The Louisiana Legislature is seeing a high turnover rate as the AP reports 22 state lawmakers, roughly 15%, have left office without completing their terms since January 2016.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he believes the reason behind the exodus is that the Louisiana Legislature is not the glory place it used to be.

Cut 9 (10) “…with the Governor.″
The new 116^th Congress begins tomorrow, and they do so in the shadow of a partial federal government shutdown. Republicans and Democrats are divided over border security funding. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson says the partisanship is a sad trend, adding the divisiveness is among the worst in since the Civil War.  But he believes the GOP can play defense against the left, and work on the offense plans as well in terms of how they are going to move legislation.

Cut 13 (09) “…we always have.”

Hospitals are now required to put a master price list online for all of their services. It’s a mandate from the 2010 Affordable Care Act that aims to get consumers more involved in their healthcare, but Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles cautions if you have insurance, those prices won’t be your final bill.  Hospitals are allowed to put prices in context, such as providing the average out of pocket expense to a Medicare patient for a certain treatment.  So, if you are insured, the best way to find out what a treatment, surgery, or other service will cost, is to pick up your phone, and…

Cut 4 (08) “situation.″

Gasoline prices continue to fall. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a $1.95. That’s about 20-cents cheaper than a month ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump should continue to fall as demand for gasoline is low in January compared to other months

Cut 6 (08) “…$1.90”

The Associated Press reports 22 state lawmakers left before finishing their term over the last three years. Why such a high turnover rate?  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A pastor whose wife was killed late November in a New Orleans carjacking has been declared missing after this vehicle was found abandoned in the city. David Plessy was last heard from by his daughter on Monday, who says they’re quite worried because it’s highly unusual for Mr. Plessy to be out of contact with his family for this long. His wife died after three teenagers threw her out of the vehicle, and struck her as they departed.

Starting this year Hospitals are now required to put a master price list online for all of their services, but Unfortunately a brief survey of Louisiana hospitals indicated that many have either not posted those prices on their primary hospital website, have dead links to price charts, or have made them very difficult to access. So, if you’re interested in seeing what the real cost of that x-ray is, you may not have an easy time doing it…

Cut 5 (09) “…available.”

That’s Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles who says the prices are also referred to as “charges”, or “standard charges”.

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch as several inches of rain are expected to fall between today and Friday morning. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says we are also seeing chilly temperatures

Cut 16 (10) “…the 40s.”

Central Louisiana could see see the highest rainfall totals, as three to five inches is forecasted.

The new 116th Congress begins tomorrow, and they do so in the shadow of a partial federal government shutdown. Republicans and Democrats are divided over border security funding. President Donald Trump is seeking five-billion dollars to build a wall between Mexico and the US. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson says there are some in Congress who do not want to give President Trump a win.
Cut 12 (06) “…of the people.”

Louisiana’s legislature has also become more partisan over the years, which is one reason why 22 legislators have failed to finish their term since 2016. That’s according to the Associated Press. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says being a state legislator isn’t as a glamorous as it used to be…
cut 11 (12) “..in politics”

Hospitals are now required to post a list of prices for their services on their website. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch as several inches of rain are expected to fall betweeen today and Friday morning. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says heavy downpours are possible today and tonight and again during the day tomorrow…
cut 15 (10) “….more rain”

Gasoline prices continue to fall, and according to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a $1.95.  Fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices should remain below two-dollars until March, when refineries begin the switch to summer grade gasoline. He says until then, the supply of gasoline on the market is strong

Cut 7 (06) “…the country”

Today’s price is down 20 cents from a month ago.

The Louisiana Legislature is seeing a high turnover rate as the AP reports 22 state lawmakers, roughly 15%, have left office without completing their terms since January 2016. The state has held ten legislative sessions in three years, including seven special sessions called by Governor John Bel Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says between the workload, the time away from jobs and families, and the lack of retirement and medical benefits, it’s just not as an attractive position as it once was.

Cut 10 (12) “…statewide elected official”

Beginning January 1st, hospitals were required to put a master price list online for all of their services. It’s a mandate from the 2010 Affordable Care Act that aims to get consumers more involved in their healthcare, but Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles cautions if you have insurance, those prices won’t be your final bill.

Cut 3 (11) “…rules.”

Unfortunately a brief survey of Louisiana hospitals indicated that many have either not posted those prices on their primary hospital website, have dead links to price charts, or have made them very difficult to access. When available, the prices come via excel spreadsheet.

The price for gasoline continues to fall. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a $1.95. That’s about 20-cents cheaper than a month ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump should continue to fall as demand for gasoline is low in January compared to other months…
cut 6 (08) “…$1.90”

Now that a new year has arrived, a unanimous jury verdict is required to convict someone of a felony crime committed after December 31, 2018. Voters approved the constitutional amendment in November. Opponents raised concerns that unanimous verdicts will make it tougher for justice to be served. But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says…
Cut 28 (8) “…unanimous jury.”
Oregon is now the only state that allows non-unanimous jury convictions.

A major story to follow in 2019 will be Louisiana’s governor’s race. So far, two main Republican challengers have emerged as Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards seeks a second term. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards’ opponents will point to the state’s economy as a reason why a change is needed…
cut 12 (07) “…still down”
Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone are the two announced Republican challengers so far.

There is no talk of a national championship at U-C-F. LSU ended the Knights 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 win in the Fiesta Bowl. Quarterback Joe Burrow bounced back from an early pick six and a crushing hit to throw for 394 yards and four touchdowns…..
cut 15 (10) “….keep working”
LSU finishes 10-3. It’s first ten-win season since 2013.

With the new year comes the tradition of making new year’s resolutions.  But many of the goals don’t necessarily withstand the test of time.  Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health at LDH  , Alex Billioux recommends putting together a highly detailed plan of action to make sure that your goals fit into your daily routine.

Cut 5 (10) “…going to do it.”

All felony convictions require a unanimous jury decision, as the unanimous juries constitutional amendment that passed in November is now in effect. It’s the end of a Jim Crowe era law that made Louisiana one of only two states that did not require unanimous decisions in those cases, and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the new law could mean a few more hung jury results, and will probably force DAs to reconsider pursing charges when the case is shaky.

Cut 9 (09) “…case.″

Governor John Bel Edwards says his top legislative priority is to give teachers a pay raise. Don Molino looks at whether the governor will be successful…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The parents of a 9 year old boy who went missing from their home on Friday are free after posting bail.   According to the Evangeline Parish Jail, Paul and Minette Thibodeaux each had a bail set at $35,000.  The boy was found Sunday morning hiding under a neighbor’s home.  Police arrested the parents for an unkept home and their two children appeared malnourished.

A big story in 2019 will be Louisiana’s governor’s race. The gubernatorial primary is October 12th. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the race will likely need the November 16th runoff and the winner that night will claim the governor’s mansion by a slim margin…
cut 11 (10) “….for a Democrat”
Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone are the two main Republican challengers.

Much of the northern half of the state and southwest Louisiana are under a flash flood watch through today and into tomorrow. Chris Nuttall with the National Weather Service says one to five inches of rain could fall over the next couple of days…
cut 13 (12) “…basically”

What are the best practices to maintain your new year’s resolutions? Louisiana Department of Health has some tips.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

LSU ended U-C-F’s 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 win at the Fiesta Bowl. Tigers linebacker Devin White says it was a great way to end the year…
cut 18 (20) “….new year”
It’s LSU’s first ten win season since 2013.

After a fairly dry New Year’s Day, rain chances increase today and flash flood watches are posted for a large portion of the state. It includes Lake Charles, Alexandria and Monroe. We are coming off a wet December and Chris Nuttall says this wet weather pattern was expected…
cut 14 (08) “….a wetter winter”
Some areas of central Louisiana could see four to six inches of rain over the next couple of days.

All felony convictions require a unanimous jury decision, as the unanimous juries constitutional amendment that passed in November is now in effect. It’s the end of a Jim Crowe era law that made Louisiana one of only two states that did not require unanimous decisions in those cases. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s a positive change.
Cut 7 (08) “…the process”

A major story in 2019 will be the governor’s race. Democrat John Bel Edwards is up for re-election and there’s two announced Republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s unclear who will be Edwards’ biggest challenger
Cut 10 (12) “…election day.”
The gubernatorial primary is October 12th.

With the new year comes the tradition of new year’s resolutions. But many of the goals don’t withstand the test of time. Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Public Health, Alex Billioux says choose goals you can commit to out of desire.
Cut 4 (06) “…you should do.”
Billioux recommends putting together a highly detailed plan of action to make sure that your goals fit into your daily routine.