The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network reviews Louisiana’s legislative efforts to fight the disease. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

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“In God We Trust” must be displayed in all Louisiana public schools by the start of fall classes. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30 ) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone at the mouth of the Missispi River appears to be smaller this year than expected due to the impact of Hurricane Barry. Matt Doyle has more.

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A new report from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network evaluates Louisiana’s effort to fight the disease.  In 2007, a law was put into place requiring all indoor workplaces to be smoke-free, with the exception of bars and casinos.  ACS-CAN spokesperson Lance Barbour says the state has fallen short to combat second-hand smoke.

Cut 4 (08) “…for our youth.” 

Among the areas of concern, access to care, quality of life, and prevention. Barbour says state legislation has helped for the highlights in the reports.

Cut 5  (12) “…of their choosing.” 

Barbour says the findings in the report indicate that Louisiana could combat smoking by raising the state’s cigarette tax.

Cut 6 (06) “…the national average.”
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Beginning in fall all Louisiana public schools will have to display “In God We Trust” and educate students about the origin of the national motto.

The law was written by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who says the motto must at minimum be displayed on a paper sheet.

Cut 7 (09) “jurisdiction”

The Democratic Senator adds the legislation also allows teachers to freely choose to display the motto in their classroom.

The law requires that the history of the motto be added to the mandatory curriculum in public schools. Barrow says it’s meant to teach students about the “patriotic history” of the USA.

Cut 8 (10) “principle.”

The information will be taught alongside instruction on proper flag etiquette.

Opponents say the law imposes religious education on public school students and point out that the motto was only added to currency in 1957. Barrow disagrees with those arguments.

Cut 9 (12) “…country”

The law cleared the Legislature in 2018 without a single dissenting vote.

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The 6,952 square mile “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico near the mouth of the Mississippi isn’t quite as big as NOAA predicted this year due to the disturbance of Hurricane Barry.

Hypoxia research crew chief scientist Dr. Nancy Rabalais says with record-high Mississippi River levels, the end result is a bit surprising.

Cut 10 (12) “…period.”

The nearly 7,000 square mile Zone was still good for the 8th largest on record.

Some forecasts predicted a record size for the Dead Zone this year due to the amount of water exiting the Mississippi, but Rabalais says after Hurricane Barry passed right over the area…

Cut 11 (07) “…waters.”

The Dead Zone is a huge patch of low oxygen water that is devoid of life because of the large amount of sewage and fert8ilizer coming down the Mississippi River.

The same fertilizers that cause the Zone are believed to be responsible for the toxic algae blooms that broke out after the Bonnet Carre Spillway opened. NOAA Center for Coastal Ocean Science director Steve Thur says that incident has caught their attention.

Cut 12 (08) “ spillway.”

Leaving the Spillway open so late into the season resulted in toxic blooms that shuttered Mississippi beaches during peak tourist season.

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LSU hits the practice field today for the start of preseason camp. Coach Ed Orgeron plans to be heavily involved in the development of the defensive line, especially with D-Line coach Dennis Johnson in a wheelchair after severely injuring both of his knees while playing basketball. Orgeron wants an aggressive defensive line

Cut 13 (10) “…that staff ”

Orgeron says for LSU to accomplish its goals this season, they have to play better on the offensive and defensive lines. Orgeron says a big battle at camp will be nose tackle between Tyler Shelvin and Apu Ika

Cut 14 (11) “…going to be a battle.”

Orgeron says it’s wide open on who will be the starting left guard and it remains to be seen who will be the Tigers top tailback and field goal kicker.

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Can’t Guard Mike is back in Black and Gold after a short holdout led to him becoming the highest paid receiver in NFL history.

The 26-year-old grabbed a five year, 100-million-dollar contract to set the new record. After breaking the record for most receptions through a player’s first three years, he’s confident he’s worth every penny.

Cut 15 (11) “…competing.”

Thomas caught 83 percent of the passes sent his way over his first three years, for 321 total.

It may have been a relatively brief holdout, but Thomas says he sure got antsy being restricted to just studying film on his Ipad…

Cut 16  (13) “…championship”   

The top cop in Baton Rouge apologizes for the hiring of Blane Salamoni, the former officer accused in the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Kevin Barnhart has more on the settlement they reached with Salamoni

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Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains why customers are now seeing a reduction.

Cut 13 (09) “…to customers”

Congressman Ralph Abraham picks up another endorsement from a Republican lawmaker in his bid to defeat Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards this fall with Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says for now the endorsements help to offset Eddie Rispone’s large advantage in campaign dollars

Cut 5 (08) “…spend money”

Governor Edwards is in the front-runner in the polls heading into the October 12th primary.

A suite of new laws took effect today, including an effort to prevent the harassment of refs in amateur and high school sports. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry’s law would allow officers to remove, and possibly arrest people who threaten physical violence against those amateur refs. Henry says he brought the legislation on request from his local playground, which was tired of dealing with raging parents…

Cut 10 (10) “…flag football”  (2x)

Baton Rouge police announce that Blane Salamoni, the officer who fired six shots into the body of Alton Sterling, will never work as a B-R-P-D officer as part of a settlement reached. The department has learned that Salamoni had an arrest record that he did not disclose to police when he applied to be an officer. That should have prevented him from being hired. The shooting of Sterling led to days of protest and civil unrest. Police Chief Murphy Paul says the healing process continues…
Cut 7 (11) “…our officers experience.”
Salamoni will be allowed to voluntarily resign retroactive to March 2018, instead of being fired.

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year.The savings benefit that Cleco customers are now receiving stems from the 2017 Congressional Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains

Cut 15 (10) “…required to pay.”

Congressman Ralph Abraham picks up another endorsement from a Republican lawmaker in his bid to defeat Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards this fall with Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the recent endorsements for Abraham help the U-S Representative

Cut 4 (09) “…where he is”

Fellow GOP contender Eddie Rispone has a television ad running that touts his support for President Trump, while Abraham has yet to get on statewide TV.

A suite of new laws took effect today, including an expansion of judge’s abilities to order chemical castrations. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick’s bill would allow judges to sentence those who commit sexual battery to chemical castration. He says previously that wasn’t an option.

Cut 11 (09) “…in there.”

Baton Rouge police announce that Blane Salamoni, the officer who fired six shots into the body of Alton Sterling, will never work as a B-R-P-D officer as part of a settlement reached. Police Chief Murphy Paul says the Sterling shooting followed a pattern of unprofessional behavior shown by Salamoni…

Cut 8 (11) “…change the future.”

Salamoni will be allowed to voluntarily resign retroactive to March 2018, instead of being fired.

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year.President Trump’s federal tax law lowered corporate tax rates for utility companies. The Louisiana Public Service Commission had to approve Cleco’s plan to distribute the savings. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains how customers will see the credit on their bill.

Cut 14 (10) “…bill credit”

A series of new laws take effect today. Brooke Thorington spoke with the lawmakers who authored two of the new additions…

cut  2 (31) I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The investigation continues into the LaSalle Parish crash that killed three on Monday, including a toddler. The driver of the 18-wheeler that rear ended a Ford Fiesta in the incident has now been arrested. 33 year old Joseph Pardue of Georgetown is charged with three counts of negligent homicide as well as negligent injury, reckless operation, and unsafe vehicle.

Baton Rouge police announce that a settlement has been reached with former officer Blane Salamoni, who appealed his firing for his actions that resulted in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016. The Advocate reports that Salamoni, before being hired, had been arrested for battering a woman in a Baton Rouge bar who had broken up with him earlier that day. Police Chief Murphy Paul told reporters that Salamoni did not reveal that arrest during the hiring process…

Cut 6 (10) “…process, we are sorry.”

Salamoni’s departure will be now be recognized as a resignation. 

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill let’s you know why you’ll be seeing those lower bills.

Cut 13 (09) “…to customers”

Other power companies in the state have already implemented those reductions.

A new law is going into effect that will allow judges to order chemical castrations for people charged with sexual battery of minors under the age of 13. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick, who brought the law last session, says he was surprised to hear about the loophole when he was contacted by a local judge who said the option was not available in his case, but it was for others…

Cut 12 (12) “…battery.”

A law upping the minimum age for marriage to 16 also went into effect today.

Louisiana’s two Republican gubernatorial candidates are wrestling for the chance to get into a run-off with Governor Edwards in the upcoming October 12^th Primary. Congressman Abraham is nabbing all kinds of state endorsements, while Eddie Rispone has a huge money advantage. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says for now the endorsements help to offset Rispone’s warchest.

Cut 5 (08) “…spend money”

Baton Rouge Police announce the details of the settlement with Blane Salamoni, the former officer who appealed his dismissal following his involvement in the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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The minimum marriage age law is one of over 200 new laws that take effect today. A new child safety seat law is in place. And medication abortions can now only take place at the state’s three licensed abortions clinics, no longer in a gynecologist’s office.

Congressman Ralph Abraham picks up another endorsement from a Republican lawmaker in his bid to defeat Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards this fall.  Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says the state needs a bold conservative leader. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the endorsements help Abraham, who has yet to launch a statewide TV ad

Cut 3 (07) “…Congressman Abraham”

Fellow GOP contender Eddie Rispone has a television ad running that touts his support for President Trump.

I mentioned a few of the new laws that take effect today, but we’ve got another to add to the list: Metairie Representative Cameron Henry’s law that would allow officers to remove, and possibly arrest people who threaten physical violence against amateur refs at little league and high school sporting events…

Cut 9 (09) “…prevail”

Jail time and fines may be a possibility if you’re arrested under this law.

A suite of new laws took effect today, including an effort to prevent the harassment of refs in amateur and high school sports, and an expansion of judge’s abilities to order chemical castrations. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry’s law would allow officers to remove, and possibly arrest people who threaten physical violence against those amateur refs, but…

Cut 9 (09) “…prevail”

Jail time and fines may be a possibility if you’re arrested under this law.

Marrero (Mah-rare-roh) Representative Patrick Connick’s bill would allow judges to sentence those who commit sexual battery to chemical castration. He says previously that wasn’t an option.

Cut 11 (09) “…in there.”

Baton Rouge police announce that former officer Blane Salamoni will not return the department nor receive backpay.  Salamoni appealed his firing after the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016. Police Chief Murphy Paul was apologetic about the officer’s hiring during today’s news conference. Paul says the healing process has already begun with the city.

Cut 7 (11) “…our officers experience.”

Salamoni’s departure from the department will be recognized as a resignation.

Baton Rouge police announce a settlement has been reached with former officer Blane Salamoni, who appealed his firing for his actions that resulted in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016. Salamoni’s departure will be now be recognized as a resignation.  During the announcement, Police Chief Murphy Paul was apologetic.

Cut 6 (10) “…process, we are sorry”

Also Salamoni will not return to the police force and he will not receive any back pay.

Polls shows Governor Edwards is in the front-runner heading into the primary. Congressman Ralph Abraham is in second place, while Eddie Rispone is in third, but Rispone has a huge money advantage over the Congressman. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says for now the endorsements have help to offset Rispone’s advantage in campaign dollars

Cut 5 (08) “…spend money”

The Primary is October 12^th.

A study shows quality of life improvements for Medicaid expansion enrollees since the Governor announced the expansion three years ago.

Cut 2 (30 ) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains why customers are now seeing a reduction.

Cut 13 (09) “…to customers”

Customers will save and average of $168 dollars.