Gamblers are one step closer to legally place their bets on sports in 55 voter-approved parishes now that Governor Edwards has signed the legislation. Brooke Thorington.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________
Governor Edwards has signed legislation legalizing smokable more affordable medical marijuana for certain patients. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”
____________________________
Governor Edwards followed through on his vow to veto legislation that would have banned trans athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams in Louisiana schools. Matt Doyle has the story.
____________________________________
More than 160-thousand vaccinated residents have registered to get another shot, a shot at a million dollars. Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says the lottery to incentivize more people to get vaccinated, ShotAtAMillion.com, went live at noon on Monday.
Officials are pleased the vaccine lottery is off to such a good start. Hood says registration is quick and easy you just have to enter some basic information contact information, date of birth, and where you received your vaccination.
With weekly prizes starting July 9th and the following four weeks, Hood says many people have asked if they have to register weekly to be considered.
There are 14 total prizes in the vaccine lottery, five cash prizes, and nine scholarships. Hood says you don’t have to upload a photo of your vaccine card, however, if your name is picked, they will verify your vaccine status.
To register go to ShotAtAMillion.com or call 877-356-1511. The states’ vaccination rate is just below 34-percent.
___________________________
The odds to legally place your bets on sports in Louisiana have improved immensely now that the Governor has signed legislation creating the framework for sports wagering. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says now the gaming commission has the checkered flag to issue provisional gaming licenses.
Ward says then permanent gaming licenses would be put in place by the beginning of football season in 2022.
Sports betting was approved by voters in 55 parishes and gamblers will only be able to legally wager on sports in those parishes.
The question that remains to be answered is just how much revenue legalized sports betting will generate. Ward says he has a reasonable guess on just how much it would produce.
As for who will be holding all the cards at the end of the game Ward says they’ve already dedicated where a percentage of the winnings will go.
Cut 9 (08) “…early childhood education.”
To place bets, you must be 21 and older and have an account with a sports betting operator. Bets cannot be placed on high school or youth sports events.
__________________
Governor Edwards has signed House Bill 391 legalizing the usage of smokable medical marijuana for certain patients. Houma Representative Tanner Magee, who sponsored the bill, says its purpose is to drive down costs and present a much-requested product for patients…
Cut 10 (11) “…alternative to opioids.”
Patients will likely be able to purchase the product sometime in January due to the small number of manufacturers. The bill received remarkably little pushback during the legislative session which Magee attributes to a shift in public opinion…
Currently, only LSU and Southern University produce medical marijuana for the state. Moving forward, Magee says most of the push will be to expand its availability in the state…
Cut 12 (12) “…have more pharmacies.”
__________________
Governor Edwards vetoes legislation that would have blocked transgender athletes from participating in girl’s and women’s sports teams in Louisiana K-12 and post-secondary schools.
In his veto statement, Edwards said discrimination is not a Louisiana value. Edwards says he concerned about the mental health impact the bill would have on trans youth.
Edwards announced his opposition to the bill early in the legislative session.
Bill author and Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell took issue with Edwards’ accusation that the bill is discriminatory.
Edwards countered that this legislation could put the state at risk of losing major sporting events like the 2022 Final Four for no reason.
But Mizell says the legislature is often proactive in responding to situations before they occur.
The bill cleared both chambers of the Legislature with over two-thirds support. Mizell indicated that the chances of a veto session being called may be dependent on what other pieces of legislation are also vetoed. Per the AP the Legislature has not held a veto override session since the current state constitution was first adopted in the 70s.
___________________________
Cut 18 (16)”..situation there.”
______________________________________