PM Newscall 03.22.2019

Iowa Congressman Steve King says Katrina victims were looking for handouts, while Iowans are trying to take care of each other during the historic Midwestern flooding. Jeff Palermo reports Louisiana elected officials are furious with his comments…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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 There appears to be a breakthrough in the state’s effort to grow medical marijuana. Don Molino has the latest…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”  

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Seven new outpatient addictions treatment clinics have now opened in South Louisiana. In recent years, the opioid crisis has hit Louisiana hard. Lake Wellness Center spokesperson Amy Jones says Louisiana averages 122 prescriptions per 100 people.

Cut 3 (11) “…in our state.”

Jones says the new facilities look at addiction as a biological illness as opposed to a chosen behavior, treating patients with both medicine and behavioral therapy.

Cut 4 (10) “…one or the other″

Jones says what sets these new clinics apart is the ability to receive care in an outpatient setting.

Cut 5 (11)  “…the older models.”

Clinics will be located in New Orleans, Metairie, Covington, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Houma.

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The Bayou State will host the SEC gymnastics championships on Saturday for the first time since 1998. Two sessions of competition will take place at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday at 3 PM. LSU Gymnastics coach DD Breaux says after years of laboring to convince the SEC to bring the championships back home she got some help this time…

Cut 6 (12) “…dream came true.”

The Tigers are the number one seed and the defending SEC meet champions. Breaux says the season started rough because of injuries, but ever since beating the Crimson Tide in January, the team has taken off…

Cut 7 (12) “…we got this”

Breaux says the purple and gold community will have a big presence in the Smoothie King Center and Tiger fans should grab their tickets now while they can…

Cut 8 (11) “…conference.”

The SEC Championships begin Saturday at 3:00 PM.

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Louisiana’s elected leaders have condemned the comments made by Iowa Congressman Steve King, who said FEMA officials told him Hurricane Katrina victims were just looking for handouts, while Iowans take care of each other. Governor Edwards called the comments disgusting and disheartening, while Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise said the remarks absurd and offensive. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves agrees

Cut 9 (07) “…ridiculous.”

King made his comments while speaking at a town hall meeting as he discussed the contrast between the victims of the recent flooding in the Midwest and Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina killed over 18-hundred people in August of 2005. Graves says his advice to Representative King is not to compare disasters…

Cut 10 (12)“…your own people.”

King says he was one of the first Congressmen to visit New Orleans following Katrina. But Graves says he plans to remind King how devastating Katrina was to southeast Louisiana…

Cut 11 (09)   “…was flooded.”

Graves also says the Cajun Navy is an excellent example of how Louisiana residents help each other and other states during disasters.

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The LSU men’s basketball team is getting ready for its next test in the NCAA Tournament as they meet up with sixth-seeded Maryland on Saturday in Jacksonville. It’s been two weeks since head coach Will Wade’s suspension went into effect and point guard Tremont Waters says Wade’s absence has brought the team together even more…

Cut 12 (12) “…forward to Maryland .”

Maryland features two big post players in Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith. Fernando is a big-time NBA prospect who averages a double-double. LSU big man Kavell Bigby-Williams on the matchup…

Cut 13 (08) “…for them”

Point guard Anthony Cowan averages 16 points a game to lead the Terrapins. Interim head coach Tony Benford says this game will come down to who wins the paint and the rebounding battle…

Cut 14 (10) “great matchup”

Tip time is at 11:10 AM.