A bill has passed out of the House Transportation Committee to increase the penalty for violating the state’s seat belt law. Author of the bill is New Orleans Rep. Walt Leger and he says under the proposed law, the fine would double to 50 dollars for the first offense of not wearing a seat belt. He says the higher the penalty, the better the compliance..

CUT 6 (09) “a year”

Leger says under this legislation, the second and third offense would increase to 75 dollars from 50 dollars.

LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson says the school is debating whether or not it will grow medical marijuana. He says several proposed bills in this regular session outline the regulations that could help them make a decision. Richardson says they are still a ways away from offering medical marijuana to the public…:
CUT 3 (09) “years away”

A federal judge has reached a $20-billion settlement with BP over the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Governor John Bel Edwards is speaking at this hour at Disability Rights Day along with Oil and Gas Day in Baton Rouge at the Capitol.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says, as so many people in Louisiana are working to put their lives back together following devastating flooding, residents are urged to beware of price gouging. He says it is outrageous and unlawful for merchants to wrongfully profit from the horrific events.