LRN AM Newscall June 25

A Facebook scam rears its ugly head in Louisiana, and at least one person is out a lot of money. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The attorney general of Louisiana files a trio of lawsuits against CVS. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Glen West of 247Sports says LSU has the talent to make another run to Omaha next season. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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As the old adage goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That’s what the Better Business Bureau is saying as it warns you of a scam involving mobile home sales. Carmen Million, the president of the Better Business Bureau serving South Central Louisiana, says a seller going by the name Rose Harvey Mobile Homes created a fake Facebook listing using real mobile home photos, luring real would-be buyers.

Cut 4 (13) “…even in existence.”

The Better Business Bureau has received several complaints about this company, with one person reporting a loss of 35-hundred dollars. Million says when conducting any business, there are many red flags to watch out for.

Cut 5 (12) “…a red flag.”

Million says the shipping cost that the so-called company quoted should have set off alarm bells too.

Cut 6 (12) “…15-hundred dollars anywhere.”

And Million says whenever possible, pay with a credit card. Otherwise, if there’s an issue, the money is as good as gone.

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Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed three lawsuits against CVS. One of them stems from the text message CVS sent to people on June 11th, urging them to contact their legislator and oppose House Bill 358. Murrill said CVS used private patient information to send the text messages.

Cut 7 (17) “…your health care.”

HB 358, which ultimately died when time ran out on the session, had a provision tacked on at the last minute that would have banned pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies. CVS said in the text blast would have forced it to close all stores statewide. Murrill said CVS’ texts were full of misinformation.

Cut 8 (14) “…to pay more.”

The other two lawsuits Murrill filed allege that CVS’ abuse of pharmacy benefit managers manipulates drug prices, and CVS’ business practices drives independent pharmacies out of business.

Cut 9 (10)  “…out of business.”

In a statement, CVS says it sent the text messages in accordance with the law and because it was important for people to know about a potential disruption to its operations. It says Murrill’s allegations of manipulation of drug prices have no merit, and its business model delivers value to its customers.

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says he prefers the House version of the Big Beautiful Bill over the Senate’s version because the Senate is looking at cutting Medicaid to the point that it threatens rural hospitals, and some people could lose their insurance. Cassidy says the House version freezes the Medicaid provider tax…

Cut 10 (12) “…understand that.”

Cassidy says the Senate bill is a starting point and negotiations will continue between Republican lawmakers.  The Big Beautiful Bill will make the president’s 217 tax cuts permanent and Cassidy its passage will deliver the largest tax cut for working families in the nation’s history…

Cut 11 (07) “…of this magnitude.”

Cassidy says the Big, Beautiful Bill also reduces taxes on tips and overtime…

Cut 12 (13) “…on overtime.”

The President has asked Congress to pass the Big, Beautiful Bill by July 4th.

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LSU may have won its eighth national championship just a few days ago, but head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are already hard at work putting together next year’s roster to defend their title. Glen West of 247Sports says the Tigers are still loaded with enough talent to make another run. The centerpiece will be freshman pitcher Casan Evans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…next year.”

The biggest question mark will be what the infield looks like around shortstop Stephen Milam. Incoming transfers Brayden Simpson out of High Point and Kansas State’s Seth Darder will compete with LSU’s always-talented freshman class. West says some returning bench pieces could be in the mix as well.

Cut 14 (13) “…and third.”

Priority one will be keeping names out of next month’s MLB Draft. Center fielder Chris Stanfield and right-handed pitcher Zac Cowan would be key contributors next season if they choose to stay in Baton Rouge. West identified D-H Ethan Frey as another target.

Cut 15 (13) “…little bit.”

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The Pelicans hold the seventh and twenty-third overall picks in tonight’s NBA draft. New Orleans and new Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars made a splash yesterday, trading veterans C-J McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Wizards for young guard Jordan Poole and wing Saddiq Bey. With room for improvement across the roster, Jake Madison of the Locked On Pelicans Podcast thinks the team will go best available at No. 7.

Cut 16 (17) “…direction I think.”

One target for the Pelicans that could bolster an undersized frontcourt is 18-year-old Duke center Khaman Maluach. Madison says the South Sudanese seven-footer offers rim protection last year’s first-round pick Yves Missi can’t.

Cut 17 (13)  “…high on.”

Another prospect linked to New Orleans has been freshman Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. With starting point guard Dejounte Murray expected to be out with a torn Achilles until January, Madison says the Pelicans need a true playmaking guard.

Cut 18 (16)  “…exceptionally well.”

Madison says some names to watch for New Orleans at pick 23 are Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. Colorado State guard Nique Clifford and Stanford center Maxime Raynaud.