Changes coming to Louisiana Medicaid

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Changes to Medicaid are taking effect in the new year for some recipients. Starting Jan. 1, most working-age adults on Medicaid in Louisiana will have to show at least 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, volunteering, or some combination of those to keep their coverage.

Louisiana residents encouraged to participate in statewide community health survey

The LSU AgCenter Webster and Claiborne Parish Nutrition Education program is encouraging residents to make their voices heard by participating in the Louisiana Community Health Survey, an initiative aimed at identifying healthcare access challenges and community health needs across the state. The survey, promoted on behalf of the Office of...

Iowa starts Medicaid work rules Dec. 1, Wisconsin’s 80-hour reporting rule begins Dec. 31, and Louisiana and Colorado follow on Jan. 1 for adults 19 to 64

Four states have set the dates when Medicaid work rules reach their adult members. Iowa starts first, on Dec. 1. Wisconsin’s reporting requirement, 80 hours a month, begins Dec. 31. Louisiana and Colorado start on Jan. 1, the date the federal law sets for every state that covers adults under the Affordable Care Act expansion. […]

2026 Election Roundup: Voters Approve Water Measures Amid Democratic Rout

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Control of Congress headlined a historic 2026 midterm election. Democrats took power in the House and Senate, tallying victory after victory to repaint the electoral map in broad swaths of blue. Those victories included triumphs in the Senate and governor races in Iowa where water pollution from industrial agriculture and the state’s rising cancer rate were prominent campaign issues.

St. Francis Medical Center closes Monroe streets for elevator replacement

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Traffic is being rerouted around St. Francis Medical Center on Wednesday as crews close Jackson and Oak streets while the hospital replaces its elevators. The six-hour closure allows contractors to hoist new equipment during construction. Elevator replacement. Kevin Sale, chief operating officer of St. Francis Medical...

St. Francis Medical Center Renovations

ULM College of Pharmacy inducts 2026 Hall of Fame members

On September 25, the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy added Blake Paul Pitre, Andy Soileau, and Rob Toups to its Hall of Fame at its 70th anniversary celebration. The College of Pharmacy Hall of Fame was established in 2025 to honor individuals whose careers and contributions have significantly...

New health clinic to open in Ruston next month

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - A new multispecialty clinic will open in Ruston next month. FMOL Health | St. Francis announced that the new clinic will open on Nov. 9 and will be located at 1809 Northpoint Suite 202. The new clinic will have interventional and non-interventional cardiology, pulmonology and oncology...

ULM College of Pharmacy names 2026 Hall of Fame inductees

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — According to the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy, three alumni were inducted into the College of Pharmacy Hall of Fame during the college’s 70th anniversary celebration on Sept. 25. The 2026 inductees are Blake Paul Pitre, Richard A. “Andy” Soileau, and Robert B. “Rob” Toups. The honor recognizes alumni […]

John Morgan named 2026 LRHA Rural Health Professional of the Year

The Louisiana Rural Health Association (LRHA) announces that it has named John Morgan, RN, MBA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jackson Parish Hospital, as the 2026 Rural Health Professional of the Year. The award recognizes healthcare professionals for their leadership in healthcare services throughout rural communities. Efforts taken into consideration...

Medicare open enrollment is underway for 2027 coverage

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Medicare open enrollment is underway, giving people a chance to review their health care coverage for 2027. With potential changes to premiums, prescription drug costs and plan benefits, experts said it’s important to understand options before making a decision. Agents advise reevaluating coverage. Dee Dee...

LA Department of Environmental Quality announces $13.63M in funding for water infrastructure projects in Blanchard, Delhi, Winnsboro, and Farmerville

WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality announced $13.63 million in new financial assistance on October 7, 2026, for water infrastructure projects across four ArkLaMiss communities. The low-interest loans, distributed through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for fiscal year 2027, were awarded to the towns of Blanchard, Delhi, Winnsboro and […]

North Louisiana hospitals to be sold. This follows unpaid taxes, threats of fines

A little over a week after six members of Minden Medical Center’s Board of Governors resigned, that hospital and three others owned by Allegiance Health Management, are being put up for sale. In a statement to The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate, Dr. Melissa Madden, the one-time chairman of the MMC's...

Cameron Gresham Named Recipient of Jackson Parish Hospital “WOW” Award

Please join Jackson Parish Hospital (JPJ) in celebrating our October ‘WOW’ Award recipient, Cameron Gresham, a Phlebotomist in our Laboratory Department!. Patients nominated Cameron for the kindness and compassion she brings to every interaction. Described as gentle, sweet, and caring, Cameron’s wonderful bedside manner helps patients feel safe, comfortable, and at ease.

Jackson Parish Hospital Reminds Residents of the Saturday “Walk-In” Clinic

It is Saturday, and you need to see a doctor but don’t want to go to the hospital emergency room. What do you do? Thanks to the thoughtful administration of Jackson Parish Hospital (JPH), local residents no longer have to bear additional medical costs when they need care on the weekend.

Acadian Ambulance expands to Caldwell Parish

CALDWELL PARISH, La. (KNOE) — Acadian Ambulance is now the sole emergency medical services provider for Caldwell Parish, effective Thursday, Oct. 1. Acadian Ambulance has served Ouachita Parish and neighboring areas since 2019. On Sept. 1, the Caldwell Parish Police Jury unanimously voted to select Acadian Ambulance as its EMS provider following a recommendation from the Ambulance Committee.

DEVELOPING: Green Clinic experiencing digital disruption

RUSTON, La. — The Lincoln Parish Journal has learned that a digital infrastructure disruption is ongoing at Green Clinic of Ruston at its Farmerville Street location. The cause of the disruption is currently unconfirmed by administration. Attempts to reach administration at both Green Clinic and its ownership group Allegiance...

Allegiance confirms plans to divest NLMC

Lincoln Parish residents received some promising news late Monday as Allegiance Health Management officially announced that it plans to divest Northern Louisiana Medical Center as part of the planned sale of four of its Louisiana hospitals. The Bossier City-based healthcare management company announced that NLMC, Minden Medical Center, Acadian Medical...

Town of Jonesboro Moving Forward with Infrastructure Projects

The Town of Jonesboro continues to move forward with infrastructure projects designed to better enhance services and make transportation more reliable. Shown above is a sign signifying approximately $8 MILLION being invested in the future of Jonesboro’s wastewater treatment plant renovation project. In November 2024, funding was awarded for...