Medicaid reportedly paid nearly ten-million dollars to healthcare organizations for over a thousand deceased beneficiaries between February 2019 and March of this year according to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office. State auditor Chris Magee says their recommendation to the Louisiana Department of Health is to use third-party data sources in their effort to make sure beneficiaries of Medicaid have not passed away…

Cut 7 (07) “…data basis.”

LSU running back JT Lindsey is suspended from the team until there is resolution of his accessory to murder charge involving 2 teens accused of murder staying in his apartment earlier this year. His attorney says the Alexandria High School football star didn’t know the teens were wanted. Lindsey’s suspension leaves LSU with three scholarship running backs but Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says a former high school football quarterback from Lafayette Christian could be used as a ball carrier out of the backfield this season…

Cut 11 (12) “…to fill in as well.”

In Natchitoches Parish, a wildfire burning in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area named the Backbone fire has been burning for about a week and has burned through about 1200 acres. Yesterday, crews were able to perform a burn out operation and hope to continue through Tuesday, weather permitting. The fire was reportedly caused by a lightening strike and this morning was 15 miles south of Natchitoches.

Classes at McNeese begin August 25^th and Freshman students move in on August 21^st. They’ll benefit from a new First-Year Experience program to help them adjust to college life. Director Jacqueline Clark says the traditional two-day Cowboy Camp orientation is a big part of the First-Year Experience.

Cut 4 (12) “…set of friends.”

The First-Year Experience program is funded for five years with a 2.2-million-dollar grant from the Department of Education.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office releases a report that finds Medicaid paid nearly ten-million dollars to healthcare organizations for 1,072 beneficiaries who were deceased. The report covers February 2019 to March of this year and the review was conducted to further the goals of the Governor’s Fiscal Responsibility Program. State auditor Chris Magee on how they found out these beneficiaries were dead…

Cut 6 (11) “…death master file”

A procession honoring fallen Baton Rouge Police Captain Caleb Eisworth  rolled through Baton Rouge Sunday. Eisworth was surrounded by died Sunday morning after spending seven weeks in the hospital with multiple injuries sustained in June when Gad Black allegedly intentionally rammed his pickup truck into Eisworth’s motorcycle. Eisworth served 23 years in law enforcement and received BRPD’s highest honor, The Medal of Valor. District Attorney Hiller Moore says he plans to seek the death penalty against Gad Black.

McNeese is helping incoming freshmen adjust to college life. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU running back JT Lindsey is accused of harboring two murder suspects in his apartment style dorm and has been suspended from the team until the issue is resolved. Lindsey’s attorney says the former star running back at Alexandria Senior High was unaware the two teenagers were wanted for murder.  Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says it’s likely he will not play this season…

Cut 10 (09) “…serious allegation.”

Elmer Chocolate, the 170-year-old Louisiana family-owned chocolate company based in Ponchatoula has sold to a Florida-based family equity firm.

Cut 30 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A Baton Rouge motorcycle officer is dead from injuries he sustained in June when a pickup truck slammed into his motorcycle in what authorities believe was an intentional act. Sergeant Caleb Eisworth served on the force for 23 year and is survived by his wife and daughter. Prosecutors might seek the death penalty for Gad Black, the man accused of killing the officer.

LSU running back JT Lindsey is suspended from the team until his accessory to murder charge is resolved. Lindsey is accused of harboring two murder suspects in his apartment style dorm. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says a Baton Rouge TV station reports U.S. Marshals found multiple guns in his dorm room…

Cut 9 (12) “…that facility”

Lindsey’s attorney says the former star running back at Alexandria Senior High was unaware the two teenagers staying at his dorm were wanted for murder.

Freshman year in college can be very daunting –and McNeese is helping freshmen make the adjustment with its new First-Year Experience program. Director Jacqueline Clark says the program offers support to more than one-thousand new students…

Cut 3 (13) “…in college.”

The First-Year Experience program is funded for five years with a 2.2-million-dollar grant from the Department of Education.

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season begins today.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tropical Storm Erin has formed way out in the Atlantic. It’s not an immediate threat to the Gulf of America, but it could be our first hurricane of season.

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office says two ten-year-old boys from the Ville Platte area were involved in an accidental shooting. Deputies say one of the children picked up a weapon that was supposed to be locked up and shot the other. We are waiting on an update of the injured child.

Pontchatoula’s Elmer Chocolate has been sold to Florida based, Hoffman Family of Companies.  But it’s not going anywhere.  Elmer CEO, Robert Nelson says the family wants to grow the company and keep it in Ponchatoula. A long-time fan of gold brick toppings on his ice cream, Geoff Hoffman says when he toured the facility, he knew Elmer was a company they wanted to partner with.

Cut 11 (13) “…best in class.”

Tonight’s your chance to see ESPN’s “Above the Tide:20 Years After Katrina”.  The documentary looks back at the first game in the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. It premieres tonight at six.  It’s directed by Julian Gooden who says Steve Gleason’s famous blocked punt signifies the rebirth of the Crescent City.

Cut 9 (08)  “…representation of that.”

Inshore shrimp season opens today in Louisiana. It previously started on August first, but Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the later start means bigger shrimp and bigger shrimp mean more money.

Cut 5 (11) “…us to survive.”

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been sold to Florida based Hoffman Family Companies. Elmer is known for Gold brick eggs and heavenly hash eggs, popular Easter candies. Geoff Hoffman with HFC says their goal is to grow Elmer, which has annual revenues around 100-million dollars…

Cut 10 (12) “…avenues of growth”

Longtime Elmer CEO Rob Nelson and his brother, Michael, will remain in their roles as CEO and president.

With the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaching, a documentary premieres tonight on ESPN looking back at the Saints’ return to the Superdome.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Fall camp continues this morning for the LSU football team, but freshman running back JT Lindsey was not there. Lindsey has been suspended after he was charged with two felony counts of accessory after the fact of second-degree murder. He allegedly allowed two murder suspects from Alexandria to stay at his dorm on campus for nearly two weeks. Lindsey denies knowing they were murder suspects.

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season opens today. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the later start to the season is actually a very good thing.

Cut 4 (11) “…bit bigger size.”

How much shrimp grows is dependent on water conditions, including temperature, salinity and oxygen content. The delayed start to shrimp season also means the shrimp population will remain stable.

170-year-old Elmer’s chocolate has been bought by Florida based, Hoffman Family of Companies. Geoff Hoffman with HFC says they’re not looking to change Elmer Chocolate, in fact they want to grow the company and keep it in Ponchatoula for another couple of centuries…

Cut 12 (12) “…excited about it.”

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With this month marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a new documentary premiering tonight on ESPN takes a look back at the Saints’ first game back in the Superdome. “Above The Tide: 20 Years After Katrina” isdirected by Julian Gooden, who says the film highlights what saints accomplished that night…and no one in New Orleans, whether they were inside the Superdome or not, will ever forget where they were when it happened.

Cut 8 (07) “…they could take.”

The Saints dropped their preseason opener to the Chargers 27 to 13 in Los Angeles yesterday. Spencer Rattler started at quarterback and in his five offensive drives, failed to put up any points. Tyler Shough led the Saints to a field goal at the end of the half, but threw a pick six in the third quarter, only to bounce back and throw a touchdown pass on the next drive.  The black and gold will practice this week in Irvine, California and will return home later in the week to host Jacksonville on Sunday.

Hundreds of first responders made a procession through the capitol city yesterday, paying tribute to a decorated police officer who died yesterday morning from injuries he suffered when a pick-up truck  hit his motorcycle June 16th in what authorities believe was an intentional attack.  Sergeant Caleb Eisworth served on the Baton Rouge Police force for 23. Authorities say the charge against the man responsible for the crash will be upgraded to first-degree murder.

Tonight’s your chance to see ESPN’s “Above the Tide:20 Years After Katrina”.  The documentary premiers tonight at six.  It’s directed by Julian Gooden who Steve Gleason’s blocked punt that gave the Saints an early six to nothing lead, really maked the rebirth of the Crescent City.

Cut 9 (08)  “…representation of that.”

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It’s a family-owned Louisiana business that’s been based in Pontchatoula for 170 years.  Now Elmer has been sold to a Florida-based family equity firm. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season opens today in Louisiana. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the 10-day delay in shrimp season yields a very significant difference in the size of the shrimp.

Cut 6 (10) “…25 a pound.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will be at Jefferson Terrace Academy this morning…as part of a nationwide tour.  She’ll be visiting classrooms and attending a roundtable discussion.  McMahon’s touring the country as the president looks to dismantle the Department of Education at the federal level.

Cut 14 (15) “…future they deserve.”

Pontchatoula’s Elmer Chocolate has been sold to Florida based, Hoffman Family of Companies.   But it’s not going anywhere.  Elmer CEO, Robert Nelson says the family wants to grow the company and keep it in Ponchatoula for another 170 years. A long-time fan of gold brick toppings on his ice cream,  Geoff Hoffman says when he toured the facility he knew Elmer was a company they wanted to partner with.

Cut 11 (13) “…best in class.”

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August marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina…and premiering tonight on ESPN, a look back at the Saints’ return to the dome that told the world New Orleans would survive.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Inshore shrimp season opens today in Louisiana after a ten-day delay.  Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the later start means bigger shrimp and bigger shrimp mean more money.

Cut 5 (11) “…us to survive.”