Governor Edwards and Legislative Republicans struck a compromise yesterday to pass what one political analyst calls a historic achievement in the fight against the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates….

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Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat calls it a historic achievement in what had become one of the most prominent political issues in the state.

Cut 3 (11) ”…insurance  

The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold, changes collateral source law, and includes a number of other smaller changes to court proceedings.

Pinsonat says the bill is packed with items insurers say will save them a lot of money. Once Governor Edwards signs it Pinsonat says the ball moves into the Insurance Commissioner’s court.

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The legislation does not include a mandate for lower premiums.

Pinsonat says the legislation seemed dead in the water up until just a few hours before the session closed when the Governor struck a deal with Republicans.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the bill”

Governor Edwards indicated he will sign the legislation into law.

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Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products known as AYO (I-O).  The launch sees the release of six different products including tinctures for use under the tongue.  CEO of Southern’s growing and processing partner Ilera Holistic Healthcare Dr. Chanda Mecias says they are also rolling out topical solutions.

Cut 6 (08) “…just the beginning.”

Louisiana has recently expanded the law to allow any doctor to recommend the product to any patient with a debilitating ailment starting August 1.

Southern University President Ray Belton says the products have the ability to contribute to the health and welfare of the state and so much more.

Cut 7 (10) “…on the economy.”

Southern becomes the first HBCU to have THC and CBD product lines.

Executive Director for the Southern Institute for Medicinal Plants Dr. Janana Snowden says it’s rewarding to hear the testimonials from those that need the products.

Cut 8 (09) “…that is indescribable.”

The products are shipping this week and could be hitting the market within two weeks.

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The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. Visitation has been limited due to COVID-19 and LDVA Director of Communications Brandee Patrick says they wanted to boost morale.

9 (08) “…praying for them.”

Currently, there are more than 600 residents living in five veteran’s homes across the state. Patrick says you can find a listing of addresses at VetAffairs.LA.Gov.

Cut 10 (10) “…addresses.”

Patrick says in March when the pandemic broke out for the safety of residents, they had to limit visitors to mitigate the spread of the virus. The letter-writing campaign is a way of showing residents appreciation.

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You can also call the LDVA at 225-219-5000 for more information about Project LOVE.

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When it comes to COVID-19 hospitalizations, Governor Edwards says the state has lost all of the progress it made in the first half of June in the second half of the month.

Cut 12 (08) “…they’ve ever been.”

Edwards has announced there will be no new restrictions put into place following a report that shows one of the largest single-day increases in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Baton Rouge will now be one of three locations selected by the feds to ramp up testing by 5000 more tests per day. Edwards says the uptick in coronavirus metrics has garnered the attention of the White House, especially in the Capital Region.

Cut 13 (11) “…be seriously considered.” 

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has mandated the use of face coverings while inside of businesses.

Edwards says the rate of positivity among tests has gone up to just shy of 10% which is the White House’s recommended level for reopening.

Cut 14 (10) “…you did before.”

Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the bill is packed with items insurers say will save them a lot of money. Once Governor Edwards signs it Pinsonat says the ball moves into the Insurance Commissioner’s court.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…job”

The legislation does not include a mandate for lower premiums.

Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products known as AYO (I-O).  The launch sees the release of six different products.  Executive Director for the Southern Institute for Medicinal Plants Dr. Janana Snowden says it’s rewarding to hear the testimonials from those that need the products.
Cut 8 (09) “…that is indescribable.”

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. COVID-19 and LDVA spokesperson Brandee Patrick says in March when the pandemic broke out for the safety of residents, they had to limit visitors to mitigate the spread of the virus. The letter-writing campaign is a way of showing residents appreciation.

Cut 11 (11) “…about them.”

The Legislature approved a series of tax breaks for COVID-impacted businesses. Governor Edwards says he has his concerns with passing tax breaks at a time when revenue is already suffering.

Cut 14 (09) “…go back”

Proponents of the tax breaks say they are necessary to save businesses on the brink right now financially.

Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat calls it a historic achievement in what had become one of the most prominent political issues in the state.
Cut 3 (11) ”…insurance  
Governor Edwards indicated he supports the legislation.

The Legislature approved a 34 billion dollar operating budget for the fiscal year that starts today, one that looks fairly similar to the on Governor Edwards proposed. Despite the influx of hundreds of millions of dollars in CARES Act money, Edwards warns there will still have to be some cuts due to COVID-related revenue shortfalls.

Cut 13 (11) “amounts” 

Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products known as AYO (I-O).  The launch sees the release of six different products including tinctures for use under the tongue.  Southern University President Ray Belton says the products have the ability to contribute to the health and welfare of the state and so much more.

Cut 7 (10) “…on the economy.”

Southern becomes the first HBCU to have THC and CBD product lines.

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. Currently, there are more than 600 residents living in five veteran’s homes across the state. Visitation has been limited due to COVID-19 and LDVA Director of Communications Brandee Patrick says you can find a listing of addresses at VetAffairs.LA.Gov.

Cut 10 (10) “…addresses.”

Louisiana reports over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, the 3^rd largest single-day increase since the pandemic began and the highest since April 4^th, the peak of the pandemic. We now have over 60,000 positive tests since March. 14 more people have been hospitalized as well, along with 17 new deaths. Orleans and Jefferson Parish have already begun mandating mask usage while inside all businesses as a result of the new spike.

Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products known as AYO (I-O).  The launch sees the release of six different products including tinctures for use under the tongues.  CEO of Ilera Holistic Healthcare Dr. Chanda Mecias they are also rolling out topical solutions.

Cut 6 (08) “…just the beginning.”

Louisiana law prohibits medical marijuana to be used in a smokable form.

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. Visitation has been limited due to COVID-19 and Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs Director of Communications Brandee Patrick says they wanted to boost morale.

9 (08) “…praying for them.”

Currently, there are more than 600 residents living in five veteran’s homes across the state. You can also call the LDVA at 225-219-5000 for more information about Project LOVE.

Civil lawsuit reform legislation is headed to the Governor’s desk that supporters say may lower auto insurance rates. The bill was passed on veto-proof lines but is less expansive than previous tort legislation that was shot down by the Governor. Crowley Representative John Stefanski calls it an important step forward.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…rates.”
The bill passed with a few hours left in the special session.

The Legislature approves a 34 billion dollar operating budget for the fiscal year that starts today, one that looks fairly similar to the on Governor Edwards proposed. The Legislature also approved a series of tax breaks for COVID-impacted businesses. Edwards says he has his concerns with passing tax breaks at a time when revenue is already suffering.
Cut 14 (09) “…go back”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he expects another federal stimulus package to be passed sometime in late July. Cassidy aims to have CARES 4.0 focused on covering the estimated 500 billion dollars of lost revenue for local governments nationwide.When asked how big the next stimulus might be Cassidy expressed concern that about 50 percent of the money allocated for COVID recovery hasn’t even been spent yet.

Cut 9 (07) “…resources”

The Louisiana National Guard will be performing more hospital flyovers today honoring first responders and frontline healthcare workers.  Several months ago, flyovers were performed, but they didn’t hit every hospital in the state. Louisiana’s Army aviation commander Col. John Plunkett says the routing of these flights should hit Slidell, Hammond, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe.

Cut 11 (09) “…will see us.”

Civil lawsuit reform legislation is headed to the Governor’s desk that supporters say may lower auto insurance rates. The bill was passed on veto-proof lines but is less expansive than previous tort legislation that was shot down by the Governor. Crowley Representative John Stefanski calls it an important step forward…
Cut 4 (11)_ “…rates.”
The bill passed with a few hours left in the special session.
The Legislature approves a 34-billion-dollar operating budget for the fiscal year that starts today, one that looks fairly similar to the one Governor Edwards proposed. However, Edwards was not pleased with the Legislature’s decision to pause a scheduled pay raise for state employees that would have cost about 60 million dollars.
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Senator Bill Cassidy says he expects another federal stimulus package to be passed sometime in late July. Cassidy aims to have CARES 4.0 focused on covering the estimated 500 billion dollars of lost revenue for local governments nationwide. He says the cancellation of spring south Louisiana festivals has already left a mark, and…
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The 500 billion dollars includes funds already lost, and estimated losses moving into 2021.

On the final day of the special session, the Legislature approves a 34-billion-dollar budget. Matt Doyle has the Governor’s reaction…
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In East Feliciana the parish police jury will decide next week whether to dismantle a statue of a confederate soldier from the courthouse lawn which has stood there since 1909. Calls to remove the statue have escalated in the past few weeks while protests have broken out across the county and Louisiana.

Civil lawsuit reform legislation is headed to the Governor’s desk that supporters say may lower auto insurance rates by changing the way auto accident lawsuits are handled.
Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud celebrated the bill’s passage, saying it would help fix the ongoing crisis in commercial auto insurance markets.
Cut 6 (09) “…the books”
Governor Edwards applauded this version of the bill, which was a compromise between earlier GOP efforts and the Governor’s past preferred policy.
The Louisiana National Guard will be performing more hospital flyovers today honoring first responders and frontline healthcare workers. Louisiana’s Army aviation commander Col. John Plunkett says
Several months ago, flyovers were performed, but they didn’t hit every hospital in the state. He says Today’s routing of these flights should hit Slidell, Hammond, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe.
Cut 11 (09) “…will see us.”

The Legislature approves a 34-billion-dollar operating budget for the fiscal year that starts today, one that looks fairly like the one Governor Edwards proposed. Despite the influx of hundreds of millions of dollars in CARES Act money, Edwards warns there will still have to be some cuts due to COVID-related revenue shortfalls.
Cut 13 (11) “amounts”

Civil lawsuit reform legislation is headed to the Governor’s desk that supporters say may lower auto insurance rates. The bill passed with a few hours left in the special session. It promotes more jury trials and opens the door for additional information available to a jury. Baton Rouge Representative C. Denise Marcelle asked the question on everyone’s mind…
Cut 5 (07) “…insurance”
But ultimately, she voted for it alongside several other Democrats who had previously opposed it.

The Louisiana National Guard will be performing more hospital flyovers today honoring first responders and frontline healthcare workers. Louisiana’s Army aviation commander Col. John Plunkett says two teams of four Black Hawk helicopters will lift off around 11 am, one group from Hammond, the other from Pineville.
Cut 10 (09) “…very easily seen.”

YouTube has shut down the channels of six well known white supremacists including former Louisiana House member David Duke. A YouTube spokeswoman says Due and others “repeatedly or egregiously” violated the hate-speech policies. Duke says he does not like being banned by YouTube but he added he expected it. The former KKK grand wizard turns 70 today.

Senator Bill Cassidy says he expects another federal stimulus package to be passed sometime in late July.
Cassidy aims to have CARES 4.0 focused on covering the estimated 500 billion dollars of lost revenue for local governments nationwide. The 500 billion includes funds already lost, and estimated losses moving into 2021.
Cassidy says Senators are evaluating whether they will maintain federal unemployment assistance set to expire July 31st…He feels it won’t be necessary if economies can reopen.
Cut 8 (11) “…assistance.”

In East Feliciana, the parish police jury will decide next week whether to dismantle a statue of a confederate soldier from the courthouse lawn which has stood there since 1909. Calls to remove the statue have escalated in the past few weeks while protests have broken out across the county and Louisiana.

On the last day of the special session, the Legislature passes a tort reform bill that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma will be back in the NFL but this time he will be in a Fox broadcast booth. Vilma accepted an in-game analyst position with Fox earlier this summer.