Beginning Saturday any physician in good standing with the state can recommend medical cannabis. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former KKK leader and state lawmaker David Duke has been banned from Twitter. The social media company said that Duke’s account has been permantenly suspended for repeated violations of the Twitter Rules on hateful conduct. Twitter did not specifiy what Duke posted that resulted in the ban.

Congressional negotiations are underway over another coronavirus relief package, with Democrats and Republicans presenting widely different opening offers. Democrats want to see the expiring 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit extended through the year. Republicans have balked at that, and Senator John Kennedy explains why…
Cut 13 (13) “…extended.”
Some Republicans have suggested the weekly federal unemployment benefits should be reduced to 200-dollars.

Beginning tomorrow, state law will allow for year around nighttime hunting of feral hogs on private property. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland authored the measure and hopes the move helps reduce the hog population
Cut 10 (09) “…group of them.”

Governor John Bel Edwards responds to the federal class-action lawsuit filed against him by several bar owners in the Acadiana region. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana remains number one in per-capita COVID-19 cases, but the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has dropped the last three days. Edwards is hoping that trend continues. Also, the governor says don’t expect major changes to the Phase Two guidelines when he extends them next week. He says the mask mandate is the new normal.

Nearly 200 new state laws take effect tomorrow. These are measures approved during the regular session. One new law greatly expands the state’s medical-marijuana program, allowing for any doctor in good standing with the state to recommend the treatment for a patient dealing with a debilitating condition…
cut 5 (08) “…pallitative care”

Also starting tomorrow, properly licensed Louisiana and non-resident hunters can shoot feral hogs at night on private property the entire year with the landowner’s permission. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland wrote the law and says this new regulation also extends to other damaging species such as nutria, beavers, and coyotes…
cut 11 (09) “….really strange times”
Hunters are required to contact that parish’s sheriff office within 24 hours prior of attempted nighttime take.

Governor Edwards has responded to the federal class-action lawsuits filed against him by bar owners over his emergency order that bans on-premise alcohol consumption. Edwards says they have a right to file a sut, but the governor believes his actions are legal…
Cut 7 (10) “…is absolutely essential.”
The state health department has traced at least 464 confirmed coronavirus infections to 41 bars.

Louisiana’s medical marijuana program expands tomorrow as a new law allows anyone who has a debilitating condition to receive a recommendation for medicinal cannabis from their doctor. Wellcana CEO John Davis says medical marijuana is a safer option than opioids…
cut 6 (12) “…side effects”

Congressional Republicans and Democrats are at an impasse in discussions over the next round of coronavirus relief aid. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state education department has announced they’ve received a 17-million dollar federal grant to help meet the needs of students in pre-K and through third grade during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families will be provided opportunities for high-quality remote supplemental learning resources, virtual tutoring and internet connectivity needed to access those services.

Governor Edwards is defending his executive order that bans in-person consumption at bars as two federal lawsuits have been filed that attempt to block enforcement of the order. Edwards says unfortunately bars are conducive to the spread of the coronavirus and the Trump administration supports his decision…
cut 8 (10) “….number of people”

SEC presidents have agreed to shorten the college football season and play a ten-game conference only schedule that would begin on September 26th. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it’s still to be determined if they can start a season and finish it…
cut 18 (11) “…plays otu”
And we still don’t know if fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium.

Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is set to expand tomorrow as physicians in good standing with the state can recommend the treatment.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Two Monroe teenagers have been arrested after State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and found a dead body in the trunk. 23-year-old Michael Robinson Junior of Monroe has been identified as the deceased individual. The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Michael Mitchell Junior of Monroe was arrested and investigators say 19-year-old Cameron Powe was also involved. Both have been charged with second-degree murder.

Talks continue on Capitol Hill on a coronavirus relief package that would provide millions of Americans with expanded jobless benefits. The 600-dollar-per-week unemployment benefit officially lapses today. Democrats support the three trillion dollar HEROES Act while Republicans want the slimmer, trillion-dollar HEALS Act. Senator John Kennedy wonders if either piece of legislation does enough for small businesses.
Cut 14 (13) “…capital.”

The SEC has approved a ten-game conference only football schedule this season. The first game will be played September 26th, instead of Labor Day weekend. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins…
cut 17 (12) “…Ole Miss”
The league has yet release each team’s new schedule.

Beginning tomorrow, access to medical marijuana will increase dramatically in Louisiana. A new law goes into effect that allows physicians to prescribe the treatment without having to obtain a special license. LSU medical marijuana licensee Wellcana CEO John Davis…
Cut 4 (12)_ “…medical condition”

Also going into effect on Saturday is a law that allows for the nighttime hunting of feral hogs on private property. Jonesboro Representative Jack MacFarland wrote the law and says feral hogs will eat anything and have negative impacts on farmland as well as other wildlife and adds this measure could help reduce auto insurance rates.
Cut 12 (09) “…up car insurance.”

New reported COVID cases have been below 2,000 for the third straight day and hospitalizations have also seen their third consecutive decline, but deaths are up significantly over the past few days. Governor Edwards says that’s due to our spike in cases over the past few weeks.

Cut 13 (09) “…so forth” 

Bar owners have filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to get a federal judge to block Governor Edwards’s order that limits bars to takeout and delivery orders.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A handful of protesters rallied outside Senator Bill Cassidy’s Baton Rouge office demanding that the federal government continues to pay unemployed individiduals 600-dollars a week. This is the last week for the 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit. Power Coalition organizer Kaitlyn Joshua says with thousands still unemployed, the program must continue

Cut 8 (10) “Louisiana”

The Democrat-backed HEROES Act would extend the 600 dollar payments through the year, Republicans back a 200 dollar a week effort, but a House Democratic leader recently said the caucus is not “600 dollars or bust”.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night in Lake Charles after an alleged high speed chase. Trooper Derek Senegal says the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old William Joseph Latour the Third…

Cut 10 (05) “…were injured.”

SEC presidents approve a plan that would reduce the football schedule from 12 regular-season games to a ten-game season against conference opponents. According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, the ten-game schedule would begin on September 26th and the SEC title game will be held on December 19th.

Protestors caravanned in cars around Senator Bill Cassidy’s Baton Rouge office demanding the Senator back an extension of the expiring 600-dollar a week federal unemployment payments. Matt Doyle was there…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Several bar owners in Acadiana have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Governor Edwards over his emergency order that bans onsite consumption at bars. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth is representing the plaintiffs and he says several of these bar owners met with the governor to find out why casinos are allowed to remain open, but a small bar owner can’t have ten patrons inside their establishment

Cut 5 (10)  “…for you”

For the third day in a row, the state reports under 2,000 new COVID cases, and the number of COVID patients declined for a third consecutive day. At his coronavirus briefing, Governor Edwards warned that despite this positive trend downward every parish still has an R0 (R-naught) above one.

Cut 14 (10) “…grow”

42 additional deaths were reported today.

For the third day in a row, the state reports under 2,000 new COVID cases, and the number of COVID patients declined for a third consecutive day. At his coronavirus briefing, Governor Edwards said this is a positive sign.
Cut 12 (08) “…trend.”
It’s been over two weeks since the Governor ordered bars statewide to close and required mask usage while inside businesses.

Unions and citzens’ groups are rallying outside the front of the offices of U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy demanding they vote for a coronavirus relief package that continues the 600-dollar weekly benefits for unemployed workers. Cassidy has said there needs to be a greater focus on moving unemployed people into available jobs. Augustine, an unemployed worker, says he can not find a job that pays the rent….
cut 7 (06) “>…do that”
Democrats are in support of continuing the 600-dollar a week unemployment checks.

Several Acadiana bar owners have filed a lawsuit in an effort to get a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order against the governor’s emergency order that has shut down bars. The governor’s office points to the 464 confirmed cornavirus infections connected to 41 bars as a reason why the closure is necessary. But Attorney Jimmy Faircloth says that’s a small fraction of the total known cases in Louisiana…
cut 4 (08) “….there’s not”
The governor’s office says he does have the legal authority to close certain businesses during a public health emergency.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night in Lake Charles. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles police officers responded to an alleged carjacking and when officers located the vehicle, a pursuit ensued and ended when the suspect crashed into a house
Cut 9 (07) “…suspect.”
Senegal says the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old William Joseph Latour the Third.

Several bar owners in Acadiana have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Governor Edwards over his emergency order that bans onsite consumption at bars. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth is representing the plaintiffs and he says bar owners have been signaled out.
Cut 3 (06) “…to why”
A spokesperson for Edwards says the governor has taken both legal and necessary action to protect the health of Louisiana residents

SEC athletic directors have reportedly approved a ten-game conference-only schedule for football this year. But the proposal still needs approval from university presidents, who will meet today, but they might delay their vote to next week. LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says if the schedule changes they will be ready…
cut 16 (11) “….pasture”

Protestors caravanned in cars around Senator Bill Cassidy’s Baton Rouge office demanding the Senator back an extension of the expiring 600-dollar a week federal unemployment payments. Matt Doyle was there…
cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night in Lake Charles. Trooper Derek Senegal says a suspected car jacker who was armed was fatally shot after a police chase…
cut 11 (05) “…firearm”
The suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Winston Joseph Latour the Third.

New COVID numbers for the state show an increase in cases by 17-hundred. Hospitalizations decreased for the third day in a row, today, down by 20. Vent also decreased, down by 16. Fatalities increased by 42.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a briefing today at 2:30.

Bar owners have filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to get a federal judge to block Governor Edwards order that limits bars to takeout and delivery orders. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A handful of protesters took up positions outside Senator Bill Cassidy’s office demanding a full extension of 600-dollar a week enhanced unemployment benefits. Congressional Republicans are backing a 200 dollar a week extension. Power Coalition organizer Kaitlyn Joshua helped put on the event and says an amount that low risks mass evictions.

Cut 6 (06) “…suffering.”

The state eviction moratorium has expired and the federal moratorium is set to expire this month.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened in Lake Charles last night. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles police responded to an alleged carjacking, which led to a pursuit and ended when the suspect, 37-year-old William Joseph Latour the Third, crashed into a house.

Cut 10 (05) “…were injured.”

The investigation is ongoing.