A federal report recommends closing the veteran’s hospital in Alexandria, and Senator Bill Cassidy says that’s infuriating. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A new Jimmie Davis Bridge in northwest Louisiana is closer to becoming a reality. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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First responders were able to local a missing infant in north Baton Rouge by helicopter, alive and well in a church parking lot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A report from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs recommends the closure of the Alexandria VA hospital. The report is the result of the 2018 Mission Act, which required an assessment of American vets current and future health care needs. Senator Bill Cassidy says the same law also requires a safety net for those the Alexandria VA facility would treat…:
Cut 4 (09) “…their private doctor.”
The senator says the report is – at this time – just a report. No action has been taken and, and there’s no assurance the VA medical center in Pineville WILL close. He says the facility does have fairly low occupancy, but he still finds the sudden desire to close it (quote) “infuriating”…:
Cut 5 (11) “…he or she lives.”
Cassidy is, by trade, a gastroenterologist, specializing in kidney ailments. He says closing the Alexandria VA hospital would be a mistake, but he also cannot help but look at the issue through a doctor’s eyes…:
Cut 6 (10) “…quality health care.”
Cassidy says the 2018 Mission Act dictates that, if vets can’t get care from a VA facility, they can get it from a private one.
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The construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge, in Shreveport-Bossier, has taken a big step forward. Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson says DOTD is preparing to accept bids on the project.
Cut 7 (12) “…$150 million bridge.”
The project is fully funded through a combination of federal dollars, state money, and a portion of the DOTD Highway Trust Fund. In order to speed up the process and control costs, Wilson says DOTD is utilizing the design-build method.
Cut 8 (13) “…delivery model.”
While the new, four-lane bridge will be the connection between Bossier and Caddo parishes, Wilson believes the old bridge could be repurposed into a linear park linking existing bike and pedestrian trails on either side of the Red River.
Cut 9 (10) “…local community.”
A contractor should be chosen by late summer, with construction set to begin in early 2023.
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Confirmation hearings are set to begin Monday for President Biden’s Supreme Court Justice nominee of Ketanji Brown Jackson and Governor John Bel Edwards says Jackson has widespread support and endorsements from both conservative and liberal groups. Not only does Edwards believe she’s highly qualified and he’s hopeful Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy give her bipartisan support also.
Cut 10 (11) “…for her.”
Edwards also says he supports LSU President William Tate and Athletic Director Scott Woodward’s decision to terminate basketball coach Will Wade in light of the alleged recruiting violations.
Cut 11 (11) “…so forth.”
And with the regular legislative session underway, Edwards says he’s hopeful that positive bills, not divisive ones will eventually reach his desk.
Cut 12 (12) “…look forward”
The session is supposed to end on June 6th.
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A baby who went missing in North Baton Rouge has been found alive and with no signs of obvious trauma. Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says EMS received a call Wednesday morning from a local hospital that a patient referenced a lost infant so they along with other agencies began searching.
Cut 13 (12) “…BRPD helicopter.”
Monte says they’re not sure if the eight-month-old child spent the entire evening alone, that’s part of the investigation and fortunately, weather conditions overnight were mild, otherwise, the outcome could have been much different.
Cut 14 (07) “…child so.”
Monte says they learned the mother visited a firehouse in the area Tuesday night and from there was taken to the hospital. So, they were able to narrow the search area from the firehouse which was approximately a one-mile radius from the child’s home.
Cut 15 (12) “…original area.”
The case remains under investigation and at this time no charges have been filed against the mother
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The LSU men’s basketball team is in Milwaukee today getting ready for tomorrow night’s NCAA Tournament matchup with Iowa State. Interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry says with Will Wade no longer around to lead the team, he’s asked senior Darius Days to step up his leadership skills…
Cut 16 (16) “…this moment.”
Davis was a freshman when the Tigers made a run to the Sweet 16 in 2019.
LSU was in the NCAA Tournament last season but lost to Michigan in the second round after losing to St. Bonaventure in the first round. Nickelberry says this year’s trip to the Big Dance will be different…
Cut 17 (19) “ …we’ll see.”
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It’s been a long time coming, but LSU is once again hosting games in the NCAA women’s tournament and earning a top-16 seed for the first time in 14 years. All season, large crowds came out to support the Tigers, and Coach Kim Mulkey says even with all of the other things going on this weekend on and around campus, she wants the P-Mac to be packed.
Cut 18 (21) “ …just a reward.”
Mulkey has received the lion’s share of the credit for LSU’s historic turnaround, but none of this happens without the efforts of players who have seen it all over the past few seasons, like All-SEC guard Khayla Pointer and Faustine Aifuwa. Mulkey says her seniors have set the tone this year.
Cut 19 (20)_“…starts with them.”