Monroe is an election battleground today as both sides of the Governor’s race are making appearances in the area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
_____________________________
Louisiana leads the nation in flu activity as we get closer to prime flu season…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
________________________
The high cost of medical marijuana has advocates concerns it’s becoming a treatment exclusively for the rich. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…Matt Doyle”
________________________
Monroe is the epicenter of the Governor’s race today with visits from both campaigns, including President Trump stumping for Eddie Rispone. Rispone says the President’s trip at this time emphasizes the need to turn the state around with the November 16th runoff election.
Cut 4 (09) “…Louisiana as well.”
Rispone says the man he edged out of the runoff, Congressman Ralph Abraham, will be in attendance tonight as well.
Cut 5 (09) “…jobs and opportunity.”
Edwards campaign spokesperson Eric Holl says the Governor’s stop in Monroe highlights a different campaign strategy.
Cut 6 (09) “…has been bipartisan.”
Holl says President Trump and Governor Edwards have great working relationship and expects that to resume after the political tension that comes with an election ceases.
Cut 7 (08) “…criminal justice reform.”
____________________
Flu season is heating up and Louisiana leads the nation in flu activity
State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says nearly six in every hundred visits to clinics, doctors’ offices, and other healthcare providers in Louisiana were for flu-like symptoms.
Cut 8 (11) “…else”
Most of the cases seem to be focused in south Louisiana, particularly New Orleans and the North Shore.
While the cases are piling up, thankfully most of them do not appear to be the more serious A-strain of the flu.
Cut 9 (05) “Louisiana”
It’s a packed weekend of football, and Welch says it normally takes seven to nine days for the shot to become fully effective, but…
Cut 10 (10) “…less”
Welch says most insurance covers the cost of vaccines, and local public health units also carry the shots for free as well.
_________________________________
Medical Marijuana advocates are raising concerns about the sky-high cost of the treatment in Louisiana.
Healing Clinics CEO Kathryn Thomas says a bottle of the average THC rich product costs 180 to 220 dollars a pop, and that can add up to a lot of money for some patients…
Cut 11 (10) “…range.”
Healing Clinics employs doctors who are authorized to diagnose and prescribe medical marijuana.
Thomas says spending a thousand dollars a month on a medical treatment just isn’t feasible for most families in Louisiana, which will ultimately limit the market’s growth…
Cut 12 (09) “…program”
Thomas says it’s difficult for many to afford the treatment because it isn’t covered by insurance, and adds work must be done to drag down the cost.
Cut 13 (11) “…affordable.”
An estimated 3,500 people have purchased medical marijuana since the product became available to the public in August.
_______________________
After months of delays, the new billion-dollar terminal of Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans opens today. MSY Director of Aviation Kevin Dolliole says the 82-85% of all visitors by air, into and out of the state, use the facility and the new terminal will drastically improve what they see.
Cut 14 (11) “…set MSY apart.”
The concourse will feature over 40 different retail and food and beverage outlets. Dolliole says passengers will feel the spirit of the New Orleans region throughout the facility through the presence of local restaurants and shops.
Cut 15 (11) “…a surface lot.”
The parking now increases to over 8000 available parking spots. Dolliole says the new facility will also feature a new system for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft as well as additional updates to technology that the 21st-century air traveler is looking for in an airport.
Cut 16 (09) …repeat that …fast.
________________________________
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will reportedly play Saturday and he’ll look healthier and less limited than he did last year when he underwent the same surgery on his ankle prior to facing Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl last year. Tigers linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson says they are assuming Tua will be fully healthy…
Cut 17 (16) do it”
Chaisson says the Tigers defense plans on bringing Tua down to the ground a lot…
cut 18 (19) “the game”
LSU will not have linebacker Michael Divinity for Saturday’s game. The team’s sack leader left the program for personal reasons. Andre Anthony, who has nine tackles on the season, is expected to see a bigger role. Chaisson says Anthony is ready…
cut 19 (24) “handle it”