1:30 LRN Newscast May 8

Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and the New Orleans area are under ozone warnings due to unseasonably warm weather that could temporarily lead to more polluted air. DEQ Environmental Sciences Manager Vivian Aucoin says those with respiratory problems, whether chronic or acute should try to stay indoors for the duration of warning, as the outside air could be harder to breathe.

Cut 4 (11) “expose yourself”

Oil prices in the U.S. have climbed over the 70 dollar mark for the first time since 2014. But Gifford Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, says numerous lawsuits filed by local governments in south Louisiana seeking money for coastal restoration has had a chilling effect on the industry. Briggs says it’s not all bad as non-direct jobs are on the increase since the prices began going up.

Cut 7 (12)  “good thing”

A bill setting up statewide rules and expanding service to rural parishes for Uber and Lyft has died in a Senate committee for a second straight year. Lyft Public Policy Manager Jonathan Buckner tried to reassure lawmakers that the service is safe, and offers multiple ways to ensure a trustworthy ride around town.

.Cut 9 (11) “you up”

The legislation would bring the state in line with 44 other states rideshare laws.

 

We are 15 months away from qualifying for the 2019 Louisiana Governor’s race. Speculation is that Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy will challenge Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Pollster John Couvillon says the big challenge for Governor Edwards is that there are 41,600 fewer Democrats registered to vote now compared to when he was elected….

Cut 12 (08) “two and a half years”

12:30 LRN Newscast May 8th

Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and the New Orleans area are under ozone warnings due to unseasonably warm weather that could temporarily lead to more polluted air. DEQ Environmental Sciences Manager Vivian Aucoin says they ask residents in affected areas to help reduce emissions
Cut 3 (11) “to lunch”
She says those with respiratory problems should try to stay indoors.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is looking into giving the French Quarter State Park designation as a way to help clean up the area and reduce crime….
cut 5 (09) “…really changed”
Nungesser says if the French Quarter is considered a state park, it would allow lawmakers to allocate more funding. As of right now it’s just an idea and nothing has been set in stone.

A bill that attempted to put statewide regulations in place for Uber and Lyft so the companies can offer ridesharing services statewide has died in a Senate committee for a second straight year. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny was a vocal opponent against the proposal during a lengthy debate. He says these companies should meet the same requirements as cabbies.
cut 11 (12) “…regulating it”
The bill passed the House and also had the support of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

LSU announces it will retire the jersey of former player and coach Jerry Stovall, who wore number 21.

11:30 LRN Newscast May 8

37,000 eviction notices will be sent this week to Louisiana medicaid recipients in nursing homes, because of potential budget cuts….
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An Air Quality Alert goes into effect at noon until seven o’ clock for several south Louisiana parishes. People with respiratory problems, like asthma, should not spend a lot of time outside. Residents are being asked to help reduce emissions, by waiting until after 6 PM to refuel your car.

Oil prices in the U.S. have climbed over the 70 dollar mark for the first time since 2014. But Gifford Briggs, the executive director of the Louisiana Oil and Gas association, says the rise in crude prices is not jump starting an industry that’s been struggling .
Cut 6 (10) “seen that”
Briggs says numerous lawsuits filed by local governments in south Louisiana seeking money for coastal restoration has had a chilling effect on the industry.

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s Race. U-S Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish both say they are interested in challenging Edwards. Pollster John Couvillon says Abraham’s biggest weakness is that he’s from north Louisiana….
cut 28 (11) “…not enough”

1030PM LRN Newscast May 8

State Treasurer John Schroder is trying do more to get unclaimed property back in the hands of the rightful owners. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

A bill that would slap pet owners with a 75 dollar fine if they tie their animals up outside during “extreme weather conditions” in a designated emergency area is awaiting the governor’s signature after flying through the Senate unopposed and passing the House with a comfortable 67 to 25 margin. The bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, if signed, would go into law August 1st, just in time for peak hurricane season.

Letters are set to go out on Thursday to 37-thousand Medicaid recipients informing them they could lose their benefits, because of a lack of state funding. About 20-thousand of those live in nursing homes. Louisiana Department of Health Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto says anyone who receives the letter needs to apply for other programs…

cut 13 (11) “….do so

A House approved budget does not fund four Medicaid programs for the disabled and elderly.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has an interesting idea to fix up the French Quarter: turn it into a state park. Under the plan, the Vieux Carre would be designated state park land, which would allow lawmakers to allocate additional resources to clean its streets, and increase security. Nungesser says if the idea pans out, it could have a lot perks.

Cut 4  (10) “its safer” 

09:30 LRN Newscast May 8th

Some 37-thousand letters will go out this week informing Mediciad recipients, many in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, they could lose their benefits, if the state legislature is unable to come up with the money by June 30th. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says…
cut 14 (09) “….live here”

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s race. Pollster John Couvillon says the big challenge for Governor Edwards as he seeks re-election is that there are 41,600 fewer Democrats registered to vote now, compared to when he was elected…
cut 12 (08) “…two and a half years”
Republican Senator John Kennedy and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham are potential challengers to Edwards.

The Lt. Governor has an idea for cleaning up the streets, and crime in the French Quarter: designate it a state park…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

78.5 million dollars in unclaimed property has been deposited into the state’s unclaimed property fund this fiscal year. State Treasurer John Schroder says they are renewing their push to get this money back into the hands of the rightful owner…
Cut 7 (07) “recently done”
Residents should periodically check Unclaimed Property website to see if old deposits or insurance money is owed to you and waiting for you to claim it.

8:30 LRN Newscast May 8th

Letters are set to go out on Thursday to 37-thousand Medicaid recipients informing them they could lose their benefits, because of a lack of state funding. About 20-thousand of those live in nursing homes. Louisiana Department of Health Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto says anyone who receives the letter needs to apply for other programs…
cut 13 (11) “….do so”
A House approved budget does not fund four Medicaid programs for the disabled and elderly.

Lafayette Police announce the arrest of four juveniles in “Flash Mob” incident. They are facing charges of terrorizing and Disturbing the Peace. Authorities say they caused a large crowd of festival goers to suddenly run in fear from the downtown area on April 28th. More arrests are possible.

We are 15 months away from qualifying for the 2019 Louisiana Governor’s race and waiting to find out if Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy will challenge Governor Edwards. Pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy was elected as a Senator in 2016 and Edwards re-election campaign will likely attack the St. Tammany Parish Republican about running for another statewide office…
cut 10 (12) “…loves him”

Designating the New Orleans French Quarter as a State Park is an idea Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is considering. He says it could lead to more funding to pay for infrastructure improvements and security…
cut 6 (11) “…Louisiana better”
Nungesser says such a move requires local input.

07:30 LRN Newscast May 8th

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is looking into giving the French Quarter State Park designation as a way to help clean up the area and reduce crime….
cut 5 (09) “…really changed”
Nungesser says if the French Quarter is considered a state park, it would allow lawmakers to allocate more funding. As of right now it’s just an idea and nothing has been set in stone.

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s race. Pollster John Couvillon says the big challenge for Governor Edwards as he seeks re-election is that there are 41,600 fewer Democrats registered to vote now, compared to when he was elected…
cut 12 (08) “…two and a half years”
Republican Senator John Kennedy and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham are potential challengers to Edwards.

Could thousands of Medicaid patients be kicked out of nursing homes after July 1st, because of state budget problems. That possibility will be presented to them in a letter from the state that will go out on Thursday. The letter will also provide those patients with options, but Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says…
cut 15 (09) “…up homeless”
One solution to the problem is to raise revenue in a special session in order stave off deep health care cuts.

State Treasurer John Schroder says 78.5 million dollars has been dumped into the state’s unclaimed property fund this fiscal year and that money belongs to some 100-thousand residents…
cut 9 (09) “…government takes”
Schroder is making a renewed push for residents to check the state’s Unclaimed Property website.

06:30 LRN Newscast May 8th

Some 37-thousand letters will be going out to Mediciad recipients in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities that they could be losing their state funding, if the legislature is unable to come up with money byu June 30th to fund health care programs. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says…
cut 14 (09) “….live here”
The governor’s office will provide more information tomorrow.

State Treasurer John Schroder is making a renewed push to return unclaimed property to Louisiana residents. The Treasury has deposited over 78-million dollars in new Unclaimed Property collections this fiscal year and Louisiana ranks 32nd for Unclaimed Property returns….
cut 8 (06) “…give out”
Schroder says his office is ramping up technology and outreach efforts to drive more people to the Unclaimed Property website.

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s Race. Two members of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation are considering a run for the governor’s mansion, Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish. Pollster John Couvillon says Abraham’s biggest weakness is that he’s from north Louisiana….
cut 11 (11) “…not enough”
Couvillion says the big challenge for Governor John Bel Edwards is that there are 46,000 fewer Democratic registered voters, compared to when he was elected.

AM Newscall April 8

The Lt. Governor has an idea for cleaning up the streets, and crime in the French Quarter: designate the area a state park. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

State Treasurer John Schroder is trying do more to get unclaimed property back in the hands of the rightful owners. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________.

37,000 eviction notices will be sent this week to Louisiana medicaid recipients in nursing homes, because of potential budget cuts. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________________________

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has an interesting idea to fix up the French Quarter: turn it into a state park. Under the plan, the Vieux Carre would be designated state park land, which would allow lawmakers to allocate additional resources to clean its streets, and increase security. Nungesser says if the idea pans out, it could have a lot perks.

Cut 4  (10) “its safer” 

Nungesser says the escalating crime problem in New Orleans is dampening enthusiasm for visiting one of Louisiana’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s a problem that goes back decades.

Cut 5  (09)  “tourism numbers”

The Lt. Governor says he is still bouncing the idea around, and nothing is set in stone, but its the kind of creative thinking the state could use.

Cut 6 (11) “Louisiana better”

___________________________________

78.5 million dollars in unclaimed property has been deposited to its rightful owners this year by the Louisiana Treasury Department. The success is the result of the department’s effort to upload 100,000 new names to the database that finds the heirs to property and other assets held by the state. Treasurer John Schroder says the big publicity push is paying dividends.

Cut 7 (12)  “recently done”

Louisiana ranks 32nd in the nation for unclaimed property returns. Schroder hopes next year they can rank higher.

Cut 8 (06)  “give out”

Ultimately, Schroder says they have a civic duty to get as much of the money back to citizens as possible.

Cut 9 (09)  “government takes”

_____________________________________

We are 15 months away from qualifying for the 2019 Louisiana Governor’s race. Speculation is that Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy will challenge Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy was elected as a Senator in 2016 and Edwards re-election campaign will likely attack the Republican from St. Tammany Parish about running for another statewide office

Cut 10 (12) “loves him”

Another potential candidate is Republican U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish. Couvillon says Abraham’s biggest weakness is that he’s from north Louisiana….

Cut 11 (11) “not enough”

Couvillon says the big challenge for Governor Edwards is that there are 41,600 fewer Democrats registered to vote now compared to when he was elected….

Cut 12 (08) “two and a half years”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health will begin mailing eviction notices to 37,000 mostly elderly residents of nursing homes who may lose Medicaid coverage under a House passed budget. The House backed spending plan slashes hundreds of millions in healthcare spending. LDH Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto says anyone who receives the letter needs to act fast and apply for other programs.

Cut 13 (11)  “do so” 

But Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the letters are likely to create a panic.

Cut 14 (09) “live here”

Barrow says the plan to get nursing home residents qualified into other programs is flawed, because there just aren’t many other programs left that support them.

Cut 15 (09) “up homeless”

Senate Finance is expected to vote on a budget later this week, but it’s likely the funding issue will need to be resolved in a special session that would take place in the coming weeks.

Legislative Report April 7

The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony today from disability advocates who are raising the alarm over the House passed budget that would place deep cuts in healthcare starting July 1st, including the slashing of programs for the disabled. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFluer says the cuts would eliminate services for over 45 thousand developmentally disabled patients.

Cut 3 (11) “81 percent”

Emotional testimony was presented on behalf of the disabled, this man said it was a life or death situation.

Cut 5  (08) “I survive”

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to approve a budget later this week, but approving additional funding will have to wait until a special session.

The Louisiana Department of Health will begin mailing eviction notices to 37,000 mostly elderly residents of nursing homes who may lose Medicaid coverage under a House passed budget. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the letters are likely to create a panic.

Cut 14 (09) “live here”

Louisiana is now on a six year run of record breaking tourism numbers as the state saw 500,000 more visitors in 2017 than it saw in 2016, for a total of 46.7 million visitors. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says a lot of these great results come down to a big push to bring in more folks from outside the U-S…

Cut 10 (09) “more money”

Tourism also brought in 1.8 billion dollars in local and state tax revenue in 2017, a 4.5 percent increase over 2016.