The LSU AgCenter is making progress with plans to grow and produce medical marijuana. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Powerful Hurricane Matthew is moving northward over the central Caribbean Sea this morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. On the forecast track, the center of the category 4 storm will approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti tonight, and eastern Cuba on Tuesday. Although the official forecast continues to show a track east of Florida, it is still too soon to rule out possible hurricane impacts there.

A group of scientists conducted a study of the effects of the BP oil spill on coastal marshlands, and found the threshold at 90-100% of oiling means erosion is irreversible. Marine conservation biology professor at Duke University, Brian Silliman, on the importance of such a study:
CUT 6 (09) “in those areas”
He says knowing this helps determine how best to restore those ecosystems.

A ULM professor receives a 5 year, 1.7 million dollar grant that could possibly lead to a new treatment of Type-1 diabetes. Dr. Karen Briski is working to improve the quality of life of diabetics, by reducing harmful effects of hypoglycemia. She is researching how to protect the brain during strict insulin therapy..:

Cut 13 (05) “glucose levels”
This grant is the biggest single grant awarded to a faculty member in ULM’s history.

The LSU AgCenter is continuing with plans to grow medical marijuana and hopes to have seeds in the ground early next year. AgCenter President Dr. Bill Richardson says they should have a business plan in place this month and they are working closely with law enforcement to ensure they are comfortable with every aspect…:
CUT 7 (10) “exactly right”
Richardson says security is their number one priority.

What a win for the LSU Tigers Saturday night in Death Valley. In Ed Orgeron’s first game as interim head Coach, The Bayou Bengals pounded Missouri 42-7. Orgeron on what changed with him at the helm..:
Cut 1 (09) “middle of the season”
And the New Orleans Saints barely got their first win of the season Sunday after beating the Chargers 35-34.

State officials will be in Cuba today to discuss trade options between island nation and Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police is mourning the loss of Bobby Smith, the trooper that lost his sight in 1986 when he was shot in the face by an assailant on a traffic stop. Smith did not let several tragedies in his life stop him. He later earned a PhD before writing several books setting on a path to help others. To learn more about Smith’s legacy, visit visionsofcourage.com. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

Governor John Bel Edwards, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain, and other state officials will be in Cuba today on a trade mission. Strain says representatives from LSU will also join them, because they want to trade more than just commodities…:
Cut 10 (10) “work on”
Strain says Cuba will import up to $2 billion worth of food next year, and as much as $1 billion of that could be from the US.

Deepwater Horizon was a success at the box office this weekend and just in time for the release of the movie is a new study looking at how coastal marshland recovered from the 2010 environmental disaster. Marine conservation biology professor at Duke University, Brian Silliman, says patches of marsh grass nearly covered by oil never recovered..:
cut 4 (09) “erosion occurring”
Silliman says environmentalists are interested in understanding thresholds because it helps them determine how to restore these ecosystems.

It was a successful debut for Ed Orgeron as interim coach of the LSU Tigers. Jeff Palermo has a recap of Saturday’s 42-7 win over Missouri:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to sue Attorney General Jeff Landry for refusing to approve state contracts that contain LGBT non-discrimination clauses. Edwards says apparently the AG believes the state should discriminate.

Cut 15 (06) “particular issue”

But Landry says lawmakers have voted against anti-discrimination bills, and he’s looking out for their views.

The President has signed a proposal that would put $400 million towards disaster aid in Louisiana, but it could still be months before we see it.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

An opioid epidemic in Louisiana is leading to more deaths and higher insurance costs. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a study by Workers Compensation Research Institute shows one in six injured workers in Louisiana had longer term use of prescription painkillers than in other states. He says this is a cost factor for employers.

Cut 11 (09) “the employer”

Donelon says in 2014, 750 people died of opioid overdoses in Louisiana.

More and more creepy clowns are popping up around the Bayou State. There were three more sightings in Terrebonne Parish and an online threat linked to the clowns in Rapides parish. Lt. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides parish sheriff’s office says aside from the clowns being creepy and frightening to many people, they are breaking the law.

Cut 4 (07) “Mardi Gras”

Governor John Bel Edwards is suing Attorney General Jeff Landry because the elected officials couldn’t come to an agreement on the anti-discrimination clause in state contracts. Back in April, the governor issued an executive order that prohibits state government from discriminating against gay and transgender individuals. Edwards says apparently the A-G believes the state should discriminate against a certain group of people.

Cut 15 (06) “particular issue”

But Landry says lawmakers have voted numerous times against LGBT anti-discrimination bills, and he is looking out for the will of the legislature.

A bill that provides 400 million dollars in federal flood recovery aid for Louisiana has been signed by President Obama. Executive Director of the state Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says homeowners without flood insurance are in the most urgent need.

Cut 7 (10) “mortgage assistance”

There’s a rising number of deaths from prescription opioid overdoses in Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says for the first time since the Vietnam War, the life expectancy has gone down for white males ages 25 to 35, and he says that’s due in part to the opioid epidemic in the US.

Cut 10 (09) “white males”

Donelon says in 2014, 750 people died of opioid overdoses in Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain, and other state officials are expected be in Cuba on Monday to discuss different kinds of trade. The officials plan to meet with the Cuban ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Foreign Investment, as well as the National Port Administration of Cuba. Governor Edwards says they hope Hurricane Matthew will not delay their trip, but if it does they will reschedule.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards plans to sue Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry for blocking state contracts that contain clauses preventing LGBT discrimination. Edwards says Landry is over stepping his constitutional powers…

Cut 13 (10) “his own”

But Landry says the governor is going against the will of the legislature, because they have rejected proposals to provide protections for gay and transgender individuals.

Four hundred million dollars in flood recovery aid is coming to Louisiana. Executive Director of the state Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says Congress is expected to approve another relief package in December.

Cut 8 (10) “get that”

Forbes says it will take a couple of months to get the first installment of money in the hands of flood victims, because a federal agency has to sign off on the plans.

An opioid epidemic in Louisiana is leading to more deaths and higher insurance costs. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says one in six injured workers in Louisiana had longer term use of prescription painkillers than workers in the other 24 states in a study by Workers Compensation Research Institute. He says this is a cost factor for employers accessing coverage for the workers in the workers comp market.

Cut 11 (09) “the employer”

Donelon says in 2014, 750 people died of opioid overdoses in Louisiana.

More creepy clowns are showing up around the state, as there were two more sightings in Terrebonne parish. Maj. Malcom Wolfe with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says both of the incidents were reported Wednesday.

Cut 5 (12) “light on”

Governor John Bel Edwards said today that he plans to sue Attorney General Jeff Landry for his refusal to approve contracts that contain non-discrimination clauses. The AG’s office isn’t to sign off on legal matters that contain protections for the LGBT community, and Edwards says Landry is on the wrong side of the law and history over the matter. Landry says the governor’s executive order regarding the non-discrimination clauses goes against the will of the legislature.

Mortality rates in the US are rising and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s due in part to more people overdosing on drugs. He says in 2014, 750 people died of opioid overdoses in Louisiana and this is causing workers comp insurance to rise — but that’s the least of the concern…:
cut 12 (11) “loved ones”

More and more creepy clowns are popping up around the Bayou State. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Louisiana National Guard says the bunker that exploded at Camp Minden operated the way it was designed to handle such a blast, as it contained and controlled the M6 propellant. Matt Harris with Louisiana State Police says no people or property were hurt in the explosion…:
Cut 13 (07) “surrounding area”
Explosive Service International is responsible for the destruction of all 15 million pounds of explosives being stored at Camp Minden.

$400 million in federal disaster aid is coming to Louisiana, but it could still be months before we see the “down payment.” The federal government needs to make rules on how that money can be spent, then state and local leaders need to assign how it plans to use the dollars. State Office of Community Development head Pat Forbes says this first shot of money is a sure sign we can expect more help from Washington moving forward…:
CUT 9 (10) “in their homes”
Congress is expected to approve another relief package in December.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry had a sit down at the Capitol today to discuss their several disagreements. The governor’s office has stalled Landry’s budget requests, and the AG’s office has refused to approve some state contracts. Edwards is holding a news conference this afternoon to discuss the meeting.

The clowns just won’t go away and now law enforcement throughout the state is on high alert to try to diffuse these incidents that are freaking people out. Malcom Wolfe with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says they put to rest a sighting on Thursday near the wood line behind an apartment complex, as an 11-year-old boy came forward…:
CUT 6 (09) “his friends”
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has received threats related to clowns and had to put the schools on a soft lockdown as a result.

Hurricane Matthew has now been upgraded to a category 3 storm with winds of 115 miles per hour. Matthew is a threat to Jamaica and Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters do not expect Matthew to reach the Gulf of Mexico.

President Obama has signed the bill that provides 500 million dollars in federal disaster aid. Executive Director of the state Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says Louisiana is expected to get a little over 400 million dollars of that to help where it’s needed most…:
CUT 7 (10) “mortgage assistance”
Forbes says it will take a couple of months before the money appropriated by Congress gets in the hands of flood victims.

Rapides Parish Schools are on a soft lockdown after the Sheriff’s Office received a nonspecific Instagram threat believed to be linked to the creepy clown sightings. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Tommy Carnline…:
CUT 3 (10) “it seriously”
Carnline reminds these clowns that it is against the law to wear a mask in public outside of Halloween and Mardi Gras.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is concerned about the rising number of deaths from prescription opioid overdoses in Louisiana, and the costs associated with prescription pill addiction. Donelon says for the first time since the Vietnam War, the life expectancy has gone down for white males ages 25 to 35, and he says that’s due in part to the opioid epidemic in the US…:
cut 10 (09) “white males”
Donelon says in 2014, 750 people died of opioid overdoses in Louisiana.

The Louisiana National Guard says the bunker that exploded at Camp Minden operated the way it was designed to handle such a blast, as it contained and controlled the M6 propellant. Matt Harris with Louisiana State Police says they still aren’t sure exactly why the M6 went off spontaneously, but their investigation into the matter is ongoing…:
Cut 15 (09) “the future”