Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging the protection of Medicaid expansion. The governor’s communications director Richard Carbo says as the debate is underway in the nation’s capital to repeal and replace Obamacare, Edwards is standing behind the program he signed into law on his first day in office…:
Cut 13 (10) “number one”
He says the governor knows expansion isn’t perfect, but changes should be made that don’t harm people who have already benefited with coverage.

Job growth in Louisiana remains slow and, in some cases, does not exist. Bureau of Labor and Statistics finds Louisiana’s unemployment rate is just under 6-percent. But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says Lake Charles has seen a boom…:
CUT 11 (10) “96 billion”
But due to a struggling oil and gas industry, Houma lost 6,000 jobs over the year, and Lafayette lost 9,000.

Louisiana is now seeing a cluster of mumps cases with students at LSU. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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UNO will play in its first Division one NCAA Tournament game tonight since 1996 when they face Mount St. Mary’s in a First four matchup in Dayton, Ohio. Head Coach Mark Slessinger says it’s been a crazy last couple of days:
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Tonight’s game will tip-off at 5:30 on Tru-TV.

Energy producing areas of the state continue to see large decline in employment. Halen Doughty has more…:
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The state says at least six cases of the mumps have been confirmed on the LSU campus, and given the large outbreak in Arkansas, it’s important to know the signs…:
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That’s State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch.

The state Legislative Auditor’s Office launches an investigation into the travel spending of Louisiana State Police. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the goal of the investigation is to uncover the truth…:
cut 4 (09) “actually transpired”
LSP is being investigated for alleged illegal campaign contributions and possible personal vacations clocked as business time. Col Mike Edmonson says they are looking forward to finding out the truth as well and making policy changes accordingly.

UNO will play in its first NCAA Tournament game in 21 years when they face Mount St. Mary’s tonight for a 5:30 tip-off on Tru-TV.

The state Legislative Auditor’s Office launches an investigation into the travel spending of Louisiana State Police. The inquiry comes amid an ongoing investigations into the agency by the Governor’s Office. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera hopes this probe will lead to policy changes in the department…:
Cut 3 (09) “in the future”
LSP is conducting their own internal investigation into the side trips and possible overtime pay. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson hopes the findings of all these probes can be turned into new policy and accountability practices…:
Cut 5 (09) “welcome that”
Rumors are going around that Edmonson is being asked to step down but he says he has no plans to do so.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics finds Louisiana’s unemployment rate has seen little change overall in the past year, but manufacturing and the oil and gas industry continue to see big losses. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says Houma lost 6,000 jobs over the year, and Lafayette lost 9,000…:
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Louisiana’s unemployment rate is just under 6-percent statewide.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is promoting the Bayou State to travelers from Germany, as Condor Airlines prepares to offer direct flights to New Orleans this summer. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this means even more people from out of the country will be making trips here…:
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Nungesser says while in Louisiana, German visitors stay about 7 days and spend an average of $400 per day.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson is the subject of plenty of controversy, but the Governor’s office says it’s only a rumor that the superintendent has been asked to step down. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Rafael Goyeneche, says it’s not looking good for LSP…:
Cut 13 (10) “the superintendent”

Car insurance rates are on the rise again and one big culprit is the smartphone. That’s according to state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who says drivers are distracted by their phones and it’s leading to more accidents…:
Cut 4 (10) “while driving”
The National Highway Safety Administration finds distracted driving is the cause for 20-percent of crashes in the state.

Day two of jury selection is underway in the murder trial of Derek Stafford. He’s the law enforcement officer from Marksville accues of killing a six-year-old autistic boy during a traffic stop in November of 2015. So far six tentative jurors have been selected and attorneys have to agree on eight more.

With help from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, a pregnant mother from Haughton is donating her terminal baby’s tissue for research. Halen Doughty has more…
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Motorists in Louisiana won’t like this but it’s also not much of a surprise that car insurance rates keep going up here. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says you can blame low gas prices meaning more people on the road, and the increase in the number of folks on their phone. He also says cars are nicer which also means higher rates
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he National Highway Safety Administration finds distracted driving is the cause for 20-percent of crashes in the state.

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency says a pregnant mother from Haughton is donating her terminal baby’s tissue for research. Kirsten Heintz with LOPA says this type of selfless act by Brittney Walls can bring a sense of fulfillment for mothers who will inevitably lose their child…:
Cut 8 (10) “their pregnancies”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is getting ready for the new nonstop between New Orleans and Germany coming this summer. He hopes these new tourists will take advantage of all there is to do in Louisiana.
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UNO represents Louisiana in the NCAA Tournament tonight as they face Mount St. Mary’s in a First Four contest in Dayton, Ohio. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Col Mike Edmonson is coming under fire amid accusations some troopers took personal trips on tax payers dime and that illegal campaign contributions may have taken place, but the governor’s office says they have not asked the superintendent to resign. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Rafael Goyeneche, says Edmonson’s behavior has been questioned in the past…:
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He says all this doesn’t look good for LSP.

Louisiana car insurance rates keeping rising and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says one reason could be the cheap cost of gas. He says that means more vehicles are on the road…:
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He says more wrecks means higher insurance and motorists are crashing at higher rates because they are on their phone.

A Haughton woman with a fatal pregnancy is making a selfless contribution to science with the help of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. Kirsten Heintz with LOPA says at 18 weeks pregnant, Brittney Walls found out her baby suffers from a fatal disease, and the mom decided to carry then donate her baby’s neonatal tissue for research…:
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She says this donation can bring a sense of fulfillment for mothers who will inevitably lose their child.

A former high school teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her female students has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty. 27-year-old Kimberly Naquin, who taught at Destrehan High, is convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and prohibited sexual contact between a teacher and student and received a suspended five-year prison sentence. She’ll have to register as a sex offender.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson is still the subject of plenty of controversy, but the Governor’s office says it’s only a rumor that the superintendent has been asked to step down. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Rafael Goyeneche, it’s not looking good for LSP…:
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The investigation into travel by certain troopers and also the probe into alleged illegal campaign contributions are among the concerns.

Lawyers for Cardell Hayes are set for a hearing today in the latest in the Will Smith manslaughter case. Hayes faces up to 60 years after convictions for killing the former defensive star for the Saints and wounding Smith’s wife. Hayes’ lawyers apparently have questions for the doctor and other medical personnel who treated Raquel Smith.

Jury selection will continue today in the murder trial of Derrick Stafford, a Marksville City Marshal, accused of fatally shooting a six-year-old in 2015. Six jurors have been seated and eight more are needed before the trial can begin.

Car insurance rates in the Bayou State are on the rise again and a few factors could be the major culprits. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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The Louisiana Office of Tourism is promoting the Bayou State to travelers from Germany, as Condor Airlines prepares to offer direct flights to New Orleans this summer. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser..:
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He says German tourism make up nearly 10-percent of all international visitors to Louisiana.

Car insurance rates are on the rise again in Louisiana and one big culprit could be the smartphone. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says drivers are having a hard time putting down the device…:
Cut 4 (10) “while driving”
The National Highway Safety Administration finds distracted driving is the cause for 20-percent of crashes in the state.

The Governor’s Office says speculation that State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson will step down is just a rumor. The Col has been surrounded in controversy over questionable travel, and now troopers are being subpoenaed by the FBI probing possible illegal campaign contributions. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Rafael Goyeneche, says the public deserves to know how LSP is spending public funds…:
Cut 14 (09) “will go forward”

The man cops say is responsible for the death of a 16-year-old boy who was celebrating his birthday has been arrested. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Darius Plummer. State Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Octavio Bringas. He is charged with second-degree murder. Cops believe he was trying to leave the state as he was apprehended in Lake Charles.

UNO will play in its first Division one NCAA Tournament game tonight since 1996 when they face Mount St. Mary’s in a First four matchup in Dayton, Ohio. The Privateers secured an invite to the Big Dance by winning the Southland Tournament Championship game on Saturday night. Head Coach Mark Slessinger says it’s been a crazy last couple of days:
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Tonight’s game will tip-off at 5:30 on Tru-TV.