Today marks the seven-year anniversary of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana, Whitney Thomas reports what this means for the state.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5. (XBB-dot-1-dot-5) is said to be the most transmissible variant yet. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism for the near-future has dropped again, for a 12^th straight month. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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On January 12th, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order expanding Medicaid. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist that the decision seven years ago provided health insurance to over half a million working Louisianans…

Cut 4 (12)  “…for hypertension.”

Leist says more than 180 thousand residents received specialized mental health treatment as a result of the Medicaid expansion. She says an expanded Medicaid program played a critical role in the state’s battle against COVID…

Cut 5 (11) “…from covid.”

Before Governor. Edwards took office Louisiana’s uninsured rate among adults was nearly 23 percent, it’s now down to nine percent. Leist says the decision to expand the Medicaid program also benefited taxpayers…

Cut 6 (10)  “…at home.” 

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The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5. (XBB-dot-1-dot-5) is rapidly growing in the US, health experts say nationally the variant accounts for 30 percent of cases. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says currently it only accounts for about 18 percent of cases in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11) “…would imagine.”

Kanter says the World Health Organization believes this to be the most transmissible variant yet, which he says is to be expected. He also says holiday gatherings are responsible for the uptick in cases.

Cut 8 (10)  “…available to us.”

Protections in the form of previous COVID infection antibodies, vaccines, boosters, and oral therapeutics.

The XBB.1.5 variant is expected to become the most dominant version in the next few weeks. Kanter says fortunately it’s not increasing hospitalizations at this point, but he does expect to see an increase in cases the closer we get to Mardi Gras.

Cut 9 (11)  “…with earlier.”

Kanter says about 95 percent of those in Louisiana have either been vaccinated, had COVID, or both.

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Optimism for the near-future continues to drop among Louisiana’s small businesses. The National Federation of Independent Business regularly canvasses members for its Optimism Index, and NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says the survey posted a 12^th straight month of member businesses who feel the next 3-to-6 months will be rough…:

Cut 10 (07)  “…growing their business.”

51-percent of NFIB member businesses say their outlook for the next six months has gotten worse. McVea says a large number say inflation is still their biggest obstacle in meeting costs and eking out a profit…:

Cut 11 (11)  “…is not great.”

41 percent of members report continued trouble filling job openings. 43-percent report they’re unable to raise prices to offset costs; an all-time high. Also, fewer members expect their sales to improve in the near future. McVea says many are looking to their legislators for policy changes that may help them prosper…:

Cut 12 (13) “…from all of this.”

McVea says almost certainly, some Louisiana businesses will be forced to close their doors unless the economy improves.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation announces plans to repair the Interstate 10 eastbound overpass at I-49 in Lafayette after a truck driving under the overpass caused extensive damage to three out of the eight grinders on the eastbound bridge. DOTD spokesperson, Deidra Druilhet says the repairs will come in two phases, with the first phase taking place a week from Friday…

Cut 13 (14)  “…on I-10.”

Currently, one lane is open on I-10 eastbound at Evangeline Thruway. Druilhet says the first phase of work is expected to be completed between January 20th and 22nd.

Cut 14 (14)  “…at time.”

Phase two of the project includes the removal of necessary bridge components and installing newly constructed grinders and a bridge deck.

After all of the pieces are secured and in place, a concrete closure pour will be performed to tie in all new components to the existing bridge overpass.  Druihet says phase two will not take place until after Mardi Gras…

Cut 15 (13)  “…all finished up.”

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The Warhawks hosts the Ragin Cajuns tonight on the hardwood and it’s the 2,000th game in the ULM men’s basketball program history. Coach Keith Richard says it’s appropriate to play a milestone game against their big in-state rival…

Cut  16 (10)  “…milestone night.” 

The Cajuns enter the game 12-4 overall, 2-and-2 in the Sun Belt. Coach Bob Marlin’s team lost their first two conference games on the road, but returned to the Cajundome and picked up a couple of wins. Marlin wants to keep the positive momentum going…

Cut 17 (15) “…simple game.” 

ULM is 7-and-10 overall, but off to a 3-and-1 in the Sun Belt. Richard says the team has found its identity…

Cut 18 (18) “…a good game.” 

Tip-off is at 6:30 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

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The fifth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers look to improve to 17-0 when they visit Missouri tonight in Columbia. In every game this season, player-of-the-year candidate and six-foot-three sophomore Angel Reese has recorded a double-double. LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says Reese brings more than just points and rebounds to the team…

Cut 19 (14) “…more years.”

Missouri is 14-and-3, 3-and-1 in the SEC. Mulkey says Mizzou is a good shooting team…

Cut 20 (14)  “…the floor.” 

Tip-off is at 6 PM.

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still looking at running for governor and plans to give it more consideration now that a Speaker of the House has been chosen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A federal judge sentences former state senator Karen Carter Peterson to nearly two years in prison on a wire fraud charge. Whitney Thomas more…

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’ll make a decision very soon on the governor’s race. Graves was on Mornings with Brian Haldane today and says he’s gotten plenty of encouragement to seek the state’s highest office.

Cut 3 (14) “…from folks” 

With only two major candidates in the race so far, Republicans, Attorney General Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder, Graves says he’s received feedback that more names need to be added to the ballot.

Cut 4 (08)  “…extraordinary.” 

Graves says now that the Speaker of the House vote is settled he expects to meet with supporters and family members over the next few days and make a decision on the governor’s race.

Cut 5 (11) “…for Louisiana.”

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The national average price for a dozen eggs hit $3.59 in November, up nearly 50 percent from the previous year, and the price for eggs still remains at a historical high. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a bird flu outbreak is the main reason why eggs are still expensive…

Cut 6 (07)  “…egg laying chickens” 

Strain says the egg industry is also dealing with supply chain issues and increased costs for production…

Cut 7 (10)  “  packaging costs” 

Strain says we will not see egg prices drop significantly until energy, fertilizer and transportation costs decrease. He says producers are also working to increase production…

Cut 8 (08)  “..these prices” 

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Dakota Theriot plead guilty today to killing three people in Livingston Parish and two in Ascension Parish after a multi-parish shooting spree in 2019. Among his victims were his girlfriend, her father, her brother, and his parents. 21^st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perilloux says Theriot’s history of mental illness and the pandemic delayed his trial.

Cut 9 (11) “…entered into.” 

Perilloux says the five murders were unspeakably tragic and extremely unordinary for the two parishes.

Cut 10 (10) “…take in.” 

Theriot will be transferred to Angola to serve multiple life sentences. Because of his history of mental illness, Perilloux was asked if Theriot will be placed in the general population at the state prison.

Cut 11 (03)  “…going to happen.”

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Former state senator Karen Carter Peterson received a 22-month prison sentence today after admitting she used more than 140-thousand dollars in campaign funds from her own campaign and the Democratic Party to feed a gambling addiction. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the federal sentencing guideline called for a sentence between 41 and 51 months

Cut 12 (07) “…applicable guidelines”

Peterson’s attorneys pushed U-S District Judge Sarah Vance to sentence the former lawmaker to probation or home confinement. They touted her Christian faith, admission of guilt and the treatment she’s receiving for her gambling addiction. Ciolino says Peterson’s punishment could have been more serve…

Cut 13 (05) “…get.” 

Judge Vance has ordered Peterson to report to jail on March 6th. Ciolino says Peterson will spend at least a year and a half in prison…

Cut 14 (12)   “…she gets out .”

Peterson abruptly resigned from the state senate last year, citing depression and a gambling addiction. She served in the state legislature from 1999 to 2022 and as chair of the Louisiana Democratic party from 2012 to 2020.