investment.

Cut 7 (12) “…fantastic”

Henderson says these results aren’t pulled out of thin air as a PR stunt but are acquired from experts at Economic Modeling Specialists International…

Cut 8 (09) “…these studies”

Henderson says the study shows that the UL system positively influences the state’s economy plus it gives students the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing job market…

Cut 9 (12) “…what we do″

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The state has completed the purchase of a 515 acre track of land to resettle the Isle De Jean Charles community that will lose their homes due to coastal erosion. The 11.7 million dollar land purchase outside of Schriever is the first step in relocation. State Office of Community executive director Pat Forbes says they hope to start construction on the new community later this year.

Cut 10 (12) “…preliminary master plan.” 

The island in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98 percent of it’s landmass since 1955, and is at major risk of flooding. While the new site is in development, Forbes says inhabitants of the island have been offered rental assistance to find interim housing.

Cut 11 (10) “…the project done.”

Forbes says the planning and construction of the homes and community will emphasize and maintain the unique culture created by the mostly Native American inhabitants of the quickly disappearing island.

Cut 12 (13) “…the highway frontage.”

The site was selected after an extensive search and environmental impact study, and was overwhelmingly supported by its future residents. The initiative is being funded by the feds in a first of its kind re-location project.

___________________________

Louisiana is aiming to have a plan in place by July to offer Medicaid and incarcerated patient’s unrestricted access to curative treatments for Hepatitis C, to cut down on the spread of the deadly virus. Governor Edwards says the plan is the first of its kind for any state in the US.

Cut 13 (08) “…infection.”

To accomplish this, the state is hoping to reach an agreement with a pharma company for a “subscription” based approach to accessing treatments.

The plan aims to get Louisiana primary care providers easier access to the necessary drugs. Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says doing this will keep costs down, while increasing the number of treated patients.

Cut 14 (12) “…35 million”

LDH is now soliciting offers through the end of the month from pharmaceutical companies interested in providing the “subscriptions”.

Assistant Secretary of Health for the Office of Public Health Alex Billioux says part of the plan includes increased training for primary care physicians, aimed at helping them identify patients who may be infected.

Cut 15 (09) “…Hepatitis C.”

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Three familiar faces will be marching back into the Dome for Sunday’s Divisional round matchup, all three of them having last met for a New Orleans playoff contest five years ago. One of them is former backup quarterback and 2018 Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, who Saints QB Drew Brees noted started in the Black and Gold’s 26-24 wildcard home victory five years ago.

Cut 16 (17)  “.makes plays.”

In that game Foles threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s also a return home for Eagles running back Darren Sproles, who whose last home game as a Saint also happened to be that same 26-24 win over Foles’ Eagles in 2014. The electric running back played three seasons in New Orleans, and has become a close friend of Brees’…

 cut 17 (17)   “…me better.” 

After he was traded by the Saints to Philly, Sproles said he felt “disrespected”.

Former Saints first round pick and Philly safety Malcolm Jenkins will also be back in the Dome, like Sproles, having also played his last home game in Black and Gold in that 2014 wildcard round win. Brees says Jenkins has really flourished since leaving the Crescent City.

Cut 18 (17)   “..lined up” 

Jenkins left New Orleans in free agency during the summer of 14’.

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Cut 19 (20)   “…halfcourt”

Cut 20 (18) “…every day”

Shreveport police are on the search for suspects responsible for the shooting death of one of their own officers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Isle De Jean Charles in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98% of its landmass since 1955, and now the state is helping to relocate the community that lives there.  The state bought a 515 acre section of land, currently being used for sugar cane, to resettle the community that will lose their homes due to coastal erosion. Office of Community executive director Pat Forbes says most of the residents are on board with the relocation.

Georgia-Pacific will be laying off at least 650 workers in March from its Port Hudson paper facility, in a major blow to the North Baton Rouge economy. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says with more and more people going digital, and sending correspondence through email and text, the need for traditional paper that the facility specialized in has diminished.

Cut 12 (10)   “…white paper” 

A Bossier City mother and daughter are dead after an overnight double homicide shooting allegedly by the daughter’s boyfriend. 22-year-old Shandrell and 40-year-old Maeisha Simoneaux are believed to have been murdered by the father of Shandrell’s two kids, 22-year-old Frederick Jackson, who has been arrested. Public Information Officer Traci Landry says the children were present at the time of the shooting.

Cut 10 (10) “…members.”

Jackson has been booked into the Bossier City Jail on a 7.5 million dollar bail.

President Donald Trump will visit New Orleans on Monday, so he can speak at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Rice and soybean farmers say the tariffs and now the government shutdown have hurt their ability to make money off their crop. There’s also concern among producers about whether documented workers living in Mexico can return for the growing season. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson says farmers are eager to hear from the president…

Cut 4 (11) “…right here″

Georgia-Pacific will be laying off at least 650 workers in March from its Port Hudson paper facility, in a major blow to the North Baton Rouge economy. Baton Rouge Representative Regina Barrow says it’s a huge loss, and a drastic shock to a community that relied on those jobs to provide a good quality of life.
Cut 11 (10) “…working there”
The investigation continues into the shooting death of Shreveport Police officer outside of a home last night around 8:30 as she was on her way to start her shift.  The officer was identified as Chateri Payne, who had graduated from the police academy in November.  Police Chief Ben Raymond says the murder of an officer is a catastrophic event to a law enforcement agency.
Cut 5 (10) “…this uniform everyday.”
A Bossier City mother and daughter are dead after an overnight double homicide shooting allegedly by the daughter’s boyfriend. Public Information Officer Traci Landry says officer’s arrived to a tragic scene after getting an 8:30PM call from a neighbor who heard gunshots.

Cut 8 (09) “…wounds”

Since Sean Payton and Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans, Dome Field Advantage has been a big thing as the Saints are 5-0 in home postseason games since 2006. Coach Sean Payton says it takes a special combination of a great team and a motivated fan base to build the special kind of environment that exists in the Big Easy right now…
cut 17 (13) “…your football team”
But the Eagles have something good going too. Philly Quarterback Nick Foles has been a money player in the postseason, winning his last four playoff games.

LSU senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator Jerry Coordinator is retiring at the age of 74. Sullivan has been on Coach Ed Orgeron’s staff the last two seasons. He’s considered one of the top wide receiver coaches in the game, spending 25 years in the NFL and he was also an assistant at LSU in the 1980s for several years.

Louisiana Tech released its football schedule for 2019 today. The Bulldogs will start the season against Texas. The Longhorns could be a team ranked in the preseason Top 10. The home opener will be September 7th at home against Grambling State. The Bulldogs will have a tough end to the season, after a bye on November 2nd, they’ll host North Texas and then travel to Marshall and U-A-B and finish the 2019 regular season campaign against U-T-S-A.

La Tech basketball is home tonight against U-A-B. The Bulldogs are looking to end a two-game losing streak. Tech is 8-0 at home, while the Blazers are 2-0 in Conference USA.

ULM and the Ragin Cajuns are in the Peach State. UL-Lafayette visits Georgia State. Georgia State has won four straight and they are led by the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, D’Marcus Simonds, who averages 19 points a game.

The Warhawks are 2-0 in league play and they are at Georgia Southern. ULM has won six of its last seven and six-foot-one guard Daishon Smith is averaging 21 points a game.

President Donald Trump will visit New Orleans on Monday, so he can speak at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is glad to see the President will be at their centennial convention…

Cut 3 (11) “…this country.”
A female Shreveport Police officer is dead after being shot multiple times outside of a home last night around 8:30 as she was on her way to start her shift.  The officer was identified as Chateri Payne, who had graduated from the police academy in November.  Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins had a message for officers who may be a little on edge about putting on the uniform after an incident of this nature.

Cut 7 (10) “in the world”

A stalwart of the North Baton Rouge business community announces plans to lay off at least 650 workers from its Port Hudson paper facility…

Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”  

Isle De Jean Charles in south Terrebonne Parish has lost 98% of its landmass since 1955, and now the state is helping to relocate the community that lives there.  The state bought a 515 acre section of land, currently being used for sugar cane, to resettle the community that will lose their homes due to coastal erosion. Office of Community executive director Pat Forbes says most of the residents are on board with the relocation.

Shreveport police are on the search for what label as a coward or cowards responsible for the shooting death of one of their own officers….
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Federal Magistrate recommends that a federal judge should dismiss a lawsuit filed by three men who sought to prevent the Lafayette Public Library from holding Drag Queen Story Hour at the library last October. The magistrate ruled the men lacked the standing to sue, because they do not live in the parish.

A Shreveport man is behind bars facing a charge of first-degree murder after he allegedly shot his girlfriend and her mother in a Bossier City apartment complex. Bossier City police spokesperson Traci Landry says 22-year-old Frederick Jackson shot 22-year-old Shandrell Simoneaux and her 40-year-old mom last night and Simoneaux’s two children were present…
cut 10 (10) “…members”
A motive for the shooting has not been made public.

Bad economic development news for the Baton Rouge area, as Georgia-Pacific plans to lay off about 650 workers in March from their Port Hudson paper facility, because the demand for paper is on the decline. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the closure should reemphaize the need for additional resources being allocated to programs that help prepare workers the new, digital economy….
cut 13 (11) “…take them”

Georgia-Pacific will be laying off at least 650 workers in March from its Port Hudson paper facility, in a major blow to the North Baton Rouge economy. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says it’s a huge loss, and a drastic shock to a community that relied on those union jobs to provide a good quality of life, but with more and more people going digital, and sending correspondence through email and text, the need for traditional paper that the facility specialized in has diminished.

Cut 12 (10)   “…white paper” 

A female Shreveport Police officer is dead after being shot multiple times outside of a home last night around 8:30 as she was on her way to start her shift.  The officer was identified as Chateri Payne, who had graduated from the police academy in November. Police Chief Ben Raymond says they are looking for the public’s help.

Cut 6 (06) “…killers to justice.”

Raymond says at this time, law enforcement agencies from all across the northern portion of the state are assisting.

Two Bossier City women are dead after an overnight double homicide shooting. Public Information Officer Traci Landry says officer’s arrived to a tragic scene after getting an 8:30PM call from a neighbor who heard gunshots. 22-year-old Shandrell and 40-year-old Maeisha Simoneaux are believed to have been murdered by the father of Shandrell’s two kids, 22-year-old Fred Jackson, who has been arrested. Landry says it didn’t take long to apprehend the alleged murderer.

Cut 9 (10) “…interviewing.″

Landry says enough evidence was collected to charge Jackson with 1^st Degree Murder.

Out of the four NFL playoff games this weekend, the Saints are the largest favorite at eight points. New Orleans beat Philadelphia 48-7 in November and the two teams meet again on Sunday. Coach Sean Payton anticipates a much different matchup…
cut 18 (14) “…..tremendous challenge”

A female Shreveport Police officer is dead after being shot multiple times outside of a home last night around 8:30 as she was on her way to start her shift.  The officer was identified as Chateri Payne, who had graduated from the police academy in November.  Police Chief Ben Raymond says the murder of an officer is a catastrophic event to a law enforcement agency.

Cut 5 (10) “…this uniform everyday.”

The investigation is ongoing.

President Donald Trump will visit New Orleans on Monday, so he can speak at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Rice and soybean farmers say the tariffs and now the government shutdown have hurt their ability to make money off their crop. There’s also concern among producers about whether documented workers living in Mexico can return for the growing season. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson says farmers are eager to hear from the president…

Cut 4 (11) “…right here″

Georgia-Pacific will be laying off at least 650 workers in March from its Port Hudson paper facility, in a major blow to the North Baton Rouge economy. Baton Rouge Representative Regina Barrow says it’s a huge loss, and a drastic shock to a community that relied on those jobs to provide a good quality of life.

Cut 11, 10 seconds, working there

Barrow says with more and more people going digital, and sending correspondence through email and text, the need for traditional paper that the facility specialized in has diminished. Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome says the city will activate a Rapid Response employment program to help displaced workers find new employment. 300 workers will remain at the facility.

Out of the four NFL playoff games this weekend, the Saints are the largest favorite at eight points. New Orleans beat Philadelphia 48-7 in November and the two teams meet again on Sunday. Coach Sean Payton anticipates a much different matchup…
cut 18 (14) “…..tremendous challenge”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40. It’s unknown if offensive tackle Terron Armstead will play. Armstead hurt his pectoral muscle in November came back in the win over the Steelers, only to get hurt again.

LSU announces senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator Jerry Sullivan is retiring. The 74-year-old joined Coach Ed Orgeron’s staff as a consultant in 2017 and last season served as a full-time assistant. He was an assistant coach at LSU in the 1980s and spent 25 years as a coach in the NFL.

The Pelicans won their third straight last night as New Orleans beat Clevleand 140 to 124. The Cavs had a 16 point lead in the first half, before the Pels eventually won by 16 points. Anthony Davis had a big second half and finished with 38 points and Frank Jackson came off the bench to score 19 points.

It was a wild night in the Southland Conference, McNeese fell to Abilene Christian 73-72 in a game that featured 19 lead changes. A tough 20-foot shot by Kevin Hunt did not go down at the buzzer.

Northwestern State had a potential game-winning shot blocked at the buzzer and the Demons fell to Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 62-61. UNO beat Lamar 78-71 in overtime. It’s win number one-hundred for head coach Mark Slessinger.

And Brandon Moore junior scored a season-high 25 points as Nicholls defeated Stephen F Austin 78-73.

Tonight. ULM is at Georgia Southern, the Cajuns visit Georgia State and Louisiana Tech hosts UAB.