Today is the first day people can sign up for Medicaid under the new expanded program. Governor John Bel Edwards and other state officials spoke at this hour about what residents can do to find out if they qualify. They estimate this will mean insurance for 375,000 people. For information about how to sign up or find out if you now qualify, log on to healthy.la.gov, or call 1-888-342-6207. Medicaid expansion will cover adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

Governor Edwards signed into law a measure that would ban what advocates call “dismemberment abortions.” Pro-choice advocates say the common second trimester procedure, known as dilation and evacuation, is common and safe. But Deanna Wallace with Louisiana Right to Life disagrees…:
CUT 4 (07) “more convenient”
The law goes into effect on August 1.

A bill that would allow patients direct access to a physical therapist rather than getting a doctor’s referral first has received final legislative approval. Dr. Amanda Brewer with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Association:
CUT 7 (09) “country have”
She says this would be cheaper and allow people to get into PT sooner, which would result in a better quality of life.

A blind man from Metairie has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s alleging the fast food chain discriminates against people who can’t see because of its drive-thru only policy during late-night hours. Scott Magee claims McDonald’s workers laughed at him and turned him away when he walked up to the drive-thru window. The company, who has until mid-June to respond, says they have a policy not to service pedestrians at the drive-thru.

Governor Edwards signs into law a measure that prohibits a common second trimester abortion procedure called dilation and evacuation. Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director, Deanna Wallace, says this ends a brutal practice known as dismemberment abortion…:
CUT 3 (09) “allow it”
Those who oppose say this law say it creates an unnecessary barrier to women getting safe and legal abortions.

Governor Edwards is at this hour attending an event in New Orleans that marks the official kickoff of Medicaid expansion enrollment. He says Louisiana is simply bringing federal tax dollars home to put them to work for the poor…:

cut 1 (10) “in the first year”
Plans go into effect July 1st, and you can get more information online at healthy.la.gov.

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Governor’s John Bel Edwards approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up since February. Jeff Palermo has more…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season begins today. NOAA predicts a near normal season with 12 named storms. GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom says major hurricanes can still hit in near normal seasons so it’s crucial Louisianians get a plan in place…:

CUT 2 (09) “disrupted”
Get says you can GetAGamePlan.org for helpful information.

Today, 375-thousand people in Louisiana can enroll in the state’s newly expanded Medicaid program called Healthy Louisiana. Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee says getting more Louisiana residents insured through Medicaid will lead to a healthier state…
cut 6 (11) “…the state have”
People can apply for coverage by visiting healthy-dot-la-dot-gov.

Today is the first day of hurricane season. The director of the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, Jim Waskom, says an added concern is the sediment buildup in rivers from flooding earlier this year. He says this could create additional problems, if we get a big storm…
cut 9 (10) “…emergency officials’

A new poll is out on Governor John Edwards approval rating. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says in February 34-percent of the respondents did not have an opinion on the governor, but now his favorable rating is up to 50-percent, but his disapproval rating is also up…
cut 10 (11) “…in February”
Edwards disapproval rating is at 40-percent.

The governor spoke at a conference today in New Orleans that’s looking at ways to preserve Louisiana’s coast. Coalition to Restore Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has already agreed to use the Mississippi River to direct sediment to areas that can help build the wetlands…
cut 14 (12) “…our nation”

Governor John Bel Edward’s approval and disapproval ratings are both going up. Southern Media and Opinion research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the disapproval rating is up 15 points and that could go up if more taxes are raised in the special session which begins Monday…:
CUT 11 (11) “more taxes”
On the flip side, the poll shows Edwards approval rating at 50%, which is 9 points higher than it was in February.

A St. Amant man will remain in the Ascension Parish jail on new charges of second degree murder after allegedly giving someone a fatal dose of heroin which eventually lead to an overdose death. Officials say 21-year-old Andre Wilson is believed to have injected 20-year-old Abraham Said of Baton Rouge with a syringe of heroin. Witnesses say Said was later found unresponsive in the home, and died later at a hospital of an overdose. Wilson remains in jail on a $300,000 bond.

A three-day conference begins today in New Orleans to talk about Louisiana’s coast, which experts say is disappearing at a rate of 16 square miles a year. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Sources are reporting that former Saints defensive star Will Smith’s blood alcohol content was three times over the legal limit when he was fatally shot in New Orleans on April 9th. However, what that exact blood alcohol level was has not been confirmed, and there has been no statement from officials about the investigation regarding Smith’s B.A.C. level. Cardell Hayes was arrested as a suspect in the fatal shooting.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness urges residents to get a game plan as hurricane season begins today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor Edwards is speaking at a news conference this morning to discuss the upcoming hurricane season. Later, he’ll be with DHH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee at an event to kickoff the first day residents can enroll in the newly expanded Medicaid program. The governor says this is an important step for Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (07) “health outcomes”

An event to discuss Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts gets underway today in New Orleans. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says The Bayou State is losing 16 square miles a year on its coast, and we need to do everything we can to save it. He says 80% of all oil and gas that comes into the US from offshore comes through Louisiana…:
Cut 15 (08) “be exposed to”
Governor Edwards’ busy day begins as he speaks at the conference this morning.

As for the special session called by Edwards, Southern Media and Opinion Research finds in a new poll that GOP lawmakers could be hesitant to raise anymore taxes…:
cut 12 (07) “additional taxes”
Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the same survey found Edwards approval rating at 50%, nine points higher than February. But disapproval rating at 40%, 15 points higher than the last poll.

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research shows Governor John Bel Edwards approval and disapproval ratings have both gone up since February:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Hurricane season begins today and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness warns residents to be ready in case of a big storm. Director Jim Waskom says the state has been working hard since Hurricane Katrina to be ready for a big storm…:
CUT 8 (09) “state requirement”
The season ends November 30.

Today is the first day Louisianans can enroll in Medicaid under the newly expanded program. Governor John Bel Edwards and Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee will attend an enrollment kick-off event this morning at University Medical center in New Orleans. Edwards says Louisiana is simply bringing federal tax dollars home to put them to work for the poor…:
cut 4 (10) “in the first year”
Plans would go into effect July 1st.

A Gonzales man remains in jail today for allegedly injection a lethal dose of heroin into a man who died from an overdose. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says Andre Wilson is charged with second degree murder.

A bill is heading to the governor’s desk that will ensure that all TOPS students get at least part of their award if the program is not fully funded. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says under the current law if TOPS is underfunded, it becomes a needs/merit based hybrid. He says it isn’t fair to eliminate students with a 21 ACT score before those with a 32, because they both earned it.

CUT 7 (09) “of fairness”

Over 50-thousand Louisiana students are eligible for a TOPS award.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson told the House Transportation Committee that Louisiana may need toll roads to pay for highway construction projects. During the discussion, Wilson says tolls will only work on roads with heavy volume.

Cut 13 (11)  “for tolling”

The number of traffic fatalities increased substantially from last year over the Memorial Day Weekend, according to State Police. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says they investigated 9 fatal wrecks, which resulted in 14 deaths. He says this is a sharp rise from last year’s 7 traffic related fatalities and it’s because of a lack of personal responsibility.

cut 15 (09) “this this”

LaGrange says over 100 suspected drunk drivers were arrested over the long weekend.

LSU’s live mascot Mike VI has made the first step in his cancer treatment process, getting a CT scan to assess the tumor in his face. Ginger Guttner with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says Mike will be treated at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, and the center will cover the cost of his treatment. But she says there will be other expenses associated with his care, and people can make donations.

Cut 11 (06) “information there”

A bill to ensure that all TOPS recipients get part of their award is heading to the Governor’s desk. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Also getting final passage is a bill that would triple the fines for texting and driving. This measure increases the fine to 500-dollars and up to one-thousand dollars for a second offense. The bill that requires cursive writing to be taught in public schools is also heading to the governor’s desk for his signature.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson told a House committee that Louisiana may need to consider tolls as way to pay for major highway construction projects. He says the state cannot rely on federal money to cover the costs for big ticket items…:
cut 12 (12) “that happen”
The state is facing a 13-billion dollar backlog on bridge and road repairs.

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research finds that 57-percent of Louisiana voters surveyed are opposed to raising more taxes. The survey also found 63-percent beleive there is too much spending in state government. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says based on these results GOP lawmakers could hesitat to raise taxes in the June special session…
cut 30 (07) “…in taxes”

The bill to ensure that all TOPS scholarship recipients get at least part of their award has received final legislative passage. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says the bill will only go into effect if the legislature cannot fully fund the program. Morrish says who pays the remainder of the tuition would be at the discretion of the university.

CUT 6 (10) “the universities”

Currently, TOPS is only funded at 48%.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana may need to consider tolls as way to pay for highway construction projects. Wilson says tolls could be an option to pay for a portion of a major highway project.

cut 14 (08)  “financial package”

The state is also facing a 13-billion dollar backlog on bridge and road repairs.

A fiery head on collision in East Feliciana parish on Memorial Day left four people dead, including a one year old child. State Police trooper Bryan Lee says a 19-year-old and the infant were in 22-year-old Brandon Temple’s vehicle when Temple attempted to pass two vehicles in a no passing zone and hit a car head on. Lee says upon impact, both vehicles burst into flames.

Cut 5 (08) “that crash”

Lee says this was one of 9 fatal crashes state police investigated that resulted in 14 deaths over the holiday weekend.

Mike VI has made the first step in his treatment process, getting a CT scan to take images of the cancerous tumor threatening the life of LSU’s beloved mascot. Ginger Guttner with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says this will get Mike ready to undergo an innovative treatment that has never been used on a tiger before.

cut 10 (04)  “radiotherapy”