Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has named LSU public health professor Doctor Rebekah Gee as the new secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals. Gee takes over the position during a budget crisis, but the challenge doesn’t faze her…

cut 9 (08) “will address them”

Gee says expanding the eligibility qualifications, so more people can participate in the state’s Medicaid program is her top priority.

Today is Twelfth night, the kick off to the Mardi Gras season and a busy time for bakeries. Sam Scelfo, owner of Gambino’s Bakery, says because this Mardi Gras season is so short, they’re going to be extra busy making king cakes. He hopes people start having a lot of parties soon to ensure they’ll sell lots of cakes in the short amount of time…

cut 12 (10) “your sales”

He says during the offseason, they play around with many different cake flavors to keep things interesting during Mardi Gras.

A new national auto sales record was set in 2015, but sales in Louisiana dipped last year. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Bob Israel says Louisiana set a record for auto sales in 2014, but sales dropped 3.7 percent in 2015. Still, Israel says dealers in The Bayou State aren’t complaining…

cut 16 (05) “it was a good year”

Nationwide sales hit a record of about 17 million vehicles.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has climbed to a whopping $450 million dollars, the 4th largest in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says they like to send out a few reminders to players who like to go in on some tickets with friends or in an office pool…

cut 6 (10) “in Powerball”

The cash value for tonight’s jackpot, an estimated $275.4 million dollars.

LSU public health professor Doctor Rebekah Gee has been named the new secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says putting procedures in place to expand the state’s Medicaid program will be one of his first duties when he takes office on Monday. Edwards says the expansion will go into effect this summer..

cut 8 (11) “wallets”

Gee takes the job during a budget crisis, but says the challenge doesn’t faze her.

Tonight’s $450 million PowerBall jackpot is the 4th largest in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says a lot of people in Louisiana play PowerBall when the jackpots get this big…

cut 5 (09) “Powerball alone”

The deadline to purchase a ticket for tonight’s drawing is 9PM.

Although nationwide auto sales hit a record in 2015, Louisiana didn’t see such a boost. Bob Israel, President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, says Louisiana set a record for auto sales in 2014, but sales were down about 3.7 percent last year…

cut 15 (10) “for us”

He says our oil based economy is suffering which played a part in a slight auto sales decline in the state last year.

Twelfth night is today and that means it’s the kick off to Mardi Gras season and a busy time for bakeries. Co-owner of Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans, David Haydel, says with Fat Tuesday falling on February 9th, king cakes will be selling quickly…

cut 10 (08) “us busy”

Haydel says this is the time where the bakery has all hands on deck to make sure they make enough king cakes for everyone.

The US set a new auto sales record in 2015, but Louisiana didn’t see such a boost. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Due to the continuing rising waters in the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced they will begin daily inspections of the levee system. An announcement is expected today on whether or not they will open the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The gates of the spillway could be opened as early as Saturday. Officials are also continuing to monitor the flow rate of the Mississippi at the Morganza Spillway. They say Louisiana’s levee system is ready and capable of handling the coming waters.

LSU public health professor Doctor Rebekah Gee is the new secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals. Gee says expanding the eligibility qualifications, so more people can participate in the state’s Medicaid program is her top priority, saying it would benefit thousands of poor working adults…

cut 7 (12) “health insurance”

Gee will oversee a nine-point-seven billion dollar agency that has about seven-thousand employees.

At $450 million dollars, tonight’s Powerball jackpot is the 4th largest in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says sales for this run have been through the roof, which is why it was raised from $400 million…

cut 4 (07) “for that drawing”

The cash value for tonight’s jackpot is an estimated $275.4 million dollars.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards names Doctor Rebekah Gee as his secretary for the department of health and hospitals. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Bobby Jindal announced that BlueLine Associates will establish a software development office at the Louisiana Technology Park in Baton Rouge. They say the new facility will create 40 new direct jobs with an average salary of $40,000 plus benefits. LED estimates the project will results in 27 new indirect jobs.

The US set a new auto sales record in 2015, but Louisiana didn’t see such a boost. Automakers announced Tuesday that last year, nationwide sales hit a record of about 17 million vehicles. Bob Israel is the President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association. He says our oil based economy is suffering which played a part in a slight auto sales decline in Louisiana last year:

Cut 14 (10) “not devastating”

Israel says the industry as a whole benefits from easy credit, low gas prices and economic growth, but the low oil prices are affecting sectors across the board in Louisiana.

President Barack Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. Eric Gill reports…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Eric Gill”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards named Doctor Rebekah Gee as the state’s secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals. The LSU professor will have the challenge of managing a nine-point-seven billion dollar agency and putting procedures in place so more poor working families can get health insurance through Medicaid.

Twenty-seven-year-old Eric John Senegal was killed in an altercation with authorities in southwest Louisiana. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says Beauregard Parish deputies were at his residence in Ragley, serving a narcotics search warrant, when gunfire erupted…
cut 10 (07) “…for review”
Two Beauregard Parish Sheriff deputies have been placed on desk duty following the incident.

For the first time ever, a desert cardinal has been spotted in Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Dan O’ Malley spotted the bird in Jefferson Davis Parish. O’ Malley says the bird looks like a female northern cardinal…
cut 16 (09) “…rounded appearance”
Pending acceptance by the Louisiana Bird Records Committee, it will bring the official list of birds in Louisiana to 480 species.

President Obama announced an executive order requiring background checks on certain informal gun sales including flea markets and websites. The current law states that only federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct background checks on buyers. President of the Louisiana Shooting Association, Dan Zelenka, wants to know who they will now consider a gun dealer…:
CUT 5 (10) “casual seller”
Critics say the President is over reaching in issuing this executive order.

During additional announcements about cabinet members today, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards said he expects the state will expand its Medicaid program on July 1st, but the ball will start rolling at the start of his administration. LSU public health professor Dr. Rebekah Gee is named Edwards’ secretary for DHH. She is also the Medicaid medical director at LSU Health.

State Police say as a drug search warrant was being executed at a home about 25 miles north of Lake Charles, an officer involved shooting occurred and a man and his dog died. Sgt. James Anderson says they began looking into the incident after a request from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office.
CUT 9 (09) “the residence”
The man killed is identified as 27-year-old Eric John Senegal.

LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says he can’t wait to get to work. Aranda comes to Baton Rouge after guiding one of the top defenses in the country at Wisconsin. Athletic Director Joe Alleva was present at Aranda’s formal introduction today and said big things are happening for the LSU football program…:
CUT 8 (08) “season already”
Meanwhile on the heels of an LSU football player getting into a fight in which he was stabbed and injured last night at a bar in Baton Rouge, Coach Les Miles said the team is no longer allowed to attend such establishments.

An LSU football player was involved in a bar fight early Tuesday in which he was stabbed multiple times but sustained non-life threatening injuries, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. School officials identify the victim as tight end Dillon Gordon. BRPD Cpl. Don Coppola says they responded to a physical altercation Reggie’s around 12:45 this morning…:
Cut 11 (05) “multiple times”
The incident is under investigation. Coach Les Miles announced today that his players are no longer allowed to attend bars because there are better ways to socialize than attending “fight night clubs.”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards made more announcements today about his cabinet members. The administration has named Dr. Rebekah Gee as the new Secretary of DHH. She’s the Medicaid medical director at LSU Health. Jimmy Leblanc will remain the dead of the Department of Corrections and Butch Browning will remain the State Fire Marshal.

An LDWF biologist made a rare bird discovery in Jeff Davis Parish. Dan O’Malley believes he found a desert cardinal, caled a pyrrhuloxio (peer-uh-lox-i-a) which is a species of bird normally found in the southwestern US and and northern Mexico. He says the bird is on the move this year…:
CUT 15 (08) “of Texas”
This is the first time this particular species of bird has been recorded in the state. It will bring the official list of Louisiana birds to 480 species.

Governor Bobby Jindal announced today that BlueLine Associates will establish a software development office at the Louisiana Technology Park in Baton Rouge. They say the new facility will create 40 new direct jobs with an average salary of $40,000 plus benefits. LED estimates the project will results in 27 new indirect jobs.

And today LSU formally introduced Dave Aranda as its new defensive coordinator.

Most flea markets and websites that sell guns don’t require background checks, but President Obama issued an executive order today to change that. The hope is to expand the number of gun sales subject to background checks. But Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka doesn’t see this executive order making that much of a difference…:
CUT 4 (10) “discounted prices”
The current law states that only federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct background checks on buyers.

Louisiana State Police is investigating a Monday night officer involved shooting in Ragley, which is about 25 miles north of Lake Charles, that left one man and a dog dead. The deceased is identified as 27-year-old Eric John Senegal. Beauregard Sheriff Ricky Moses says two deputies have been placed on desk duty following the shooting, which is a standard procedure among law enforcement agencies.

LSU’s new defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, says he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to coach the Tigers. He says he’s already looked at game tape of LSU’s defense and believes the talent is there…:
CUT 7 (10) “on people”
It was also announced today that LSU is working on extending offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s contract.

An LSU football player was involved in a bar fight early Tuesday in which he was stabbed multiple times, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. School officials identify the victim as tight end Dillon Gordon, and he’s been released from the hospital. BRPD Cpl. Don Coppola says the incident is under investigation…:
CUT 12 (09) “later be made”
LSU Coach Les miles says players are now banned from going to bars.

LSU Coach Les Miles says he’s cutting off players going to bars following a fight at Reggie’s near campus early Tuesday involving tight end Dillon Gordon. The Baton Rouge Police Department says the victim was stabbed multiple times and sent to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Miles says no more bars for players…:
CUT 13 (11) “fight night club”
Gordon has been releases from the hospital. BRPD says they are investigating the incident.

Lottery officials have raised the Powerball jackpot amount for tomorrow night’s drawing to an estimated $450 million dollars. The amount was raised from $400 million dollars due to the high number of ticket sales. The jackpot is now the sixth largest ever.

LSU’s new defensive coordiantor Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to coach for the Fighting Tigers. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces the discovery of a rare bird for Louisiana. LDWF biologist Dan O’Malley found a pyrrhuloxia (peer-uh-lox-i-a), commonly known as a desert cardinal, just south of Welsh in Jefferson Davis Parish last month…:
cut 14 (08) “type habitats”

President Barak Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

================

LSU’s new defensive coordiantor Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to coach for the Fighting Tigers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

President Barack Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. The hope is to expand the number of gun sales subject to background checks. President of the Louisiana Shooting Association, Dan Zelenka, doesn’t think increasing the number of background checks will have much effect on gun crime…

CUT 3 (10)  “background checks” 2X

The current law states that only federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct background checks on buyers, but those who sell in informal settings do not have to register as dealers. Zelenka doesn’t see this executive order making that much of a difference…

CUT 4 (10)  “discounted prices”

Critics say the President is over reaching in issuing this executive order. The order would apply to anyone “in the business” of selling firearms. Zelenka says he’s waiting to see how the federal government defines a “gun dealer”…

CUT 5 (10)  “casual seller”

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LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to coach for the Tigers. Aranda comes to Baton Rouge after guiding one of the top defenses in the country at Wisconsin. He describes his defense as smart…aggression

CUT 6 (08) “intelligent”

Aranda says he’s already looked at game tape of LSU’s defense and believes the talent is there to produce a great defense…

CUT 7 (10) “on people” 

It was also announced they are working on extending offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s contract. Athletic Director Joe Alleva was present at the press conference and said big things are happening for the LSU football program…

CUT 8 (08) “season already”

============================

Louisiana State Police is investigating a Monday night officer involved shooting in Ragley, about 25 miles north of Lake Charles that left one man and a dog dead. Sgt. James Anderson says they began looking into the incident after a request from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

CUT 9 (09)  “the residence”

The man killed is identified as 27-year-old Eric John Senegal. Anderson says deputies were at the residence serving a search warrant. He says they are releasing very few details until they gather all the facts.

cut 10 (07)  “for review”

============================

An LSU football player was involved in a bar fight early Tuesday in which he was stabbed multiple times, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. School officials identify the victim as tight end Dillon Gordon. BRPD Cpl. Don Coppola says they responded to a physical altercation Reggie’s around 12:45 this morning…:

Cut 11 (05) “multiple times”

The injuries to Dillon were not life-threatening and he’s been released from the hospital. Coppola says the victim suffered multiple lacerations and cuts. He says the incident remains under investigation…:

cut 12 (09) “later be made”

During a news conference Tuesday, Coach Les Miles was asked about players going to bars and he said he’s cutting it off…:

cut 13 (11)  “fight night club”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces the discovery of a rare bird for Louisiana. LDWF biologist Dan O’Malley discovered a pyrrhuloxia (peer-uh-lox-i-a), commonly known as a desert cardinal, just south of Welsh in Jefferson Davis Parish…

cut 14 (08)  “type habitats” 

This is the first time this particular species of bird has been recorded in Louisiana. Although this bird is normally found in the southwestern US and northern Mexico, O’Malley says there is evidence that the desert cardinal is on the move this year…

cut 15 (08)  “of Texas”

He discovered the pyrrhuloxia while observing a mixed flock of birds during the Lacassine-Thornwell Christmas Bird Count. O’Malley says this bird is fairly difficult to identify because it looks a lot like a female northern cardinal…

cut 16 (09)  “rounded appearance”