Today the House will debate a bill that would allow a statewide vote on marijuana legalization. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The world’s largest retailer is making another large investment in the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington explains
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Later this week a federal advisory committee will meet and vote on emergency use of the Pfizer COVID vaccine for a younger age group. Brooke Thorington has more for state officials.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Legislation that would allow Louisiana voters to vote on the full legalization of marijuana is set to be heard in the House today.
House Criminal Justice’s 7-5 approval of the bill was a shock to many. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says there’s real momentum behind this bill’s historic visit to the House floor.
Governor Edwards has backtracked on his previous opposition to legalization. He says he won’t make a decision until a bill hits his desk.
Couvillon says his polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans now support full legalization, but that popular desire is going to run up against legislative inertia and opposition from key constituencies.
Supporters argue legalization could raise as much as 200 million dollars a year in state revenue. Opponents argue it will lead to increased marijuana consumption.
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says even if 60 to 70 percent of the public says they want legalization that 30 to 40 percent who are opposed are an important voting block for Republicans.
Legislation allowing for smokeable medical marijuana has received little to no opposition so far this session.
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The world’s largest online retailer is investing $200 million in Shreveport to build its first robotic fulfillment center in Louisiana. Amazon Regional Director of Operations William Hicks says the state-of-the-art facility being in North Shreveport will provide more than 1,000 jobs.
Hicks says while Amazon is a global business it’s a conglomeration of small businesses.
Hicks says since Amazon launched its operations in the state it has grown its workforce to more than 2,000 employees.
Governor Edwards attended the announcement and said it was over a year ago when Louisiana Economic Development dedicated the 135-acre site in Hunter Industrial Park where Amazon will locate their robotics facility. Edwards says teamwork was responsible for making it a reality.
The Amazon robotics fulfillment center in Shreveport is the largest of seven Amazon facilities, operating, announced, or under construction in Louisiana. Hiring for the Shreveport facility will begin next year.
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A federal vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss if they will recommend Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for ages 12 to 15. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says if you have concerns about your children being vaccinated now is the time to talk with their physician.
Dr. Kanter says if approved, he anticipates LDH will recommend the use of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group, based on the data he has reviewed so far.
Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one with emergency use approval for ages 16 and older. Kanter says we know children ages 12 to 15 are not as likely to develop a serious illness from COVID, having that age group vaccinated is still beneficial.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents are the stars of a new Animal Planet series “Louisiana Law” which premiered last night at 8 PM.
LDWF Enforcement Division Colonel Chad Hebert says the program showcases what a game warden does daily as they traverse the Louisiana wilds from the wooded north to the coastal marshlands…
The first episode focused on a crab trap theft, rescuing an injured eagle, a drunk oyster boat captain, and more. Hebert says you’ll get to see a lot more as the series unfolds…
Hebert says working with the production team was a joy and they really captured the feel of the job.
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LSU had a chance to sweep Auburn on the Plains this past weekend, but mustered just two hits in a two to one loss on Saturday. Tre Morgan started the game with a solo home run, but that was all of the scoring for the Tigers. Coach Paul Mainieri was surprised they couldn’t do more at the plate…
LSU won the first two games of the series, eight to three and nine to six and they head into the final two weekends of SEC play with a nine and 15 league record and in fifth place in the SEC West. Mainieri on taking two of three from the War Eagles…