Efforts continue in the search for the missing crewmembers of a SeaCor lift boat that capsized seven miles off the coast of Port Fourchon. Six people have been rescued so far.  Marion Cuyler, the fiancée of Chase Morales, who remains missing hasn’t given up…

Cut 4 (05) “…faith alive.” 

The first of three major SWEPCO wind projects is underway to deliver low-cost renewable energy for their customers in northwest and central Louisiana. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says this is the largest renewable energy project ever for a Louisiana utility and will impact 225,000 customers.

Cut 6 (06) “…facilities.”

The windmills will contain the newest technology including a cold weather package which Sullivan says will ensure operation during the coldest parts of the year for the windmills.

Legislation setting up a tax structure for “raw” smoke-able medical marijuana gets unanimous approval from House Ways and Means. The bill, by Houma Representative Tanner Magee, is part of a two-piece legislative effort to allow the sale of raw medical marijuana in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10)   “…Mississippi” 

Two bills aimed at lowering drug prices authored by Senator Bill Cassidy are set to be signed into law by President Biden. The bills are some of the few pieces of bipartisan legislation to make it through Congress since the start of the Biden Administration…

Cut 11 (07) “..issue”

Cassidy says his next healthcare affordability push will focus on Medicare drug prices and deductibles.

A second body was recovered today from the Seacor power lift vessel that capsized Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard says the body was located approximately 33 miles from where the boat is partially submerged. The identity of the second passenger has not been released and the search continues for 11 others missing.

There’s strong early momentum in the Legislature for the legalization and taxation of raw, smoke-able medical marijuana in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Two bills aimed at lowering drug prices authored by Senator Bill Cassidy are set to be signed into law by President Biden. One bill provides educational material to doctors and patients educating them about “biosimilar” alternatives to expensive name-brand treatments. Cassidy says they do the same thing at a fraction of the cost…

Cut 9 (09) “…thing.”

The other bill counters a recent court ruling that made it harder to create generics.

The largest renewable energy project for a Louisiana utility provider is underway creating a windmill farm. The project is part of SEWPCO’s parent company, American Electric Power’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 80-percent by 2030. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says they will also be adding more forms of low-cost renewable energy.

Cut 8 (07) “…in Louisiana”

The first of three renewable energy projects are underway for SWEPCO customers…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The National Geological Survey reports parts of northwest Louisiana along the border with Texas experienced earthquake shockwaves after a 3.1 magnitude quake was reported around 7:43 PM last night six miles west of Blanchard. It’s the third minor quake reported in the area this month.

The LaFourche Coroner reports the body of a second SeaCor Power crewmember has been found in the Gulf. That leaves 11 crew members still unaccounted for and family members like Marion Cuyler, the fiancee of one of the missing men, say the hope is that they are surviving in an air bubble in the capsized ship…

Cut 3 (10)  “…in there.” 

The Legislature seems to be on track to further expand the medical marijuana program to include raw or smoke able marijuana, but Houma Representative Tanner Magee says despite that progress he doubts full legalization will come this year. He is optimistic though it will happen soon…

Cut 14 (06) “..Louisiana.” 

Magee says one of the most frequent requests he gets from constituents is for the full recreational legalization of marijuana.

Coast Guard officials report a second body from the capsized Seacor power lift boat has been recovered. The second body was located approximately 33 miles from where the boat capsized Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico. The identity has not been released and the search continues for 11 others missing. The Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the first body recovered at 63-year-old David Ledet of Thibodaux.

Legislation setting up a tax structure for “raw” smoke-able medical marijuana gets unanimous approval from House Ways and Means. The bill, by Houma Representative Tanner Magee would tax raw medical marijuana at the state sales tax level of 4.45 percent. Magee says other forms of medical marijuana aren’t subject to the tax, but they’re also much more expensive…

Cut 13 (08)“….on it”

The tax would be dedicated to a road and bridge construction sub-fund.

Two bills aimed at lowering drug prices authored by Senator Bill Cassidy are set to be signed into law by President Biden. The bills are some of the few pieces of bipartisan legislation to make it through Congress since the start of the Biden Administration…

Cut 11 (07) “..issue”

Cassidy says his next healthcare affordability push will focus on Medicare drug prices and deductibles.

The first of three major SWEPCO windmill projects under construction to deliver low-cost renewable energy. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says the projects are in north-central Oklahoma and the windmills are connected to the power grid, which will also serve customers in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (10) “…than 500.”

The windmills will have a cold weather package which will ensure operation during the coldest parts of the year.

Search and rescue efforts continue for the 12 missing crew members of the Seacor Power, a lift boat that capsized when hurricane-force winds struck the vessel in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. Several family members have gathered at the Port Fourchon firehouse anxiously awaiting answers. Marion Cuyler, the fiancée of one of the missing men, says they are trying to keep the faith…

Cut 5  (07)  “…for them.”

The one body that has been recovered has been identified as 63-year-old boat captain David Ledet of Thibodaux.

Two bills aimed at lowering drug prices authored by Senator Bill Cassidy are set to be signed into law by President Biden. One of the two bills counters a recent court ruling that would have made it harder for much cheaper generic medications to be created after patents on expensive name brands lapse…

Cut 10 (08) “…fall” 

Legislation setting up a tax structure for “raw” smoke-able medical marijuana gets unanimous approval from House Ways and Means. The bill, by Houma Representative Tanner Magee, is part of a two-piece legislative effort to allow the sale of raw medical marijuana in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10)   “…Mississippi” 

A companion piece of legislation legalizing the sale of raw, or inhalable medical marijuana would also need to be passed for this to take effect.

The first of three major SWEPCO wind projects is underway to deliver low-cost renewable energy for their customers in northwest and central Louisiana. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says this is the largest renewable energy project ever for a Louisiana utility and will impact 225,000 customers.

Cut 6 (06) “…facilities.”

Two bills aimed at lowering drug prices authored by Senator Bill Cassidy are set to be signed into law by President Biden. One bill provides educational material to doctors and patients educating them about “biosimilar” alternatives to expensive name-brand treatments. Cassidy says they do the same thing at a fraction of the cost…

Cut 9 (09) “…thing.”

The other bill counters a recent court ruling that made it harder to create generics.

Efforts continue in the search for the 12 missing crewmembers of a SeaCor lift boat that capsized seven miles off the coast of Port Fourchon. Six people have been rescued and one body has been recovered. The dead crew member recovered has been identified as 63-year-old boat captain David Ledet of Thibodaux. Marion Cuyler, the fiancee of Chase Morales, who remains missing hasn’t given up…

Cut 4 (05) “…faith alive.” 

One million Louisianans have now completed their full vaccine series. All Louisianans aged 16 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated and Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’ve hit a point where if you want a vaccine you really won’t have a hard time finding one.

Cut 11 (07) “….surpassed it.”

The New Orleans region leads the state in completed series at 27 percent of the population. Lake Charles and central Louisiana have the lowest rates at about 15 percent each.

Search and rescue efforts continue for the 12 missing crew members of the Seacor Power, a lift boat that capsized when hurricane-force winds struck the vessel in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. Marion Cuyler, the fiancée of one of the missing men, says there’s a belief the missing workers are still on the partially submerged vessel…

Cut 3 (10)  “…in there.” 

Six people have been rescued and one body has been recovered.

One million Louisianans have now completed their full vaccine series and Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says about 31 percent of the state has received at least one dose of a vaccine. He says it’s vital that we keep up this good pace of vaccinations because new threats are growing…

Cut 12 (09) “…transmissible.”

The Louisiana AARP reports there’s been a decline in the number of COVID deaths and cases in nursing homes. Director Denise Bottcher says this indicates that the vaccine and infection control are working…

cut 5 (06) “….declined”
But Bottcher says staffing shortages however remain an issue for nursing homes.

The 47^th Annual Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern won’t be played in the Superdome, it’ll be this Saturday at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau President Stacy Brown says the game and surrounding celebrations will be walkable and she encourages you to use free transportation courtesy of Sportram…

Cut 9 (05) “…there.”

Southern leads the series 36-33 and kickoff is 1:30 PM.

Over one million people in Louisiana have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series and one-point four million people have received at least one shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we’ve hit a point in the vaccine rollout that if you want to get vaccinated, it’s not hard finding a shot for anyone 16 years and older…
cut 11 (07) “….surpassed it”
Pfizer’s CEO says a third booster shot is likely needed within a year to maintain protection against the virus.

Trooper Kaleb Reeves, son of former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves, receives the maximum penalty after an investigation finds his reckless driving caused a crash in Monroe that led to the death of a child and teenager last October. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Reeves is suspended for four and a half months without pay.
Cut 13 (09) “…hours.”
An LSP investigation determined Reeves was driving 20 miles over the speed limit when he hit the back of a Kia sedan.

The AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard shows a significant decline in nursing home deaths during a four-week period that ended March 21st. New infections among residents and staff also declined, but Louisiana AARP Director Denise Bottcher says staffing at nursing homes remains an issue…
cut 6 (09) “…to solve”

There will be no shortage of football fans in Shreveport this weekend as the 47th annual Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern will kick-off at 1:30 PM in Independence Stadium. Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Visitors Bureau President Stacy Brown hopes their visitors will also check out Port Fest and Party on the Red…
cut 8 (11) “…entertainment”

A state trooper has received the max suspension, 4.5 months, after he caused a crash in Monroe last October that killed an 11-year-old and 18-year-old. An investigation has determined Kaleb Reeves, the son of former LSP leader Kevin Reeves, was driving 20 miles over the speed limit, did not use emergency lights, and was driving recklessly on US 165 when he slammed into a Kia sedan from behind. Trooper Michael Reichardt says Kaleb Reeves will be suspended until August 19th…
cut 14 (09) “…operations”
Reeves was responding to a call at the time of the fatal wreck in a State Police-issued SUV.

One million Louisianans have completed their full COVID vaccine series. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says about 31 percent of the state has received at least one dose of a vaccine.
Cut 10 (10) “…responded well.”
1.4 million Louisianans have initiated their series.

The AARP COVID dashboard reports cases and deaths are on the decline in nursing homes in Louisiana…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The 47th annual Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern is Saturday at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau President Stacy Brown says the rivalry game will give the local economy a three million dollar boost…
Cut 7 (07) “…quick.”
Kick off Saturday is at 1:30.