Latest news with #Houma
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Houma woman accused of defrauding $83K from Medicaid
HOUMA, La. (WGNO) — An investigation has been launched after a Houma woman was accused of multiple instances of fraud. According to Attorney General Liz Murrill, Louisiana Bureau of Investigations agents arrested 33-year-old Bianca Jentrise Carr on allegations of Government Benefits Fraud on Aug. 14. An investigation revealed that the LBI received a criminal referral from the Louisiana Department of Health regarding Carr, who was a Medicaid recipient. Agents claimed Carr hid her employment and income to receive benefits. New Orleans police, LSP issue level II endangered, missing child alert for New Orleans East The affidavit reads that in 2018 and 2021, Carr reportedly submitted Medicaid applications to LDH claiming she had no income and was unemployed. However, agents said they obtained employment records from Homewood Suites in Houma that verified that she was currently employed. Additionally, there were no renewal applications submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023. Further investigation revealed arrest records from February 2024 where Carr began to report her employment but also allegedly began submitting falsified check stubs to underreport monthly income, concealing almost $3,500 in earnings. Agents say as a result Carr allegedly defrauded Medicaid program of over $83,000. Also, between Dec. 1, 2021 to the present, Carr reportedly received $83,462 in Medicaid benefits with $21,367 paying LDH and $62,094 by Managed Care Organizations. Year-round preparation readies Flood Protection Authority On July 22, during an interview with LBI agents, Carr reportedly admitted to submitting older check stubs with lower earnings. On Aug. 14, she was arrested on charges of government benefits fraud and filing false public records. She has been booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with bond information currently unknown. The investigation remains Posts Hot Saturday with afternoon storms ICE officers, impersonators accused of abusing women More than 30K wireless power banks recalled over fire, explosion risk Border Report Live: Coast Guard joins border mission from air, land and sea 3 babies have died of congenital syphilis in New York: What is it? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Houma man accused of setting house on fire with wife, dog inside
HOUMA, La. (WGNO) — A man was arrested on Tuesday, June 24, after he allegedly set fire to a house in Houma two days prior on June 22. Nine years later, Algiers murder on Kent Drive remains unsolved According to the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal the fire was reported at a home in the 100 block of Prince Collins Street. Inside the home was a woman, identified as the suspect's wife, and the family dog. Both reportedly escaped the fire safely. State Fire Marshal officials said an investigation determined that the fire was intentionally set, and 69-year-old Gregory Verrett was identified as the alleged culprit behind the incident. He was arrested and faces one count of aggravated arson and one count of simple cruelty to trend already identified among 'Generation Beta' babies, BabyCenter claims Eight people shot within nine hours in New Orleans Two dead in Lower Ninth Ward homicide investigation Boil water advisory issued in New Orleans after 30″ main break How do the chemicals in sunscreen protect our skin from damage? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Multi-agency drug investigation leads to Houma area arrest
HOUMA, La. (WGNO) — Narcotic agents with the Houma Police Department have made an arrest in alleged illegal drug activity in the Mechanicville area on Thursday, June 26. In partnership with Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police, agents carried out the operation after being alerted of the alleged actions of Terrell Patterson. Houma man accused of setting house on fire with wife, dog inside According to HPD officers, Patterson is accused of distributing heroin in the 100 block of Acklen Avenue. An arrest warrant was issued and Patterson was arrested during a traffic stop. A search of his home allegedly led to the discovery of: Approximately 5.9 ounces of methamphetamine (Street value of $9,000) CDS IV prescription pills Approximately 4 ounces of Heroin/Fentanyl (Street value of $6,000) Several items of drug paraphernalia indicative of packaging and weighing illegal narcotics Nine years later, Algiers murder on Kent Drive remains unsolved Patterson has since been booked on charges of distribution of heroin and transactions involving proceeds derived from drug trend already identified among 'Generation Beta' babies, BabyCenter claims Eight people shot within nine hours in New Orleans Two dead in Lower Ninth Ward homicide investigation Boil water advisory issued in New Orleans after 30″ main break How do the chemicals in sunscreen protect our skin from damage? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
26-06-2025
- General
- Axios
United Houma Nation seeks federal recognition
The United Houma Nation, which is Louisiana's largest recognized tribe, continues to seek federal recognition as the group gears up for its annual powwow. Why it matters: Federal recognition unlocks funding, protections and land and water rights, in addition to sovereignty as a native nation. The big picture: The process is long and complicated, Principal Chief Lora Ann Chaisson tells Axios New Orleans. They've been pushing for recognition since before World War II, according to the Associated Press. They were denied in 1994 and have been appealing ever since. The application requires extensive historical documentation, which the nation continues to research, Chaisson says. State of play: The United Houma Nation has 19,000 tribal citizens, according to information from the Houmas. The majority live in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. The Houma people established what is known today as the French Market in New Orleans. Bayou St. John and the land at Congo Square were also important to them, according to information from the tribe. They can trace their history in New Orleans back to 1675. Go deeper. Zoom out: The state has worked on exploring the indigenous history of Louisiana, with more hopefully to come, according to Carrie Broussard, the assistant secretary for the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development. There's the self-guided ancient mound tour, she said. And, there's a museum with guided tours at Poverty Point, the state's only World Heritage Site through UNESCO. What's next: At the tribal level, Chaisson said they want to move forward with a program to teach their youth the native Houma language.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Iberia native named National Superintendent of the Year
NEW ORLEANS, La. () — New Iberia native, Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. has been named the National Superintendent of the Year by The School Superintendent Association on Thursday afternoon during the National Conference on Education in New Orleans. Gonsoulin was rewarded with a $10,000 check to which will go to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated or the school now serving the same area. 'To me, this is one of the greatest honors of my life. As a child growing up in New Iberia, Louisiana, I never could have imagined achieving this honor.' said Gonsoulin. Gonsoulin is the first superintendent from Alabama to be honored with this award. He has been a superintendent for Jefferson County in Alabama since 2019. Since then, he developed a college and career readiness initiative that led to 357% increase in the number of students that earned industry credentials, indicating that those students possess the qualifications for entry-level employment. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now With this honor, Gonsoulin is excited for the recognition for his county and the hard work put into the programs. 'However, I want to be clear, while my name is on the award, I am only one part of it. I would not be in this position if it were not for the hard work of the teachers, administrators, support personnel, board members, students, and parents. They are the heartbeat of Jefferson County Schools.' said Gonsoulin. Houma man arrested in Lafayette, charged with child sex crimes Democratic leaders bash GOP's spending plan: 'Not acceptable' $400M in federal grants to Columbia University canceled amid antisemitism probe New Iberia native named National Superintendent of the Year President Trump suggests he may not change daylight saving time Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
