A House committee advances legislation that would move regulatory power of the state’s medical marijuana program out of the Ag Department and into the Department of Health. Making the product available to the public has faced repeated delays and grower GB Sciences President John Davis is tired of the wait.

Cut 7 (10) “…work.”

GB Sciences is partnered with the LSU AgCenter to grow part of the state’s medical marijuana crop.

Governor Edwards has deemed May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. So far 20 people have died this year in motorcycle accidents and nearly 300 injured. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says the department offers a refresher course for riders

Cut 11 (08) “…around the state.”

A Council for a Strong America report says the state needs to do more in making sure parents are able to find child care. CEO of the Committee of 100 Michael Olivier (Olivia) says the infant and child care crisis is costing the state $1.1 billion each year and that’s lost earnings and productivity

Cut 4 (10) “…they can afford.”

5,000 children are currently on a state waiting list for funding to pay for child care education

A new report indicates when parents can’t find affordable child care, it carries a heavy cost for Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A bill has advanced to the House floor that would transfer regulatory control of the state’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Ag to the Department of Health as frustration grows over the delays of getting the product to the public. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Three Louisiana Tech team’s fields appear to be totaled as a result of the EF-3 tornado that tore through Ruston last month. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A Council for a Strong America report says the state needs to do more in making sure parents are able to find child care. CEO of the Committee of 100 Michael Olivier says the infant and child care crisis is costing the state $1.1 billion each year and that’s lost earnings and productivity

Cut 4 (10) “…they can afford.”

5,000 kids are currently on a state waiting list for funding to pay for child care education.  Olivier says hopes the legislature allocates $31 million in funding to eliminate the waiting list. But Governor Edwards is pushing for the state to spend more money on public education and his plan is to increase funding for early childhood education next year.

Olivier says it is not just parents who take on the financial burden of lost productivity when they are not able to find suitable childcare.

Cut 5 (08) “…this child care.”

Olivier says early childhood care and education is vital for helping build a better society and will offer a better payoff in preparation as children go into the later years of education.

Cut 6 (10) “…a better society.”
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A House committee advances legislation that would move regulatory power of the state’s medical marijuana program out of the Ag Department and into the Department of Health. Making the product available to the public has faced repeated delays and grower GB Sciences President John Davis is tired of the wait.

Cut 7 (10) “…work.”

GB Sciences is partnered with the LSU AgCenter to grow part of the state’s medical marijuana crop.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain surprised the committee by revealing they discovered a pesticide and mercury in GB’s crop, but Davis says they’ve independently tested every facet of their growing process, and there’s no mercury to be found. Davis says it’s another example of a deteriorating line of communication.

Cut 8 (07) “…meeting”

Strain says the amount of mercury was within safe levels.

Strain defended his department against accusations they have been responsible for the frequent delays. The Commissioner says they’ve followed every protocol necessary to ensure the plant is safe for consumption.

Cut 9 (12) “…safety″

The legislation is being brought by Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller.

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Governor Edwards has deemed May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. With the weather more favorable for hitting the road on two wheels, State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says motorcycles are more present on the roadways, and LSP is offering a refresher course for riders.

Cut 10 (09) “…the advanced rider.”

So far in 2019, 20 people have died and nearly 300 have been injured in motorcycle accidents on stat roads. Sandifer says the popular courses are offered in many areas around Louisiana.

Cut 11 (08) “…around the state.”

Sandifer says in addition to the Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operator Training Program, law enforcement needs the help of those behind the wheel to be extra cautious on the roadways to keep an eye out of bikers.

Cut 12 (08) “…see at times.”

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Preliminary estimates show the devastating EF-3 tornado that ripped through Ruston likely destroyed Louisiana Tech’s softball, baseball, and soccer fields.

Athletic Director Tommy McClelland says the estimates aren’t final, but they do not expect at this time that the facilities are usuable

Cut 13 (12) “…mother”

Two people were killed in the deadly incident last month.

Between insurance and federal funds, McClelland expects to have some funds to work with to get those three program’s back up and running. But there’s a major question left to answer, do they rebuild on old ground, or pick new locations for the three fields?

Cut 14 (10) “…effective.”

While they sort through the wreckage, the school is working to find out where the teams will be playing for their upcoming seasons. McClelland says they’re hoping to find a season long, single location solution for all three teams, but if not…

Cut 15 (09) “ideal.”

Legislation that would allow an increase in the number of hours a minor can work without receiving a break stalled out on the House floor after a heated debate. Matt Doyle has sound from both sides…

cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

A proposal backed by vaccine critics that would require providers to give patients a list of information about vaccines prior to administering them was rejected by a House Health and Welfare Committee on a 9-4 vote.

One day after the Senate rejected legislation to abolish the death penalty, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill that would allow the state to keep it a secret on where they purchase lethal drugs to carry out an execution.Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010 and a major stumbling block is the state’s inability to acquire the drugs needed to perform a lethal injection, because pharmaceutical companies do not want to be associated with it. Covington Representative Mark Wright is in favor of the secrecy bill, because he says the death penalty can be used to deter crime

Cut 13 (12) “…rampage”

A House committee advances legislation on a 6-4 vote that would move regulatory responsibilities for medical marijuana out of the Ag Department and into the Department of Health.

The product has faced repeated delays over the years, and grower GB Sciences’ Executive Vice President John Davis is tired of the wait.

Cut 7 (10) “…work.”

President Trump is scheduled to visit Louisiana next Tuesday to highlight job growth of the energy sector in Cameron Parish as he’ll tour Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility. Cameron Parish Assistant Administrator Darrell Williams says they are elated for the visit.

Cut 3 (06) “…places to visit.”

A bill that would up the amount of time a minor has to work before getting a break from five hours to eight hours has stalled in the House after a heated argument on the lower chamber floor. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the legislation would endanger teen’s education, and it’s unfair to push them to work seven and a half hours straight while paying them 7.25 an hour. Bill writer, Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews countered saying teenagers have not proven their worth yet, leading to this confrontation…

Cut 8 (12) “…which one”

One day after the Senate rejected legislation to abolish the death penalty, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill that would allow the state to keep it a secret on where they purchase lethal drugs to carry out an execution. Alison McCrary, a nun for the Sisters for Christian Community spoke in opposition

Cut 12 (09) “…human being.”

Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010 and a major stumbling block is the state’s inability to acquire the drugs needed to perform a lethal injection, because pharmaceutical companies do not want to be associated with it. After a lengthy discussion, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton was ready to send the bill to the House floor

Cut 15 (12) “…bill favorably.”

It passed on an 8-2 vote. It now faces more discussion on the House floor. It’s also been approved by House Criminal Justice.

A bill that would up the amount of time a minor has to work before getting a break from five hours to eight hours has stalled in the House after a heated argument on the lower chamber floor. Tensions built up from other labor bills spilled over into this debate, as the premise shocked lawmakers like New Orleans Representative Gary Carter.
Cut 6 (10) “…break”
Supporters of the bill say it would increase teen employment opportunities.
CenLA Law enforcement believe there are women out there who was held captive by a man identified as 56-year-old Justin Walters of Colfax. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says says the suspect used social media to start a relationship with his victims…
Cut 10 (11) “…victims”
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One day after the Senate rejected legislation to abolish the death penalty, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill that would allow the state to keep it a secret on where they purchase lethal drugs to carry out an execution. Opponents argue it’s wrong for the state to keep drugs used in a lethal injection a secret. Scott Sternberg with the Louisiana Press Association says this issue demands transparency.
Cut 14 (06) “…constitution”
Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010 and a major stumbling block is the state’s inability to acquire the drugs needed to perform a lethal injection, because pharmaceutical companies do not want to be associated with it. After a lengthy discussion, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton was ready to send the bill to the House floor.
Cut 15 (12) “…bill favorably.”
It passed on an 8-2 vote. It now faces more discussion on the House floor. It’s also been approved by House Criminal Justice.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill that would allow the state to keep secret where they purchase lethal drugs to carry out an execution. Pharma companies have stopped selling Louisiana those chemicals, but supporters, like Covington Representative Mark Wright say the law would encourage them to begin again. He adds restarting executions is a public safety issue.
Cut 13 (12) “…rampage”
A bill that would up the amount of time a minor has to work before getting a break from five hours to eight hours has stalled in the House after a heated argument on the lower chamber floor. Bill writer, Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews, says the legislation would improve adolescent employment opportunities, and…
Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”
Opponents argue it would impact high schooler’s education.
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President Trump is scheduled to tour Sempra’s Cameron LNG Export Facility next Tuesday, highlighting energy-related job growth during his third trip to Louisiana since taking office. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
New LSU athletics director Scott Woodward appeared on ESPN’s After Further Review with Matt Mascona and was asked about basketball coach Will Wade. Woodward says Wade has their support and backing and it will be that way until it’s not. He added that they hope Wade is LSU’s coach for a long time, but things change and minds change.

CenLA Law enforcement believe there are women out there who was held captive by a man identified as 56-year-old Justin Walters of Colfax. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says Walters is behind bars, accused of physically restraining three women, beating them for days and raping at least one of the victims.
Cut 9 (07) “…sexually abused“.
Anyone with information should call (318) 627-2017.
One day after the Senate rejected legislation to abolish the death penalty, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill that would allow the state to keep it a secret on where they purchase lethal drugs to carry out an execution. Alison McCrary, a nun for the Sisters for Christian Community spoke in opposition
Cut 12 (09) “…human being.”
Proponents argue the bill is necessary to facilitate executions.
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President Trump is scheduled to visit Louisiana next Tuesday. Trump will highlight job growth of the energy sector in Cameron Parish and tour a shipping facility that uses trains to bring in liquefied natural gas for export overseas. Cameron Parish Assistant Administrator Darrell Williams says since the Trump took office, the energy industry has grown in the parish.

Cut 4 (09) “…in Cameron Parish.” 

A bill that would up the amount of time a minor has to work before getting a break from five hours to eight hours has stalled in the House after heated arguments. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the legislation would endanger teen’s education, and it’s unfair to push them to work seven and a half hours straight while paying them 7.25 an hour, but Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews disagrees…
Cut 8 (12) “…which one”

President Trumps is scheduled to visit Louisiana next Tuesday, highlighting job growth of the energy sector in Cameron Parish and to tour a shipping facility that uses trains to bring in liquefied natural gas for export overseas. Cameron Parish Assistant Administrator Darrell Williams says the latest jobs numbers in the parish have reflected positively upon the LNG industry.

Cut 5 (09) “…in Cameron Parish.”

CenLA Law enforcement believes there are women out there who were held captive by a man identified as 56-year-old Justin Walters of Colfax. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says Walters moved to Grant Parish in 2014 from Rapides and has an extensive criminal history that started in 2010. The sheriff believes there are more victims out there and encourages them to come forward.

Cut 11 (12)   “…behind bars.”

Legislation that would allow an increase in the number of hours a minor can work without receiving a break stalled out on the House floor after a heated debate. Matt Doyle has sound from both sides…

cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

A bill that would up the amount of time a minor has to work before getting a break from five hours to eight hours was sent back to the schedule after a heated argument on the House floor. Tensions built up from other labor bills spilled over into this debate, as the premise shocked lawmakers like New Orleans Representative Gary Carter.
Cut 6, 10 seconds, break?
proponents say the legislation would improve adolescent employment opportunities.
President Trumps is scheduled to visit Louisiana next Tuesday. Trump will highlight job growth of the energy sector in Cameron Parish and tour a shipping facility that uses trains to bring in liquefied natural gas for export overseas. Assistant Administrator Darrell Williams says residents are elated for the visit.
Cut 3 (06) “…places to visit.”
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CenLA Law enforcement believe there are women out there who was held captive by a man identified as 56-year-old Justin Walters of Colfax. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says the suspect used social media to start a relationship with his victims…
Cut 10 (11) “…victims”
A bill to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected soared through the Senate 31-5, and is headed to the House. The debate on the measure placed bill author Shreveport Senator John Milkovich in a tense confrontation with and New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson. Their debate was related back to Milkovich’s vote against a constitutional amendment barring the death penalty. Senator Peterson appeared to express concerns about Milkovich’s hypocrisy, and walked him into this statement…
Cut 15 (08) “kay.”

The constitutional amendment aimed letting voters decide the fate of the death penalty in Louisiana will not make it on the November 2020 ballot. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
A St. Mary parish Councilman was arrested and booked into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center on stalking and narcotics charges. 50-year-old James Bennet was arrested earlier this year for stalking, but Berwick Police say he continued to stalk the same victim even after the initial arrest, which led to a warrant for search of his apartment, and the seizure of steroids and electronic devices.
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CenLA Law enforcement believe there are women out there who were held captive by a man identified as 56-year-old Justin Walters of Colfax. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says Walters is behind bars, accused of physically restraining three women, beating them for days and raping at least one of the victims…
Cut 9 (07) “…sexually abused“.
The Louisiana Department of Health is emphasizing the importance of immunizations in the wake of the nationwide measles outbreak. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says measles vaccine misinformation and myths are putting people at risk, adding myths such as vaccines being a cause for autism and containing mercury are not true.
Cut 8 (09) “…our communities safe.”
of those national measles cases, over 72% were unvaccinated.