Senator Bill Cassidy files legislation to make drug cartels pay for a Southern border wall. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Super Bowl ratings cratered last night in New Orleans as only a quarter of households bothered watching a game many Who Dats considered illegitimate…

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Republican Senator Bill Cassidy files legislation that would take money seized from drug cartels and us it to pay for a southern border wall. Cassidy says instead of having Americans pay for the wall, let it be Mexican cartels

Cut 3 (11) “…buy guns”

Cassidy says the more they secure the border, the more illicit money they will capture. Congressional leaders have been debating for weeks on how to fund a border wall, Cassidy says this legislation could break the logjam…

Cut 4 (10) “way forward″

Another government shutdown is looming in a couple of weeks, if funding is not secured for a Southern border wall. He says the Department of Treasury Forfeiture Fund averages 842-million dollars annually and his proposal is to issue bonds in order to make billions of dollars for immediate improvements to border security…

Cut 5 (10) “…go forward”

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Who Dats turned off the Super Bowl in record numbers as boycott parties raged across New Orleans. The Nielsen rating for the New Orleans market was a 26.1. LSU Assistant Professor of Digital Advertising Jun Heo, says it’s a huge drop off from last year’s rating of 53.

Cut 6 (11) “…off”

Nielsen estimates about 165,872 households had the game on last night in the New Orleans market.

National ratings cratered during this year’s 13-3 snoozer that featured a widely panned half time performance and only six points through three quarters. The 44.9 national rating was the lowest in a decade, and Heo says local resentment likely played a part.

Cut 7 (10) “…about it” (2x)

It’s reportedly the lowest Nielsen ratings for a Super Bowl in New Orleans ever, and Heo says that’s likely cause for concern at the local CBS affiliates, and those who bought air time with them, who just a three weeks ago expected a huge television audience with the Black and Gold in the Super Bowl…

Cut 8 (08) “campaign”

It cost 5.2 million dollars to air a 30 second commercial nationally, and there were 92 ads run in total.

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For the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Louisiana Lottery has seen an uptick in contributions to the state treasury, transferring over $53.9 million towards K-12 public education in the state.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says that’s nearly a $10 million increase from this time last year.

Cut 9 (08) “…we had last year.″

Annison says the record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot from autumn had a big impact on the numbers.

Cut 10 (08) “…was huge for us.”

Annison says the year-to-date contributions of $94.6 million have exceeded what the Louisiana Lottery had budgeted and expected to give to the state by $16.8 million.

Cut 11 (09) “…a lot more.”

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The Baton Rouge area saw three separate fatal motorcycle wrecks in a span of less than 24 hours, including one involving an on-duty police officer. Motorcycle Awareness Campaign spokesperson Scotty Drake says motorcyclists need motorists to be actively aware and watching for those on two wheels.

Cut 12 (07)   “…not the motorcyclist.”

Drake says the death of the law enforcement officer is another reminder that motorists need to be more aware of motorcycles.  Cpl. Shane Toddy of the Baton Rouge Police Department was killed Friday after colliding with a pickup truck while riding with a funeral procession.

Cut 13 (10) “…then this.”

Drake says motorcyclists are often doing the best they can to be noticed when sharing the roadways, as well using their training to keep an eye out for those not looking for them.

Cut 14 (12) “…just see us.”

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The first batch of medical pot from GB Sciences and the LSU AgCenter has passed muster, and the program is set to begin full scale production soon…

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Patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge have new television programming to watch with the introduction of the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A Shreveport woman received a 30 day prison sentence after she allowed her kids to play hooky from school for over a year.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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It’s been a long road for medical marijuana in Louisiana, but LSU AgCenter Dean of Agriculture Dr. Bill Richardson says the first batch of medical marijuana grown by GB Sciences and the AgCenter has passed testing. Advocates have voiced displeasure with a series of delays to the release date, but Richardson says it’s an extensive safety process that cannot be rushed.

Cut 4 (11) “…anticipated.”

The AgCenter and GB Sciences are partners in the effort to develop the treatment.

Last week ,reports mentioned the product would be ready available for those with a prescription by summer, but Richardson says he can’t commit to that date just yet.

Cut 5 (09) “…we hope.”

Despite passing, GB Sciences says they are waiting until they have a steady stream of product before they release it to the 10 pharmacies that have been licensed for sale.

The first medical marijuana legislation legalization law passed in 2015, and Richardson says he understands why advocates are frustrated with the long process, but says they will not allow a faulty product to be released to the public.

Cut 6 (10) “….asked for”

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Patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge have new television programming to watch with the introduction of the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel.  It’s a closed circuit TV adventure channel that offers family friendly, animal oriented content that’s both entertaining and educational.  Spokesperson for the Zoo, Debra Erickson, says the feedback from viewers is positive, adding parents say it gives families hope.

Cut 7 (09) “…and normal life.”

The channel is currently available in 203 facilities, 39 states and DC, and 8 different countries, including children’s hospital in New Orleans.  The channel has also filmed content at the Baton Rouge Zoo with animals native to the Bayou state.

Cut 8 (10) “…next few weeks.”

The partnership between the channel and the hospital was made possible with the help of the Baton Rouge Zoo, who will now be bring animals by the hospital.

Cut 9 (09) “…a regular basis.″

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The Atlanta Super Bowl is in the books, and it’s only five years until the big game makes it’s return visit to the big easy. New Orleans has hosted 10 so far, tied with Miami for the most. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says it’s a half decade away but they’re already preparing…

Cut 10 (08) “…2024”

The last New Orleans Super Bowl was in 2013, where the power infamous died during the Ravens triumph over the 49ers. Beyonce also played the halftime show.

Technology will likely be a bit different in five years, but Cicero says the fundamentals of hosting tens of thousands of football’s biggest fans won’t change…

Cut 11 (11) “….opportunities”

But 2024 is a ways away, and New ORleans will play host to quite a few major sporting events between now and then.

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A Shreveport mom pleads guilty to improper supervision after authorities learned she allowed her kids to play hooky from school.  Caddo Parish Chief Deputy District Attorney Wilbert Pryor says 35 year old Fathimah Slack’s 13 and 14 year-old children missed over a year and a half of school.

Cut 13 (10) “…of 2018.”

Slack was arrested in November.  Pryor says she was living a questionable lifestyle.

Cut 14 (12) “…some strip clubs.”

Slack was sentenced to 30 days behind bars, the maximum sentence for the crime, but received credit for time served and is now out of prison.  Pryor says the children are in the custody of a family member and attending school, trying to catch up with their classmates…

Cut 15 (07) “…should be in.”

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