37,000 letters warning Medicaid patients that their programs could be canceled go out today. Jeff Palermo gets reaction from Republican legislators.

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Louisiana Economic Development projects 475 direct and indirect jobs will be created from a new 3 million dollar facility in Shreveport. Michael Farrar has more.

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Two medical marijuana bills are getting closer to final passage. Matt Doyle has the story.

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37,000 letters are being mailed out to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” 20,000 of those recipients are nursing home residents who could be thrown out as a result. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says after multiple failed attempts to fund the programs, people need to start preparing for the worst.

Cut 4  (11) “be coming” 

But many Republicans are balking at the release of those letters, saying they amount to a political stunt. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, who voted for the House spending plan that included the Medicaid cuts, says the panic isn’t justified because the process isn’t over.

Cut 5  (08)  “figure is”

She accused Governor John Bel Edwards of playing politics and using the letters as a scare tactic targeting the state’s most vulnerable.

Cut 6 (06) “one has”

Dardenne hit back at House Republicans who voted for the budget, yet criticized the mailing of the letters, saying this is what the deep budget cuts that fiscal hawks advocate for look like.

Cut 7 (10)  “dire consequences”

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny tried to douse some of the growing fires by letting the 37,000 letter recipients know that the Senate has no intention of passing a budget that cuts their programs.

Cut 8 (10)  “medical schools”

Gov Edwards says he’ll be holding a press conference Thursday to address the House budget’s appending cuts.

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Western Global Airlines will invest three million dollars in a new facility in Shreveport, which could lead to 170 direct jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that an additional 308 new jobs will be created by the facility run by the Florida based company. Secretary Don Pierson says they’ll take over the former Continental Express Jet hangar.

Cut 9 (10)  “up there”

Pierson says there’s quite a few reasons why the shipping company, which conducts business with UPS and FedEx, chose the north Louisiana location.

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Pierson says the state will pitch in a million dollars in maintenance repair, because it’ll help put people back to work who lost their jobs when Continental Express Jet left the city.

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A study for the Louisiana Chemical Association shows the industry is responsible for nearly 80-billion dollars in annual sales and is the number one provider of jobs in Louisiana’s manufacturing sector. Economist, Doctor Loren Scott, says his research shows the chemical industry is extremely important to our economy

Cut 12 (10) “tax income”

The Louisiana Chemical Association says it can remain a cornerstone of the state’s economy if it continues to have state support. President Greg Bowser says recent changes by the Edwards administration to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program has created uncertainty…

Cut 13 (08)  “are consistent” 

Governor Edwards has taken steps to tighten the tax exemption program, so it leads to more job creation. He’s also given local governments more say in who should receive it. More changes could be coming to the program. Scott says I-TEP allows Louisiana’s chemical industry compete with Texas

The state will send out letters tomorrow to 37-thousand elderly and disabled people, warning them the Medicaid programs which pay for their care could be eliminated on July 1st. It’s possible legislators will approve funding to avoid the cut, but Louisiana Health Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee didn’t want to take that chance

Cut 14 (11)  “make plans”

The state has a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall for next fiscal year and the House approved a budget that reduces funding for several health care services.

Some legislators say the letters are going out too soon and the funding problems can be fixed before July 1st. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says impacted patients need to consider their options…

Cut 16  (09) “I eligible”

37,000 letters are being mailed out to recipients of four Medicaid programs that reads “Because of possible budget cuts, these programs may end as of July 1, 2018.” Many Republicans are balking at the release of those letters, saying they amount to a political stunt. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, who voted for the House spending plan that included the Medicaid cuts, says the panic isn’t justified because the process isn’t over.

Cut 5  (08)  “figure is”

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny tried to douse some of the growing fires by letting the 37,000 letter recipients know that the Senate has no intention of passing a budget that cuts their programs.

Cut 8 (10)  “medical schools”

Gov Edwards says he’ll be holding a press conference Thursday to address the House budget’s appending cuts.

The Edwards administration will send out 37-thousand letters tomorrow notifying Medicaid patients they could lose their benefits on July 1st and be forced to leave a nursing home or long term care facility. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (27) I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Edwards said he’ll hold a press conference tomorrow to announce his plans on how health care could be funded to avoid deep cuts to health care services. It will require a special session. Legislative leaders have discussed ending the regular session May 18th and starting a special session a few days later.

A terrible automobile accident in Richland Parish claims the life of a 6 year old Houma boy. On Tuesday afternoon, 33-year old Trina Robinson of Houma was westbound on I-20 when she exited at Bee Bayou road. Her Yukon went off the road slightly, she over compensated and the S-U-V flipped. Sevanti Robinson was in the back seat and died. Trooper Michael Reichardt…
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Four passengers in the vehicle were also injured.

The Pelicans season ended last night with a 113-to-104 loss to Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals. All-Star Anthony Davis was asked after last night’s game if this was a successful season…
cut 7 (09) “…really had”
We’ll see if the Pelicans re-sign the injured DeMarcus Cousins.

About 37-thousand Medicaid recipients are set to receive a letter from the state informing them they may lose their benefits on July 1st that pays for their nursing home, insurance or care at a long-term faciliy. Republicans say the letters are going out too soon, because there’s still time to find the funding by July 1st. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says impacted patients need to consider their options…
cut 16 (09) “…Iam eligible”

Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard is re-opening the case in the disappearance of Barbara Blount. The then 58 year old went missing in the middle of the day on May 2nd, 2008 and has never been seen again. Back then a dozen or so volunteers combed the woods surrounding her house in Holden, Ard says it’s time to stir the pot again.
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Ard says it’s possible someone lured Blount out of her home and dumped her body somewhere else.

The Pelicans season ended last night a 113-to-104 loss to the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. Golden State was just too good in this series, but New Orleans Coach Alvin Gentry still sees his team is one on the rise…
cut (12) “…you advance”
Gentry and General Manager Dell Demps will preview the offseason with a press conference tomorrow.

A 20-year-old Thibodaux man has been arrested for allegedly running over one woman and punching another one in the face, knocking her unconscious. Both victims survied the attack. LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office Lt. Brennan Matherne says it all began with a domestic argument…
cut 13 (08) “…yesterday’s incident”
The woman ran over was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The state will send out 37-thousand notices tomorrow informing the elderly and disabled they may have to leave their nursing home or long term care facility because of budget cuts. Louisiana Health Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee…
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Some Republican lawmakers believe the letters are going out too soon and there’s time to find money to pay for the Medicaid programs that are on the chopping block.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard is asking the public for its help as they re-open a 10-year-old missing person’s case. Ard says they believe 58-year-old Barbara Blount was taken out of her home in Holden on May 2nd, 2008….
cut 4 (09) “…came forward”
Ard says they have very few clues to go on as there was no forced entry.

Authorities say a south Louisiana woman is lucky to be alive after she was intentionally run over by 20-year-old Kip Leblanc of Thibodaux who was driving a pickup truck….
cut 12 (08) “….the time”
That’s Lt. Brennan Matherne with the LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office, who says they also believe Leblanc punched another woman in the face and knocked her unconscious. He was arrested and posted bond.

A single vehicle wreck in Richland Parish has claimed the life of a 6 year old Houma boy. On Tuesday afternoon, 33-year old Trina Robinson of Houma was on I-20 when she exited at Bee Bayou. Trooper Michael Reichardt says her Yukon went off the road slightly and she over compensated and the S-U-V flipped, killing Sevanti Robinson.
Cut 9 (12) “his injuries”

A Thibodaux man was arrested and released on bail yesterday after allegedly battering one woman, and running another over. 20-year-old Kip LeBlanc was charged with Aggravated Second Degree Battery and Domestic Abuse Battery. Lafourche Sheriffs Spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne says it started with an argument, and turned brutally violent.

Cut 11 (10) “woman over”

The Pelicans season ended last night a 113-to-104 loss to the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. Anthony Davis had 34 points and 19 rebounds in the loss. Davis led the Pelicans to the Western Conference semifinals, despite the loss of DeMarcus Cousins to a season ending torn Achilles tendon three months ago. Coach Alvin Gentry says playing the defending champs in the playoffs was a good measuring stick…

cut 8 (12) “as a franchise”

A terrible automobile accident in North Louisiana claims the life of a 6 year old Houma boy. On Tuesday afternoon, in Richland Parish, 33-year old Trina Robinson of Houma was westbound on I-20 when she exited the Bee Bayou road. Her Yukon went off the road slightly and she over compensated and the S-U-V flipped. 6-year old Sevanti Robinson was in the back seat. Trooper Michael Reichardt says they are always particularly disturbed when a child is killed.

Cut 10 (10) “have to”

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard is re-opening the case in the disappearance of  Barbara Blount. The then 58 year old went missing in the middle of the day on Friday May 2nd, 2008 and has never been seen again. At the news conference the family of Barbara Blount again pleaded for the public’s help. Ard says it’s time to give it to them.

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If you are a State Farm customer, you might see your auto insurance rates come down after years of rate hikes. The insurance provider says about a million customers will see on average a three-percent decrease this summer. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the savings are not really the result of federal tax reform, but a better than expected series of results for insurance companies…
cut 11 (12) “…years before”

The Pelicans season ended last night with a 113-to-104 loss to Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals. A-D was asked after last night’s game if this was a successful season…
cut 7 (09) “…really had”
We’ll see if the Pelicans re-sign the injured DeMarcus Cousins.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard is revisiting a 10- year-old missing person’s case…
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State officials are set to release more information about notices going out tomorrow informing some 20-thousand nursing home residents on Medicaid they could lose their benefits, because of state budget cuts.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard is re-opening the case in the disappearance of Barbara Blount. The then 58 year old went missing in the middle of the day on Friday May 2nd, 2008 and has never been seen again. Back then a dozen or so volunteers combed the woods surrounding her house in Holden.

Ard says a decade can sometimes soften peoples resolve and hopefully someone will give the Sheriff’s office a tip.

Cut 4 (09) “came forward”

The Pelicans season ended last night a 113-to-104 loss to the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. Golden State was just too good in this series, but New Orleans Coach Alvin Gentry still sees his team is one on the rise…

Cut 6 (12)  “you advance”

A terrible automobile accident in North Louisiana claims the life of a 6 year old Houma boy. Shortly after 2:30 P.M. in Richland Parish which is just adjacent Ouachita Parish on I-20. 33-year old trina Robinson of Houma was west-bound on I-20 when she exited the bee bayou road. Her Yukon went off the road slightly and she over compensated and her car flipped. 6-year old Sevanti Robinson was in the back seat.

Cut 9 (13) “the crash”

That’s Trooper Michael Reichardt.

The house committee on administration of criminal justice advanced a bill yesterday creating the crime of coercing abortion. The new crime would carry a sentence of up to five years and a five thousand dollar fine if someone threatened violence toward a woman who did not get an abortion. The measure now goes to the full house