8:30 LRN Newscast September 18

A 100-patient cap has been lifted on doctors who wish to treat patients with medical marijuana once it becomes available later this year. That’s the result of a vote by Louisiana’s Medical Board, who also voted to remove the need for medical marijuana patients to see their doctor every 90 days to maintain their treatment. Doctor Victor Chou, with the Medical Marijuana Clinic of Louisiana, says since the prescriptions only last 30 days, they’ll be in frequent communication with their doctor anyway…
cut 12 (08) “….or so”

The state department of education has received a nine-million dollar federal grant to address mental health in public schools. Department of education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the money will go to 34 schools in the City of Monroe, Jefferson and St. Bernard Parish school systems…
cut 6 (10) “…persisentily struggling schools”

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. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says 26 year old Jimmy Kassis of Thibodaux 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 after further investigation they arrested Kassis for unlawfully sending lewd photographs as part of the blackmail attempt.

Gonzales police have charged 60-year-old Robert Ray of Donaldsonville with a hate crime after he allegedly told a Latino looking family to “go back to Mexico.” Police Chief Sherman Jackson says the incident happened at a store….
cut 9 (07) “…you said”
Jackson says one of the victims in this case was actually a former US Marine.