Governor Edwards says Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s public assertion that the former Mayor of New Roads “illegally cast his ballot” is “extremely troubling”…
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards is heading to Los Angeles where he’ll sit on a panel that will also feature Kim Kardashian West and rapper Meek Mill as he’ll discuss the state’s recent criminal justice reform efforts.

A half-inch of snow fell in Monroe this morning, and the national weather service says its the earliest recorded accumulated snowfall in Monroe history.

Some food banks have depleted shelves as we head into the holidays. President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Mike Manning, says natural disasters around the country have reduced the amount of food they normally have, so in order to fix the issue, it’ll just take more donations…
cut 13 (08) “….the grocery store”
Manning says they usually see donations go up during the holidays, so they hope that’s the case this year.

One of the nation’s top running backs has been added to LSU’s 2019 recruiting class. Destrehan’s John Emery has given his verbal commitment to Coach Ed Orgeron. He’s a five-star running back, who was previously committed to Georgia, but de-committed after the Tigers beat the Bulldogs last month. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says this is a big get for LSU…
cut 4 (10) “…gave up”
The addition of Emery to the 2019 recruiting class moves LSU to fifth in the 24-7 sports team rankings.

Governor Edwards is criticizing a decision by Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin to publicly claim the former convicted Mayor of New Roads “illegally cast his ballot”, when the Governor says record prove Robert Myer was eligible, as he had served his sentence. Ardoin says his office was never notified of Myer’s conviction and he’s called in some help to address what he says are system records issues.

Cut 7 (11) “…happen again.”

Edwards sent a letter saying Ardoin’s behavior in the matter was unacceptable for a Secretary of State

It was frigid this morning, and forecasters say that’s led to some record setting snow fall in northern portions of Louisiana and remarkably cold temperatures in the south. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Rob Meginia says some snow isnt uncommon, but not this much…

Cut 10 (08)   “…quality care“

Five-star running back John Emery from Destrehan says he wants to play for LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The number 7 Tigers take on Rice this Saturday at 630PM

One of the nation’s top high school running backs in the nation has committed to LSU. Destrehan’s John Emery is rated as the second best running back in the country, according to 24-7 sports. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Emery could be the next great running back to come through Baton Rouge

Cut 3 (11) “…that caliber”
Emery committed to Georgia during the summer, but de-committed 12 days later after watching the Tigers upset the Bulldogs in Death Valley.

Governor Edwards is criticizing a decision by Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin to publicly claim the former Mayor of New Roads “illegally cast his ballot” in the midterm election, when further review showed Robert Myer was actually eligible to vote. Ardoin says he made that assertion after discovering Myer’s name was never added to the “can’t vote” list after his conviction in January.
Cut 6 (08) “…felon.”

Louisiana residents woke up to cold temps around the state today, with some in the northern portions of the state experiencing record-setting snowfall.  National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Mario Valverde says the snowfall was seen spanning several parishes, but the area with the most accumulation this morning is Monroe.

Cut 9 (08) “…over in Monroe.”

National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Rob Meginia says most of the state will see temps at or below freezing tonight and going into tomorrow morning, with the coastal areas likely being the only area spared of getting that low.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the mid 30s.”

The NWS says tonight is the night to bundle up people, pets, pipes, and plants.

The Legislative Auditor discovers the state’s Medicaid program potentially misspent as much as 85 million dollars on people who may not have been eligible. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

Measureable snow in the Monroe area this morning. It’s not a lot, but enough to make a miniature snowman. It’s also the earliest measureable snow event for Monroe as the previous record was November 24th, 1950. The clouds will move out and the temperatures will drop below freezing for much of the state during the overnight hours.

Food banks are seeing empty shelves as the holidays are approaching. President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Mike Manning says the nation responding to areas hardest hit by natural disasters are having a negative impact of the food bank’s ability to fill the shelves with food.
Cut 11 (09) “…one after another.”
Manning is hoping that with the holidays approaching donations will increase.

In sports, the LSU Tigers landed a commitment from five-star Destrehan running back John Emery. And current Tigers running back Nick Brossette is taking some heat from fans and gamblers for not scoring a late touchdown against Arkansas. Instead, Brossette chose to slide. Brossette says he was just trying to keep the clock going as the coaches asked…
cut 16 (07) “….with the win’
Despite only a seven point win at Arkansas, LSU remains at number seven in the college football playoff rankings.

It feels more like the middle of January than November today. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 24 (05) “…northern parishes”
That’s right a light dusting of snow has been reported in Lincoln and Ouachita Parishes. It will get even colder tonight and into tomorrow morning, which is why most of the state is under a freeze warning.

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera has released a report that says as much as 85-million dollars may have been spent over 20 months on individuals on Medicaid, who did not qualify for the government-financed health care. The state health department says they’ve launched a new automated system that will improve accuracy of eligibility decisions. Purpera says he’s confident the expanded Medicaid program is turning a corner, but…
cut 10 (10) “….to go”

Food banks are reporting less food available for the poor and needy as the holidays approach. President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Mike Manning says a contributing factor is the ongoing natural disasters in Florida and California…
cut 12 (07) “…disaster donor fatigue”
Manning says the only way to remedy the situation is more donations and they prefer monetary donations.

Big LSU recruiting news as five-star running back John Emery of Destrehan announces he has committed to the Fighting Tigers. 24-7 sports rates Emery as the number two running back in the country.

LSU’s current senior running back Nick Brossette has received some criticism from fans and gamblers for not trying to score a touchdown late in the game against Arkansas. He slid down to the ground twice, but when LSU got near the goal line, he tried to score. Brossette says that’s what Coach Ed Orgeron told him to do…
cut 15 (04) “…yea”

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the state Medicaid program potentially paid up to 85 million dollars on people who are ineligible for benefits. Purpera says the state health department’s process of using wage data to determine if a person is eligible for health coverage through Medicaid is not sufficient…
Cut 7 (07) “…quarterly”
But state Medicaid director Jen Steele says new technology has been put in place this week to increase the accuracy of eligibility decisions in the future…
Cut 9 (08) “…eligibility decisions”
Steele says the system has been in development for three years.

They are having a snow day in the Monroe area as cars, elevated surfaces and the grass have been covered with a light blanket of snow. A freeze warning is in effect for much of the state tonight.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards says his deputies have arrested a 16-year-old for allegedly making social media threats of violence towards the school he attends, Hammond High Magnet School. The school was closed Monday and Tuesday because of the threats. Hammond High Magnet School is open today.

Natural disasters are having an impact on food banks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Five-star Destrehan running back John Emery has committed to LSU. A big recruiting win for Coach Ed Orgeron.

The Legislative Auditor discovers the state’s Medicaid program potentially misspent as much as 85 million dollars on people who may not have been eligible. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

The National Weather Service says they are getting reports of around a half inch of snow in Ouachita and Lincoln Parishes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s cold enough for the snow to stick…
cut 5 (05) “…central Louisiana”
The snow is expected to stop falling by 9:00 this morning.

Some food banks have depleted shelves as we head into the holidays. President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Mike Manning, says natural disasters around the country have reduced the amount of food they normally have, so in order to fix the issue, it’ll just take more donations…
cut 13 (08) “….the grocery store”
Manning says they usually see donations go up during the holidays, so they hope that’s the case this year.

LSU has landed a verbal commitment from one of the top running backs in the country. John Emery of Destrehan is a huge win for Coach Ed Orgeron on the recruiting circuit. Emery was previously committed to Georgia.

Tigers senior running back Nick Brossette has received criticism from fans and gamblers for sliding to the ground, when he had a chance to score towards the end of the Arkansas game. Brossette says he wanted to keep the clock running so the game would end without Arkansas getting the ball back…
cut 14 (10) “….the win”

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the state’s health department could have misspent as much as 85-million dollars over a 20-month period on people enrolled in the Medicaid expansion program who did not qualify to receive the government paid for health coverage. Medicaid eligibility is determined by monthly income. The report noted that if one month, a person made too much money to qualify, they may not have been kicked off the program as long as their monthly income met the requirements by the end of the year. State Medicaid Director Jen Steele says that’s not fraud.
Cut 8 (08) “…the time”
Steele says they now have a new automated system for Medicaid eligibility that will increase the accuracy of eligibility decisions.

The LSU football program has landed a verbal commitment from one of the top running backs in the country. John Emery of Destrehan posted on Twitter that he’s proud to say I’m staying home, Committed to the Tigers. Emery was previously committed to Georgia.

We get another reminder today that we are heading into the winter months. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (26) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

And the National Weather Service is receiving reports it’s snowing in north central Louisiana and sticking to elevated roads and surfaces. A winter weather advisory is in effect for that part of the state as the snow is expected to end before 9 AM. A coating is possible on grassy areas.

We get another reminder today that we are heading into the winter months. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

_____________________________________________

The Legislative Auditor discovers the state’s Medicaid program potentially paid tens of millions in healthcare costs for people who may not have been eligible. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”  

For the 50th time, Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss will meet on the gridiron as the two Conference USA schools meet in Hattiesburg on Saturday at 2:30. The Golden Eagles have won the last three matchups in this season and Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they have to get ready for an explosive passing game…

Cut 17 (20) “high level”

Golden Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins has nine touchdown catches and quarterback Jack Abraham has thrown for over 2,000 yards. Holtz says Abraham is smart and knows where to go with the football…

Cut 18 (12) “spread quarterback”

Tech is coming off a 28-13 win over Rice. They are 7-3 with two more regular season games left. Holtz says they’ve figured out how to win games, even if they are not fully clicking on offense…

Cut 19 (20)   “…for success”

The cold temps are raising concerns for State Fire Marshal Butch Browning.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.  The state’s coldest temperatures of the week are still to come.

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state is seriously lacking in support for working class families early childcare needs.

Cut 11 (08) “…a slot.”

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White had gone to a private residence to speak with someone, and called the Winnfield Police to ask for a ride and upon their arrival she was eventually tased.
Cut 12 (06)   “in the eye”
Hamilton says the open request for policies regarding the use of force have been unanswered.  The department has not yet commented on the case.