The wife of one of the missing crewmembers from the Seacor lift boat that capsized last Tuesday files a $25-million lawsuit. Loyola University Political Science Professor Dane Ciolino says anytime there’s a workplace accident that results in the loss of life or major injury there’s going to be a civil lawsuit, but who can be named in the suit remains the question.

Cut 9 (11) “..contend are responsible.”

Ciolino says this suit is likely the first of many and could take years to settle.

Saturday is election day for the state’s second congressional district. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says the race comes down to likeability between Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter and their ability to turn out the vote.

Cut 4 (10) “…the poll” 

Voter turnout is expected to be between 15 and 20-percent.

Louisiana Green Fuels announces plans to construct a 700-million dollar renewable diesel refinery in Caldwell Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The entire state is under a slight to moderate risk of severe weather tonight. That includes a risk of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, and wind damage. The outlook for Saturday is predominately rain without the potential for severe weather

Louisiana Green Fuels plans on building a 700-million-dollar renewable diesel refinery in Caldwell Parish on a 171-acre site at the Port of Columbia. Governor Edwards says a final investment decision is expected in late 2022, but this has the potential to be a major economic development win for rural north Louisiana…

Cut 12 (12)   “…five million dollars” 

Southeast Louisiana voters decide who will represent the state’s second congressional district in DC Saturday. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak says the heated race between Democrats Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter is not about the issues.

Cut 3 (11)  “…personal” 

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The DEA is holding a semi-annual prescription drug take-back day throughout the State tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This allows you to turn in your unused or unwanted prescription drugs so that they can be disposed of properly.  Special agent Randy Harness says getting rid of these drugs might save someone’s life.

Cut 6 (13) “..someone else”

For more information on the closest take-back site, go to www.deatakeback.com and enter your zip code.

The restaurant industry continues to face hurdles with the pandemic but instead of a lack of customers, it’s employees. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says members are having trouble finding enough workers.

Cut 7 (11)  “…currently.”

Harris says boosted unemployment benefits are hurting the industry.

House Health and Welfare advances legislation expanding the state medical marijuana program to include smoke-able “raw” marijuana. Bill author, Houma Representative, and Republican Tanner Magee says our neighbors in Mississippi and Arkansas have OK’d the sale, and we need to catch up or our state’s program could collapse…

Cut 10 (08) “..relief.”

The final vote in committee was 12-1, and the bill now heads to the House floor. Governor Edwards says he is inclined to support the bill.

Voters in southeast Louisiana will elect a new Congressman in the 2nd district on Saturday. Jim Shannon looks at the race between Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jim Shannon” 

A wife of one of the crew members presumed dead from the Seacor lift boat that capsized April 13^th files a $25-millon lawsuit against the ship’s owners. Hannah Daspit, spouse of Dylan Daspit, is suing for gross negligence. Her husband is one of seven crew members still unaccounted for. Six out of the 19 crew members were rescued alive the same day the boat capsized during hurricane-force winds.

The wife of one of the presumed dead crewmen of the commercial lift vessel that capsized during stormy weather in the Gulf fo Mexico has filed a 25-million dollar lawsuit against the boat’s owners Seacor Marine. Hannah Daspit alleges gross negligence and violations of federal maritime laws led to the Secor Power overturning.

The restaurant industry faces a critical shortage of workers, so they are having to pay more to attract employees and customers might have to pick up the tab. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana is no longer asking the federal government for its full allotment of COVID-19 vaccines. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says now that that first group of vaccine enthusiasts have received a shot, they need to focus on those who are on the fence…
Cut 5 (10)“… this moment.”
Residents can call the COVID Vaccine Hotline at 1-855-453-0774 to get information on where they can receive the vaccine.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would reduce the time a person can be held in jail before criminal charges can filed. Under current law, a person can be held in jail for up to 45 days for misdemeanors, 60 days for felonies. The proposed legislation would reduce that period to five days for most offenses and 30 days for a serious offense. But prosecutors say that’s not enough time, especially for complex cases. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello likes the intent of the bill, but maybe there’s a happy medium…
cut 16 (09) “….kind of change”

The restaurant industry continues to face hurdles with the pandemic but instead of a lack of customers, it’s employees. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says
Not only has the pandemic caused a worker shortage for restaurants, but Harris also says they are faced with paying more in wages, an increase in the cost of products, and…
Cut 9 (11) “…menu pricing.”

There has been an 11 percent decline in vaccination numbers nationwide this week, a trend that has health officials worried the campaign may be slowing down too early.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says if you have been vaccinated, reach out to those around you who are hesitant and encourage them to get the shot. He says this next phase of the campaign will require grassroots work.
Cut 6 (09) “…conversation.”

A bill limiting the amount of time the state can keep someone behind bars before filing criminal charges narrowly escapes from House Criminal Justice. Bill sponsor, Representative Ted James says
holding a possibly innocent person in jail for an extended period can be costly, not only to the state but to that person who could lose their job, home, or even custody of their children.
Cut 15 (11)“…unreasonable.”

House Health and Welfare advance legislation expanding the state medical marijuana program to include smoke-able “raw” marijuana.
Rep. Larry Bagley says a poll of his rural northwest Louisiana district showed 65 percent in favor of expanding the program. He says that’s because the benefits are becoming obvious.
Cut 12 (06) “…now.”
The final vote in committee was 12-1, and the bill now heads to the House floor. Governor Edwards says he is inclined to support the bill.

Legislation allowing raw, smoke-able medical marijuana to be sold in Louisiana is headed to the House floor. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The restaurant industry continues to face hurdles with the pandemic but instead of a lack of customers, it’s employees. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says boosted unemployment benefits are hurting the industry.
Cut 8 (09) “…that time.”

There’s been an 11 percent decline in vaccination numbers nationwide this week, a trend that has health officials worried the campaign may be slowing down too early.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says initially there was a surge in vaccine interest, but now that that first group of vaccine enthusiasts has received a shot we need to focus on those who are on the fence…
Cut 5 (10)“… this moment.”

A bill limiting the amount of time the state can keep someone behind bars before filing criminal charges narrowly escapes from House Criminal Justice.
The bill would shorten the period to five days for most offenses and 30 for more serious charges.
Representative Tony Bacala worries charges will be fined on everyone before the fifth day regardless before cases can be thoroughly investigated.
Cut 14 (11) “…come back.”

The restaurant industry faces a critical shortage of workers, so they are having to pay more to attract employees and customers might have to pick up the tab. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s been an 11 percent decline in vaccination numbers nationwide this week, a trend that has health officials worried the campaign may be slowing down too early.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that trend is concerning because the longer the vaccine campaign takes, the greater the chance COVID variants could become a serious problem.
Cut 4 (09)“…experiencing that.”

House Health and Welfare advances legislation expanding the state medical marijuana program to include smoke-able “raw” marijuana.
Proponents say the raw form of the treatment is much cheaper than the current processed versions being sold in the state.
Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says the current medical marijuana program has been a success, but it needs to be expanded…
Cut 11 (07) “..other things”

A bill limiting the amount of time the state can keep someone behind bars before filing criminal charges narrowly escapes from House Criminal Justice. Bill sponsor, Representative Ted James says currently a person can remain in jail for up to 120 days for capital offenses, 60 days for felonies, and 45 days for misdemeanors.
Cut 13 (10) “…without charge.”