Louisiana’s Medicaid program now has an automated online process that should speed up applications, and check wage eligibility for recipients more frequently..
Voicer 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle.”

Gas prices continue to decline. Gasbuddy says the statewide average for regular gasoline is down to $2.34 and Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the decline shows no sign of stopping…
cut 5 (10) “…new year”

The Southern Poverty Law Center has released a new report highlighting the lack of recorded data published on police activity in Louisiana in reference to traffic stops. S-P-L-C attorney Jamila Johnson says even though the records are mandatory, there is a nearly universal disregard for the data throughout Louisiana law enforcement.
Cut 9 (12) “…published its report.”
Johnson says the records on traffic stops helps bring transparency to policing efforts.

Two people are dead and two others wounded during a shooting last night in a deli parking lot on Gus Young Avenue in Baton Rouge. The motive and suspects are unknown at this time. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. L’Jean Mckneely describes the scene…
Cut 12 (12) “…deli meat market.”
McKneely says they are looking for two shooters. One of the deceased has been identified as 42-year-old Johnell Davis.

The state Medicaid Office has a new enrollment and verification system online today that provides instant feedback on whether or not you’re eligible, that’s for people who apply for the healthcare program online. Louisiana Medicaid Director Jen Steele says it should cut down on wait times for applicants.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, that time

The new program will also check Medicaid recipients wage eligibility quarterly, instead of every 12 months.

The price at the pump continues to decline.  The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.34 in Louisiana today, down nine cents since last week, putting prices just two cents higher than a year ago.  Gas Buddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says there are two main contributing factors to the continued drop.

Cut 4 (11) “…bite pretty hard.″

Today is recognized as the Great American Smokeout, an observation started by the American Cancer Society in 1975.  Spokesperson for Louisiana’s Smoking Cessation Trust Jim Pittman says the observation was started in an effort to get tobacco users to kick the habit in favor of using money spent on smoking toward charity. According to a recent report, about 23% of adults in Louisiana smoke.  Pittman says he believes the organization is winning in the battle to get smokers to make the effort to quit.

Cut 11 (12) “…enrollees every month.”

To find more info, visit the organization’s website SmokeFreeLA.org

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces he’s running for re-election, putting an end to his flirtation with the 2019 governor’s race that started in late summer.

The price at the pump continues to decline. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.34 in Louisiana today, down nine cents since last week, putting prices just two cents higher than a year ago. Gas Buddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says some gas stations in the state are selling gas below $2 per gallon.
Cut 3 (05) “…Thanksgiving travel season”
DeHaan says the decline could be contributed to a decrease in oil prices.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has announced the Gross Domestic Product grew in Louisiana for the second quarter of 2018, making it the 12th fastest economic growth in the nation, and third among the 12 states of the southeastern region. LSU economist Loren Scott says the state’s percentage rate of growth just barely outpaces the national average.
Cut 13 (12) “…nondurable goods manufacturing.”

US Representative Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish has been elected as House Minority Whip in the next Congress. There was speculation Scalise might push for Minority Leader, but UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that move could have tanked his popularity in the caucus…
cut 8 (06) “…aside”
A leadership vote for Speaker has not been held yet by the Democrats.

Today is the Great American Smokeout a day set aside for smokers to take this opportunity to quit smoking. Loisaina’s Smoking Cessation Trust has enrolled 97-thousand residents in its program since it was created in 2012. Spokesperson Jim Pittman…
cut 12 (07) “….addiction to cigarettes”
The smoking cessation program was created as part of the court settlement against big tobacco. Those who started smoking before September 1, 1988 can benefit from the cessation services.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has announced the Gross Domestic Product grew in Louisiana for the second quarter of 2018, making it the 12th fastest economic growth in the nation, and third among the 12 states of the southeastern region.  LSU economist Loren Scott says Louisiana is way higher than the rest of the country in the contributions to the construction sector.

Cut 14 (09) “…our history frankly.”
Scott says the state’s percentage rate of growth just barely outpaces the national average.

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces he’s running for re-election, after dancing with the idea of running for governor in late summer. The former Republican Congressman has served in the office since 2016. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says the declaration was unambiguous, and timely for a reason.

Cut 4 (09) “…attorney general″

Today is recognized as the Great American Smokeout, an observation started by the American Cancer Society in 1975.  Spokesperson for Louisiana’s Smoking Cessation Trust Jim Pittman says the observation was started in an effort to get tobacco users to kick the habit in favor of using money spent on smoking toward charity.

Cut 10 (09)   “…a favorite charity“

Shreveport Police have charged two teen suspects in the murder of a pizza delivery driver earlier this month.  When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting they found 28 year old Lester McGee with multiple gunshot wounds.  He later died at a medical facility.  Following the search for the responsible parties, investigators have apprehended a 16-year-old suspect and they are currently on the lookout for 13-year-old Anthony Mandigo.  Crimestoppers is offering a $1000 reward for information that leads to Mandigo’s arrest.

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces plans to run for re-election, ending his flirtation with the 2019 governor’s race….
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Meanwhile, Governor John Bel Edwards returns from Los Angeles today. Edwards was featured on a panel that also included reality television star Kim Kardashian West. And they were there for a discussion on criminal justice reform. The governor’s office says Edwards spoke about the progress Louisiana has made in this area.

US Representative Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish has been elected as House Minority Whip for the next Congress. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says look for Scalise to work with Democrats on issues like coastal erosion and flood protection….
cut 9 (11) “….for Louisiana”
A leadership vote for House Speaker has yet to be taken.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has announced the Gross Domestic Product grew in Louisiana for the second quarter of 2018, making it the 12th fastest economic growth in the nation, and third among the 12 states of the southeastern region. LSU economist Loren Scott says the state’s percentage rate of growth just barely outpaces the national average.
Cut 13 (12) “…nondurable goods manufacturing.”
Educational services and finance and insurance were the only sectors that fell in the second quarter.

Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says he will not run for governor next year, instead he’ll seek re-election. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says less competition will help the Republican’s chances of defeating Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 5 (10) “…out there”
So far there’s only one announced challenger to Edwards. And that’s Republican Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Republican Senator John Kennedy and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham remain undecided on a run for governor.

Today is the Great American Smokeout. A day set aside to encourage smokers to quit the habit. Louisiana’s Smoking Cessation Trust was established in 2012 and it’s helped some 97-thousand individuals who began their smoking habit before September 1, 1988…
cut 11 (12) “….enrollees every month”
For information go to smoking-cessation-trust-dot-org.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise will be back in a leadership position for the 116th Congress. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

We are a week away from Thanksgiving, a huge travel week, and the price at the gas pump continues to fall. Gas-Buddy-dot-com reports the statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.33. About five weeks, the statewide average was near 2.60. Now Gas-Buddy says there are dozens of stations selling gasoline for less than two-dollars a gallon.

Attorney General Jeff Landry forgoes a run for governor. Instead the St. Martinville native will seek a second term as A-G. Landry has been a political rival to Governor John Bel Edwards as the two have sparred over numerous issues. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says Landry’s decision is a mixed bag for the governor…
cut 6 (11) “…other ones”
Now we wait to see if Senator John Kennedy or Congressman Ralph Abraham jump into next year’s governor’s race.

US Representative Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish has been elected as House Minority Whip in the next Congress. There was speculation Scalise might push for Minority Leader, but UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that move could have tanked his popularity in the caucus…
cut 8 (06) “…aside”
A leadership vote for Speaker has not been held yet by the Democrats.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has announced the Gross Domestic Product grew in Louisiana for the second quarter of 2018, making it the 12th fastest economic growth in the nation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Ouachita, Caldwell, LaSalle, Winn and Grant Parishes are under a freezing fog advisory until 9 AM or until the fog lifts. The National Weather Service says areas of dense fog in sub-freezing temperatures will result in a thin layer of ice on bridges and overpasses. We will see a warm-up today into the 50s.