While speaking at the Louisiana Municipal Association Conference in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards and one of his Republican contenders, Ralph Abraham, laid out their plans for a better Louisiana. Abraham says he wants to pass serious tax reform…
cut 13 (10) “…of leaving Louisiana”
But Edwards says the state’s economy has grown during his term…
cut 11 (10) “…historic low unemployment”
The other major Republican candidate in the race, Eddie Rispone, did not appear at the forum. Tuesday begins a three-day sign up period for the candidates to officially put their name on the October 12th ballot.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says medical marijuana will be available at nine licensed pharmacies around the state starting Tuesday.

Governor Edwards told the Associated Press that he expects the state will have a 300-million dollar surplus when the books are closed on the last fiscal year. Legislative Fiscal Office Economist Greg Albrecht says the federal tax reform legislation and a reduction in business tax breaks are the main reasons for the extra dollars…
cut 4 (11) “…tax”
It would be the third year in a row that the state has ended the fiscal year with a surplus.

Eight individuals will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend and three of them have strong ties to Louisiana. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed went to Destrehan High School. His defensive coordinator at Destrehan and current Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux says it’s a well-deserved honor…
cut 6 (9) “..another level”
Former LSU standouts Kevin Mawae and Johnny Robinson are also entering the Hall.

The state appears set to run a surplus for the third year in a row, with non-finalized estimates showing Louisiana may have collected 300 million more in taxes last fiscal year. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the surplus is mostly due to two things, one of them is the impact of the Congressional tax reform law…
Cut 3 (09) “…paid”
Albrecht says a reduction in tax breaks for businesses is another reason.

Medical marijuana will finally be available to Louisiana patients on Tuesday. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the first batch of medicinal pot produced by G-B Sciences with the help of LSU has passed all tests. Strain says only state approved physcians can write prescriptions…
cut 16 (08) “…pharmacy”
Nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies around the state will sell the product at a cost between 90 and 200 dollars.

Induction ceremonies are Saturday night for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class and three of the inductees have strong connections to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies arrested four juveniles who allegedly took school buses parked at Donaldsonville High School for for a joyride. Two of buses were driven into an exterior wall at the school. The building sustained moderate damage. No injuries reported, but juveniles are facing felony charges.

Two of the three men on the ballot for the Governor’s race portrayed two contrasting images of the state at the Louisiana Municipal Association convention in Monroe. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (31) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Senator Bill Cassidy announces Louisiana will receive one-point-two billion dollars in flood mitigation dollars. Cassidy this money will help reduce Louisiana’s flood risk which will lower flood insurance premiums. The release from Cassidy’s office does not say where the money will be spent.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state will end up with a 300-million dollar surplus form the fiscal year that ended on June 30th. It would be the third straight year that Louisiana finished a fiscal year with extra dollars. Edwards credits an improving economy, but Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the state’s slowly improving outlook isn’t the primary reason why revenues are up…
cut 5 (12) “…side”

After a 16 year career in the NFL, former Leesville Wampus Cat Kevin Mawae will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Mawae was a standout offensive lineman in the early 1990s at LSU and LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says Mawae is a class act…
cut 9 (08) “…to your institution”
Former LSU running back Johnny Robinson and former Destrehan standout Ed Reed are also going into the Hall.

The 6,952 square mile “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico is not as big as NOAA predicted this year due to Hurricane Barry. LSU marine scientist Dr. Nancy Rabalais says it’s a bit surprising.
Cut 10 (12) “…period.”
The nearly 7,000 square mile Dead Zone is the 8th largest on record.

Students will see the motto In God We Trust displayed somewhere in a public school this year. It’s now a requirement based on a 2018 law. Critics say the law imposes religion on public schools and they point out the motto was only added to currency in 1957. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow disagrees with those arguments.
Cut 9 (12) “…country”

LSU hits the practice field today for the start of preseason camp. Coach Ed Orgeron plans to be heavily involved in the development of the defensive line, especially with D-Line coach Dennis Johnson in a wheelchair after severely injuring both of his knees while playing basketball. Orgeron wants an aggressive defensive line
Cut 13 (10) “…that staff ”

Eight individuals will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend and three of them have strong ties to Louisiana. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed went to Destrehan High School. His defensive coordinator at Destrehan and current Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux says it’s a well-deserved honor…
cut 6 (9) “..another level”
Also going into the Hall, former LSU standouts Kevin Mawae and Johnny Robinson.

The 2019 summertime dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast is the eighth largest in history, but smaller than what scientists predicted when the summer began. LSU marine scientist Nancy Rabalais says Hurricane Barry helped bring oxygen to areas of the Gulf that were deprived…
cut 11 (07) “….waters”
The Dead Zone is a huge patch of low oxygen water that is devoid of life because of the large amount of sewage and fertilizer coming down the Mississippi River.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says Louisiana is falling short on cancer-fighting public policies. Louisiaiana Government relations director Lance Barbour says the findings in their report indicate that Louisiana could combat smoking by raising the state’s cigarette tax…
cut 6 (06) “….the national average”
Barbour says they are also disappointed the state didn’t increase the minimum age to smoke cigarettes.

“In God We Trust” must be displayed in all Louisiana public schools when classes start later this month. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30 ) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Junior center Lloyd Cushenberry and sophomore linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson will wear the number 18 jersey this season for LSU. Since Cushenberry is an offensive lineman, he’ll have a number 18 patch on his jersey. The number 18 is synonymous with success-both on and off the field– as well as a selfless attitude.

The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone off the Louisiana coast is smaller than expected this summer due to Hurricane Barry. Matt Doyle has more….
voicer 3 (30) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

Medical marijuana will finally be available to Louisiana patients on Tuesday. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the first batch of medicinal pot produced by G-B Sciences with the help of LSU has passed all testing. Nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies around the state will sell the product at the cost of 90 to 200 dollars.

Can’t Guard Mike is back in Black and Gold after a short training camp holdout led to him becoming the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. The 26-year-old grabbed a five year, 100-million-dollar contract to set the new record and he’s confident he’s worth every penny.
Cut 15 (11) “…competing.”
Thomas caught 321 passes during his first three years in the league, an NFL record.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says Louisiana is falling short when it comes to tobacco prevention programs and cessation program funding. Louisiana government relations director Lance Barbour says their report also finds the state should increase its cigarette tax rates and strengthen smoke-free laws. Barbour says there are some areas where the state is doing well…
cut 5 (12) “…of their choosing”