A Louisiana-based company known for its food delivery service is expanding their business model and they are hoping that transition happens “as soon as possible.” Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Forecasters continue to watch an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the northern Gulf of Mexico. LRN meteorologist John Weatherbee has an update on the system…
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UL-Monroe will soon begin research and testing of legal medical cannabis and hemp grown in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Louisiana-based Waitr is transitioning to their new name ASAP. Spokesperson Dean Turcol says it’s reflective of their new business model – same day delivery of any type of goods, not just food, and you ‘ll receive it “as soon as possible.”
Cut 4 (09) “…products.”
Waitr customers will begin to see subtle changes with the addition of the ASAP tagline. Turcol says their customers are used to the best-in-class food delivery service and now they’re expanding delivery to include a broader range of services.
Cut 5 (09) “…like that.”
The company signed partnerships with two software logistics delivery providers last week, Elite Extra and Burq that will expand delivery services. But in the meantime, Turcol says this is just the beginning of their reimagination of the company…
Cut 6 (08) “…transition.”
Waitr was founded in 2013 and is currently based in Lafayette.
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Louisiana has emerged as a nationwide leader in encouraging private investment in electric vehicle charging stations as a result of legislation approved in the regular session. That’s according to a group called Charge Ahead Partnership. Executive Director Jay Smith says the measure allows grocery stores and even gas stations to invest in a electric vehicle charging network…
Cut 7 (09) “….the driver.”
West Baton Rouge Senator Rick Ward wrote the law and it urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to create a competitive market for electric vehicle charging, so it’s not just utility companies involved in the development of E-V charging stations…
Cut 8 (09) “…E-V charging business.”
Smith says Louisiana is the only state to pass this type of law to allow private investment in an E-V charging network. He says the Bayou State will receive 73-million dollars in federal money for electric vehicle infrastructure, but it’s not enough…
Cut 9 (09) “…on the road”
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Construction of $110 million lumber production facility in Bossier Parish is now underway. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Canadian Teal Jones Group chose the Plain Dealing site in December. He says it’s investment that ripples through the economy because you have to harvest timber…
Cut 10 (10) “…like this.”
The project is expected to create 125 new director jobs with an annual average salary of $47 thousand plus benefits. Pierson says these new high-technology lumber mills can actually look at the log…
Cut 11 (09) “…or whatever.”
And Pierson says when timber can be cut more efficiently that should eventually translate to a price decrease for lumber. He says it’s a win-win for Louisiana.
Cut 12 (10) “…our economy.”
Pierson says they are hopeful the plant will be up and running withing the next 20 months.
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The U.L.-Monroe College of Pharmacy will begin testing and researching hemp and cannabis for quality, purity and further health applications. West Monroe state Representative Mike Echols says he worked to amend current medical marijuana law to allow ULM to get involved…:
Cut 13 (12) “…research in that space.”
Medical marijuana grown by facilities affiliated with the LSU and Southern University Ag Centers must continually be tested for consistency, potency and safety. He says increased demand for medical cannabis means more product grown…and adding ULM as an additional tester makes sense. Echols says this should not lead to any more growing operations though…:
Cut 14 (07) “…places in the state.”
KNOE TV in Monroe reports the research could mean additional jobs at ULM, plus over a million dollars in revenue. Echols says that sum would be just from testing existing product…:
Cut 15 (09) “…unlimited potential.”
ULM is currently seeking funding, through state and federal grants, to buy what they need to get it going.