During President Trump’s visit to Sempra Energy’s liqueied natural gas plant in Hackberry, he praised the workers for fueling a new American revolution when it comes to delivering clean energy worldwide. And Mr. Trump credited his leadership for promoting fossil fuel development…
cut 24 (11) “….under assault”
The President also promised a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge if re-elected.

A bill heading to the Senate would allow medical marijuana patients to inhale therapeutic cannabis, much like an asthma patient uses an inhaler. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says veterans came to him and asked for the expanded option for treatment…
cut 14 (09) “…inhalation”
The House approved the bill on a 73-3 vote.

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would set the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana at 18-years-old. The proposal passed without objection, but Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau raised concerns about the bill blocking two 17-year-olds from getting married when there’s an unplanned pregnancy…
Cut 11 (10) “…setting.”
Luneau says he’ll work to amend the legislation so there are exceptions.

A New Orleans vegetable and flowers farmer enters the race for agriculture commissioner. “Margee” Green is running as a Democrat. Green says she’s running because there are barriers that keep small and midsize farmers from becoming successful….
Cut 4 (09) “… the effects most.”
Green is the second Democrat to challenge Ag Commissioner Mike Strain. Natchitoches Parish farmer Charlie Greer is also running.

If you have yet to file your 2018 state income tax return, your time is running out.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A bill establishing 18 as the legal age for marriage passed committee, where dramatic written testimony was heard from a woman who was pressured into a marriage with a much older man…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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 A bill allowing medical marijuana patients access to an inhale-able version of the drug heads to the Senate after passing the House. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A New Orleans farmer enters the race for agriculture commissioner.  Marguerite “Margee” Green is running as a Democrat.  Green says she’s running because she realized that the barriers for small and midsize farmers to being successful were becoming untenable.

Cut 4 (09) “… the effects most.”

Green is an LSU graduate and has been farming professionally for just over ten years.  When it comes to the topic of medical cannabis, Green says the current administration has been very limiting by throwing up lots of red tape, adding it hurts those that want the product as well as the farmers who could benefit from it.

Cut 5 (11) “…more economically viable.”

When it comes to the topic of climate change, Green says significant changes need to be made and she doesn’t think that the state has the time to have another administration sleep on the issues related to agriculture industry.

Cut 6 (11) “…this entire country.”

Green becomes the second Democrat to challenge current Ag Commission Mike Strain.  Natchitoches Parish farmer Charlie Greer is also running for the position.

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Today marks the deadline for Louisiana taxpayers to file their 2018 state income tax return.   If a taxpayer needs more time to prepare and file the paper work, Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says an extension needs to be filed today.

Cut 7 (09) “…late filing penalties.”

Henderson says filing an extension will only give someone the extra time to prepare and file a return.

Cut 8 (10) “…late payment penalties.”

Henderson says so far this year has been a smooth tax filing season with no major issues.

Cut 9 (05) “…out the door″

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A bill setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana to 18 cleared a Senate committee.

Tigers Against Trafficking Vice President Claire Stagg says a nonprofit called Unchained At Last documented cases of children being married to adults in rural areas of the state, with their parents permission. She says that’s unacceptable.

Cut 10 (08) “…abuse.”

The proposal passed without objection, but concerns were raised by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau about the bill blocking two 17-year-olds from getting married in the event that there’s an unplanned pregnancy…

Cut 11 (10) “…setting.”

Luneau says he supports the legislation, but will work to get an amendment addressing this issue.

STAR Center Legal Director Morgan Lamandre says if it’s illegal for unmarried adults to sleep with children, it shouldn’t be legal for the two groups to get married, and enter a situation where sex is likely.

Cut 12 (09) “…regulate.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

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Legislation allowing medical marijuana patients access to an inhale-able form of the treatment passes 73-3 on the House floor, and is headed to the Senate.

Bill author Ted James used his time to remind lawmakers, and constituents that this bill does not legalize smoking medical marijuana for those who get a prescription…

Cut 13 (09) “…inhalation.”

James says patient groups, veterans in particular, came to him and asked for the expanded option for treatment. He says particularly for people suffering an acute episode, the fast acting relief from an inhaler can be lifesaving…

Cut 14 (09) “…inhalation”

The proposal included a separate piece of policy that would allow doctors who live out of state to be licensed to prescribe medical marijuana, as long as they’re credentialed with the right agencies.

Cut 15 (12) “examiners.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee passed a bill to end the death penalty amid an intense debate that got personal at times. Bill author New Iberia Representative Terry Landry took some harsh criticism, but held firm to belief that racial disparities in arrests and sentencing, and the number of death sentences that have been overturned justify ending the practice…
Cut 6 (12) “…for you.”
But some members of the public opposing the legislation took issue with Landry’s, and other’s accusation that discriminatory policing effects the integrity of the death penalty. Death penalty proponent Michelle Perkins went after the New Iberia Democrat…
Cut 7 (12) “…Louisiana.”
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A House panel green lights a bill to eliminate the need for inspection stickers. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
A bill setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana to 18 cleared a Senate committee. Supporters cited instances in Louisiana where judges in rural towns were allowing children as young as 12 to get married to adults, as long as the children had their parent’s signatures, and noted that the State Department classifys child marriage as a human rights abuse. It passed unanimously, but there were concerns the legislation would tread on religious tradition involving marriage between two young people.

President Donald Trump told the seven-thousand workers at the 10-billion dollar Sempra Energy LNG facility in Cameron Parish that they are helping to make America the energy superpower of the world.Before leaving Cameron Parish, the President promised a major infrastructure upgrade in southwest Louisiana if he’s re-elected

Cut 15 (14) “…we want to be prepared”

US News & World Report has released its third annual ranking of the “Best States” and Louisiana is ranked last for the third year in a row. When it comes to the election for Governor, ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says the findings will likely find value in Governor Edwards’ campaign, showcasing the progress the state has made, but his opponents could potentially use the data to their advantage as well.

Cut 12 (08)   “…be to do.”

A bill abolishing the death penalty narrowly clears a House committee amid a fiery debate about racial discrimination in policing and sentencing. Matt Doyle has both sides…

cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Secret Service says four motorcycle officers were involved in a wreck while escorting President Trump’s motorcade in Louisiana today. Two Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies and a Sulphur police officer were taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries following the crash on Interstate 210 eastbound over Broad Street in Lake Charles. Police are investigating how the wreck occurred.

President Donald Trump told the seven-thousand workers at the 10-billion dollar Sempra Energy LNG facility in Cameron Parish that they are helping to make America the energy superpower of the world.
Cut 13 (12) “…need anybody”
The visit featured one particularly scary moment, just 40 minutes before the speech began, that landed three officers a trip to the hospital. Two Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies and one Sulphur Police Department officer wrecked while their motorcycles were escorting the presidential motorcade on I-210. Two of the officers suffered mild to moderate injuries, and the other has serious injuries, but is currently in stable condition. The crash is still under investigation.
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The House Criminal Justice Committee passed a bill to end the death penalty amid an intense debate that got personal at times. Bill author New Iberia Representative Terry Landry says it’s immoral for the state to perform executions, double so considering the substantial disparities in policing and sentencing between whites and blacks in the state. Death penalty proponent Michelle Perkins took offense to that statement, and went after the New Iberia Democrat…
Cut 7 (12) “…Louisiana.”
Landry is the former State Police superintendent and is a Vietnam vet.
US News & World Report has released its third annual ranking of the “Best States” and Louisiana is ranked last for the third year in a row. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says many of the contributing factors boil down to widespread poverty in the state.
Cut 10 (11) “…criminal justice system.“.

The House Criminal Justice Committee passed a bill to end the death penalty amid an intense debate that got personal at times. Supporters of the bill weren’t just arguing against the morality of the death penalty, but also the extensive costs that go along with it. Death penalty opponent Jessica White cited research that shows the death penalty costs the state 15.4 million dollars a year…
Cut 8 (11) “…dollars.”
Wayne Guzzardo takes offense to argument about cost. Guzzardo’s daughter was gunned down in a 1995 robbery, and has expressed disappointment that the murderer’s sentence has not been carried out. He says the cost of the death penalty does not outweigh the value of justice…
Cut 9 (10) “…me.”
The measure passed 8-7, and heads to the House floor.
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A state lawmaker is looking to eliminate inspection stickers, because he says they do no make our roads any safer. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says he recently received a new sticker, despite a crack that ran across his windshield.
Cut 3 (12) “…maybe thousands.”
Bagley says instead of paying a 10-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker, his bill would add 10-dollars to your vehicle registration fee and the money would pay for 150 new state troopers.
US News & World Report has released its third annual ranking of the “Best States” and Louisiana is ranked last for the third year in a row. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s good ammunition for Governor Edwards’ gubernatorial opponents.
Cut 12 (08) “…be to do.”
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