New Orleans musical icon and six-time Grammy winner Dr. John has died. Actor Harry Shearer and fellow New Orleans musician Irma Thomas remember the legendary artist.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The feds have rejected a request to release individual assistance for victims of the April tornadoes that ripped through Lincoln, Morehouse, and Union Parishes. FEMA says they determined that the impact to the individuals and households from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation.”

Fantasy sports legalization fails to get a final vote after a last second filibuster on the Senate floor from the same legislator who brought an ultimately doomed sports betting bill. Two bills had to be approved in the last fifteen minutes of the session for fantasy sports to be OK’d. The first passed by a comfortable margin, but when the second was brought up, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny took the floor and appeared to run out the clock…

Cut 7 (07) “….vote”

That’s Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni, who says the filibuster subverted the will of Louisiana voters who approved the activity last fall.

CBD sales were legalized in the same legislation that allows industrial hemp production, and the ATC is now accepting applications from retailers interested in selling the products. ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard says there will be limits on the kinds of products available…

Cut 10 (09) “…beverages.”

A last second filibuster kills fantasy sports legalization as the session came to an end yesterday. Matt Doyle has the story…

cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

Six-time Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and New Orleans native Dr. John has died. New Orleans actor Harry Shearer says the music of Dr. John has impacted his life dating back to his first album.

Cut 5 (08) “…to Mac for that.”
Dr. John was 77.

CBD sales were legalized in the same legislation that OK’d industrial hemp production, and the ATC has begun accepting applications from retailers interested in selling the products.

ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard says retailers will need to come in and apply like they would for an alcohol, but they won’t have to take out a newspaper posting. After that…

Cut 9 (12) “….registration.”

The temporary permit will last through January. A permanent license can be obtained by working with the Department of Health on labeling requirements.

Two of college baseball’s best programs meet for a best out of three Super Regional Series on Saturday at Alex Box Stadium. The winner will advance to the College World Series. Kendall Rogers of D-1-baseball-dot-com says the Seminoles are playing their best baseball

Cut 12 (09)   “…right now.”

New Orleans has lost one of its most recognizable voices as six-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John has passed away following a heart attack. Fellow Big Easy musician Irma Thomas, who recorded several songs written by Dr. John, says she had heard of his recent illness, but his death still comes as a surprise, adding he’ll be greatly missed by the city.

Cut 4 (09) “…to New Orleans.” 
Dr. John was 77.
Fantasy sports legalization fails to get a final vote after a last second filibuster on the Senate floor from the same legislator who brought an ultimately doomed sports betting bill. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says it’s a travesty that one legislator would seek retribution for his failed legislation by snubbing over 60 percent of voters that approved fantasy sports last year.

Cut 6 (09) “…anyway”

Louisiana farmers could be planting hemp by early next year after a legalization effort is signed into law. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has begun work to permit retailers who wish to sell hemp-derived CBD products.

New Orleans has lost one of its most recognizable voices as six-time Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John has passed away from a heart attack. New Orleans actor Harry Shearer remembers Dr. John as one of the area’s legendary piano players.
Cut 3 (10) “…so gloriously.”

LSU will face Florida State tomorrow in Game one of their best of three Super Regional Series. Fighting Tigers center fielder Zach Watson swung a hot bat last weekend as he hit two home runs in the Regional. Watson says he likes the feel of postseason baseball…
cut 17 (13) “…Omaha”
First pitch tomorrow is at two PM. LSU announces Cole Henry will start in Game One, Landon Marceaux will take the mound on Game Two and if Game 3 is necessary on Monday, Eric Walker will start.

Governor Edwards put a cap on what may have been the least contentious legislative session of his four year tenure. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says he’s glad the state passed the fetal hearbeat abortion bill, but his bill to lower the state sales tax rate in future years failed…
cut 12 (11) “…next year”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the budget approved by lawmakers on the final day of the legislative session is finally a spending plan that focuses on the things his administration wants to focus on. Edwards says the budget contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise and more money for public education and pre-k education…
cut 8 (06) “…excellent”
Higher ed also received 47 million more dollars in this year’s budget than last year’s.

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris feels it was a good session. Harris is proud the legislature approved the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed by Governor Edwards. But he says legislation targeting sky high auto insurance rates crashed and burned…
Cut 11 (10) “…in the country.”

The governor has signed a bill that allows Louisiana farmers to grow hemp, which can be used for grain, fiber, building materials and CBD oil. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the parties involved will have to develop regulatory rules, which needs federal approval.
cut 14 (11) “….USDA”
Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states in growing hemp for the next planting season.

The Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will not open on Sunday as scheduled. And a new opening date has not been set. But Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Rickey Boyett says the battle against high Mississippi River levels is still ongoing and they working 24-7, inspecting levees to make sure they are in good shape…
cut 6 (09) “…address any issues”

The 2019 Legislative session is in the books. House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says one of the more important pieces of legislation to pass was the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed into law by Governor Edwards.
Cut 10 (09) “…thoughts and beliefs.”
However, Harris says he’s disappointed that legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates failed to pass.

Once again Governor John Bel Edwards could NOT get legislative support to raise the state’s minimum wage. Edwards says Lousiana remains one of the few states that still goes by the federal minimum wage…
cut 9 (10) “….for it”
Edwards backed a proposal to raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that allows Louisiana farmers to grow and process industrial hemp. There were concerns early in the process about a lack of research involving hemp growth. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says because the plant is just now becoming legal, it may take a few years for our growers to get access to optimal varieties of the plant.
Cut 15 (10) “grow here”
All growers will have to be licensed and strict regulations sill need to be finalized.

The opening of the Morganza Spillway has been postponed indefinitely. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the water levels on the Mississippi River are coming in lower than originally projected.
Cut 4 (10) “…on a daily basis.”
Boyett anticipates high water levels for at least the next month.

The 2019 Legislative session wrapped up yesterday at 6pm. Kevin Barnhart looks at what happened in the final moments before adjournment.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Orleans musical icon Doctor John has passed away at the age of 77. The six-time Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall Famer died of an apparent heart attack. The song, Right Place, Wrong Time was a top 10 hit in 1973.

House Republican delegation chairman Lance Harris says the state legislature missed a chance in the 2019 session to pass legislation to reduce the state’s auto insurance rates…
cut 11 (10) “…in the country”
But opponents say that legislation would be more of a benefit for insurance companies than the policy holder.

Governor Edwards signs industrial hemp legalization into law, potentially clearing a path for the first crop in Louisiana to be planted next year. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states for the next planting season.
Cut 13 (10) “40 degrees.”
The feds are expected to release their requirements for hemp regulation later this year. Hemp can be used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products.

The 2019 legislative session came to a close last night and Governor John Bel Edwards says it was a productive two months at the Capitol…
cut 1 (32) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

But the state legislature did not come through for Louisiana residents looking to play online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes. Despite public approval in 47 parishes last November, lawmakers did not pass a tax structure for the activity to take place in Louisiana.

The U-S Army of Corps of Engineers will not open the Morganza Spillway as previously scheduled and a new date on when the structure will open has not been set. Corps spokesman Rickey Boyett says the water level on the Mississippi River remains high, but they will not operate the Morganza unless the river level surpasses 62-feet at Red River Landing, which is north of the spillway….
cut 5 (05) “….Morganza control structure”

The governor has signed a bill that allows Louisiana farmers to grow hemp, which can be used for grain, fiber, building materials and CBD oil. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the parties involved will have to develop regulatory rules, which needs federal approval.
cut 14 (11) “….USDA”
Strain says if everything goes according to plan, Louisiana will join dozens of other states in growing hemp for the next planting season

Governor Edwards celebrated the end of the first legislative season of his tenure to not feature special sessions and says the passage of most of his legislative agenda points the state in the right direction. Edwards says a 300-million-dollar surplus made for smoother sailing when crafting a budget, as opposed to the fiscal chaos in previous years…
Cut 7 (10) “…session.”
The budget approved by lawmakers funds a one-thousand dollar pay raise for public school teachers and additional 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools.

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris says he’s glad the state passed the fetal hearbeat abortion bill, but his bill to lower the state sales tax rate in future years failed…
cut 12 (11) “…next year”

Six-time grammy award winner and New Orleans music legend Doctor John has passed away at the age of 77. His publicist says the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer died of a heart attack.

Louisiana farmers could plant hemp as early as next year after a legalization effort is signed into law….
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The 2019 Legislative session wrapped up Thursday at 6pm. Kevin Barnhart looks at what happened in the final moments before adjournment.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

Governor Edwards signs industrial hemp legalization into law, potentially clearing a path for the first crop in Louisiana to be planted early next year. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.

Cut 13 (10) “40 degrees.”

Edwards celebrated the end of the first legislative season of his tenure to not feature special sessions and says the passage of most of his legislative agenda points the state in the right direction. Edwards says the over 300-million-dollar surplus the state ran last year made for smoother sailing when crafting a budget, as opposed to previous years’ fiscal chaos…

Cut 7 (10) “…session.”

The Democrat touted the fact that that surplus was largely invested into education.

House Republican Chairman Lance Harris feels overall it’s been a great session.  Harris says among the most positive pieces of legislation was the controversial fetal heartbeat abortion ban, which has already been signed into law by Governor Edwards, but he bemoaned the fact that once again, legislation targeting the state’s sky high auto insurance rates crashed and burned…

Cut 11 (10) “…in the country.”