The Edwards administration has submitted a spending plan to lawmakers for next fiscal year that fully funds TOPS, gives public school teachers a raise and increases funding for social services, but it remains unclear if the funding is available. State economists project higher tax revenues than previously estimated, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast. Barras says the economy is volatile and the Revenue Estimating Conference has been wrong before, so why not wait…
cut 10 (05) “…smaller and smaller”
Barras says he doesn’t want to appropriate money the state might not have.

Somebody missed out on a chance to claim a one million dollar Powerball prize. A ticket worth that amount from an August 26th drawing expired Thursday, with no one claiming the prize. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the money will go into an unclaimed prize fund…
cut 13 (05) “….throughout the years”
The ticket was sold in New Oleans.

Officials have signed an agreement that sets into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for the river parishes. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Some strong thunderstorms are set to move through northwest Louisiana this morning. Most of the state from I-10 to the north is under a slight risk for thunderstorms. Northeast Louisiana is under an enhanced threat as damaging winds and tornadoes are possible later today.

Thanks to a computer upgrade, the Louisiana Health Department has notified 37-thousand Medicaid recipients they may no longer be eligible for the taxpayer funded program, because they make too much money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the excitement around the lottery headquarters was high as the staff waited to see if anyone would show up in time to claim the prize.

Cut 14 (06)  “…it’s surprising.” 

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says funding remains uncertain, because an official forecast that shows increased revenues coming into the state has yet to be adopted

Cut 9 (08) “…recognized.”

An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Congressman Garret Graves says for 45 years the state has been attempting to gain the funding for the project and says construction should begin later this year.

Cut 5 (08)“…being made here.”

An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Communities on the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.  Congressman Graves says it’s estimated this massive flood control project can reduce annual damaged from flooding by 865-million dollars over the next 50 years….

Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  So did someone show up at Louisiana Lottery headquarters to claim the prize?  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.

Cut 12 (05)   “…claim the prize.”

The prize money will now go into the unclaimed prize fund.

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer meet the income requirements for the government health insurance. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the new system of checks will make it easier for prospective Medicaid recipients to figure out whether or not they qualify.

Cut 8 (08) “…navigate.”

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast, in an effort to gather more information.  But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says eventually state lawmakers will need an official forecast in order to make decisions on funding…

Cut 11 (06)   “…do that.”

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told that they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer met the income requirements for the government health insurance. Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the new program automatically confirms your wages and income with Workforce Development and others…

Cut 6 (10)  …information

A $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region is being signed today.  Congressman Garret Graves say the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain is at increased risk of tropical storm surge flooding due to loss of wetlands and sea level rise.

Cut 3 (10) “…the last several years.”

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. State economists project higher tax collections than previously estimated, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast. Barras says the economy is volatile and the Revenue Estimating Conference has been wrong before, so why not wait…

Cut 10 (05)“…smaller and smaller”

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  So did someone show up at Louisiana Lottery headquarters to claim the prize?  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.

Cut 12 (05)   “…claim the prize.”

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says funding remains uncertain, because an official forecast that shows increased revenues coming into the state has yet to be adopted.

Cut 9 (08) “…recognized.”

Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast.

Nobody came in to claim a million dollar winning lottery ticket that was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison  says the excitement around the lottery headquarters was high as the staff waited to see if anyone would show up in time to claim the prize that now has been put back into the unclaimed prize fund that pays off scratch offs and player promotions.

Cut 14 (06)  “…it’s surprising.” 

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer meet the income requirements for the government health insurance. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says most of those who no longer qualify are still considered low-wage and income workers, and may qualify for Obamacare subsidies.

Cut 7 (09) “…for it.”

Gee says the usual turnover for Medicaid is 18,000 people a month, and after running the entire database, this month was 37,000.

An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Congressman Garret Graves

Cut 5 (08)“…being made here.”

Officials gathered in Lutcher today for a signing ceremony that sets into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for the river parishes. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________

Thanks to a computer upgrade, the Louisiana Health Department has notified 37-thousand Medicaid recipients they may no longer be eligible for the taxpayer funded program, because they make too much money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________________________

An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Congressman Garret Graves says the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain project will consist of 18.5 miles of earthen levees and floodwalls… .

Cut 3 (10) “…the last several years.”

Communities on the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.  Graves says it’s estimated this massive flood control project can reduce annual damaged from flooding by 865-million dollars over the next 50 years….

Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″

Graves says for 45 years the state has been attempting to gain the funding for the project and says construction should begin later this year.

Cut 5 (08)“…being made here.”

_________________________________________________

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer meet the income requirements for the government health insurance. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the new program automatically confirms your wages and income with Workforce Development and other agenices…

Cut 6 (10) “…information”

Gee says the usual turnover for Medicaid is 18,000 people a month, and after running the entire database, this month was 37,000.
The Secretary says most of those who no longer qualify are still considered low-wage and income workers, and may qualify for Obamacare subsidies.

Cut 7 (09) “…for it.”

All of those removed from the program qualified under the 2016 Medicaid expansion and are non-elderly adults.

Gee says the new system of checks also will make it easier for prospective Medicaid recipients to figure out whether or not they qualify.

Cut 8 (08) “…navigate.”

_______________________

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says funding remains uncertain, because an official forecast that shows increased revenues coming into the state has yet to be adopted

Cut 9 (08) “…recognized.”

State economists project higher tax collections than previously estimated, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast. Barras says the economy is volatile and the Revenue Estimating Conference has been wrong before, so why not wait…

Cut 10 (05)“…smaller and smaller”

But Dardenne says eventually state lawmakers will need an official forecast in order to make decisions on funding…

Cut 11 (06)   “…do that.”

_______________________________

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  So did someone show up at Louisiana Lottery headquarters to claim the prize?  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.

Cut 12 (05)   “…claim the prize.”

Annison says it’s rare that winnings of this magnitude go unclaimed.  The prize money will now go into the unclaimed prize fund.

Cut 13 (05) “…throughout the years.” 

Annison says the excitement around the lottery headquarters was high as the staff waited to see if anyone would show up in time to claim the prize.

Cut 14 (06)  “…it’s surprising.” 

The Edwards administration laid out its spending proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. It calls for an across the board teacher pay raise of one-thousand dollars and more funding for education and health care. But funding remains unclear, because House Republican leaders have blocked efforts to increase the state’s revenue forecast, despite recommendations from economists. House Speaker Taylor Barras says he wants to wait, to reduce the chance of spending money the state really doesn’t have. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says…
cut 11 (06) “…do that”
Dardenne hopes the Revenue Estimating Conference adopts a revised income forecast soon.

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25th drawing. So did someone claim the prize? Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.
Cut 12 (05) “…claim the prize.”
Annison says it’s rare that winnings of this magnitude go unclaimed. The prize money will now go into the unclaimed prize fund.

Officials gather in Lutcher today for a signing ceremony that will set into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for several River Parish communities. Kevin Barnhart has more
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s been 10 days since an abandoned newborn baby was found 50 yards from the entrance of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and authorities have yet to locate the mother. But the infant is said to be doing well and is in a foster home. Deputies say the child was outside for about 15 minutes, before being discovered.

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told that they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer met the income requirements for the government health insurance. Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the new program automatically confirms your wages and income with Workforce Development and others…

Cut 6, 10 seconds, information

A $760 million flood protection project in the river parish region is being signed today. The area saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012. Congressman Garret Graves.

Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″

it is estimated that over the next 50 years, annual damages from flooding can be reduced by $865 million.
___________________________________
Those looking to catch Mardi Gras beads this weekend also need to prepare to catch some rain drops. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region is being signed today.  Congressman Garret Graves say the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain is at increased risk of tropical storm surge flooding due to loss of wetlands and sea level rise.

Cut 3 (10) “…the last several years.”

The 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student was arrested for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school. There’s a 1^st amendment concern that’s been brought up, along with other questions as to whether or not Maegan Adkins-Barras qualifies to be charged with Unlawful Posting of Criminal Activity for Notoriety and Publicity. Defense attorney Franz Borghardt says considering how much publicity the case has received, if the Scott Police Department is found to have acted in error, they could be facing a hefty lawsuit.

Cut 15 (12) “first place.”

Those looking to let the good times roll this weekend need to roll out of the house with a rain jacket.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says weather across the state will be wet for those on the prowl for beads. Keim says don’t let the threat of rain slow down your festivities as it’ll likely just be subtle showers.

Cut 12 (06) “…on Saturday.”

Keim says there is a marginal to slight risk for severe weather this weekend.

Shreveport Mardi Gras kicks off this weekend with the Krewe of Centaur on Saturday, and teh Krewe of Barkus and Meoux on Sunday. Folks may be surprised to find out that Shreveport historically has had a vibrant Mardi Gras scene. Shreveport/Bossier Visitor and Conventions Bureau Public Relations Manager Chris Jay says old photo books show substantial parades rolling over 100 years ago, but…

Cut 8 (09) “…was found.”

The 32-year-old mother of an Acadiana High student was arrested for posting a video on social media of two children fighting at the school. Defense attorney Franz Borghardt says charging Maegan Adkins-Barras with Unlawful Posting of Criminal Activity for Notoriety and Publicity will likely lead to a legal morass for the Scott Police Department.

Cut 13 (10) “…school fight”

Police have not said whether one of the two children from the video is related to Adkins-Barras.

Those looking to let the good times roll this weekend need to roll out of the house with a rain jacket.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says weather across the state will be wet for those on the prowl for beads.

Cut 10 (12) “…around South Louisiana.”

South Louisiana isn’t the only place to load up on beads this weekend…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Entergy Louisiana has gotten the green light from the Public Service Commission for a 20-year agreement to buy the output of a 50-megawatt solar power plant that is soon to be built by a subsidiary of Eagle Solar Group.  Entergy spokesperson Lee Sabatini says construction on the land near Port Allen is expected to begin in mid-2019, with completion in 2020.

Cut 5 (05) “…into the area.”