The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued.  As part of the process, applicants have to undergo a background check.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the rules are guided by federal law.
Cut 4 (12) “…that is hallucinogenic.”
The planting season is between mid-April and early May.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the number of impaired drivers on the road increases at this time compared to other parts of the year but…
Cut 10 (10) “…the message”
In 2018- the latest year of stats, two people were killed and 66 injured in alcohol-related crashed in Louisiana from the Friday before Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday.

A study commissioned by Louisiana’s Board of Regents indicates there is a lack of evidence to warrant the establishment of a law school in Shreveport.  Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the hurdle is people are just not choosing to locate in the Shreveport-Bossier area.  There were a number of scenarios offered from the report showing how to address that issue.
Cut 7 (10) “…ideas or suggestions.”
Reed says a deeper analysis around academic and educational training needs is needed in the area.
Mardi Gras isn’t only going down in south Louisiana, CenLa residents are being treated to Alexandria festivities starting tonight and rolling through Sunday afternoon. Saturday is dedicated to the Children’s Parade, and Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spokesperson Anne Savage…
Cut 14 (07) “…is”
The festivities wrap up at the Huckleberry Brewing Company at 4PM Sunday with food trucks and live music running throughout the evening.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement officers are specifically focusing on removing impaired drivers from the roads from now until February 27^th.

Cut 9 (10) “…the road″

In 2018- the latest year of stats, two people were killed and 66 injured in alcohol-related crashes in Louisiana from the Friday before Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday.

The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there are a variety of licenses, and…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

Mardi Gras isn’t only going down in south Louisiana, CenLa residents are being treated to Alexandria festivities starting tonight and rolling through Sunday afternoon. Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spokesperson Anne Savage says while you’re in town, get your last tastes of king cake.

Cut 13 (11) “…delicious.”

The festivities wrap up at the Huckleberry Brewing Company at 4PM Sunday.

A study commissioned by Louisiana’s Board of Regents indicates there is a lack of evidence to warrant the establishment of a law school in Shreveport.  Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says a deeper analysis around academic and educational training needs is needed in the area.

Cut 8 (08) “…for that community.”

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture has begun issuing licenses for the production, processing and transportation of industrial hemp. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is glad the regulatory framework has been finalized before planting season, which is between mid-April and early May…
cut 5 (11) “….of the way”
The first license went to the Powell Group, which owns several agricultural businesses.

A study commissioned by Louisiana’s Board of Regents finds there is a lack of evidence to warrant the establishment of a law school in Shreveport. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed…
Cut 6 (10) “…conversation around dental.”
The state’s higher education board has also determined the region doesn’t need a dental school either.

The big Mardi Gras weekend has arrived and dozens of parades will roll this weekend. There will be a children’s parade in Alexandria tomorrow. Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spokesperson Anne Savage says it’s perfect for a more laid back carnival experience.
Cut 12 (10) “…crowds.”
The parade will roll in downtown Alexandria at 10 AM.

Expect to see more law enforcement on the highways in an effort to crack down on intoxicated Carnival goers who get behind the wheel….
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The State Department of Agriculture and Forestry has begun issuing industrial hemp licenses in time for the 2020 planting season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

In addition to the beads and revelry over the next few days, there will be more law enforcement to keep intoxicated Carnival goers from getting behind the wheel, Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

___________________________

The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there are a variety of licenses, including the grower license for the cultivation and handling of hemp.  Also…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

As part of the process, applicants have to undergo a background check.  Strain says it is important to have the regulations in place and says the rules are guided by federal law.

Cut 4 (12) “…that is hallucinogenic.”

Strain says the timing to have the regulatory framework in place is important to ensure growers are ready for the planting season between mid-April and early May.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of the way.”

___________________________________________

A study commissioned by Louisiana’s Board of Regents indicates there is a lack of evidence to warrant the establishment of a law school in Shreveport.  Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the study came as the result of two legislative resolutions wanting the board to explore how to expand legal education in north Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…conversation around dental.”

The decision comes just weeks after the board struck down the idea of a dental school in the area.

Reed says the hurdle is people are just not choosing to locate in the Shreveport-Bossier area.  There were a number of scenarios offered from the report showing how to address that issue.

Cut 7 (10) “…ideas or suggestions.”

Reed says a deeper analysis around academic and educational training needs is needed in the area.

Cut 8 (08) “…for that community.”

____________________________________________________

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement officers are specifically focusing on removing impaired drivers from the roads from now until February 27^th.

Cut 9 (10) “…the road″

In 2018- the latest year of stats, two people were killed and 66 injured in alcohol-related crashes in Louisiana from the Friday before Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday. Lambert says the number of impaired drivers on the road increases this time of year.

Cut 10 (10) “…the message”

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is a statewide effort and Lambert says law enforcement has earmarked funding to increase patrols during this time period.

Cut 11 (09) “to Belle Chasse”

Lambert says even though carnival time in the state is known for being a huge party it doesn’t mean drinking and driving must be part of equation.

________________________

Mardi Gras isn’t only going down in south Louisiana, CenLa residents are being treated to Alexandria festivities starting tonight and rolling through Sunday afternoon.

Saturday is dedicated to the Children’s Parade, and Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spokesperson Anne Savage says it’s perfect for a more laid back carnival experience.

Cut 12 (10) “…crowds.”

This afternoon the Classic Cars and College Cheerleaders parade rolls through town, and is expected to bring big crowds from east Texas, and later tonight, it’s the 26^th annual Taste of Mardi Gras in downtown.

Savage says while you’re in town, get your last tastes of king cake.

Cut 13 (11) “…delicious.”

The festivities wrap up at the Huckleberry Brewing Company at 4PM Sunday with food trucks and live music running throughout the evening.

Cut 14 (07) “…is”

_______________

Cut 15 (07) “…him to recover.”

__________________________

Cut 16  (12)  …dominate” 

________________________________

The State Department of Agriculture and Forestry has begun issuing industrial hemp licenses in time for the 2020 planting season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Facing criticism that he broke a campaign promise to teachers, Gov. John Bel Edwards reversed course Thursday and proposed a reworked K-12 budget proposal that would include a direct $500 pay hike for public school teachers

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement has earmarked funding to increase patrols during this time period.

Cut 11 (09) “to Belle Chase”

Lambert says even though carnival time in the state is known for being a huge party it doesn’t mean drinking and driving must be part of the equation.

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill starting in March with the removal of the storm restoration fee. The fee became part of customers’ statements to pay to fix the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says its good news for their customers.

Cut 7 (11) “…$45 each year.”

The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued.  As part of the process, applicants have to undergo a background check.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the rules are guided by federal law.
Cut 4 (12) “…that is hallucinogenic.”
The planting season is between mid-April and early May.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the number of impaired drivers on the road increases at this time compared to other parts of the year but…
Cut 10 (10) “…the message”
In 2018- the latest year of stats, two people were killed and 66 injured in alcohol-related crashed in Louisiana from the Friday before Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday.

The coronavirus virus is expected to be in St. Tammany Parish within the next three weeks for study by the Tulane Primate Research Center. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement officers are specifically focusing on removing impaired drivers from the roads from now until February 27^th.

Cut 9 (10) “…the road″

The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says there are a variety of licenses, including the grower license for the cultivation and handling of hemp.  Also…

Cut 3 (10)  “…processor license.”  

The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus. The virus is expected to arrive at the St. Tammany Parish based facility in the next two to three weeks, and Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says it will likely take a while for their work to come to fruition.

Cut 4 (11_ “…use”)

Governor Edwards announces plans to spend a billion dollars a year building and restoring the coast over the next four years. Edwards’s ambitious coastal restoration plan also calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Restore the Mississippi River Delta campaign director Steve Cochran says if the world can begin reducing its greenhouse gas emissions we could begin reversing the effects of coastal land loss.

Cut 10 (09) “…time.”

The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus.  Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says the Center was chosen for this work due to its long history and expertise biosafety, biocontainment, infectious diseases, and…

Cut 6 (10) “…laboratories.”

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill next month with the removal of the storm restoration fee. The fee paid for damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says that some of the money collected from the restoration fee will go toward future storm recoveries.

Cut 9 (11) “…our customers’ costs.”

Over 200 state troopers are descending upon New Orleans this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

State Police continues to investigate yesterday’s incident in LaFourche Parish where a school crossing guard was struck and killed while directing traffic on Highway 20 near Chackbay Elementary School. The crossing guard has been identified as 67-year-old Larry Boudreaux. The driver that hit Boudreaux is 83-year-old Jerry Matt of Thibodaux. No charges have been filed.

Over 200 state troopers will be in New Orleans for the final weekend of Carnival 2020. Trooper Monroe Dillon says law enforcement will be utilizing the See Something Send Something app, where if you spot something that may need the attention of law enforcement, you can send in an anonymous tip to officials.

Cut 15 (12) “…it is free.”

Governor Edwards plans to spend a billion dollars a year building and restoring the coast over the next four years, according to his recently released second term coastal plan. 115 million dollars from last year’s surplus will help bolster those efforts. Restore the Mississippi River Delta Director Steve Cochran says not only is that money flexible, but it shows we mean business.

Cut 11 (09) “…mouth is”

The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus. Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says part of their work will be developing more reliable ways to test for the disease. Bohm says like many early periods of a virus, they’re seeing a lot of false negatives and false positives.

Cut 5 (11)  “…diagnostics.”

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill starting in March with the removal of the storm restoration fee. The fee became part of customers’ statements to pay to fix the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the cost to repair Cleco’s system after storms was approximately $160 million, the largest combined storm expense in the company’s history.

Cut 8 (04) “…to the customers.”

Governor Edwards is calling for record levels of spending on coastal restoration in his second term. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle 

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain has officially issued the state’s first hemp licenses to farmers. The State Agriculture agency finalized regulations for growing hemp in the state after legislative approval last year. Strain said the agency worked hard to ensure the regulatory framework was in place as soon as feasibly possible and in time for the 2020 growing season.

The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus. The virus is expected to arrive at the St. Tammany Parish based facility in the next two to three weeks, and Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says it will likely take a while for their work to come to fruition.

Cut 4 (11_ “…use”

The virus has infected some 75,000 people worldwide and is thought to have killed over 2,000.

More than two hundred state troopers are being deployed to the city of New Orleans for the final and likely the busiest weekend of Carnival 2020. Trooper Monroe Dillon says law enforcement will be keeping an eye out for those who have partied too hard and decide to get behind the wheel.

Cut 14 (07) “…they’re driving different.”