The Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners is lifting the cap on how many medical marijuana patients a doctor can treat. Previously doctors were limited to 100 patients a year. Medical Marijuana expert and prescriber Dr. Victor Chou, says this will dramatically increase access to the treatment for those who are eligible.
Cut 10 (10) “…this program.“
Medicinal marijuana is expected to be available later this year in a pill or oil form.

Louisiana is receiving a nine-million dollar grant to expand mental health services at 34 schools in the city of Monroe, Jefferson Parish and St. Bernard Parish school systems. State Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says this funding will help establish a comprehensive School Mental Health Support program…
cut 5 (09) “…academically socially”

A former LSP cadet and Thibodaux resident is behind bars, facing blackmail allegations involving lewd photographs of a former US Army coworker. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana receives a five-year, $1.8 million annual federal grant that will be used to expand mental health services in public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Doctors can now take on as many medical marijuana patients as they can handle after a ruling removed the previous, 100 patient cap. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A former LSP cadet is behind bars, facing blackmail allegations.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Louisiana will receive $1.8 million annually over five years after receiving a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  The funding will be used to establish a comprehensive Louisiana School Mental Health Support Program within thirty-four schools throughout Louisiana.  Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says it’ll help provide special training to school personnel.

Cut 4 (07) “…to help them.”

Dunn says students facing mental health challenges have a serious burden placed on their overall health and well-being.

Cut 5 (09) “…academically and socially.”

Dunn says the state reviewed all of the school systems to see where the funds were most needed.

Cut 6 (10) “…persistently struggling schools.”

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A Donaldsonville man is facing battery and hate crime charges after an altercation at a Gonzales store that was allegedly sparked when he told a Latino family to “go back to Mexico.” Authorities say 60-year-old Robert Ray approached a 19-year-old girl at the store, made the comments, and then shoved her and her father. Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson says it came out of nowhere.

Cut 7 (11) “…to Mexico”

After making the inflammatory comments, Jackson says the family’s daughter approached the man…

Cut 8 (12)  “…fighting”

The man Mr. Ray began to fight with was actually a Texas born marine, who stepped in after his Louisiana born daughter was allegedly shoved.

Jackson says he hasn’t seen an incident in Gonzales like this for decades, and says that kind of hateful behavior won’t be tolerated on his watch.

Cut 9 (07)  “you said”

Ray is facing one hate crime charge along with two counts of simple battery and criminal damage to property.

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The Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners is lifting the cap on how many medical marijuana patients a doctor can treat. Previously doctors were limited to 100 patients a year. Medical Marijuana expert and prescriber Dr. Victor Chou, one of only three or four dozen in the state, says this will dramatically increase access to the treatment for those who are eligible.

Cut 10 (10)   “…this program.“

The state expanded the number of illnesses that qualify for medical marijuana treatment in the last regular legislative session.

Chou estimates about 50 doctors are participating in the program in Louisiana, which is a bit lower than the number of doctors who participate in other states who have legalized the practice. But he says he expects that number to balloon now that the practice is profitable.

Cut 11 (08)“…a year.”

Medical marijuana is currently being grown in the state by GB Sciences, which is working with LSU to produce the oil and pill based treatment.

The cap vote was decided eight to one, but another medical cannabis based regulation passed along a much tighter five to four line. That decision removes the need for medical marijuana patients to see their doctor every 90 days to maintain their treatment. But Chou says since the “prescriptions” only last 30 days, they’ll be in frequent communication with their doctor regardless.

Cut 12 (08) “…or so.”

To get access to the treatment, a patient is given a physician recommendation form, because technically prescriptions are still illegal under federal laws.

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State police have arrested a former LSP cadet following an investigation that revealed he was involved in an attempt at blackmail against a former US Army coworker.  LSP spokesperson Sgt. Jared Sandifer says 26 year old Jimmy Kassis was let go from the state police in June upon hearing of the investigation from the US Army.

Cut 13 (07) “…reach out to us.”

Sandifer says there’s no word on why Kassis was motivated to commit the alleged acts of blackmail.

Cut 14 (08) “…an active investigation.”

Sandifer says the Army’s investigation began in May while Kassis was enrolled in the LSP training academy.

Cut 15  (09) “…from state police.”

State Police made the arrest in Michigan and he is now booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail.
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Sixth ranked LSU is the talk of college football with its two victories over top 10 ranked teams. Coach Ed Orgeron says they still have several tough games left to play this season and they have to get better if they want to win those contests…

Cut 16 (12) “…improvement” 

LSU’s offensive line play improved against Auburn. Orgeron credits moving Austin Deculus to right tackle and quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t hold the ball long…

Cut 17 (25)  “all of it” 

LSU is nearly a three touchdown favorite to beat Louisiana Tech this Saturday. Orgeron says the key to staying successful is to stay humble

State Police say a 2 year old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested as a result. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jaded Sandifer says neither of the adults put restraints on the 2-year-old who died.

Cut 10 (08) “situation”

The United Cajun Navy wraping up operations in the Carolinas after spending nearly a week saving people from treacherous flood waters. 23 deaths have been attributed to the storm so far. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says not everyone is coming home yet, as they hope to continue assisting areas with limited resources, while cleaning up the command center they built to coordinate rescues.

Cut 14 (08) “…good terms”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou State following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure more visitors from Asia.  The trip included a stop at the 12^th annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit. Nungesser says he believes the “Lights Camera Louisiana” film trail, which shows where many movies and TV shows were produced in the state, will be a huge draw for Chinese tourists.

Cut 7 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

This is the last week of summer, but it feels like the middle of the summer with heat index values over 100-degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the good news is that we will get a little break from the high humidity after today

Cut 4 (12) “…not 100% sure.”

This is the last week of summer, but it feels like the middle of the summer with heat index values over 100-degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are still a couple of weeks away from that first significant cold front that brings a touch of fall to Louisiana

cut 5 (10)  “…gonna happen” 

State Police say a 2 year old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested as a result. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jaded Sandifer.

cut 9 (10) “…the fatality”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou State following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure more visitors from Asia.  The trip included a stop at the 12^th annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit. Nungesser says they took two Louisiana chefs along to showcase our exquisite cuisine

Cut 6 (08) “…exposure for Louisiana.”

The United Cajun Navy wraping up operations in the Carolinas after spending nearly a week saving people from treacherous flood waterss. 23 deaths have been attributed to the storm so far. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says the situation is beginning to de-escalate after a Friday landfall that swamped the region.

Cut 12 (07)   “into them” 

This is the last week of summer, but it feels like the middle of the summer with heat index values over 100-degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a record high was set today at New Orleans International Airport when the temperature hit 96-degrees, breaking the old record set in 1995…
Cut 3 (10) “into Louisiana”
Keim says the only good news he can provide is that humidity levels should be slightly lower the rest of the week.

Several members of the United Cajun Navy are returning to Louisiana after assisting local authorities in the Carolinas with rescues from rising waters from Florence…
cut 13 (06) “…go home”
That’s Todd Terrell, who says some members of their fleet are staying in the Carolinas as the flooding situation remains serious.

There are also over 100 Louisiana emergency personnel deployed to the Carolinas and they are assisting with rescues, clearing roadways and cooking for first responders.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is back in Louisiana following a ten day tourism mission to China, with the goal of drawing more visitors from Asia. The trip included a stop at the 12th annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit. Nungesser says he believes Louisiana could see its own direct flight service with China in the next few years.
Cut 8 (12) “traveler to Louisiana.”
Nungesser says Chinese visitors are interested in seeing the movies shot in Louisian and the Chennault Aviation and Military Musuem in Monroe, because of the relationship General Chennault had with the Chinese military during and after World War Two.

LSU has ended its relationship with wide receiver Drake Davis. Tiger Rag Magazine reports Davis has been kicked off the team after he was arrested a second time on battery charges against a female. Davis remains in jail as he was denied bond.

The United Cajun Navy found itself farther away from home than ever before as it rescued Carolinians from their flooded homes in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

It’s supposedly the last days of summer, but it sure doesn’t’ feel like it with heat indexes over 100. Thankfully, state Climatologist Barry keim has some good news for us.

Cut 4 112) “…not 100% sure.”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou State following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure more visitors from Asia. Nungesser says he believes the “Lights Camera Louisiana” film trail, which shows where many movies and TV shows were produced in the state, will be a huge draw for Chinese tourists.

Cut 7 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

State Police say a two-year-old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jared Sandifer. Says this tragedy can be traced to two decisions on the part of Henderson.

Cut 11 (10)“…safety restraints”

Many members of the United Cajun Navy are on their way back to Louisiana after assisting local authorities with water rescues in the Carolinas. Founder Todd Terrell says about 20-percent of their fleet remains in North Carolina, where waters continue to rise in some places because of Florence….
cut 14 (08) ‘…good terms”
Terrell says many people of rescued were amazed that someone from Louisiana brought their own boats to help out.

A two-year-old child is dead from a fatal crash over the weekend in Donaldsonville and the 27-year-old man who is related to the child has been arrested on numerous charges including vehicular homicide. State Police Trooper Sergeant Jared Sandifer says neither of the adults in the vehicle put restraints on the three kids in the car…
cut 10 (08) “….situation”
27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge is the one facing numerous charges.

In a narrow vote, the State Board of Medical Examiners voted to lift a cap that was established in 2016 that would allow physicians to have up to 100 medical marijuana patients. Only 48 doctors have applied to dispense the medical marijuana when it comes available later this year and the small number caused concerns the cap would hurt the program.

Following a ten-day tourism mission in China, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is back with optimism Chinese travelers will visit the Bayou State. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The United Cajun Navy is starting to wrap up operations in the Carolinas after spending nearly a week saving people from treacherous flood zones. 23 deaths have been attributed to the storm so far. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says the situation is beginning to de-escalate after a Friday landfall that swamped the region.

Cut 12 (07)   “into them” 

State Police say a 2-year-old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested as a result. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jaded Sandifer.

cut 9 (10) “…the fatality”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou state following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure visitors from the Chinese market.  The trip included a stop at the 12^th annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit. Nungesser says he believes Louisiana could see its own direct flight service with the country coming in the next few years.

Cut 8 (12) “traveler to Louisiana.”

We now know LSU will be playing under the lights at Tiger Stadium when they welcome Ole Miss on the 29^th.  The game is scheduled for an 8:15PM kick off…

Here’s your commodities…