A poll shows near-unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts, strong majority support for sediment diversion projects, and majority support for taxes dedicated to funding the projects. 63 percent said they would support a state tax dedicated to coastal restoration projects. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says 2/3rds support for a tax is a crucial number for the Legislature…
Cut 5 (08) “…payers”
Support levels varied from region to region, with only 49 percent of north Louisianans supporting a coastal restoration tax.

Medical marijuana may be legal but it’s still against the law to drive while under the influence of the substance, even if you have a prescription. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says you can be charged a DWI under any type of impairment that causes a driver to operate their vehicle in an unsafe way.
Cut 11 (10) “…different.”
The man accused of punching comedian Andy Dick outside a New Orleans nightclub early Saturday morning has been arrested. I’m Brooke Thorington…

cut  2 (28) I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, have been arrested for setting fire to a neighboring mobile home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says no motive was discovered in when the suspects were questioned.

Cut 9 (10) “…with our deputies.”

The two are charged with simple arson and criminal trespassing.

The expectation is that LSU will be good on offense this season. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the offensive production will start with quarterback Joe Burrow and the second-year starter sure seems more comfortable in this offense, compared to the one he ran last year…
cut 30 (28) “…quarterback”
Former LSU standout and ESPN football analyst Ryan Clark posted on twitter the Tigers finally got their guy after watching Burrow practice yesterday. Clark says Burrow made some big-time NFL throws.

Louisiana Tech head football coach Skip Holtz says his guys continue to grind through fall camp under sweltering temperatures in Ruston. Holtz says even though they are in the dog days of camp, the team is coming together well…
cut 29 (20) “…with”
The Bulldogs will have their second scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday. Fanfest is also this Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center from 12:30 to 2:00.

The Saints left their training facility in Metairie today for California, where they’ll have two joint practices with the Chargers on Thursday. New Orleans and Los Angeles will also face each other in a preseason game on Sunday. The temperatures will be much more comfortable in Cali, 80s instead of a heat index around 110-degrees.

An estimated five to ten-thousand individuals are now medical marijuana patients under the state’s new medicinal pot program. State Police is warning drivers that using medical marijuana can impair your judgment and there’s a new law in the state that calls for blood tests in wrecks that cause a serious injury…
cut 13 (12) “….or not”
That’s State Police Lt. Nick Manale.

A new poll finds near-unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts. Scientists believe diverting large amounts of sediment from the Mississippi River into the wetlands is the best policy. 55 percent of Louisianans are familiar with that concept, and…
Cut 4 (09) “…new land.”
That’s pollster Greg Rigamer.

State Fire Marshal deputies have arrested two Eunice men for allegedly setting fire to a vacant mobile home at a Eunice trailer park. 21-year-old Logan Bertrand and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores have been charged with simple arson and criminal trespassing. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says this blaze comes on the heel of an unrelated fire in Eunice of a fourplex that displaced the families that lived there…
cut 10 (09) “….as well”
No one was injured in the fires.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is in a P-S-A with the governor that promotes the state’s new Veterans First Business Initiative. In the P-S-A, Brees encourages the public to visit l-a-veterans-first-dot-org to search for Louisiana veteran-owned businesses…
cut 7 (06) “….their team”
Through this program, the state Economic Development Department will offer support to veteran-owned businesses.

A new poll shows nearly all Louisianans want action on coastal restoration, and a strong majority would support higher taxes if it meant saving our coast. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has teamed up with Governor John Bel Edwards to help get the word out about the state’s new Veterans First Business Initative. The two shot a P-S-A together and Edwards says the program will promote veteran-owned businesses through certification…
cut 6 (08) “…your business”
In the P-S-A, Brees encourages the public to visit l-a-veterans-first-dot-org to search for Louisiana veteran-owned businesses.

It’s been a week now since medical marijuana has been available to patients in Louisiana. GB Sciences is the contracted grower for LSU and President John Davis says with a seamless rollout behind them, they’re looking forward to offering products like oral strips, creams and inhalable products in the near future.
Cut 12 (10) “…tweaks”
Davis says they estimate there are between five and 10-thousand medical marijuana patients in Louisiana.

Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, are under arrest, accused of simple arson and criminal trespassing following an investigation into a trailer fire. Firefighters received three calls to the address in just over 24 hours. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home has recently been vacated.
Cut 8 (06) “…as being involved.”
Rodrigue says there were no injuries.

A poll shows near unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts, strong majority support for sediment diversion projects, and majority support for taxes dedicated to funding the projects. The poll shows 98 percent of Louisianans want government to tackle coastal erosion. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says you just don’t see that number for other state issues.
Cut 3 (10) “…the boards”
77 percent believe coastal erosion will impact them within the next decade.

It’s been a week since medical marijuana became available to patients in Louisiana and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been delivered to nine licensed pharmacies licensed to sell the product. GB President John Davis…
Cut 10 (09) “community”
Davis says they estimate five to ten-thousand patients are participating in the state’s medical-marijuana program.

The man accused of punching comedian Andy Dick outside a New Orleans nightclub early Saturday morning has been arrested. I’m Brooke Thorington…

cut  2 (30) I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Sports Illustrated ranks LSU’s Mike the Tiger as the third best mascot in college football, behind only Oregon’s Duck and Georgia’s Bulldog, Uga.

A poll from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute finds 34-percent of Louisiana residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, nationally the percentage is 54. The national Democratic Party is firmly pro-choice, and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this poll is why local Democrats face an uphill battle running for statewide office.
Cut 14 (08) “…parts.”

The State completes its first week of medical marijuana availability and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been sent out to select pharmacies. GB President John Davis says they don’t know exactly how many patients, but he estimates it’s between 5,000-10,000 residents.

Cut 11 (5) “…works”

Davis says they are also looking to roll out a variety products like creams, and inhalables in the near future.

A break from the heat is on the way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the drop should bring conditions closer to normal, but the high humidity will still present dangerous heat index values.

Cut 8 (07) “…115.”

The Halloween & Costume Association is pushing to have Halloween celebrations on the last Saturday of October.  Founder and CEO of Pet Krewe in New Orleans and HCA member Allison Albert says the idea is to hold more of the festivities on the weekend to help kids with a day to recover after a candy binge.

Cut 4 (10) “…bag of chocolates.”

The petition can be found at change-dot-org. The Association says they still want Halloween to be recognized at the end of the month just celebrations to be on the weekend.

A survey says Louisiana has the lowest level of support for abortion rights in the nation, with only 34 percent saying they support the right to legal abortion in most, or all cases. Sixty percent of state respondents said abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says that has a direct effect on the kinds of candidates the Democratic Party can run locally…

Cut 13 (10) “…that.”

It’s been a week now since medical marijuana has been available to patients in Louisiana. GB President John Davis says with a seamless rollout behind them, they’re looking forward to offering products like oral strips, creams and inhalable product in the near future.

Cut 12 (10) “…tweaks”

The Halloween & Costume Association is pushing to expand Halloween celebrations to include the final Saturday of October. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

The petition can be found online at Change-dot-org

A very mild drop in temps is expected today, offering modest relief from a heat index that has been in excess of 110 degrees.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is coming.

Cut 7 (10) “…across the state.”

Only 34 percent of Louisianans support the right to an abortion in most, or all cases, the lowest in the nation according to a survey. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The State completes its first week of medical marijuana availability and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been sent out to select pharmacies. GB President John Davis says they don’t know exactly how many patients, but he estimates it’s between 5,000-10,000 residents.

Cut 11 (5) “…works”

The man accused of punching comedian Andy Dick outside a New Orleans nightclub early Saturday morning is now in custody. 40-year-old David Hale is facing second-degree battery and simple battery charges. Hale was booked Wednesday in the Orleans Parish Jail. Andy Dick told The New Orleans Advocate he was unconscious for 15 minutes after he was knockout after his performance at One-Eyed Jacks. The comedian was then taken by ambulance to the hospital and observed for a possible brain bleed.

The Halloween & Costume Association is pushing to have Halloween celebrations on the last Saturday of October.  Founder and CEO of Pet Krewe in New Orleans and HCA member Allison Albert says the idea is to hold more of the festivities on the weekend to help kids with a day to recover after a candy binge.

Cut 4 (10) “…bag of chocolates.”

Albert says more awareness for celebrations on a weekend will lead to safer Halloween experiences.

A frontal boundary is moving through north Louisiana this morning and this will give us a break from the excessive heat today as the boundary will produce showers and storms. State climatologist Barry Keim says this will be just a temporary reprieve from the extreme heat…
cut 9 (07) “…offer here”
There is a marginal risk of severe weather for most of the state today.

A poll from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute finds 34-percent of Louisiana residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, nationally the percentage is 54. The national Democratic Party is firmly pro-choice, and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this poll is why local Democrats face an uphill battle running for statewide office.
Cut 14 (08) “…parts.”

It’s been a week since medical marijuana became available to patients in Louisiana and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been delivered to nine licensed pharmacies licensed to sell the product. GB President John Davis…
Cut 10 (09) “community”
Davis says they estimate five to ten-thousand patients are participating in the state’s medical-marijuana program.

Over 144-thousand people have signed a petition at change-dot-org to make the last Saturday in October National Trick or Treat Day, so that trick and treating happens that day, instead of October 31st…
cut 6 (11) “…fully celebrate Halloween”
That’s the C-E-O of the Pet Krewe in New Orleans, Allison Albert.

Medical marijuana enters its second week of availability in the state. Matt Doyle spoke to LSU’s contracted grower GB Sciences about the historic first seven days…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

We get a break from the extreme heat today. A cold front will produce more cloud cover and increase rain chances. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the heat index will not be so dangerously high…
cut 8 (07) “…115”

A Public Religion Research Institute poll finds Louisiana leads the nation in the percentage of voters who believe abortion should be illegal in all cases. 23-percent of the respondents in the survey have that position. Only 34-percent of Louisiana residents surveyed say abortion should be legal in most or all cases. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the overwhelming opposition to abortion rights in Louisiana makes it difficult for pro-choice candidates…
cut 15 (09) “…of them”

There’s a petition on change.org to designate the last Saturday in October as National Trick or Treat Day. CEO of Pet Krewe in New Orleans, Allison Albert, says Halloween will still be October 31st, but trick or treating on Saturday will lead to a safer experience…
cut 5 (10) “…little more cautious”