The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends adjusting your hurricane season prep to the new normal of dealing with COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.
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Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana is headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Today marks the official start of the 2020 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to get prepared for a projected busy season.
GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the state is actively preparing to have to respond to a severe weather event in the midst of a pandemic.
Steele says now is the time to start making your hurricane prep kit, but consider adding COVID-related items like masks, wipes, and sanitizer, along with the standard items.
For a pamphlet printout with a checklist of needed items visit get-a-game-plan-dot-org
There’s a good chance the Gulf could see its first system within the next few days. Steele says everyone needs to be keeping an eye on that development.
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A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two highly respected men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the deaths of twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper is devastating news…
Cut 6 (11) “ …in the community.”
Blake Cooper was the executive director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria. Randolph says the Tioga High grads were very active in the community.
Randolph says the sole survivor, 7-year-old Mason Cooper, was the son of Blake Cooper, adding he has a long road to recovery ahead.
Cut 8 (09) “…expected to live.”
The NTSB is investigating the crash that happened near Lake Buhlow.
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Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley has previously voted against the use of medical pot, but says now that it’s legal, it should be an option for more people.
Cut 9 (08) “…pretty easy jump.”
Bagley says the bill’s removal of the need for doctors to register with and receive authorization from the State Board of Medical Examiners to recommend cannabis to patients will open up a patient’s access to a doctor who can make that decision.
Cut 10 (07) “…than your doctor.”
Bagley says the measure has the opportunity to combat the opioid crisis.
Cut 11 (10) “…were telling me.”
With a 74-16 vote, the bill heads next to the Governor’s desk, who is expected to sign it.
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A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk.
Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.
If both the taxation and regulation are passed and approved by the Governor Louisianans in the 47 approved parishes could use services like DraftKings and FanDuel for online fantasy play.
Berni says the upcoming battle over the tax bill for fantasy sports in the special session will likely be more contentious than this regulatory bill.
Last year’s effort to legalize fantasy sports got tied up on the tax issue. Berni says he believes the legislature will ultimately give approval…
Detractors last year said the proposed tax rate was too low and noticeably lower than the tax rate for other gaming activities.
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Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy, beginning on Friday. Edwards says he made the decision after analyzing several metrics like the number of people who are hospitalized which continues to decline
Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can open for the first time since March. Edwards reminds the public the state’s fight against COVID-19 is not over