A legislative hearing takes place this morning as lawmakers want to learn more about the Louisiana Department of Health’s decision not to renew UnitedHealthCare’s Medicaid contract…

Cut 9 (11) “…good reason why”

That’s Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot who says the decision not to renew with United Health Care means that 333-thousand Medicaid recpients will have a new insurance provider on January 1^st.

LSU AgCenter entomologists are looking to rebuild the firefly population. Aaron Ashbrook says kids love chasing fireflies and so do adults…

Cut 5 (09) “…would engage in”

Ashbrook says they planted native plants in the Town of Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish that mimics the environment fireflies would have lived in before human encroachment.

A state lawmaker raises concerns about the organizational changes made with the LSU System and what it means for the future of LSU Health Shreveport. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The FBI has arrested a man in New Iberia that federal authorities say was involved in an extremist group that was planning a series of New Year’s Eve attacks in southern California. FBI director Kash Patel says the Louisiana arrestee was part of a pro-Palestinian anti-government organization.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident where a neighbor used lethal force to end a domestic dispute. It happened in the Mandeville area early Monday morning. Investigators say the neighbor got involved after seeing a woman trying to flee from her boyfriend who was attacking her with a knife in the front yard. Deputies say the neighbor demanded that the man stop and when he didn’t that’s when he shot the attacker. At this time no charges have been filed.

Higher ed officials say more high school students are participating in dual enrollment.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

A legislative hearing takes place this morning to get answers on why the Louisiana Department of Health cancelled a Medicaid contract with UnitedHeathCare. The decision means that 333-thousand Medicaid recipients covered by UnitedHealthCare will switch to another health care plan on January 1^st. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he and other lawmakers want to know how that will work…

Cut 8 (11) “….and play out”

You never see fireflies anymore. The Town of Jean Lafitte has reached out to the LSU AgCenter to work on a plan to re-establish firefly populations in the Wetland Trace boardwalk trail. Entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says part of that plan involves planting 375 native plants within a 15-hundred-square-foot area.

Cut 4 (10) “…Jean Lafitte Barataria.”

Pesticides, urban development, invasive insects and light pollution are all cited as reasons for the significant drop in firefly population.

A state lawmaker is worried about the future of LSU Health Shreveport. The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of operations at its research institutions. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says the restructuring ends 25 years of local autonomy for LSU Health Shreveport.

Cut 13 (12)  “…that concerns me.”

LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to compete for major grants and attract faculty.

Element USA announces it’s investing $850 million to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. According to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, this facility will produce materials essential to advanced manufacturing, national defense, and energy technologies, and also create 200 new direct jobs.

A record 75-percent of Louisiana’s high school Class of 2024, graduated with early college credit, an increase of 11 percentage points from the Class of 2019. The goal is to reach 100-percent…

Cut 12 (11) “…workforce credential.”

That’s Tristan Denley with the Board of Regents, who says increasing dual enrollment participation is an important priority in Louisiana’s overall goal to improve educational attainment.

The LSU AgCenter and the Town of Jean Lafitte are teaming up to re-establish the firefly population. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State lawmakers will get answers today on why the Louisiana Health Department decided to end its Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says the decision to cut ties with UnitedHealthcare surprised legislators.

Cut 7 (07) “…the renewal date.”

LDH says the 333-thousand Medicaid recipients who are covered by UnitedHealthcare will be switched to another health care plan in 2026.

Education officials are celebrating the fact that three out of every four Louisiana graduates in the Class of 2024 had college credits when they received their diploma. The 75-percent rate is an 11-point increase from 2019. Tristan Denley, the deputy commissioner for academic affairs and innovation at the Board of Regents, says high school students can earn college credit in a number of ways.

Cut 10 (06) “…international baccalaureate courses.”

A state lawmaker raises concerns about the organizational changes made with the LSU System and what it means for the future of LSU Health Shreveport…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Hollywood is mourning the death of slain-director and actor Rob Reiner. Police say Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, fatally stabbed his father and mother Michelle Reiner. Did you know Rob Reiner’s last movie he released was filmed in New Orleans, Spinal Tap II, the End Continues.

The LSU AgCenter and the Town of Jean Lafitte are teaming up to re-establish the firefly population. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A major achievement among Louisiana’s high school graduates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A state lawmaker raises concerns about the organizational changes made with the LSU System and what it means for the future of LSU Health Shreveport. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Firefly populations have hit historically low numbers in Louisiana and other parts of the country where fireflies are native. The Town of Jean Lafitte has reached out to the LSU AgCenter to work on a plan to re-establish firefly populations in the Wetland Trace boardwalk trail. Aaron Ashbrook, the urban and peri-urban extension entomologist at the LSU AgCenter, says part of that plan involves planting 375 native plants within a 15-hundred-square-foot area.

Cut 4 (10) “…Jean Lafitte Barataria.”

Ashbrook says fireflies are a major part of Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 5 (09) “…would engage in.”

Ashbrook says besides being a part of people’s childhoods, fireflies also provide benefits to the ecosystem.

Cut 6 (09) “…for our gardens.”

Pesticides, urban development, invasive insects and light pollution are all cited as reasons for the significant drop in firefly population.

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State lawmakers will get answers today on why the Louisiana Health Department decided to end its Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says the decision to cut ties with UnitedHealthcare surprised legislators.

Cut 7 (07) “…the renewal date.”

LDH says the 333-thousand Medicaid recipients who are covered by UnitedHealthcare will be switched to another health care plan in 2026. Talbot says he and other lawmakers want to know how that will work.

Cut 8 (11) “…and play out.”

Democratic legislators have raised concerns that some Medicaid recipients may be forced to find a new doctor if their new insurance provider is not in-network. Talbot says his committee, along with Senate Health and Welfare, will have a chance to hear from LDH leaders at a hearing at 10 this morning.

Cut 9 (11)  “…good reason why.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the state is in litigation with UnitedHealthcare for allegedly overcharging Medicaid recipients for prescription drugs.

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Among all high school graduates in the Class of 2024 in the State of Louisiana, three out of every four graduated having already racked up credits towards college degrees or certifications. The 75-percent rate is an 11-point increase from 2019. Tristan Denley, the deputy commissioner for academic affairs and innovation at the Louisiana Board of Regents, says high school students can earn college credit in a number of ways.

Cut 10 (06) “…international baccalaureate courses.”

Denley says while the vast majority of dual enrollment courses were taken in the aforementioned academic fields, nearly one out of every five students who took dual enrollment courses took courses in career and technical fields.

Cut 11 (12) “…be an electrician.”

Denley says the overwhelming success of the initiative has the state optimistic about achieving its ultimate goal of every student graduating with dual enrollment credits.

Cut 12 (11) “…short-term workforce credential.”

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A state lawmaker is worried about the future of LSU Health Shreveport. The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of operations at its research institutions. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says the restructuring ends 25 years of local autonomy for LSU Health Shreveport.

Cut 13 (12)  “…that concerns me.”

LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to successfully compete for major grants, attract exceptional faculty and expand discoveries that can improve life in Louisiana. But Pressly is concerned LSU Health New Orleans and Pennington Research Center in New Orleans will get more of the research grant dollars.

Cut 14 (08) “…aspect of things.”

Pressly says he’s received assurances from LSU Board Chairman Scott Ballard that LSU Health New Orleans will not get more attention than LSU Health Shreveport. Pressly says he will make sure that Ballard and other LSU leaders stick to their word.

Cut 15 (09) “…science and research..”

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The Saints improved to 4-and-10 on the season after beating the Panthers Sunday, 20-17. New Orleans’ defense came up with a big stop to give its offense the ball with 57 seconds left in the game. Charlie Symth’s 47-yard game-winning field goal sealed the deal. Head coach Kellen Moore says he’s proud of his team’s fight.

Cut 16 (15) “…of our guys.”

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough had an impressive game, as he threw for 272 yards with a touchdown and led the team in rushing with 32 yards on the ground. Moore says that sitting Shough at the beginning of the season has allowed him to develop into a better quarterback.

Cut 17 (18)  “…advantage of that.”

After missing the first five games of the season with a calf injury, Saints defensive end Chase Young has put together an impressive season. Young had six tackles and a sack in the win. Young has six sacks in nine games, and Moore says he’s done a great job of being productive after the injury.

Cut 18 (17)  “…on this team.”

A state lawmaker is worried about the future of LSU Health Shreveport, after the LSU Board of Supervisors approves major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of operations at its research institutions. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says he’s received assurances LSU Health New Orleans will not get more attention than LSU Health Shreveport.

Cut 15 (09) “…science and research..”

Saying that it paid fewer losses this past year than forecast, State Farm is lowering its auto insurance premiums by an average of almost six-percent statewide. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says there’s a direct correlation between the amount of claims that insurance companies pay out and the rates they charge drivers.

Cut 5 (08) “…charge going forward.”

One more cold morning and then mild temperatures through Christmas. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Yesterday’s win by the Saints was quarterback Tyler Shough’s first win in the Superdome. He says that made the win that much more important.

Cut 6 (13) “…lot of fun.”

The Saints’ win over the Panthers was also their second win in a row.

Tyler Shough was one of the heroes for the Saints yesterday, earning his first comeback victory of his NFL career in leading the team to a 20-17 win over the Panthers. The key play came with 12 seconds left and the Saints out of timeouts, when Shough ran it down the middle for four yards and slid. Panthers safety Lathan Ransom hit Shough as he was sliding, drawing a 15-yard penalty – putting Charlie Smyth in perfect position to kick a 47-yard field goal to win the game. Shough says he and his teammates were ready to sprint to the line for him to spike the ball and stop the clock.

Cut 7 (14) “…to clock it.”

LSU senior cornerback Mansoor Delane and Louisiana Tech junior safety Jakari Foster were both named as Associated Press First-Team All-Americans today. Delane recorded 45 total tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups with the Tigers this season. Delane becomes the 37th first-team AP All-American in program history. Foster recorded 54 total tackles, seven interceptions, half a tackle-for-loss and forced a fumble. Foster’s seven interceptions tied for the third most in program history.

Sterlington won its second consecutive state championship on Friday as the Panthers rallied back from a 12-7 deficit to beat Jena. Sterlington Coach Lee Doty says coming from behind was nothing new for his team…

Cut 18 (17)  “…no doubt.”

Louisiana Tech football has finalized its 2026 non-conference schedule. The Bulldogs will open up their season with three straight non-conference games. In week one, Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State on September 5th in Ruston. In week two, the Bulldogs will travel to Baton Rouge for the second straight year to face LSU. In week three, Louisiana Tech will travel to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor. Tech will host Army in the final non-conference game of the year on October 3rd.

The No. 5 LSU women’s basketball returns to the PMAC for the first time in nearly a month tomorrow as the Tigers face Morgan State at 11 a.m.

Tomorrow morning, State lawmakers will get answers on why the Louisiana Health Department decided to end its Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare.  Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Kirk Talbot says the decision to cut ties with United Health Care surprised legislators…

Cut 27 (07) “…renewal date.”

LDH leaders will be at the Senate Health and Welfare meeting at 10 AM.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of research operations at its research institutions. LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to successfully compete for major grants, attract exceptional faculty and expand discoveries that can improve life in Louisiana. But Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly is concerned LSU Health New Orleans and Pennington Research Center in Baton Rouge will get more of the research grant dollars…

Cut 14 (10) “…of things.”

While State Farm will be increasing property insurance premiums, it will also be lowering auto insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It was cold this morning, with temperatures below freezing and afternoon highs will barely hit 50-degrees. If you hate the cold, good news, Shane Pendleton, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we’ll see a warm-up beginning tomorrow afternoon…

Cut 9 (09)  “…each afternoon.”

Looking ahead to next week, Pendleton says expect unseasonably warm and dry conditions for Christmas week

While State Farm will be increasing property insurance premiums, it will also be lowering auto insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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One more cold morning and then mild temperatures through Christmas. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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While State Farm will be boosting premiums on property insurance policies by an average of almost ten-percent statewide, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says it will be lowering auto insurance premiums by almost six-percent on average.

Cut 3 (06) “…smaller than that.”

Temple says State Farm requested the decrease because it paid fewer losses in the last year than it had expected to pay out.

Cut 4 (06) “…what they forecast.”

Temple says there’s a direct correlation between the amount of claims that insurance companies pay out and the rates it charges drivers, and that’s one of the reasons the legislature passed laws cracking down on things like lawsuit abuse and hand-held cell phone use while driving.

Cut 5 (08) “…charge going forward.”

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Tyler Shough was one of the heroes for the Saints yesterday, earning his first comeback victory of his NFL career in leading the team to a 20-17 win over the Panthers. It was the Saints’ fourth win of the season, Shough’s third win as a starting quarterback and the team’s second win in a row. It was also Shough’s first win in the Superdome, which he says made it that much more important.

Cut 6 (13) “…lot of fun.”

The key play came with 12 seconds left and the Saints out of timeouts, when Shough ran it down the middle for four yards and slid. Panthers safety Lathan Ransom hit Shough as he was sliding, drawing a 15-yard penalty – putting Smyth in perfect position to kick a 47-yard field goal to win the game. Shough says he and his teammates were ready to sprint to the line for him to spike the ball and stop the clock.

Cut 7 (14) “…to clock it.”

The game winning drive started at the Saints’ nine yard line with 57 seconds left, and the Saints had only one timeout to work with in order to get into Smyth’s range. Shough says the entire offensive unit was locked in.

Cut 8 (13) “…really, really well.”

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It was cold this morning, with temperatures below freezing and afternoon highs barely hitting 50 degrees. If you hate the cold, good news — Shane Pendleton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we’ll see a warm-up beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Cut 9 (09)  “…each afternoon.”

Pendleton says one more cold night can be expected into tomorrow morning, then milder temperatures the rest of the week.

Cut 10 (11) “…Thursday afternoon.”

Looking ahead to next week, Pendleton says we can expect unseasonably warm and dry conditions for Christmas week.

Cut 11 (11) “…holidays.”

High temperatures next week will range from the upper 60s to the 70s.