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The DEA is reducing the number of opioids that pharmaceutical companies are allowed to make for the third year in a row as the opioid addiction crisis continues to claim on average 115 American lives a day. Prescription opioids will see a ten percent reduction in production. Senator John Kennedy praised the organization for the reductions but says laws regulating the production of opioids need major changes.

 

Cut 3 (11) “addiction

Kennedy has partnered with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin to introduce legislation that would alter the way opioid quotas are set. Kennedy says opioids are a necessary part of many medical treatments, but the current production levels are far beyond what the public needs.

Cut 4 (13) “week supply”

The Senator says he’s looking to implement changes that would shift production of the schedule II narcotic away from market demand, and based more on how much of the product front line doctors think is actually necessary.

Cut 5 (12)  “ American 

 

 

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Max Gruver’s family is suing LSU, that national and local Phi Delta Theta fraternities, and individuals in the fraternity for 25 million dollars in a civil suit related to Max’s death last year in an alleged hazing incident. Baton Rouge Lawyer and Legal Analyst Borghardt says suing public institutions is notoriously difficult, but in this situation they have a good case.

Cut 6 (12) “to happen.”

Gruver’s death lead to the passage of the “Max Gruver Act” which makes people involved in hazing related deaths liable for felony charges, and ups the fine and prison time for those found guilty of hazing.

The family says the 25 million dollar’s is being sought in the wrongful death civil suit is due to the institutions refusal to crack down on what they called “masculine rites of passage” prior to their son’s death. Borghardt says it’s impossible to put a price on human life, but the dollar figure being sought in this case comes from precedent.

Cut 7 (11) “attorney’s fees”

The family had one year from the time of the death to file their wrongful death suit, and Gruver died last year on September 14^th. Borghardt says it’s likely the family waited this long to file to insure their civil suit did not derail the passage of criminal legislation that flew through the legislature during the regular session.

Cut 8 (06) “…of their parent.”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is defending the 7-6 vote of the Bond Commission to exclude Citibank and Bank of America as part of a $600 million road financing plan in the state.  Both were omitted from the financial plan after placing gun control regulations on commercial banking customers.  Landry says the state will not deal with companies that attempt to interfere with Second Amendment rights.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the point here.”

Landry says he hopes to send a message to banks around the nation with the exclusion.

Cut 10 (09) “…state of Louisiana.”

Landry explains the financial institutions firearm restriction policies for their corporate customers.

Cut 11 (07) “…purchase a gun.”

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Since taking office in January 2017, US Congressman Mike Johnson has held thirty-one town hall meetings in the state’s fourth district, adding three more this past week.  Johnson says he makes time to participate in such meetings as he say he looks at them as an essential portion of his job.

Cut 12 (07)   “…hear their concern.”

Although the conflicts have recently cooled down, Johnson says other politicians were deterred by protestors.

Cut 13 (09) “…it’s so important.”

Johnson says he views other elected officials choosing to not frequently participate in town hall meetings as a travesty, as he says it is vital for how the government is set up.  He adds among the concerns of attendees is healthcare, immigration, and the farm bill.

Cut 14 (07) “…do that job.”