Over 300 Louisiana farmers have attended hemp seminars as Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says federal approval for local production is imminent…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle 

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There’s a chance LSU’s leading rusher could play Saturday against Oklahoma. Jeff Palermo has the story….

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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As more people take to the roads for holiday celebrations Louisiana State Police want to remind motorists to take action to prevent accidents. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says never get behind the wheel when impaired and always buckle up.

Cut 3 (09) “…up correctly.”

Troopers are partnering with law enforcement across the state in operation of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Reichardt says to add a designated driver to your holiday list of things to do.

Cut 4 (07) “…drink and drive”

According to LSP during the Christmas holidays last year, 16 people were killed and 12 of those fatalities were alcohol-related. Reichardt says never get behind the wheel or in the vehicle with someone who is impaired.

Cut 5 (11) “one too many”

For the latest road conditions visit 511-LA-dot-org or dial 511 from any cell phone in Louisiana.

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Ag Commissioner Mike Strain expects Louisiana will receive federal approval to begin selling hemp licenses to state farmers by the first of January.

Strain says obtaining one of those licenses is a bit of a lengthy process due to how regulated the industry is, but so far it appears Louisiana growers are intrigued by the plant’s possibilities…

Cut 6 (10) “…the road.”

Strain expects the next session to be held on January 8^th or 9^th. For more information about attending a hemp seminar, visit www-dot-L-D-A-F-dot-LA-gov

Not everyone will be allowed to get a hemp license. Because hemp is a cousin of the marijuana plant, Strain says applicants will have to complete a State Police background check after applying…

Cut 7 (05) “…years”

Strain says after passing the background check, you won’t be able to put seeds in the ground until after they verify the product will be profitable, and legal…

Cut 8 (11) “THC-A.”

While related to marijuana, hemp’s THC levels are so low that it is not psychoactive.

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The Saints Michael Thomas is making a case as one of the best wide receivers ever. In Sunday’s 38-28 win over Tennessee, Thomas set the record for most receptions in an NFL season. He’s caught more passes and has more receiving yards than any other player during their first four years in the league. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier…

Cut 9 (10) “…this game”

The Saints finish the regular season on Sunday against Carolina. The Black and Gold can still get the number one seed and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Detillier says New Orleans must beat the Panthers and hope a couple of teams lose…

Cut 10 (10) “…hands”

The Saints are 13-2 on the road over the last two seasons.

Detillier says his biggest concern heading into the postseason is the health of the offensive line. He says starting guard Andrus Peat could return this Sunday from a broken arm, but the other starting guard, Larry Warford, also has a knee injury…

Cut 11 (10) “out there”

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Four people have been arrested and the search is on for three others allegedly involved in a dog fighting case in Donaldsonville. Ascension Sheriff Bobby Webre says they received a tip about dog fighting taking place at a residence and when deputies arrived about 15 fled people the scene where a dog fight was in progress

Cut 12 (10) “…just horrible” 

Webre says not only did they arrest four people, drugs, guns and dog fighting paraphernalia were also seized….

Cut 13 (10) “      terrible

Webre says cases of animal cruelty will always be taken seriously. He says Ascension parish will not tolerate dogfighting or anything like it

Cut 14 (10) “…bond.”

Deputies have charged 36-year-old Joseph Duncan of Donalsonville, 30-year-old Jarret Bringier of Darrow, 37-year-old Keith Williams Junior of Donaldsonville and 32-year-old Joshua Jones of Donaldsonville.

Detectives are still looking for  34-year-old Blake Chatman, 32-year-old Kenneth Miller and 50-year-old Michael Williams, all of Donaldsonville.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate has fallen slightly over the year to 4.7 percent as the state as a whole continues to add jobs…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The federal government is raising the minimum smoking and vaping age to 21 nationwide. Brooke Thorington has more on what that means for Louisiana

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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LSU fans return to Atlanta later this week for the semifinal matchup against Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “ I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says total private employment has seen an increase in jobs over the year for 21 consecutive months. Also, seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment is at its highest level since 2015, and Workforce Commission Chief Economist Ali Bustamante says the state added 41-hundred jobs from October to November.

Cut 4 (09) “year”

The state’s unemployment rate fell slightly over the year to 4.7 percent in November.

New Orleans and Baton Rouge led the state in gains at 13,100 and 4,600 respectively, but Bustamante says Hammond was a surprise third-place finisher with 1,200 jobs…

Cut 5 (09) “…area”

Shreveport, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Houma all lost jobs over the year, but Shreveport saw a substantial 1,000 job gain between October and November. Bustamante knows why…

Cut 6 (04) “…The Area”

Those markets combined to lose 2,500 jobs.

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Congress has raised the minimum smoking and vaping age to 21 nationwide. The provision was added to a year-end spending bill signed by President Donald Trump. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebecca Gee says it’s welcomed news considering, most people get addicted to nicotine in their teens.

Cut 7 (06) “…the public.”

Gee says any hurdle to keep tobacco products out of the hands of teens could help prevent them from becoming smokers and, also save the state money in future medical care.

Cut 8 (05) “…these products.”

The measure also raises the minimum age on purchasing chew tobacco to 21. Gee is glad Congress acted, because an effort to raise the minimum age in Louisiana failed earlier this year at the State Capitol…

Cut 9 (06) “…other challenges”

The new age requirement is expected to go into effect in nine months.

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Gilead Sciences awards 245,000 dollars in grants to four Louisiana organizations to help combat HIV as part of 2.3 million dollars in grants administered across the south.  Corporate Contributions Director Arun Skaria says HIV is still a serious problem in America, but we’re near epidemic levels in the south…

Cut 10 (10) “…right now”

It’s the third year California-based Gilead has administered the COMPASS funds. Skaria says the South’s disproportionate representation in HIV numbers comes down to its persistent struggles with health issues, and history of discrimination.

Cut 11 (10) “…challenge.”

Skaria says the Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services, Louisiana Public Health Institute, Brotherhood Inc., and 504 Health Net will receive the funds.

Cut  12 (10) “leadership” 

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LSU and Oklahoma hold their first practices in Atlanta today as they prepare for their semifinal game in the Peach Bowl. Peach Bowl C-E-O Gary Stokan says they are expecting a bunch of points inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday…

Cut 13 (11) “…December 28”

The two teams will also tour the College Football Hall of Fame today. They will have a go-kart outing tomorrow and then it’s all business for the two teams. But Stokan says for fans, there will be a fan night at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday and a fanfest Saturday, plus many other activities

Cut 14 (12) “…Olympic Park.”

Stokan says a record number of tickets have been purchased for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He says it seems like sports fans are really excited about the matchups in the college football playoff

Cut 15 (11) “…two better games”

The winners of these two games will play for the national championship in New Orleans on January 13th.

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The Saints rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Tennessee 38-28 to keep alive their chances of getting the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. Drew Brees threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Thomas he broke the NFL record for most receptions in a season, as he had 12 catches for 136 yards on the day. Thomas has 145 catches on the year, but he’s more worried about winning a title

Cut 16  (27)  …break more records” 

Alvin Kamara also had a big game as he rushed for two touchdowns. It was the first time he’s reached the end zone since Week 3, but he’s more worried about winning

Cut 17  (12) “I’m good” 

Coach Sean Payton is happy with the win, but not happy about the slow start or the 11 penalties, nine were in the first half

cut 18  (17)  areas”