The state appears to have a surplus for the third year in a row, as 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 the other reason is the steady elimination of a series of corporate income tax deductions over the past four years.

The LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product has been approved for distribution by the Department of Agriculture and nine licensed pharmacies will have access to it on Tuesday. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says testing was extensive.

Cut 14 (11) “…28”

The product will cost about 90 to 200 dollars a bottle.

It’s induction night for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame and three of the inductees have strong connections to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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

Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Ralph Abraham painted two very different pictures of the current status of state at the Louisiana Municipal Association convention in Monroe.  Edwards touted his hard work over the last four years to pull the state out of its largest deficit and an economy that was deep in the ditch.

Cut 10 (09) “…to a better path.”

Edwards says no other state in the nation has exceeded Louisiana’s rate of decline in unemployment in the last 12 months, adding the economy is the strongest in the history of the state. But Abraham says the state has so much more potential.

Cut 12 (10) “…better than that.”

The third man currently on the ballot in the Governor’s race, Eddie Rispone, was absent from the event.

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. Governor John Bel 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”

The LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product has been approved for distribution by the Department of Agriculture and nine licensed pharmacies will have access to it on Tuesday. Only those with a specific set of diseases approved by the Legislature will be allowed access to medical marijuana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says that includes HIV, intractable pain, cachexia…

Cut 15 (11) “…dystrophy.”

Three former Louisiana football stars are among the eight that will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, and two of them were former LSU Tigers Johnny Robinson and Kevin Mawae. LSU Executive Deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry…

Cut 8 (11) “…played at LSU.”

Destrehan safety and Ravens star Ed Reed is also being inducted.

The LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product has been approved for distribution by the Department of Agriculture and select pharmacies will have access to it by Tuesday. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the treatment has undergone extensive testing…

Cut 14, 11 seconds, 28

The Advocate reports the product will cost about 90 to 200 dollars a bottle at the Baton Rouge-based pharmacy.

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 than it spent for the fiscal year that ended in June. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says one reason is lower state rax returns people received as a result of the federal tax reform, and the other reason is the steady elimination of a series of corporate income tax deductions over the past four years, which increased state revenue.

Cut 4 (11) “…tax”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Ralph Abraham painted two very different pictures of the current status of state at the Louisiana Municipal Association convention in Monroe.  Edwards touted his hard work over the last four years to pull the state out of its largest deficit and an economy that was deep in the ditch.

Cut 10 (09) “…to a better path.”

Edwards says no other state in the nation has exceeded Louisiana’s rate of decline in unemployment in the last 12 months, adding the economy is the strongest in the history of the state. But Abraham says the state has so much more potential.

Cut 12 (10) “…better than that.”

The third man currently on the ballot in the Governor’s race, Eddie Rispone, was absent from the event.

Three former Louisiana football stars are among the eight that will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed went to Destrehan High School. Reed spent 12 years in the NFL and holds the record for interception return yards. His defensive coordinator at Destrehan and current Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux says Reed is an even better person away from the field as he hosts football camps and he’s raised money to build a park in his hometown

Cut 7 (11) “…the community.”

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 than it spent. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the surplus is mostly due to two things, one of them being the impact of the Congressional tax reform on Louisiana income tax returns.
Cut 3 (09) “…paid”
Albrecht says the other reason is the elimination of many corporate tax deductions over the past four years.

The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network reviews Louisiana’s legislative efforts to fight the disease. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 1, 30 seconds, Barnhart

The Department of Agriculture OK’s the joint LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product, and officials say that means the treatment will be available to select pharmacies statewide on Tuesday. To be eligible to pick up the non-psychoactive product, you’ll need to be diagnosed with one of a specific list of illnesses and get a prescription for treatment from your doctor.

In God We Trust will be displayed in every public school starting next fall when the kids return to class thanks to a 2018 law that’s just now going into effect. The law was written by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who says the law requires that the history of the motto also be taught in classrooms. She says it’s meant to teach students about the “patriotic history” of the USA.

Cut 8 (10) “principle.”

The information will be taught alongside instruction on proper flag etiquette.

Preseason camp is underway at LSU with fan expectations higher than they’ve been in half a decade. Head coach Ed Orgeron says he’s aware, and the only way the team can live up to those expectations is by improving their play in the trenches. He says one matchup to watch is at nose tackle, between Tyler Shelvin and Apu Ika

Cut 14 (11) “…going to be a battle.”

Orgeron adds the left guard position is also wide open.

The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network reviews Louisiana’s legislative efforts to fight the disease. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

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“In God We Trust” must be displayed in all Louisiana public schools by the start of fall classes. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30 ) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone at the mouth of the Missispi River appears to be smaller this year than expected due to the impact of Hurricane Barry. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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A new report from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network evaluates Louisiana’s effort to fight the disease.  In 2007, a law was put into place requiring all indoor workplaces to be smoke-free, with the exception of bars and casinos.  ACS-CAN spokesperson Lance Barbour says the state has fallen short to combat second-hand smoke.

Cut 4 (08) “…for our youth.” 

Among the areas of concern, access to care, quality of life, and prevention. Barbour says state legislation has helped for the highlights in the reports.

Cut 5  (12) “…of their choosing.” 

Barbour says the findings in the report indicate that Louisiana could combat smoking by raising the state’s cigarette tax.

Cut 6 (06) “…the national average.”
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Beginning in fall all Louisiana public schools will have to display “In God We Trust” and educate students about the origin of the national motto.

The law was written by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who says the motto must at minimum be displayed on a paper sheet.

Cut 7 (09) “jurisdiction”

The Democratic Senator adds the legislation also allows teachers to freely choose to display the motto in their classroom.

The law requires that the history of the motto be added to the mandatory curriculum in public schools. Barrow says it’s meant to teach students about the “patriotic history” of the USA.

Cut 8 (10) “principle.”

The information will be taught alongside instruction on proper flag etiquette.

Opponents say the law imposes religious education on public school students and point out that the motto was only added to currency in 1957. Barrow disagrees with those arguments.

Cut 9 (12) “…country”

The law cleared the Legislature in 2018 without a single dissenting vote.

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The 6,952 square mile “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico near the mouth of the Mississippi isn’t quite as big as NOAA predicted this year due to the disturbance of Hurricane Barry.

Hypoxia research crew chief scientist Dr. Nancy Rabalais says with record-high Mississippi River levels, the end result is a bit surprising.

Cut 10 (12) “…period.”

The nearly 7,000 square mile Zone was still good for the 8th largest on record.

Some forecasts predicted a record size for the Dead Zone this year due to the amount of water exiting the Mississippi, but Rabalais says after Hurricane Barry passed right over the area…

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 fert8ilizer coming down the Mississippi River.

The same fertilizers that cause the Zone are believed to be responsible for the toxic algae blooms that broke out after the Bonnet Carre Spillway opened. NOAA Center for Coastal Ocean Science director Steve Thur says that incident has caught their attention.

Cut 12 (08) “ spillway.”

Leaving the Spillway open so late into the season resulted in toxic blooms that shuttered Mississippi beaches during peak tourist season.

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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 ”

Orgeron says for LSU to accomplish its goals this season, they have to play better on the offensive and defensive lines. Orgeron says a big battle at camp will be nose tackle between Tyler Shelvin and Apu Ika

Cut 14 (11) “…going to be a battle.”

Orgeron says it’s wide open on who will be the starting left guard and it remains to be seen who will be the Tigers top tailback and field goal kicker.

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Can’t Guard Mike is back in Black and Gold after a short 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. After breaking the record for most receptions through a player’s first three years, he’s confident he’s worth every penny.

Cut 15 (11) “…competing.”

Thomas caught 83 percent of the passes sent his way over his first three years, for 321 total.

It may have been a relatively brief holdout, but Thomas says he sure got antsy being restricted to just studying film on his Ipad…

Cut 16  (13) “…championship”   

The top cop in Baton Rouge apologizes for the hiring of Blane Salamoni, the former officer accused in the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Kevin Barnhart has more on the settlement they reached with Salamoni

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains why customers are now seeing a reduction.

Cut 13 (09) “…to customers”

Congressman Ralph Abraham picks up another endorsement from a Republican lawmaker in his bid to defeat Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards this fall with Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says for now the endorsements help to offset Eddie Rispone’s large advantage in campaign dollars

Cut 5 (08) “…spend money”

Governor Edwards is in the front-runner in the polls heading into the October 12th primary.

A suite of new laws took effect today, including an effort to prevent the harassment of refs in amateur and high school sports. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry’s law would allow officers to remove, and possibly arrest people who threaten physical violence against those amateur refs. Henry says he brought the legislation on request from his local playground, which was tired of dealing with raging parents…

Cut 10 (10) “…flag football”  (2x)

Baton Rouge police announce that Blane Salamoni, the officer who fired six shots into the body of Alton Sterling, will never work as a B-R-P-D officer as part of a settlement reached. The department has learned that Salamoni had an arrest record that he did not disclose to police when he applied to be an officer. That should have prevented him from being hired. The shooting of Sterling led to days of protest and civil unrest. Police Chief Murphy Paul says the healing process continues…
Cut 7 (11) “…our officers experience.”
Salamoni will be allowed to voluntarily resign retroactive to March 2018, instead of being fired.

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year.The savings benefit that Cleco customers are now receiving stems from the 2017 Congressional Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains

Cut 15 (10) “…required to pay.”

Congressman Ralph Abraham picks up another endorsement from a Republican lawmaker in his bid to defeat Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards this fall with Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the recent endorsements for Abraham help the U-S Representative

Cut 4 (09) “…where he is”

Fellow GOP contender Eddie Rispone has a television ad running that touts his support for President Trump, while Abraham has yet to get on statewide TV.

A suite of new laws took effect today, including an expansion of judge’s abilities to order chemical castrations. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick’s bill would allow judges to sentence those who commit sexual battery to chemical castration. He says previously that wasn’t an option.

Cut 11 (09) “…in there.”

Baton Rouge police announce that Blane Salamoni, the officer who fired six shots into the body of Alton Sterling, will never work as a B-R-P-D officer as part of a settlement reached. Police Chief Murphy Paul says the Sterling shooting followed a pattern of unprofessional behavior shown by Salamoni…

Cut 8 (11) “…change the future.”

Salamoni will be allowed to voluntarily resign retroactive to March 2018, instead of being fired.

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year.President Trump’s federal tax law lowered corporate tax rates for utility companies. The Louisiana Public Service Commission had to approve Cleco’s plan to distribute the savings. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill explains how customers will see the credit on their bill.

Cut 14 (10) “…bill credit”

A series of new laws take effect today. Brooke Thorington spoke with the lawmakers who authored two of the new additions…

cut  2 (31) I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The investigation continues into the LaSalle Parish crash that killed three on Monday, including a toddler. The driver of the 18-wheeler that rear ended a Ford Fiesta in the incident has now been arrested. 33 year old Joseph Pardue of Georgetown is charged with three counts of negligent homicide as well as negligent injury, reckless operation, and unsafe vehicle.

Baton Rouge police announce that a settlement has been reached with former officer Blane Salamoni, who appealed his firing for his actions that resulted in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016. The Advocate reports that Salamoni, before being hired, had been arrested for battering a woman in a Baton Rouge bar who had broken up with him earlier that day. Police Chief Murphy Paul told reporters that Salamoni did not reveal that arrest during the hiring process…

Cut 6 (10) “…process, we are sorry.”

Salamoni’s departure will be now be recognized as a resignation. 

Beginning this month Cleco customers will see an average savings of $14 a month on their power bill over the next year. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill let’s you know why you’ll be seeing those lower bills.

Cut 13 (09) “…to customers”

Other power companies in the state have already implemented those reductions.

A new law is going into effect that will allow judges to order chemical castrations for people charged with sexual battery of minors under the age of 13. Marrero Representative Patrick Connick, who brought the law last session, says he was surprised to hear about the loophole when he was contacted by a local judge who said the option was not available in his case, but it was for others…

Cut 12 (12) “…battery.”

A law upping the minimum age for marriage to 16 also went into effect today.

Louisiana’s two Republican gubernatorial candidates are wrestling for the chance to get into a run-off with Governor Edwards in the upcoming October 12^th Primary. Congressman Abraham is nabbing all kinds of state endorsements, while Eddie Rispone has a huge money advantage. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says for now the endorsements help to offset Rispone’s warchest.

Cut 5 (08) “…spend money”