The new action-drama film, Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey, comes out in theaters today. Emelie Gunn has an update on Hollywood South…
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There’s more turmoil with Grambling State’s administration. Halen Doughty reports…
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After 19 weeks of trying to come up with a way to solve a massive budget deficit, lawmakers are finally done with their work. Jeff Palermo tells us how they did…
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The Louisiana filmed movie, Free State of Jones, starting Matthew McConaughey comes out in theaters today. Executive Director of Celtic Studios Patrick Mulhearn says the movie revolves around a Mississippi farmer who tries to succeed from the Confederacy. He says the movie is set during the Civil War and was filmed in 10 different Louisiana parishes.
“Free State of Jones” is just one of several Louisiana shot films that will be shown on the silver screen later this year. The others are Bad Moms, When the Bough Breaks, the Magnificent 7 and Deepwater Horizon. He says unfortunately movie production is down this year, but there is still some activity…
Mulhearn says right now, Georgia is the hot state for movies as about 40 movies are filming in the Peach State. He says Hollywood South in Louisiana has hit a temporary lull and lawmakers can look at making changes to the state’s film incentive program next year, which could help spur movie production again…
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The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote today on whether or not their AgCenter will grow medical marijuana that would be sold to patients who receive prescriptions for the drug. Spokesperson for the LSU AgCenter Frankie Gould says the law passed this year that expanded the diseases for which the drug can be prescribed, also outlined two possible growers for the plant.
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The new drug will be a pill containing cannabis oil, and it will not be smoke able. Gould says LSU has the ability to grow the plant in their AgCenter. But she says they have a lot to consider before committing.
Gould says they are still unsure if growing medical marijuana is a worthwhile investment, especially since state funding for colleges has been slashed in recent years. She says it could take $10 to $20 million to produce medical marijuana.
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An Abbeville man will spend the rest of his life in prison for fatally shooting a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy. District Attorney Keith Stutes says 22-year-old Quintylan Richard entered a plea of guilty on the two-year anniversary when he shot Deputy Allen Bares.
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Authorities say Bares was gunned down after confronting Richard and an alleged accomplice about a home they just robbed. Stutes says Richard will not get the death penalty, but he will spend the rest of his life in jail. He says the trial was set for next year, but everyone was ready to put this tragedy to rest.
Stutes says Richard did show some remorse for his crime. He says in the courtroom Richard apologized to the family and Bares’ wife.
Bares was 51-years-old and spent 12 years as a deputy with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s office.
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Just before midnight, the Louisiana legislature gave final approval to a spending bill that calls for the TOPS scholarship program to be fully funded for the fall semester. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it’s the right thing to do…
But legislators left Baton Rouge without fully funding TOPS. Under the plan approved by lawmakers, TOPS students would only have 42-percent of their tuition covered for the spring semester. Walsworth says hopefully the state will see higher than anticipated revenues as a result of taxes passed this year and rising oil prices…
Several democrats call the front-loading of TOPS a budget gimmick. Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t anticipate a higher than expected amount of revenues rolling in, so TOPS students will be left with a big tuition bill for the spring semester…
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As expected former LSU star Ben Simmons was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. He’s the second player from LSU to be taken with the top pick. Shaquille O’ Neal was the first in 1992. Simmons says this is a dream come true
The 19 year-old averaged 19 points a game in his only season in Baton Rouge. He also averaged a dozen rebounds and five assists a contest. Simmons says he’s worked hard to get himself ready for life in the NBA.
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The Pelicans selected the shooter they craved with the sixth overall pick as New Orleans drafted Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield. The All-American averaged 25 points a game last season as he guided the Sooners to the Final Four. Hield made 46-percent of his 3-point shots. Hield says he’s thankful for the opportunity to play in New Orleans….
General Manager Dell Demps says Heild is a phenomenal player and the player they targeted. Hield on what he’ll bring to the Big Easy..