Thanks to a new law that goes into effect next year more Louisianans will be able to have weight loss surgery covered by their insurance. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The Denka plant in Reserve, Louisiana, has received an extension from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning in what appears to be a murder/suicide. Colleen Crain has the story
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Beginning next year more Louisianans will be eligible for insurance coverage for bariatric surgery. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow has been pushing for the change so more people can qualify for coverage for what she calls life-changing.
Cut 4 (08) “…Louisiana’s life.”
Barrow says obesity costs the state $32 billion annually in health-related costs and work productivity losses. Out-of-pocket costs for the surgery range between $15,000 and $,25,000.
Former New Orleans Senator Diana Bajoie began the initiative two decades ago for insurance coverage and Barrow has since led the charge.
Barrow says a pilot test was conducted among 300 state employees who are medically qualified to show the benefits of the surgery and how it reduced other obesity medical related issues. She says the pilot’s success helped justify the legislation.
Cut 5 (09) “…to everyone.”
For state employees, the law does not change, and the state cap of 300 patients annually for the surgery.
Barrow says Louisiana is among the last states in the country to receive insurance coverage for the surgery.
A patient who was part of the pilot program Barrow says approached her in the grocery store and shared with her how dramatically her life has improved because of the surgery.
Cut 6 (12) “…all of that.”
Barrow says in the future she plans to introduce legislation for more health insurance providers in the state to cover medications that have been proven to help with weight loss.
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Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds’ new DWI bill, approved during a special session, aims to significantly reform Louisiana’s approach to driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses. The law lowers the blood alcohol content from 0.20 to 0.15, which aligns Louisiana with most other states.
Cut 7 (10) “…other states.”
The aim is to reduce the state’s high rate of repeat DWI offenders.
Key requirements include the immediate reinstatement of driving privileges for DWI offenders who install electronic monitoring devices in their vehicles, eliminating the previous 30-45 day waiting period.
Cut 8 (08) “…driver’s license.”
The bill also introduces compliance-based removal for electronic monitoring devices, requiring offenders to demonstrate consistent sober driving before the devices can be removed.
The legislation has garnered broad support from various organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Edmonds says the changes are expected to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Louisiana
Cut 9 (06) “…take you home.”
In 2021, the Louisiana Driving Commission reported that 40% of vehicle crashes were alcohol-related.
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The Denka plant in Reserve has received an extension from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards for chloroprene, a carcinogenic chemical used in neoprene production. Denka claims the initial 90-day compliance period is too short to achieve the necessary reductions without risking a shutdown of the facility, which employs around 250 people. DEQ Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto…
Cut 10 (07) “…90-days.”
The EPA filed a complaint against Denka, citing the plant’s emissions as a substantial public health risk, particularly due to the increased cancer risk. Giacometto says…
Cut 11 (10) “…China.”
While activists view the EPA’s strict deadlines as a victory for public health, Denka has criticized the new regulations as politically motivated and based on flawed science, warning of economic repercussions if the plant is forced to shut down.
Cut 12 (11) “…monitoring.”
The extension from the DEQ will provide Denka additional time to comply with the new standards without an immediate shutdown of operations.
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Two adults and an 8-year-old child were found dead in a home near Albany Monday morning. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 49-year-old Ginny Williamson, 49-year-old Steven Williamson, and the child in their custody died in what appears to be a murder/suicide.
Cut 13 (09) “…shot herself.”
Investigators believe the shooting occurred late Friday or early Saturday. Ard says the bodies were discovered Monday morning by a family member who then called authorities around 8:00 a.m.
Cut 14 (11) “…crime scene.”
Ard says, LPSO had previously responded to calls at the West Bates residence for alarms and things of that nature but there was no history of calls related to violence.
Cut 15 (11) “…to that.”
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Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics Director Jay Artigues (Ar-teegs) will serve as the chair of the 2025 NCAA Division 1 Baseball Committee. The former Lions head baseball coach has been a member on the committee for the last three years…
Cut 16 (14) “…I’m really honored.”
Artigues can be a voice for the mid-major conferences. He says several conferences are represented on the selection committee
Cut 17 (12) “…everyone involved.”
The committee is responsible for selecting, seeding, and bracketing the entire 64-team NCAA Tournament field, as well as recommending rule changes. Artigues says it’s not an easy job, but rewarding…
Cut 18 (11) “…and as the host.”