The deadline to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is this Sunday. Healthcare-dot-gov CEO Kevin Counihan says over 200,000 Louisianians have already signed up for coverage through the federal insurance marketplace. He says it’s easy to sign up and you only need four pieces of information to get started…:
CUT 3 (11) “financial help”
He says 62-percent of Louisiana residents are able to find plans for $75 or less with financial assistance.

Today the LHSAA is set to vote on the future of playoffs for high school athletics in Louisiana. They are going to decide whether or not to continue the select/nons-elect split. The convention could also choose to expand the system to other sports. The issue was discussed through several meetings on Thursday.

Another candidate has entered the race for US Senate, but this one will run as an Independent….:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tulane University and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System researchers say they have created a painkiller that’s just as strong as morphine but non-addictive. Lead Investigator Dr. James Zadina says in recent years, we’ve seen an increase in overdose deaths from opioid uses…:
Cut 15 (06) “some extent”

Researchers from Tulane University have developed a non-addictive pain killer as an alternative to morphine. Emelie Gunn has more on the new drug…

cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The number of Louisianians purchasing health insurance under the Affordable Care Act continues to grow. Over 198,000 residents have enrolled for health care coverage through the federal insurance marketplace. That’s approximately 12,000 more than last year. Open enrollment for the Afordable Care Act ends Sunday.

The Department of Ag & Forestry continues to locate skimming devices on gas pumps across Louisiana. Commissioner Mike Strain says 25 skimming devices have been discovered throughout the state since last June. He says if you are using a card at the pump, you should run it as a credit, not a debit…

cut 12 (10) “you can see them”

These devices steal a consumer’s credit card or debit card information.

The Department of Transportation is warning drivers of a single lane closure on eastbound I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish just before the Mississippi River Bridge beginning today. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the construction will patch and pave the road starting at I-10 at LA 1. He says you can visit 511-LA-dot-org for current traffic updates…

cut 9 (09) “alternative route”

The lane will close tonight at 8:30 and reopen Monday morning at six.

Skimming devices, which document credit card numbers, keep popping up on gas pumps throughout the state…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ Medicaid expansion plan will get its first legislative test today. The Edwards administration is seeking to hire health department workers to sign residents up for the expanded coverage. The joint House and Senate budget committee is expected to consider the hiring plan today. The proposal would cost $10.3 million this budget year, that would be paid by the federal government and health providers.

Former state legislator and Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert announces he’s running for the US Senate. A television station reported this week that Hebert is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly receiving sexual favors from a New Orleans woman who was having trouble with their liquor license. Hebert says those accusations are completely false…

cut 6 (12) “U.S. senator”

Hebert will run for Senate as an Independent.

The Department of Transportation is alerting drivers of a single lane closure beginning today on eastbound I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish just before the Mississippi River Bridge. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says construction is necessary to maintain the integrity of the roadway. But he says they tried to schedule the road work during times with the least amount of traffic.

cut 7 (07) “at six”

Mallett says visit 511-LA-dot-org for current traffic updates.

Researchers at Tulane University and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System say they have created a painkiller that’s just as strong as morphine but non-addictive. Lead Investigator Dr. James Zadina says human clinical trials are set to begin within the next couple of years…

cut 14 (11) “focus”

He says they used compounds from the brain rather than from opium plants to create the endomorphin drug.

The Department of Ag & Forestry continues to find skimming devices on gasoline pumps throughout the state. Commissioner Mike Strain says that crooks are getting smarter and smarter with the skimming devices to make it easier to access consumer’s personal information…

cut 11 (07) “to look for them”

He says since last June, 25 skimming devices have been discovered in 12 Louisiana parishes.

Former Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert announces he’s thrown his hat in the ring for the US Senate. Hebert served in the state legislature from 1996 to 2010 before becoming ATC Commissioner. Hebert says he plans to run for Senate as an Independent….
cut 5 (09) “politics that we have”

When Hebert was elected as a state representative, he was a democrat, but towards the end of his legislative career he changed to Independent.

The Department of Transportation says single lane closure begin today on eastbound I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish just before the Mississippi River Bridge. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the left lane closure begins at the foot of the new bridge. He advises motorists to seek alternate routes to avoid backups on I-10…

cut 8 (10) “the bridge”

Mallet says construction is necessary to maintain the integrity of the roadway.

Skimming devices, which document credit card numbers, are continuing to pop up on gasoline pumps throughout the state. Department of Ag & Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says their inspectors recently located three in Ascension Parish and two in Baton Rouge. He says since June 2015, a total of 25 skimming devices have been discovered in 12 Louisiana parishes…:

cut 10 (04) “numbers”

Strain says they encourage people to constantly check their bank statements and file a report if they notice anything out of the ordinary.

Ex-state legislator and former Alcohol and Tobacco Commissioner Troy Hebert announces he’s running for the US Senate. The former lawmaker from Jeanerette says he’s now ready to serve the state of Louisiana in Washington…

cut 4 (12) “people are ready”

Hebert served as A-T-C commissioner for five years, until he resigned at the end of 2015.

Tulane University and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System researchers say they have created a painkiller that’s just as strong as morphine but non-addictive. Lead Investigator Dr. James Zadina says tests performed on animals lead them to the conclusion that this could be a non-addictive alternative to morphine…

cut 13 (11) “liked it”

Zadina says this drug could help people in pain who lack adequate treatment without the threat of addiction or serious side-effects.

Health officials say while the Zika (ZEEKA) virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. The relatively new mosquito-borne virus has been linked to birth defects in pregnant women. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (bow-cheeny), infectious disease expert at LSU Health Shreveport, says the Zika virus could lead to congenital infection in pregnant women…:
CUT 6 (08) “and development”
He says, as of now, there is no spread of the virus in the United States.

Ex-state legislator and former Alcohol and Tobacco Commissioner Troy Hebert announces he’s running for the US Senate. When Hebert was elected as a state representative in 1995, he was a democrat, but towards the end of his legislative career he was an Independent. He says this time he plans to run for Senate as an Independent. Hebert denies reports that he got sexual favors from a woman having trouble with her liquor license.

The alleged child predator who was a popular Monroe television host in the 70s, claims he is not the “Mr. Wonder” that authorities have been looking for. The man identified as Frank Selas was arrested in San Diego for allegedly sexually abusing children during a Louisiana camping trip in 1979. Deputy US Marshal Steve Jurman, based in San Diego, says it’s mind blowing the access to kids this man had since 1985 in California…:
CUT 9 (08) “cub scouts”
They are worried their could be victims in San Diego they are asking to come forward.

The LHSAA’s annual convention wraps up tomorrow and there are some big votes on the agenda for principals. One proposal would create select- non-select playoffs in basketball, softball and baseball. There’s also a proposal to return the football playoffs back to a five-class system, there’s also a proposal to have metro and rural divisions for the football postseason.

The Louisiana Supreme Court overturns a constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for political office. In their ruling, the Court says what residents voted on in 1997 did not match what the legislature did. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the justices put a lot of thought into this opinion…:
CUT 3 (10) “the right way”
He believes lawmakers will likely bring this issue up to voters again.

Louisiana fell two spots to No. 42 on the annual State of American Well-Being rankings by Gallup-Healthways. To come up with the list, states are evaluated on purpose, social support, financial security, community pride and physical activity. Based on interviews with 177,281 Americans, Louisiana scored highest in the purpose category — which rates how much residents are motivated to achieve their goals.

Officials in San Diego say the community is troubled that accused child predator, known as Mr. Wonder in Louisiana, has been living in their area for so long. Frank Selas was arrested in California for allegedly sexually abusing children during a Louisiana camping trip in 1979. Deputy US Marshal Steve Jurman, based in San Diego, says a lot of people are talking about this in California…:
Cut 11 (08) “off the radar”
Jurman says Selas was involved in a shocking number activities involving children.

An 89-year-old New Orleans man who went into a war zone at 17 and missed out on a typical high school experience, has finally received his diploma. Richard Totorico, with Trace Senior Living Community, says Michael Decker’s fellow residents surprised him with the sense of a real graduation:
CUT 14 (10) “for him”