Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office were met with what some deem as victories along with controversies. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A new state law that went into this week requires health insurance plans to cover fertility preservations for cancer patients or those facing medical treatment that could prevent them from having a child. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (25) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on the 79-year-old who is retiring from politics…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangiaphoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.
Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”
Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. It took a sales tax increase and other budgetary moves to get the state out of the red.
Edwards first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2017 Edwards pushed criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing the state’s prison population and taking the savings to fund programs to cut down on recidivism.
In 2020, the governor had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…
Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”
During his eight years, Cross says the Edwards administration navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling.
Cross says Edwards tenure will be marred most notably by the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene while in State Police custody. He says the governor and State Police were accused of covering up what happened in Union Parish in 2019…
Cut 6 (12) “…the carpet.”
Cross believes Edwards will also be tarnished by the deaths of three toddlers whose endangerment had been reported to the Department of Children and Family Services in 2022, but the state agency didn’t act quick enough. Edwards supported DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters until she resigned.
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A new law requiring Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says it applies to new health plans and existing health care plans.
Cut 7 (11) “…is completed.”
The new legislation also allows religious organizations to apply for exemptions if they have conflicting beliefs about fertility preservation.
Davis says the mandate doesn’t apply to Medicaid or health insurance plans through the state health care exchange. Coverage for patients who are going through chemotherapy, radiation, and other procedures is limited.
Cut 8 (08) “…own expense.”
Deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance may still apply for some patients. Davis says lawmakers heard emotional testimony from female patients who testified in support of the bill…
Cut 9 (12) “…a family.”
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The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…
Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”
Donelon leaves office at a time when property insurance premiums are skyrocketing following several consecutive years of destructive hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. He says his final acts as commissioner attempted to stabilize the market again, with another incentive program for insurance providers and a grant program for homeowners to strengthen their roofs…
Cut 11 (12) “…program.”
When Donelon entered office, the state had some of the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country and it remains a big problem…
Cut 12 (08) “…House Insurance Chairman.”
Donelon began his career in public office serving on the Jefferson Parish Council. He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1982 to 2001 and was appointed deputy Insurance commissioner in 2001.
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As we begin the new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.
Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”
Forty percent of members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. McVea says 55 percent of small businesses report they were trying to hire employees in December.
Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.”
Job openings in the construction industry were up nine points from last month and over half have a job opening they can’t fill. McVea says the highest were in construction and transportation.
Cut 15 (12) “…those sectors.”
Thirty-three percent of owners say they have job openings for skilled workers and 14 percent have openings for unskilled labor.
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The LSU men’s basketball team tips off SEC play tomorrow night in College Station against Texas A&M. The Fighting Tigers went 8-5 in the non-conference. Coach Matt McMahon says despite some struggles he’s seen his team improve…
Cut 16 (17) “…we stand.”
LSU went a dismal 2-16 in the SEC. McMahon revamped the roster and added a bunch of transfers. He believes he has a better team this year…
Cut 17 (17) “…getting better.”
LSU and A&M will tip off at 7:30 on Saturday night.
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Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play on Saturday by taking on Sam Houston. The Bulldogs went 10-5 in the non-conference while the Bearkats are 7-8. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester says it’s not easy to win games in Huntsville…
Cut 18 (18) “…to win.”
Tip off on Saturday ist 4:30.
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The Saints are a slight favorite to beat Atlanta at home on Sunday. New Orleans needs a win and a Tampa Bay loss to win the NFC South. Quarterback Derek Carr says they will not scoreboard watch…
Cut 19 (20) “…afterward.”
The Black and Gold can also secure a wild-card berth with a win against the Dirty Birds and victories by the Bears and Cardinals.
The Saints lost to the Falcons in Atlanta during Thanksgiving weekend. The Falcons rushed for 228 yards that day. Safety Tyrann Mathieu on shutting down the Atlanta ground game…
Cut 20 (20) “…run game.”