LRN Legislative Report 4/13/16

Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where in the state he or she lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

Greenstein says one of the key priorities of the new office is to expand the healthcare workforce in rural areas and says this this new office goes beyond just the healthcare aspect.  It also addresses things to improve the overall health of people living in rural areas.

Cut 9 (08)  “…in our communities.”

It’s all part of the state’s rural health transformation program, which is supported by more than 208-million dollars in federal funding.

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A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (09) “…soften their concerns.”

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

Cox says should his bill become law, it would make violations a civil matter and not a criminal matter, and damages would be nominal.

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north…which is why  the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

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The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The Tigers lost to Ole Miss last night in in Oxford.  At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In other action, La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one.
And Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native, who was once a head coach for the Tigers, will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time.

 

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

Good news for Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan.  Federal funding for 2027 is going up 2.4 percent, instead of the nine-hundredths or one percent that was proposed.  Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority on getting the increase.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

Local governments could  soon be able to hold votes to see if residents want fluoride removed from the water. The Louisiana Senate approved the legislation yesterday, 26-7.  Some Democrats voted for the legislation, like Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux, who is fine with giving Louisiana voters an opportunity to decide for themselves.

Cut 10 (10) “… of the people.”

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It’s migration time in the Gulf Coast region for birds heading up north, Which means the Lights Out Louisiana initiative is in full swing.  The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the initiative, says whether you’re in a high-rise building or a single-story home, you should turn off all lights that are visible from the outside.

Cut 5 (08) “…deaths as well.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season.  It will go from sharing five percent softball, gymnastics and Olympic sports to having it’s own five percent share. In the interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio Ausberry said they want to make sure Coach Jay Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio.

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches.”

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Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis..”

A bill that would allow local governments to hold a vote on whether residents want fluoride removed from their drinking water has been approved by the Senate. Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s. Health experts say it’s safe. But Houma Republican Mike Fesi, who authored the bill, says research says otherwise.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north…which is why  the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

—————

The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The Tigers lost to Ole Miss last night in in Oxford.  At the plate, LSU was two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In other action, La Tech trounced Middle Tennessee eight to one.
And Johnny Jones is officially back at LSU. The DeRidder native, who was once a head coach for the Tigers, will be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for a second time.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent. Darren Grubb with Medicare Advantage Majority says CMS eventually agreed to an increase of nearly two and a half percent.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

The State Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Some Democrats voted yes, including Gerald Boudreaux, who says he’s fine with giving voters an opportunity to decide if they do not want fluoride in their water.

Cut 10 (11) “…vote of the people.”

With birds making their annual migration up north, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams says that especially goes for landscape lighting.

Cut 4 (12) “…disorient the birds.”

For the 2026-27 season, seven sports at LSU will receive revenue share dollars, and Olympic sports like track and field and swimming will receive more scholarship money. Athletic Director Verge Ausberry tells ESPN Radio Baton Rouge he’s re-organized the athletic department to put more of emphasis on fundraising and securing NIL dollars.

Cut 14 (08) “…coaches daily.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s as a way to prevent tooth decay.

The Medicare Advantage plan is getting an increase in federal funding of nearly two and a half percent. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis.”

The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

The state is out with its audit of last year’s Orleans Parish jailbreak. The audit shows that failures in finances, staffing and security led to ten inmates escaping the facility last May. The inmates ripped a toilet from an exterior wall and escaped through the hole. One of them was on the lam for almost five months before he was recaptured.

3:30 LRN Newscast

The Trump Administration has finalized a Medicare Advantage payment rate increase which will result 13-billion dollars in additional funding for Medicare Advantage plans. Darren Grubb, with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says this is great news for those who are covered by Medicare Advantage…

Cut 8 (11) “…they need them”

If you’ve been craving crawfish, now’s the time to get some as crawfish prices are down now that Easter’s over,

Cut 15 (11) “…your favorite spot.”

That’s Crawfish App co-founder Laney King, who says that means a sack of crawfish is selling for less than 100-dollars and boiled crawfish is going for $5.60 per pound.

 

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In LSU women’s basketball news…Jada Richard of Opelousas, is reportedly entering the transfer portal. No reason given on why, but LSU is hosting a Laila Reynolds today. She was Florida’s point guard last season and averaged 12 points a game.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says CMS eventually agreed to an increase of nearly two and a half percent.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. While health experts say it’s safe, the bill’s author, Mike Fesi, says research keeps coming out on how fluoride impacts your body, including parts of your brain.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights at night from now through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

LSU baseball is getting more revenue share dollars next season. In an interview with Tiger Rag Magazine in February, Head Coach Jay Johnson expressed concern that not enough financial resources were being put into the program. Athletic Director Verge Ausberry tells ESPN Radio Baton Rouge they want to make sure Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

LRN PM Newscall April 10

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

____________________________________________

This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north. As such, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

Williams says that especially goes for landscape lighting.

Cut 4 (12) “…disorient the birds.”

Williams says whether you’re in a high-rise building or even in a single-story home, you should especially turn off all lights that are visible from the outside.

Cut 5 (08) “…deaths as well.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is monitoring the migration forecasting tool BirdCast to provide timely alerts.

____________________________________________

Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis..”

Grubb says CMS eventually agreed to increase funding by 2.48-percent for next year.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

Grubb says this is not a seasonal issue, and policymakers need to always be mindful of the challenges that seniors face when it comes to being able to access quality healthcare.

Cut 8 (11) “…they need them.”

___________________________________________

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

The measure passed on a 26-7 vote. Some Democrats voted for the legislation, like Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux, who is fine with giving Louisiana voters an opportunity to decide if they do not want fluoride in their water.

Cut 10 (10) “… of the people.”

Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s as a way to prevent tooth decay. Health experts say it’s safe. But Fesi says more research keeps coming out on how fluoride impacts your body, including parts of your brain.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

This measure still needs House approval.

___________________________________________

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio.

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches.”

This season, LSU baseball was sharing a five-percent allotment of revenue share dollars with softball, gymnastics and the Olympic sports. But Ausberry says for the 2026-27 athletic season, baseball will receive five-percent of the revenue sharing dollars to match what women’s basketball receives.

In an interview with Tiger Rag Magazine in February, Johnson expressed concerned that not enough financial resources was being put into the LSU baseball program. Ausberry says they want to make sure Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

Ausberry says seven sports will receive revenue share dollars. Sports like track and field and swimming will receive more scholarship money. And he’s re-organized the athletic department to put more of emphasis on fundraising and securing NIL dollars.

Cut 14 (08) “…coaches daily.”