It could be quite some time before medical marijuana is available in Louisiana, even though legislation passed allowing for its legal growth, prescription and dispensing. Ville Platte Representative and pharmacist Harvey LeBas says there’s a proposal moving through the legislature that says a $5,000 application fee would be needed if someone wants to become one of the 10 marijuana pharmacists in the state. He says some may not find it’s worth it..:
CUT 12 (07) “to be seen”
He says dispensaries in Louisiana would only offer medications derived from the plant for medical uses, not the actual plant itself.

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday that he was planning to sue the state GOP because he won the primary in Louisiana, but opponent Ted Cruz would end up with more delegates. The tweet reads, “Just to show you how unfair Republican primary politics can be, I won the State of Louisiana and get less delegates than Cruz…Lawsuit coming.”

Legislative hearings begin today on the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Over the course of the next two months, legislators will have to pass a budget that will contain 750-million dollars in cuts from the previous year. Governor John Bel Edwards says since he’s been in office, 170-million dollars in budget cuts have been put in place…:
Cut 13 (07) “about to do”
He feels there will have to be another special session to raise more revenue.

Vipers, which are venomous snakes like rattlesnakes and cotton-mouths, were thought to have the quickest strike, but researchers at UL-Lafayette find that’s not the case. David Penning, who studies functional morphology, says to observe snakes striking they filmed them with cameras capable of capturing high-speed action. He says they noticed that nonvenomous Texas rat snakes struck with the same velocity and acceleration as vipers…:
Cut 8 (06) “as vipers”
Penning says it takes a snake 70 milliseconds to strike.

It appears pharmacies who want to sell medical marijuana in the state will have to jump through a lot of hoops. Based on a bill moving through the legislature, an application fee of $5-thousand would be needed to cover inspections, background checks and paperwork. Ville Platte Representative and pharmacist Harvey LeBas says there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding the issue..:
cut 11 (09) “start somewhere”
He says once medical marijuana is available, it will only be sold at ten different locations around the state.

Lawmakers are meeting today to discuss next fiscal year’s budget and the $750 million dollar deficit that remains. Governor John Bel Edwards says despite the recent cuts to state funding and revenue increases, legislators will have to make some more difficult cuts…:
Cut 14 (11) “750-million dollars”

Researchers at UL-Lafayette are getting nationwide attention for busting the myth that the venomous viper has the fastest strike. Emelie Gunn reports..:
CUT 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Could CLECO be further building the case that the Pineville-based utility company be sold to a foreign investment group? The Public Service Commission is holding a special meeting today to hear revised proposals after rejecting the sale to Macquarie Infrastructure last month. Commissioner Lambert Boissiere says they all want to see rate reductions for CLECO customers…:
Cut 5 (04) “anyone else”
CLECO and Macquarie have offered additional commitments including 100 million dollars of immediate rate relief for customers,

At the Capitol today, lawmakers will be meeting to discuss Louisiana’s spending plan for next fiscal year. They are tasked by law to pass a balanced budget that will contain $750 million dollars in cuts from the prior year. Governor John Bel Edwards believes the legislature will find out during this regular session that state government can’t sustain anymore deep cuts…:
Cut 15 (07) “more revenue”
He says since he’s been in office, 170-million dollars in budget cuts have been put in place.

Thousands of fans in Acadiana gathered at Lafayette’s Parc International Saturday to close out a massive homecoming celebration for local celebrity MacKenzie Bourg who is one of the final four contestants in the final season of American Idol. Newly elected Lafayette Mayor Joel Robideaux greeted Bourg on stage and gave him a key to the city — the first key of his term. To keep Bourg in the running, you have to vote after Wednesday night’s show on April 6th.

The Public Service Commission holds a special meeting today on the sale of Cleco to a foreign investment group. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Myth busted: Venomous vipers were thought to have the quickest strike, but researchers at UL-Lafayette say that’s not the case. Doctoral student David Penning says their study shows that all snakes can strike quickly…:
CUT 7 (09) “snake world”

A proposed bill would establish the process by which pharmacies go about selling medical marijuana, including a 5-thousand dollar application fee. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A missing woman the New Orleans Police Department had been seeking over the weekend, was found dead around 5pm Sunday according to cops. They say Haley Saltaformaggio was in her locked vehicle with a gun reportedly in the front seat near her body, and authorities said she suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. Her cause of death has not been confirmed by the coroner’s office.

The Public Service Commission is expected to meet today for a special hearing on the sale of Pineville-based CLECO to Macquarie Infrastructure. The PSC rejected the proposal last month, and since then two sides have revised terms they say would further benefit the utility company’s employees and customers. PSC member Foster Campbell says “real” money from the sale should go to customers..:
cut 4 (06) “not enough”
CLECO says during the last meeting with the sale was turned down, inaccurate statements were made that they hope to clear up today.

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump is threatening a lawsuit aimed at the Louisiana GOP. The billionaire tweeted out Sunday that he was not happy that he won the primary here, but still gets less delegates than opponent Ted Cruz, saying “lawsuit coming.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s concerned about the future of TOPS. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Legislative hearings begin today on the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Over the course of the next two months, legislators will have to pass a budget that will contain 750-million dollars in cuts from the previous year. Edwards says since he’s been in office, 170-million dollars in budget cuts have been put in place…

Cut 13 (07)  “about to do”

Edwards says despite the recent cuts to state funding and revenue increases, legislators will have to make some more difficult cuts, because of the large shortfall they are still facing

It appears pharmacies who want to sell medical marijuana in the state will have to jump through a lot of hoops. Based on a bill moving through the legislature, an application fee of $5-thousand would be needed to cover inspections, background checks and paperwork. And Ville Platte Representative and pharmacist Harvey LeBas says federal law prohibits the sale of medical marijuana in the same facility where other prescriptions are sold.

Cut 10 (07) “Medical marijuana”

LeBas says once medical marijuana is available, it will only be sold at ten different locations around the state. He says there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding the issue.

Governor John Bel Edwards says because of a 750-million dollar shortfall for next fiscal year’s budget, changes to the TOPS scholarship program as we know it are likely coming. The governor says in these tough budget times, many government services and programs will unfortunately suffer…

Cut 13 (07)  “at risk”

Edwards says the cost of TOPS is expected to rise as colleges and universities hike tuition costs.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is warning flood victims or those donating to charities that there are fraudulent people looking to make a quick buck. Spokesperson Ruth Wisher says they’re encouraging flood victims looking for home repair to get at least itemized, detailed bids from licensed contractors. She says if they are unlicensed that should be viewed as a red flag.

CUT 7 (10) “never hurt”

There’s another election coming up and early voting for the April election begins today. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Shreveport bishop says he will camp out in a tent sealed off by a stone for three days in honor of the Easter holiday. Bishop Ricky Moore will lie on a blue cot for 36 hours as part of his church’s Easter celebration. Moore’s so-called resurrection will occur at 3 am Sunday. Moore will reportedly spend his time in the tent praying and fasting.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s concerned about the the future of TOPS. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Plans to remove four confederate monuments in New Orleans will be put on hold until all appeals are heard. A three judge panel of the 5^th US Circuit Court of Appeals is preventing Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s administration from removing the monuments until the court hears appeals from the statue’s supporters. In December the New Orleans City Council voted 6-1 to remove the monuments.

Early voting for the April 9 municipal election begins today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there was a 30 percent turnout in the March Presidential primary, and this ballot will not generate as much buzz, but people still need to know it’s important to vote…:

CUT 5 (10)  “than 30%”

The early voting period runs through Saturday April 2^nd.

Flood victims and those looking to donate to charity should be wary of fraudulent people looking to make a quick buck, according to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Spokesperson Ruth Wisher says FEMA will never call asking for financial account information and they always carry identification badges. She says don’t hesitate to call the Attorney General’s Office to ensure a contractor or charity is legitimate.

CUT 8 (10) “double check”

Changes to the TOPS Scholarship Program are likely coming because of a massive budget shortfall for next fiscal year, according to Governor John Bel Edwards.  Edwards says because lawmakers are not able to raise additional revenues in this regular session, some tough cuts are needed…

cut 12 (09) “of those”

Edwards says the cost of the TOPS program is expected to rise as colleges and universities hike tuition costs.

Early voting for the April 9 Municipal Election begins today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says says items on the ballot include local tax renewals, or runoffs if there were municipal elections in March to fill city council or mayoral seats…:

CUT 4 (11)  “April”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is warning flood victims or those donating to charities that some fraudulent people are looking to make a quick buck. Spokesperson Ruth Wisher says educate yourself before you donate to a charity or hire a contractor.  She says never donate to a charity that asks for cash or wire transfers and doesn’t provide proof your contribution is tax deductible.

CUT 6 (10) “.com”

A few years ago, Louisiana was ranked in the top ten nationally in tuberculosis rates, but the state Department of Health and Hospitals announces Louisiana’s case rate has fallen 43-percent since 2010.  DHH Tuberculosis controller Michael Lacassagne says the potentially fatal bacterial infections can be both prevented and cured with proper treatment and the state has taken steps to do that

CUT 9 (07) “for us”

Governor John Bel Edwards says changes to the TOPS scholarship program as we know it are likely coming, because of a 750-million dollar shortfall for next fiscal year’s budget. The governor says in these tough budget times, many government services and programs will unfortunately suffer…

Cut 13 (07)  “at risk”

Edwards says the cost of the TOPS scholarship program is 300-million dollars this fiscal year and the price tag is expected to rise as colleges and universities hike tuition costs.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is warning flood victims or those donating to charities that there are fraudulent people looking to make a quick buck. Spokesperson Ruth Wisher says they’re encouraging flood victims looking for home repair to get at least itemized, detailed bids from licensed contractors. She says if they are unlicensed that should be viewed as a red flag.

CUT 7 (10) “never hurt”

Many Louisiana residents probably do not know this, but there is an election coming up. And early voting for the April 9th Municipal Election begins today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there are 41 parishes statewide holding elections…:

CUT 3 (07)  “g-e-a-u-x”

The early voting period runs through Saturday April 2nd, but polls are closed Easter Sunday.

A few years ago, Louisiana was ranked in the top ten nationally in tuberculosis rates, but the state Department of Health and Hospitals announces Louisiana’s case rate has fallen 43-percent since 2010.  DHH Tuberculosis controller Michael Lacassagne says Louisiana is the first state to adopt a statewide blood test for the detection of tuberculosis.

Cut 11 (09) “of cases”

Governor John Bel Edwards says changes in TOPS as we know it are likely coming because of next year’s 750 million dollar deficit. Edwards says the program costs 300-million dollars this fiscal year and the price tag is expected to rise as colleges and universities hike tuition costs. The governor says in these tough budget times, many government services and programs will unfortunately suffer…
Cut 13 (07) “at risk”

Many Louisiana residents don’t know but there is another election coming up April 9th. Early voting for this municipal election starts Saturday morning. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there was a 30 percent turnout in the March Presidential primary, and this ballot likely won’t generate as much buzz, but people still need to vote.
CUT 5 (10) “than 30%”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals announces Louisiana’s tuberculosis case rate has fallen 43-percent since 2010. DHH Tuberculosis controller Michael Lacassagne attributes the drop to a new blood testing procedure to improve the diagnosis and a new therapy to prevent the progression of the tuberculosis. He says to keep the number down, they focus on high risk populations, like those with HIV or born outside of the country…
cut 10 (10) “that group”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office is cautioning flood victims that there are fraudulent people looking to make a quick buck. Spokesperson Ruth Wisher says FEMA won’t ever call you asking for financial account information and they always carry identification badges. She says don’t hesitate to call the AG’s office to ensure a contractor legitimate.
CUT 8 (10) “double check”