The House gives final passage to legislation removing most restrictions on which patients can receive medical marijuana from doctors to include any condition a doctor considers debilitating to an individual patient.  Bill author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley has previously voted against the use of medical pot, but says now that it’s legal, it should be an option for more people.

Cut 9 (08) “…pretty easy jump.”

With a 74-16 vote, the bill heads next to the Governor’s desk.

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two highly respected men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the Tioga High grads were very active in the community.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the future”

Louisiana surpasses 40,000 COVID-19 cases today, with four new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 2690.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends adjusting your hurricane season prep to the new normal of dealing with COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Today marks the official start of the 2020 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to get prepared for a projected busy season. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the state is actively preparing to have to respond to a severe weather event in the midst of a pandemic.

Cut 3 (08)  “…support”  

Steele says to start preparing for the season head over to https://www.getagameplan.org/

There’s a possibility we could see a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. National Weather Service Forecaster Stephen Carboni, says what was Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific is moving over Central America and

Cut 15 (10) “southern gulf”

A Sunday afternoon plane crash in Pineville kills two men and leaves a 7-year-old in the ICU.  The small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff.  The two men have been identified as twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper.  President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph knew the two men.

Cut 6 (11) “ …in the community.”

Blake Cooper was the executive director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria.  Randolph says the brothers were very active in the community.

Families of children who receive free or reduced-price meals are eligible for Pandemic EBT cards to help offset those meals lost when schools closed early, but they need to act fast. Syndi Dunn, Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson says applications must be completed by June 8^th.

Cut 7 (11) “…$285 per child.”

Governor Edwards will announce today whether the state will move into Phase two of reopening the economy on Friday. That means bars and summer camps can re-open and non-essential travel can resume. But Edwards says even if the state goes to phase two that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has left the state…
cut 14 (10) “…it remains deadly”
The state reported just six new deaths yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 2,686.

Anxiety levels for many people went up this past weekend as they watched violent protests break out across the country over the death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in Minneapolis. Doctor Tonya Hansel with the Tulane School of Social Work says if you feel helpless, try to do some volunteer work…
cut 6 (09) “….the end”

It’s the final day of the regular session and Republican lawmakers are poised to pass a tort reform bill that supporters say will reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. Governor Edwards has concerns and could veto it, because it may not lead to lower rates. And U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the governor can pick off a few votes in both chambers to avoid a veto override…
cut 11 (08) “…give out”

Families who have children who normally receive free and reduced-price meals at school are elgible for a Pandemic EBT debit card that’s worth 285-dollars per child. But the deadline to apply is next Monday. Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says they’ve processed applications for about 62-percent of all elgible children…
cut 8 (07) “…June 8th”
The application can found at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce at 2:30 today whether the state is ready to move into Phase 2 of reopening the economy. Edwards says the metrics used to make the decision to move into phase one are still in play for determining whether the state is ready for phase two
Cut 13 (13) “…cases”

It’s also the final day of the 2020 regular session. The Republican led legislature will look to give final passage to a tort reform measure that supporters say will lead to a reduction in auto insurance rates by 10-percent. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says if the governor doesn’t like it, he could veto it, but legislators are staying in Baton Rouge for a special session…
cut 12 (08) “…session”
The regular session ends at 6 PM, the special session begins at 6:01 PM.

The deadline is nearing for families of children that received free or reduced-price meals at Louisiana schools to apply for Pandemic EBT cards. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

It was a violent weekend across the country as many protests in response to the death of George Floyd during a police arrest in Minneapolis turned violent. Add this to the anxiety many are feeling over COVID-19. Doctor Tonya Hansel with the Tulane School of Social Work says if you are feeling stressed, reach out to a friend or family member…
cut 5 (04) “…able to”

The tort reform bill that supporters say will reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent is expected to receive final legislative passage today on the final day of the regular session. Governor Edwards is not a supporter of the bill and UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards could veto it…
Cut 10 (10) “…override”
The governor’s office is involved in negotiations on the final draft of the bill that will be presented to lawmakers later today.

Today is the first day of the 2020 hurricane season and the National Hurricane Center there’s an 80-percent chance we could see tropical storm Cristobal form in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. Stephen Carboni is with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles…
cut 16 (11) “…of that”

Governor Edwards will announce today whether the state will move into phase two of reopening the economy. A Tulane social worker warns people may suffer a new wave of COVID-related anxiety. Matt Doyle has more
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Families who have children that received free and reduced-price meals at school have one more week to apply for a Pandemic E-B-T card that’s worth 285-dollars per child. State Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn…
cut 9 (11) “…not required”
The application can be found at Louisiana-believes dot-com.

Governor Edwards will announce today whether the state will move into Phase two of reopening the economy on Friday. That means bars and summer camps can re-open and non-essential travel can resume. But Edwards says even if the state goes to phase two that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has left the state…
cut 14 (10) “…it remains deadly”
The state reported just six new deaths yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 2,686.

Families of children who receive free or reduced-price meals are eligible for Pandemic EBT cards to help offset those meals lost when schools closed early, but they need to act fast. Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the application deadline is next Monday
Cut 7 (11) “…$285 per child.”
For more information go to the Louisianabelieves.com and click on Covid-19 Information and Resources

It’s the final day of the regular session and a tort reform bill aimed at lowering auto insurance rates is in a conference committee and is expected to receive final legislative passage today. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 3 (27) “…Matt Doyle”

Two successful businessmen from Alexandria were killed in a plane crash near Lake Buhlow in Pineville yesterday afternoon. The victims have been identified as Ben Cooper and Blake Cooper. Blake was the executive director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port. But his seven-year-old son is expected to survive the crash.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to announce at 2:30 today whether the state is ready to move into Phase 2 of reopening the economy. Edwards says the metrics used to make the decision to move into phase one are still in play for determining whether the state is ready for phase two
Cut 13 (13) “…cases”
Edwards says they are also looking at testing capacity, which he says continues to improve.

State emergency planners are keeping their eye on a tropical disturbance. National Weather Service Forecaster Stephen Carboni says what was Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific is moving over the Yucatan Peninsula.
cut 15 (10) “….southern gulf”
Carboni ays if it does develop into a storm, it will be called Cristobal.

The deadline is nearing for families of children that received free or reduced-price meals at Louisiana schools to apply for Pandemic EBT cards. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The death of George Floyd and the subsequent arrest of a Minneapolis officer brought civil unrest to many cities across the country. But here in Louisiana, all protests and demonstrations were held without violence.

Today is the final day of the legislative session and lawmakers are poised to approve a tort reform bill that seeks to reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. A key component of the bill is lowering the jury threshold from 50-thousand to five thousand dollars. Supporters say that will result in cases involving car crashes being settled at a more reasonable amount. Before the bill passed in the House, freshman Representative Larry Frieman from Abita Springs says when he campaigned, voters complained about our high rates and this measure is our best vehicle to lowering premiums
Cut 16 (07) “…to do it”
Governor Edwards does not support this proposal and could veto the measure, but U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the votes are there to override the veto and lawmakers are staying in Baton Rouge for a special session that begins at 6:01 tonight…
cut 12 (08) “…in session”

The other big issue in the regular session, a proposal to prevent local parishes from pursuing litigation against oil and gas companies for damaging the state’s coast line did not make it through the process. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says failing to pass this legislation will cost the state thousands of potential new jobs because oil companies will refuse to invest here…
cut 9 (11) “…lost revenue”
But St. Bernard President Guy McInnis says the oil and gas industry has to pay for the damage they’ve done to the coast…
cut 11 (05) “…wetland.
Supporters of the bill say they will bring the issue back to the legislature next year.

Newly drafted LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow calls for all Americans to show support for the black community in the wake of George Floyd’s death. In his Twitter post Friday, he says “The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights.”  The tweet has over 400-thousand likes.

There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. For example, changing the calendar so students will complete the semester before Thanksgiving.

Cut 6 (12) “ …after Thanksgiving”

The population of dorm rooms could change on campus, for example, a communal space that was reversed for four students before could be now be limited to two.

Tort reform legislation that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates is approved by the House and appears likely to gain final passage in one form or another Monday. The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold from 50-thousand to five-thousand dollars. But Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says this will actually hurt an injured person’s ability to recover damages.

Cut 15 (09)“ court system”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…crazy”  

Restaurants are still limited to delivering sealed beer or wine, and grocery stores may deliver any type of packaged alcohol.

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damages will not pass this session. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Oil and companies however won a lesser victory Friday when the Louisiana House gave final passage to a Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 that urges parish governments to drop lawsuits that accuse the companies of destroying coastal marshes and wetlands. It was approved by the House, 61-33. It does not change the law, however, it is an expression of legislative intent.

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill amends last year’s alcohol delivery law. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says if it’s signed into law it could really take off in a state like Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06)  “…do it.

The Louisiana House approved on Friday afternoon a proposal that will change the legal system for cases involving car accidents. Supporters say the state’s high jury threshold is a big reason why our auto insurance rates are the second-highest in the nation. Freshman Representative Larry Frieman from Abita Springs says when he campaigned, voters complained about our high rates and this measure is our best vehicle to lowering premiums

Cut 16 (07) “…to do it”

The vote was 72-28 in favor, it heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes.