We’re 10 days away before open enrollment ends and so far nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up through the Affordable Care Act. That’s according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Billy Justice, with Vantage HealthPlan in Monroe, says almost all of the carriers increased their premiums this year and the biggest challenge facing returning consumers is going back to recalculate their subsidy…:
CUT 4 (08) “paying each month”
Justice encourages people who are in need of health insurance to check out the marketplace.

In an effort to reduce employee payroll in the face of budget cuts, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is offering employees an early retirement incentive rather than lay off employees. This early retirement incentive is an effort to comply with budget cuts required to balance the state budget. Strain says his department has already seen two mid-year budget cuts…:
CUT 12 (06) “second cut”

Abita Brewing Co. in Abita Springs has fired back at Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial which essentially says craft beer is for snobs. The Budweiser commercial says “let them sip their pumpkin peach ale” and Abita President David Blossman responded to that with a video on YouTube bragging about making just such a beer once on a small scale…:
CUT 7 (09) “to point that out”
Blossman says Abita is proud to fuss over their beer which is a huge part of the culture in Louisiana.

Saints Owner Tom Benson will not testify in a Texas courtroom at a hearing over his car dealerships, ranch and other assets in and around San Antonio. Benson’s attorneys say he has left Texas and returned to Louisiana. Analysts say it’s not good for the 87-year-old to not speak in the case where his daughter and grandchildren are fighting to try and force Benson to keep paying them trust fund money.

The US Department of Health and Human Services reports, with 10 days before open enrollment ends, nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A woman from Bossier City is under arrest for allegedly stealing over $42,000 from an elderly Medicaid patient she was assigned to assist in paying bills. Authorities say 51-year-old Connie Monts is accused of using her position as a bookkeeper to write fake checks to herself from the patient’s checking account.

Noranda Alumina in St. James Parish is asking the state department of environmental quality for permission to release mercury into the air, after learning they may have been doing so without a permit since they began operations in 1959. D-E-Q spokesperson Greg Langley says the refinery could be fined for releasing mercury without a permit…:
CUT 9 (09) “near future”
He says Norando didn’t know they were releasing mercury into the air so now they are seeking a permit so they can operate legally.

Gas prices jumped almost a nickle last night. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $1.98 according to the American Automobile Association.

With 10 days before open enrollment ends, nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Billy Justice, Director of Marketing for Vantage HealthPlan in Monroe, feels people are getting more knowledgeable about the health care marketplace…:
CUT 3 (07) “that are offered”
Last year, almost 102,000 residents purchased health care plans through the federal marketplace.

A 32-year-old south Louisiana man faces several charges, including first-offense D-W-I, for his role in a head-on bus crash that injured several students. The collision occurred Tuesday morning in Livingston Parish and Sheriff investigators believe Brandon Vince of Livingston was impaired at the time of the crash. He is also charged with 17 counts of vehicular negligent injuring. The injuries to the school children were minor to moderate.

Abita Brewing Co. in Abita Springs has fired back at Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial which essentially says craft beer is for snobs. Other small brewers throughout the country are doing the same. The beer giant’s commercial shows people sniffing beer and saying brews shouldn’t be fussed over. Abita President David Blossman says they are proud to fuss over beer
CUT 6 (11) “in a certain way”
Budweiser’s commercial also suggests brewing shouldn’t be that hard but Blossman says brewing isn’t hard — it’s fun.

There were no big Powerball winners last night according to the Louisiana Lottery. The prize for this Saturday night’s February 7th drawing now goes to an estimated $360 million dollars with a cash value of $250 million dollars.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office warns parents about a social media app, called Yik Yak, that’s being used for cyberbullying. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The LSU Alumni Association is taking a stand against possible massive budget cuts from the state. They’ve launched Tiger Advocates — a grass roots effort with the purpose of lobbying lawmakers to hear the voice of people who love LSU and don’t want to see the university take another budget hit.

A man from south Louisiana is booked with a DUI after he crashed head-on into a school bus this week. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 32-year-old Brandon Vince crossed the center line on a road in Denham Springs and slammed into the bus full of children. He says they believe the man was impaired at the time…:
CUT 11 (08) “system”
Vince is also charged with being in possession of drugs and 17 counts of negligent injuring. All of the children are okay but many did have to be evaluated at a hospital.

Bossier Parish Community College makes history as they sign a female player to a baseball scholarship. Sarah Hudek (Hoo-Deck) is a left handed pitcher and is the daughter of MLB All-Star John Hudek. Coach Aaron Vorachek says she will be one of the first girls ever to play baseball at the collegiate level…:
CUT 7 (04) “another pitcher”
He says Hudek is a left hander capable of throwing up to 80 miles per hour.

Law enforcement warns parents about a social media app, called Yik Yak, that’s being used for cyberbullying. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says parents have called them reporting their children have been bullied through the app. Haley says there are consequences for using social media to bully or make threats…

cut 6 (05) “they’re cyberbullying”

Haley says no charges have been filed and this case has been assigned to their Cybercrimes Investigator.

The LSU Alumni Association is organizing a lobbying effort to protect LSU campuses from significant budget cuts. LSU Alumni Association President Cliff Vannoy says they are seeking volunteers that will be part of a group called Tiger Advocates, who will have lawmakers’ attention as they craft the budget…

cut 13 (10) “best possible way”

If you want to be a Tiger Advocate, go to the LSU Alumni website.

The driver of the car that crashed head on into a school bus in Denham Springs on Tuesday is booked for DUI and other drug charges. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 32-year-old Brandon Vince was behind the wheel when he crossed a center line and hit the bus full of children…:

cut 10 (08) “drugs in his possession”

Ard says at least 15 of the children on the bus were treated and released for minor to moderate injuries after the crash.

Bossier Parish Community College makes history as they sign a female player to a baseball scholarship. Coach Aaron Vorachek says 5-foot-10 Sarah Hudek is capable of throwing in the upper 70s to low 80 miles per hour which, as a left-hander, is acceptable for anyone at the collegiate level…

cut 8 (12) “not be successful”

Sarah is the daughter of former Major League All-Star relief pitcher John Hudek.

Law enforcement warns parents about a social media app that’s being used for cyberbullying. Yik Yak is an anonymous bulletin board where users can post comments that can be read by anyone within a 10 mile radius. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says parents are reporting their children have been bullied through the Yik Yak app…
cut 4 (08) “…as we can”
Haley reminds residents that cyberbullying is a crime in Louisiana.

Bossier Parish Coummunity College has signed a female, who will pitch on their baseball team. Head Coach Aaron Vorachek says this is not a publicity stunt, he says Sarah Hudek struck out 14 hitters in 12 innings at the Under World Wood Bat Championships…
cut 9 (09) “…I’m excited to have her’
Sarah is the daughter of former Major League All-Star John Hudek.

The LSU Alumni Association seeks volunteers to help lobby against potential budget cuts to LSU campuses. Jeff Palermo has the story…
cut 3 (30) “….reporting”

A state lawmaker who pushed to have a special session so lawmakers can work on the state’s budget problems has given up on that effort. Houma Representative Joe Harrison says there wasn’t enough support among fellow legislators.

No one won last night’s 324-million dollar Powerball jackpot. The jackpot for Saturday’s drawing grows to 360-million dollars.

A south Louisiana man who crashed head-on into a bus has been arrested and faces charges of D-W-I and drug possession. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says they believe 32-year-old Brandon Vince of Livingston was intoxicated when he slammed into a bus Tuesday morning, injuring over a dozen students…
cut 12 (11) “…gonna come out good”
None of the students’ injuries were considered serious.

Authorities in Washington Parish are concerned about a social media app called Yik Yak, which is used for cyberbullying. Chief deputy Mike Haley says parents need to be aware of their children’s social media activities…
cut 5 (07) “….using it appropriately’
Yik Yak is an anonymous bulletin board where users can post comments that can be read by anyone within a ten mile radius.

The LSU Alumni Association seeks volunteers to lobby against deep cuts to higher education…
cut 15 (10) “….asset”
That’s President Cliff Vannoy, who says this grassroot network called Tiger Advocates will make their voices heard by communicating directly with state legislators.

Bossier Parish Community College makes history as they sign a female to a baseball scholarship…
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

The LSU Alumni Association forms a group called Tiger Advocates, which is a group of volunteers, who will lobby lawmakers in the legislative session not to go through with deep cuts to higher education. LSU Alumni Association President Cliff Vannoy says Tiger Advocates will be kept up to date on key legislation and make their voices heard…
cut 14 (10) “….or write em”
Go to the LSU Alumni Association website for more information.

Law enforcement want to get the word out about a social media app called Yik Yak that’s used for cyberbulling. Washington Sheriff chief deputy Mike Haley says they see it in there parish and he wants to remind the public there are consequences for using social media to bully or make threats…
cut 6 (05) “…they’re cyberbullying”

A 32-year-old south Louisiana man faces several charges, including first-offense D-W-I, for his role in a head-on bus crash that injured several students. The collision occurred Tuesday morning in Livingston Parish and Sheriff Jason Ard says their investigation revealed Brandon Vince of Livingston was impaired at the time of the crash….
cut 11 (08) “….system’
Vince is also charged with 17 counts of vehicular negligent injuring. The injuries to the school children were minor to moderate.

According to the US Department of Health and Hospitals, 148-thousand Louisiana residents have selected a health insurance policy through the federal marketplace. Open enrollment ends February 15th.

LSU’s 2015 recruiting class is loaded with four and five-star offensive linemen. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Tigers signed two of the best offensive linemen in Texas, Toby Weathersby and Mae Teuhema, plus a couple of other out-of-state prospects that were heavily recruited by other schools…:
CUT 12 (09) “earlier in the process”

Grambling is having a hard time finding a new president and it could be because of the state’s budget problems. Some applicants may be worried about potential cuts to higher ed in Louisiana. University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley understands the concerns, because what could be coming down is highly unusual…:
CUT 4 (12) “a few programs”

A woman in Lake Charles is facing charges of cruelty to a juvenile, after she left a four-year child she was babysitting unattended; allowing the toddler to wander along Highway 385. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Kim Myers…
CUT 11 (08) Q; ‘she got home’
Twenty-three-year-old Jamie Jackson was booked with cruelty to a juvenile.

The search continues in Orleans Parish over who is responsible for cutting the head off a baby goat last week in a park in Orleans Parish. The goats were used to help maintain shrubbry and Louisiana S-P-C-A spokesperson Alicia Haefele (Hay-Fa-lee) says once word of this felony act of animal cruelty got out, people were livid…
cut 8 (10) “….to $3,000”
That’s right a three-thousand reward for information leading to a conviction.

The state’s budget woes are causing difficulties in the search for a new president for Grambling State University. University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley says The Hollis Group, the search firm used to recruit candidates, reported concerns about potential budget cuts…
CUT 3 (10) “the legislature”
But she did add the delay should not be much longer.

The Louisiana SPCA is on the hunt for the person or persons responsible for cutting off the head of a baby goat last week in an Orleans Parish park. Spokeswoman Alicia Haefele (Hay-Fa-Lee) says the owner of the animals believes an altercation with a group of teenagers could be at the root of the act, after they were told to leave the goats alone…:
CUT 7 (08) “was beheaded”
The reward money has been increased to three thousand dollars…
—————————-
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Lake Charles woman after the child she was tending was found wandering along a busy highway…
CUT 9 (11) “friend of hers”
That’s Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kim Myers, who says 23-year-old Jamie Jackson is charged with cruelty to a juvenile.

LSU strengthens it’s 2015 recruiting class on National Signing day, reeling in marquis linemen, running backs, and some 5 star cornerbacks in Kevin Tolliver, Riverdale’s Donte Jackson. and Xavier Lewis, who is a four-star cornerback from East St. John…
cut 13 (10) “right away”
That’s Tiger Rag associated Editor James Moran.