Former Congressman Ralph Abraham will serve as the next Secretary of Health in Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s administration. Brooke Thorington has more….
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
______________________________________
An eight-person federal jury dismisses a lawsuit filed by former LSU Assistant Athletic Director Sharon Lewis, claiming she was sexually harassed and wrongly terminated. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
______________________________________
Governor-elect Jeff Landry has appointed former Louisiana Congressman and physician Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish as the next Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
Cut 3 (05) “…great service.”
Abraham served three terms in DC representing the state’s 5th congressional district. Landry said it was hard convincing Abraham, who’s a family physician in Richland Parish to take the post but he’s pleased he’s accepted because…
Cut 4 (08) “…facing Louisiana.”
Landry says all Louisianans deserve access to high-quality healthcare including those who live in rural areas and says Abraham is the most qualified person to represent their needs.
Landry touts Abraham’s knowledge of Medicaid and says under his watch the state will create incentives and supports to help Louisianans move from dependence to independence…
Cut 5 (12) “ …outcomes.”
Madison Sheehan, who most recently helmed the Republican Party in South Dakota will be the first female to oversee State Wildlife and Retired Caddo Parish Juvenile Court Judge David Matlock will be the next Secretary of DCFS.
________________________________________________________________
An eight-person jury has dismissed Sharon Lewis’s 50-million dollar federal lawsuit against LSU. Lewis, who oversaw LSU’s football recruiting department, claims she was wrongfully terminated and retaliated against for reporting sexual misconduct complaints involving former head coach Les Miles. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry was one of the last witnesses to take the stand…
Cut 6 (04) “…was racist.”
Horne says Ausberry testified that Lewis had trouble when white people told her no or disagreed with her. Lewis was one of 40 workers in the football department let go when Brian Kelly was hired in December 2021.
The jury deliberated for only three hours. Lewis’ attorney Larry English says they are disappointed by the outcome…
Cut 7 (09) “…our case”
English says they will consider their legal options moving forward.
Lewis also claims running backs coach Frank Wilson, who worked on Miles staff from 2010 to 2015 and then hired back by Kelly in 2022, exposed himself to Lewis and also forcefully kissed a student intern on the lips. Horne says Wilson denied those allegations on the witness stand…
Cut 8 (11) “…any situation.”
Horne says during cross-examination, Wilson admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock while separated but still married to his wife.
__________________________________________________________________
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ new campaign is encouraging Louisianans to “Be There” for families in need this holiday season. Secretary Terri Ricks says even a small deed can make a huge impact on a child or family in your community.
Cut 9 (11) “…every day.”
DCFS assists one in four Louisianans every year including food assistance, child support services, and financial assistance.
Ricks says that currently there are more than 41 hundred children in Louisiana’s foster care. She encourages everyone to provide help or open their homes to youth who have no place to go.
Cut 10 (08) “…special ways.”
This year, the 211 Statewide Network has made more than 267 thousand referrals to services. It has helped meet more than 159 thousand needs for residents.
Ricks says there were more than 11 hundred unmet needs due to a lack of available resources. She says if you know anyone who needs resources like food, housing, utility assistance, or clothing…
Cut 11 (13) “…need some.”
Visit BeThere dot Louisiana dot gov to learn more about programs and resources.
__________________________________________________________________
53-year-old Lawrence J. Voisin of Houma faces two counts of first-degree rape in connection with alleged sexual abuse with a 10-year-old student. Terrebonne Parish sheriff Tim Soignet says detectives arrived at a local school where the minor reported the abuse.
Cut 12 (10) “…Mr. Voisin.”
During the investigation, deputies gathered evidence from the victim that suggested that Voisin was involved in a sexual relationship with the juvenile. Soignet says Voisin, who was located at his home, confessed to some of the charges.
Cut 13 (12) “…did occur.”
Voisin is being held on a 250-thousand dollar bond at the Terrebonne Parish jail.