Recent developments in the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination make it likely Senator Bernie Sanders and former VP Joe Biden will visit the state. Matt Doyle has the story…
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A Blue Cross Blue Shield reports show the rate for early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increased 200 percent across the nation, how did the Bayou State fare. Brooke Thorington has more.
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As many as 31,000 in Louisiana could be without food stamp benefits soon, and the clock starts ticking April 1. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Louisiana Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk says it’s likely Democratic Presidential contenders Senator Bernie Sanders and former VP Joe Biden will visit the state soon. Handwerk says the race for the Democratic nomination should be competitive through our April 4th primary, and Louisiana’s 54 delegates could be crucial to both campaigns.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren, who polls a distant 3rd to the two frontrunners, remains in the race as well.
Handwerk says this is a great opportunity for Democrats who are interested in politics to get their feet wet with their preferred candidate.
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The 2020 primary has seen some of the highest Democratic primary turnouts in decades. Handwerk says Louisiana will be no different.
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The last day for non-Democrats to register online as a Democrat for the closed primary is March 14th.
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A new report shows the diagnosis rate for early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Louisiana between 2013 and 2017 is one of the highest in the nation. The findings come from a new report released by Blue Cross Blue Shield, ranking Louisiana 42nd in the nation. Blue Cross Blue Shield Spokesperson Robin Mayhall says early on-set rates increased not only in the Bayou State but across the nation.
Mayhall says they have seen a trend of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease rates increasing in the last four years, especially in the south.
As for why there’s been an increase in the number of early-onset cases, Mayhall believes heightened awareness of the disease and better diagnostic tools amongst providers, but as for causes…
The average age for a person living with either form of dementia is 49.
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As many as 31,000 Louisiana food stamps recipients could lose their benefits this summer. April 1st marks the beginning of a new Trump administration rule requiring some recipients to meet stricter work requirements to continue receiving benefits for more than three months within a 36-month period. DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says someone that receives the notification their benefits will be discontinued, may actually still be eligible for the exemption, but DCFS needs to know about the ability to meet eligibility.
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Previously, a federal waiver exempting residents from the time limitations covered the whole state. Fourteen parishes, most of them in northeast Louisiana, will not be affected by the changes, because they have an unemployment rate much higher than the national average. The new restrictions cover able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 and do not have children living with them. Guillory says notices for impacted recipients will go out later this month.
Guillory says for those impacted, the clock begins ticking April 1.
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The changes to the food stamp program is an attempt by the Trump administration to reduce government spending, but there are concerns it will lead to increased homelessness and health problems.
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President Donald Trump endorses Senator Bill Cassidy’s reelection effort.
Cassidy says the President offered the endorsement some time back, and said he would publicly announce it when the Senator was ready. Cassidy says he’s become a close ally to the President over the past few years.
Cassidy is heavily favored to win reelection, particularly as he shares a ballot with President Trump in November who is expected to handily win the state. He says he’s not concerned about a GOP challenger because Republicans respect his work.
Baton Rouge Democrat Antoine Peirce is Cassidy’s only announced challenger so far.
Cassidy says if reelected he would continue his work on prescription drug prices and surprise billing while taking up issues outside of healthcare he says are a priority.
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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Myles Brennan will take all of the snaps as first team quarterback when the Tigers kick-off spring practice on Saturday. Brennan has big shoes to fill in trying to replace Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. But Orgeron believes Brennan is up for the challenge
On defense, LSU will move from a three-four defensive front to a four-three under new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Orgeron says LSU’s personnel fits a four-three defense better
It was less than two months ago that LSU completed a perfect 15-0 season with a national championship victory over Clemson. Orgeron says he’s done talking about the 2019 season