Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Trump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Louisiana’s Senior Senator says he’s been inspired to take on his issue after repeatedly hearing about overcharging incidents from his constituents.

Cut 5 (11) “…their hand.”

A long-running study is looking for a connection between blood sugar levels early in life and mid-life brain health.  The study is called the Bogalusa Heart Study and began in the 70s with about 200 child volunteers.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Owen Carmichael says now they will test those same volunteers now that they are in their 50s.

Cut 6 (11) “…is actually true.”

These results could lead to new blood sugar management guidelines for children.

A case filed by Angola inmates that accused the facility of cruel and unusual punishment for its refusal to use air conditioning in one section of the prison has been conditionally dismissed after the two sides came to an agreement.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says there will be no A/C, but the state has agreed to provide the inmates with “comfort” activities.

Cut 9 (11) “…water“.

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. The state has now seen 13 straight months of over the year job gains, and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says part of that trend includes the booming tourism industry, that added 2,600 jobs between 2017 and 2018.

Cut 14 (11) “…in Louisiana”

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says the “Feed Your Soul” slogan is making waves, and the state has three areas of focus for tourism that are paying off.
Cut 13 (10) “…is up”
The report, by DK Shifflet, says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase since 2017.
Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Tump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Cassidy pinpointed the surprise that many patients face when they receive treatment supposedly is covered by their insurance and get stuck with a bill you might expect if you are uninsured.
Cut 4 (10) “…a bill”
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Louisiana native Laine Hardy is on the door step of winning American Idol. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a 15-percent reduction in commercial vehicle fatalities, and a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved due to the new law.
Senator Bill Cassidy spoke with the President last week about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. The Senator says he’s working out legislation and regulations that would require hospitals to be upfront with the total cost of treatments…
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National Police week kicks off and according to the personal finance website WalletHub Louisiana is ranked the worst state for police officers in 2019. WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says Louisiana falls well below the average in officer income ranking 49th…
Cut 9 (12) “…54,000″
A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who cited a report, by DK Shifflet, that says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase frin 2017. Nungesser says that’s a ton of money going back into the state and local budgets.
Cut 15 (12) “per household.”
Nungesser says the tourism industry added 2,600 jobs between 2017 and 2018, for a total of 237,200 jobs in the industry total.

A bill banning drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving is set for debate on the House floor today. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A 16 year old girl is dead following a hit-and-run crash late Saturday night in Opelousas.  Authorities say the victim, identified as Princess Washington of Opelousas, was a passenger in a vehicle with her 18-year-old brother who survived the accident.  An active warrant for felony hit and run has been issued for Floydiece Washington, who authorities say has no relation to the victim.  Anyone with info on her whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 immediately.

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. House Republicans propose a 12-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 600-dollars for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving the additional 39-million dollars in public school funding. But Edwards is confident he’ll be able to deliver more money to local school districts…

Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says the “Feed Your Soul” slogan is making waves, and the state has ghree areas of focus for tourism that are paying off.

Cut 13 (10) “…is up”

So far during this legislative session, House Republicans have resisted Governor Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long…
cut 6 (10) “…as result”
The Senate seems to be in agreement with Edwards that public school funding needs to go up.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Opponents say why just signal out cell phones when it comes it distractions in a vehicle.

It is National Police Week and personal finance website WalletHub releases a report that ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers…
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Over four-thousand students were awarded undergraduate or graduate degrees from LSU this past weekend. One of them is a convicted murderer. 37-year-old Andrew Hundley was 15-years-old when he killed a 14-year-old in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison. But Hundley received a second chance at freedom when the Supreme Court made it unconstitutional to sentence juvenile defendants to a mandatory life sentence without parole.

At the Capitol today, the full House is expected to debate a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a hand held cellphone while behind the wheel. The proposed law calls a 100-dollar fine or community service for first time offenders. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the community service punishment could be handed out to teen drivers…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash…
cut 4 (12) “…in the other”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools.

Louisiana set a record in 2018 for the number of tourists as 51-million people visited the Bayou State last year. The report, by DK Shifflet, says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase from 2017….
Cut 15 (09) “per household.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there’s been a total of 67-hundred new tourism-related jobs in Louisiana since 2016.

A report from the personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana ranks 49th for median income and 50th in police deaths per one-thousand officers Gonzales says it appears Louisiana needs better de-escalation tactics…
cut 8 (12) “….police deaths”

When the full House convenes this afternoon, they will take up a bill to prohibit the use of hand held cell phones when behind the wheel. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has tried to get this bill to the governor’s desk for the last two years, but each time it’s stalled on the House floor. Huval says this time legislators have come to him to express support, after being educated about the effects of distracted driving.
Cut 12 (09) “…relatives.”

National Police week is this week and according to the personal finance website WalletHub, Louisiana is ranked the worst state for police officers. The Bayou State is ranked 47th in highest crime rate and WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the high violent crime rate may be the reason Louisiana ranks 50th in police deaths…
Cut 7 (08) “…assaulted.”
Louisiana also ranks 49th for median income for law enforcement officers.

A report shows Louisiana hit record numbers for tourism once again, with 51-million people checking out the Bayou State in 2018. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Livingston parish native Laine Hardy has advanced to American Idol’s Top 3 A parade and concert in his honor is scheduled for tomorrow at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds. Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to personally congratulate Hardy on Tuesday morning.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state welcomed 51-million visitors to the state in 2018 a nine percent increase over 2017. Nungesser says the continued growth in tourists has led to 26-hundred new tourism-related jobs…
cut 14 (09) “…in Louisiana”
The Senate Finance committee will begin dissecting today a proposed budget that’s been approved by the House. Lawmakers seem to be in agreement on a teacher pay raise. The House’s spending proposal would give teachers a 12-hundred dollars raise, 600-dollars more for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving an additional 39-million dollars in public school funding, which Governor Edwards is pushing for…
Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding.