A new poll shows nearly all Louisianans want action on coastal restoration, and a strong majority would support higher taxes if it meant saving our coast. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The man accused of punching comedian Andy Dick outside a New Orleans nightclub early Saturday morning has been arrested. I’m Brooke Thorington…
cut 2 (28) I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A poll shows near unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts, strong majority support for sediment diversion projects, and majority support for taxes dedicated to funding the projects. The poll shows 98 percent of Louisianans want the government to tackle coastal erosion. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says no other state issue has that much support.
Cut 3 (10) “…the boards”
77 percent of respondents believe coastal erosion will impact them within the next ten years.
Authorities believe diverting large amounts of sediment from the Mississippi River into the wetlands is the best policy. 55 percent of Louisianans are familiar with that concept, and…
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That’s pollster Greg Rigamer who says support for sediment diversion is even above 60 percent in coastal parishes whose fishing industries would be impacted.
63 percent said they would support a state tax dedicated to coastal restoration projects. Pinsonat says 2/3rds support for a tax is a crucial number for the Legislature…
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Support levels varied from region to region, with only 49 percent of north Louisianans supporting a coastal restoration tax.
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Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has teamed up with Governor John Bel Edwards to help get the word out about the state’s new Veterans First Business Initiative. The two shot a P-S-A together and Edwards says the program will promote veteran-owned businesses through certification…
Cut 6 (08) “…your business”
The goal is to encourage consumers to do business with Louisiana’s veteran-owned firms. In the P-S-A, Brees encourages the public to visit l-a-veterans-first-dot-org to search for Louisiana veteran-owned businesses
Cut 7 (06) “…their team.”
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Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, have been arrested for setting fire to a neighboring mobile home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home had recently been vacated and there were two separate attempts to burn the structure down.
Cut 8 (06) “…as being involved.”
The two have been charged with simple arson and criminal trespassing. Rodrigue says no motive was discovered in when the suspects were questioned.
Cut 9 (10) “…with our deputies.”
Rodrigue says the fire is one of two to rock the Eunice community in recent days, including an unrelated blaze in a fourplex that displaced the families that lived there.
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No one was injured in the fires.
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Medical marijuana may be legal but it’s still against the law to drive while under the influence of the substance, even if you have a prescription.
State Police Lt. Nick Manale says you can be charged a DWI under any type of impairment that causes a driver to operate their vehicle in an unsafe way.
Cut 11 (10) “…different.”
A legal analyst suggests keeping your medical marijuana prescription, or proof of your prescription with you when you travel if you use it.
Medical marijuana is designed to not include some of the psychoactive properties of recreational pot, but Manale says the substance can still impact your perception.
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Due to the effects of THC, employers still have a legal right to deny you work if you test positive, even if you have a prescription.
If you are using medical marijuana Manale says know that officers are now required to issue blood tests in more than just fatal crashes, and the results could be used against you in court.
Cut 13 (12) “or not”
Marijuana can stay in your system for up to 90 days.