Expect the legislature to address the controversial split playoffs in high school atheltics. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today the 400 tax exemptions given by the state to individuals and businesses. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Southeast Louisiana could be at an increased risk for the Zika virus, according to health officials. Emelie Gunn has more…
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Experts say southeast Louisiana is at a high risk of a Zika outbreak this summer. Dr. Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals says state and local health officials are performing extensive surveillance…
A study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds New Orleans is at a high risk because of the high poverty rate and a lot of visitors from countries where Zika is prevalent. Welch says different agencies are coming together to protect the state from an outbreak.
The Center for Disease Control says there were two confirmed travel-related Zika cases in Louisiana last month but none transmitted locally. Welch says New Orleans isn’t at an increased risk just yet because right now the mosquito is not active, but…
Cut 6 (07) “transmission” _________________________________________________________
It’s expected the legislature will get involved in the public versus private school split that’s impacted high school sports. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has filed a bill that attempts to reverse the LHSAA’s decision to split its postseason in several sports. Talbot says the split is hurting high school athletics…
Talbot’s bill would prevent a high school from receiving state funds, if they participate in an association with a split postseason…
Schools around the state have been invited to join a new high school sports association that would NOT have a split playoff system. Talbot says he hopes this legislation will lead to the end of the LHSAA split and bring public and private schools back together for postseasons.
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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee begins reviewing today hundreds of tax exemptions, exclusions, rebates and refunds provided by the state to individuals and businesses. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says during the course of this legislative session they will take a close look at each exemption to decide which ones are beneficial to the state.
Louisiana gives about 400 tax exemptions, costing the state over 8-billion dollars in revenue. Morrell says some of these credits are ridiculous.
Morrell says the state cannot afford to give away money and the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary will be removed in a potential second special session or during next year’s fiscal session.
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Last year, the state legislature approved a bill that gives Louisiana residents legal access to medical marijuana, but it’s still not available in this state. The man who pushed for the legislation, St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills, says the department of agriculture along with a couple of other groups are still working on the details.
The legislation that passed last year allows people with glaucoma, patients undergoing chemotherapy or those suffering from a rare form cerebral palsy to get medical marijuana in Louisiana. Mills is back this year with a bill that would expand the list to include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and several other chronic conditions….
Cut 14 (11) “will be successful”
Medical marijuana is currently not available in Louisiana, and Mills says many people are moving to others states that do have it. He says there are plenty of people who are waiting to get it in Louisiana.
Cut 15 (08) “medical condition”
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The sixth ranked LSU baseball team busted out of a hitting slump by scoring six runs in the 8th inning to beat Alabama 7-5 to avoid a three-game sweep. The Tigers needed that inning after getting swept in a doubleheader on Saturday. Coach Paul Mainieri is pleased his team found a way to win the series finale…
A key hit in the 8th inning rally was Brody Wofford’s two-run pinch hit single. Wofford says he just focused on hitting a pitch up the middle and that’s what he did…
Kramer Robertson’s fly ball into right field scored the eventual go-ahead run. The outfielder lost the ball in the sun, allowing two runs to score. Robertson was relieved to get the win…