The Department of Corrections has activated a database that enrolls prisoners in Medicaid on the day they are released from 7 state owned facilities. DOC Medical Director Dr. Raman Singh says this new program gives former offenders access to primary care physicians, instead of emergency rooms…:
Cut 5 (11) “cost efficient care”
He says this is good for taxpayers because proper care could reduce the recidivism rate.

A 15-year-old on his way to school this morning in Denham Springs died after he was hit by a truck, according to police. They believe the student was crossing the road when headed to Denham Springs Freshman High, and was struck.

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a man in the shooting death of his son. They say the suspect, 48-year-old Rico Wilbert, had been in an altercation with the victim, 23-year-old Tyrone Issac. Wilbert is booked with second degree murder.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore said 38-year-old Vernell Day’s defense argued during sentencing Wednesday that their client had another child that was never hurt. Moore that doesn’t fly…:
CUT 15 (08) “him on that”
Day was convicted of beating 5-year-old Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2015.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. He says the reforms will reduce state spending, incarcerate fewer people, and have a lower crime rate and less recidivism without jeopardizing public safety…:
Cut 9 (09) “a gamble”
Edwards says the state is looking at proven strategies that have worked to reduce the prison population in other southern conservative states.

Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is one of two candidates to become the new FEMA director, according to sources. US Senator John Kennedy says this would be a perfect choice as Rainwater has vast experience in dealing with disasters in Louisiana.
Cut 12 (09) “for Louisiana”
A final decision on who Trump will nominate to direct FEMA may not be made until April or May.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. But he says opposition is coming from many DAs.
CUT 8 (07) “overall approach”
Edwards says we have to find a way to lower the state’s incarceration rate, because Louisiana spends $600 million a year on the Department of Corrections.

A former choir director from Neville High School is under arrest by the Monroe Police Department on charges including four counts of each of prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student, and distribution of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. The suspect is identified as 25-year-old Jamaal Amos.

Newly released inmates are getting access to healthcare thanks to a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Health and the Department of Corrections. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor Edwards says reducing minimum mandatory sentences for some nonviolent offense will be part of his criminal justice reform package in the regular session….”
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Sources say Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is one of two candidates to become the next director of FEMA. U.S Senator John Kennedy supports former Governor Bobby Jindal’s Chief of Staff…:
Cut 10 (11) “any better”

The Department of Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health are teaming up to get health coverage for newly released inmates. DOC Medical Director Dr. Raman Singh says they are helping incarcerated inmates enroll in Medicaid so that once they are released, they can continue to receive the care they need…:
Cut 4 (10) “disorder issues”
Singh says the first phase of the program is being implemented in 7 DOC state facilities, with 230 offenders already linked to a health plan.

A Baton Rouge father who beat his 5-year-old son to death will spend his life behind bars. 39-year-old Vernell Day was sentenced Wednesday. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar more says jail is only place the man who killed 5-year-old Jay’v’une Bergin belongs..:
CUT 14 (09) “different positions”
Police say Bergin was taken to the hospital in August of 2014, and died two days later.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. Edwards says the state is looking at other states’ proven strategies that have worked to reduce the number of inmates behind bars…:
Cut 7 (08) “offenses”
Edwards says Louisiana spends a whopping $600 million a year on the Department of Corrections.

Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is a finalist to become the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Last month 38-year-old Vernell Day, Jr. was found guilty of second degree murder for beating his son Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2014. District Attorney Hillar Moore says with that conviction, there was only one way the sentencing could go.:
Cut 13 (10) “life imprisonment”
Police say Jay’v’une was taken to the hospital in August of 2014 after suffering multiple blows, and the child died two days later.

FEMA has denied federal aid for several parishes impacted by tornadoes in February. Governor John Bel Edwards’ request was approved for Livingston and Orleans, but FEMA will not provide assistance to Ascension, St. James and St. Tammany parishes. The governor intends to appeal this decision.

Louisiana Republicans are encouraged after hearing President Donald Trump’s address to Congress last night. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says the speech was a homerun and very patriotic.

Cut 8 (09) “America first”

But Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk remains skeptical and says actions speak louder than words.

Grambling President Rick Gallot is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Trump on making historically black colleges and universities a priority. Gallot says, from a funding standpoint, it makes a huge difference when the White House has promised to be involved.

Cut 14 (09) “we’re encouraged”

HBCU Presidents are calling for a $25 billion investment.

A man is dead following an officer involved shooting in Houma on Tuesday night. State Trooper Jesse Lagrange says the Houma Police Department was involved in an incident with a barricaded subject when the shooting occurred.

Cut 10 (07) “the shooting”

Lagrange says they are not releasing the any details about the deceased man or what led to the incident at this time.

An escaped work release inmate is once again behind bars after a high speed chase in Webster Parish that ended with a vehicle going airborne. Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton says deputies set up a roadblock to catch 18-year-old Kevonte Austin.

Cut 3 (12) “in the car”

Sexton says the woman was not hurt, and Austin was apprehended.

Louisiana’s Republican delegation approves of President Donald Trump’s message to Congress last night but Democrats are still skeptical. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son in 2014 was sentenced today. Vernell Day Jr. was found guilty of second-degree murder last month, and District Attorney Hillar Moore says the sentencing was pretty cut and dry.

Cut 23 (04) “…life imprisonment”

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is under fire after saying historically black colleges and universities are pioneers in school choice, when in fact many were established because they were the only option for black students. Grambling State University President Rick Gallot says he understands DeVos is committed to school choice, but perhaps her comments were misguided.

Cut 16 (09) “white schools”

Gallot just returned from a meeting with President Trump to discuss making HBCU’s a priority.

An escaped work release inmate has been captured after a high speed chase ended with the vehicle going airborne and landing in a parking lot in Webster Parish. Sheriff Gary Sexton says even after the crash, 18-year-old Kevonte Austin wasn’t giving up without a fight.

Cut 4 (11) “to the ground”

Sexton says it’s a miracle no one was hurt.

Republicans are pleased with President Trump’s address to Congress last night, Democrats are not. Mr. Trump laid out his plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, increase military spending and create jobs. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says the President’s speech should ease the minds of many skeptics…:
Cut 6 (10) “picture”
The Louisiana Democratic Party still doesn’t believe President Trump will make America great.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of beating his 5-year-old son to death was sentenced to life in prison today. 38-year-old Vernell Day Jr. was found guilty of second degree murder in the death of Jay’v’une Bergin in February, and learned his jail time today. One of the doctors who treated the child testified his injuries were as bad as what you might see in a car crash. Bergin died in August of 2014.

Two Sulphur residents are dead after a fire broke out in their home early this morning. Sulphur Fire Chief Dan Selph says they suspected the two were inside, but they had to make the difficult decision not to get aggressive and enter the burning home…:
Cut 13 (10) “to go inside”
The victims were a 58 year old woman and a 68 year old man.

Grambling President Rick Gallot is back from his trip to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump on the administration’s commitment to making historically black colleges and universities a priority. He says they’re hoping Congress will will bolster Mr. Trump’s action…:
Cut 15 (09) “be welcome”
HBCU Presidents are calling for $25 billion dollars for infrastructure, college readiness, financial aid and other priorities.