Researchers and doctors are looking at different ways to treat addiction at the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference that’s underway in New Orleans. Addiction Specialist Ross DeLeonardo with LSU Health New Orleans says they’re working to develop new maintenance drug treatments like a rod put under the skin.

Cut 9 (10) “prescriptions”

Critics of maintenance medications say users can abuse the drugs.

The Department of Transportation breaks ground on a project to widen I-10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this will increase the highway’s capacity for the 60-thousand people who drive the 7 mile stretch every day.

Cut 4 (09) “on interstates”

The Bayou State gets a big gain in economic development, as Lotte Chemical’s headquarters is moving from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Korean based company is partnering with Westlake Chemical out of Taiwan on a $2 billion ethane cracker at the junction of Interstates 10 and 210.

Cut 15 (09) “chemical production”

Pierson says Lotte also added a $1 billion plant at the junction.

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today. Festival King Bill Wheat says people should get their strawberries soon because the season is winding down.

Cut 11 (11) “on supply”

The weekend festival draws around 200 thousand people a year.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is underway in New Orleans where doctors address new ways to treat opioid addiction. Addiction Specialist at LSU Heath New Orleans Ross DeLeonardo Jr., says unlike methadone clinics where users have to wait in line daily, maintenance medications would gives an addict an alternative and chance to get their lives in order…:
Cut 8 (09) “same way”

The Department of Transportation has broken ground on a project to widen a 7 mile section of Interstate 10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this should alleviate congestion in the Lafayette area and lead to a smoother ride for a very important highway:
Cut 5 (10) “to grow”
He says 60-thousand people drive this stretch of highway every day.

Richland Parish Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham issued a statement in response to the United States attack on a Syrian air base. He says the use of chemical weapons on innocent women and children is a war crime that cannot go unanswered and he strongly supports the president’s move. Abraham is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The Strawberry Festival kicks off today in Ponchatoula. Halen Doughty has more on this weekend’s festivities…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is underway in New Orleans. Doctors are working on ways to treat opioid addiction.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

DOTD broke ground on a 7 mile section of Interstate 10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. Secretary Shawn Wilson says construction will begin in May, and the project is expected to take two years to complete…:
Cut 6 (09) “this project”
He says 60-thousand people drive this stretch of highway every day.

There are a ton of festivals going on throughout the state this weekend, and the weather is going to be delightful. The second biggest free event in the state, the three day Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, begins today. Festival Queen Katie Robinson…:
Cut 12 (08) “larger crowds”
The festival draws around 200,000 people every year. The 34th annual French Quarter Festival in New Orleans is also underway through Sunday.

Louisiana got some more great job news this week as Lotte Chemical announces they’re moving headquarters from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the company is also teaming up with Westlake Chemical to build a roughly $2 billion ethane cracker complex there. He says Lotte also added a $1 billion plant at location…:
Cut 14 (10) “to Louisiana”
Lotte Chemical is based in Korea, while Westlake is out of Taiwan.

The Department of Transportation breaks ground on a project to widen a 7 mile stretch of I-10 in the Lafayette area. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

During the rape trial in Baton Rouge of the former Sons of Guns reality TV star, Will Hayden, the suspect took the stand and denied ever assaulting anyone. This came after a 15-year-old accuser became physically ill during her own testimony in which she stated Hayden ruined her life by forcing her into a sexual relationship. The prosecution is expected to call at least one witness this morning.

The city of New Orleans is hosting the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference where doctors from around the world will meet to discuss alternatives to treating opiod addictions. Addiction Specialist at LSU Heath New Orleans Ross DeLeonardo Jr. will be there. He says they’ll be discussing how to medically treat out of control addicts:
CUT 25 (09) “their life”
Some criticize the use of medicine to treat addition, but DeLeonardo says they think of it in terms of a “harm reduction model.”

Louisiana Economic Development announces Lotte Chemical is moving their headquarters from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says Lotte already has a chemical plant under construction at the junction of Interstates 10 and 210. He says this is a big win for the Bayou State.:
Cut 13 (10) “for Louisiana”
Together, the plant and corporate headquarters will create 130 new direct jobs, with an average annual salary of more than $80,000, plus benefits.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is underway in New Orleans bringing together researchers and doctors from around the world to address new ways to treat opioid addiction. Addiction Specialist at LSU Heath New Orleans Ross DeLeonardo Jr., says they are trying to find alternatives to the traditional 12 step program…:
Cut 7 (10) “90%”

The Department of Transportation has broken ground on a project to widen a 7 mile section of Interstate 10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this will increase the interstate’s capacity for the 60-thousand people who drive this stretch every day..:
Cut 4 (09) “on interstates”
He says they are replacing the original pavement and widening it to three lanes.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ office released a memo Thursday saying Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves can no longer be trusted to convey accurate information about Louisiana’s response to 2016 flooding. The statement comes in response to the Congressional hearing this week in which the GOP blamed the state for the slow recovery process. The administration says Graves’ claim that Louisiana has $1.6 billion dollars its not spending is not true as the federal government has not yet released the money.

It’s going to be a beautiful weather weekend for the many events going on across the state, including the three day popular Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival which kicks off today. This year’s queen is Queen Katie Robinson
Cut 10 (09) “eating contest”
It’s the second largest free festival in the state and attended by around 200,000 people every year.

Forty-two percent of Louisiana households cannot afford their basic needs. A United Way report finds 23 percent of those live above the poverty level but are considered Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, or ALICE. President of the Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot, explains…:
Cut 3 (09) “job loss”
She hopes these findings can lead to change.

The State Department of Natural Resources says the controversial Bayou Bridge Pipeline project can move forward. DNR Spokesperson Patrick Courreges (Koo-rezge) says after a permit was submitted, the DNR took public comment and reviewed the plans…:
Cut 6 (09) “wetland zone”
The state Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corp on Engineers still have to approve the pipeline.

The forecast team at Colorado State is calling for a slightly below-average 2017 Hurricane Season. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor John Bel Edwards was at a Walgreens in Baton Rouge to announce the pharmacy will have safe drug disposals at a dozen of their stores around the state to dispose old prescriptions….
cut 16 (09) “…we can”
Health officials say narcotic overdoses have surpassed homicide deaths in Orleans and East Baton Rouge.

A report from United Way finds 42 percent of Louisiana households cannot afford basic necessities. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former Sons of Guns star Will Hayden took the witness stand today, denying allegations he sexually assaulted two preteen girls, only hours after a 15-year-old accuser became ill detailing the alleged rape. Hayden is being tried on two counts of aggravated rape of the girl, and another count of forcible rape from the early 90s.

The Louisiana Survey finds 91 percent of Louisianans support equal pay for equal work. But Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says there are gender and party differences in how people view gender discrimination. He says this could lead to some divide on equal pay legislation.

Cut 11 (10) “highly debated”

A majority of Democrats believe there’s at least some discrimination, while only 11 percent of Republicans agree.

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State is calling for a slightly below-average 2017 Hurricane Season. They are predicting 11 named storms and four hurricanes. Lead Researcher Dr. Phil Klotzbach says the primary reason is the predicted development of an El Nino in the Pacific Ocean.

Cut 12 (08) “for the storms”

A report from United Way finds 42 percent of Louisiana families can’t afford their basic needs. Dr. Stephanie Hoopes of Rutgers University authored the report. She says we’re seeing an increase in the number of families that are Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, or ALICE, because cost of living is going up and inflation is not.

Cut 4 (09) “14 percent”

ALICE families make up at least 25 percent of the population in every parish.

Louisianans can now dispose of prescription medications in kiosks at 12 Walgreens around the state to keep them away from friends and family. Governor John Bel Edwards says these kiosks are a step in the right direction to end opioid addiction.

Cut 15 (07) “we can”

Opioid overdose deaths now surpass homicides in Orleans and East Baton Rouge parishes.

Ninety-one percent of Louisianans support equal pay, according to the Louisiana Survey. Bills requiring equal pay for equal work have been filed, but Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab expects opponents to the measure will make a strong case.

Cut 10 (08) “gonna be”

Henderson says public opinion won’t be the only thing lawmakers keep in mind as the debates unfold.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources approves the application for the Bayou Bridge Pipeline. Patrick Courreges with DNR says their role in the permitting process was to make sure the pipeline did not lead to wetland loss.

Cut 7 (09) “be altering”

Permission is still needed from the Department of Environmental Quality and the US Army Corps of Engineers.