The Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives is demanding that medical marijuana be available for patients by May 15th. L-A-T-A executive director Jesse McCormick says it was nearly four years ago when the legislature opened the door for the dispensing of medicinal cannabis and May 15th is a workable deadline…
cut 5 (10) “…get there”
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain hopes they can hit the deadline, but it will depend on how quick testing goes.

It took longer than expected, but the ribbon was cut today on a new 72-bed juvenile detention center in Bunkie. Deputy Secretary for the office of Juvenile Justice, Doctor James Bueche says this facility should lead to better outcomes for troubled teens…
cut 13 (10) “…the kids”
Bueche says they plan to use this model moving forward for all new facilities.

The governor’s office says based on the numbers released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state’s personal income growth increased by 4.5 percent for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 3-point-eight percent for the year. John Bel Edwards says that means Louisiana personal incomes hit a record high of 215-billion dollars in 2018.

Today is Diabetes Alert Day which is meant to bring awareness to testing for prediabetes. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Office of Juvenile Justice cut the ribbon on a new, modern rehabilitation facility in Avoyelles Parish today after months of delays. Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says it’s based on the “Missouri Model”.

Cut 12 (09) “…facilities.”
The first 12 incarcerated youths will be housed in the facility which is set to expand over the next few months to 72 beds.

NFL owners are taking up proposals today, inspired by the infamous “No Call” that would potentially expand the use of replay and challenges.  Saints coach Sean Payton, who sits on the competition committee, has led the charge for replay expansion, says the NFL cannot fear change, and warned leadership about the dangers another blown call in a significant game could pose to the league’s image and integrity.

Cut 8 (09) “…alarming”

Today is Diabetes Alert Day, a day where Americans are encouraged to find out if they are at risk for pre-diabetes. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes and 90% don’t know they have it. Outpatient Medical Center diabetes prevention project coordinator Cynthia Parker says someone can get tested quickly online.

Cut 9 (12) “…risk for prediabetes.”

Here’s a look at your commodities.

After repeated delays, the Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives has demanded to state regulators for medical marijuana to be available by May 15th. The group made their request at a stakeholders meeting that involved the licensed pharmacists, the contracted growers and state ag commissioner Mike Strain. G-B Sciences is working with LSU on growing medicinal pot and they say a first batch could be available in May and L-A-T-A executive director Jesse McCormick says that’s good to hear…

Cut 4 (07) “…up and running″

NFL owners are taking up proposals today, inspired by the infamous “No Call” that would potentially expand the use of replay and challenges. Seven potential changes are being discussed and could be voted on today, or could be delayed until May. Saints owner Gayle Benson says she knows the fans back home are looking for changes from the meeting.

Cut 6 (11) “…happened”

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is proposing a budget that covers the 1,000 dollar teacher and 500 dollar support staff pay raise sought by Governor Edwards. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The identities of the two bodies discovered following a welfare check in Tangipahoa Parish have been released. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says 41-year-old Mica Sood Fitzhugh and 44-year-old Robert Wolf were discovered yesterday morning in a Ponchatoula residence. Preliminary investigation indicates the incident to be domestic in nature. The investigation is on-going.

After repeated delays, the Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives has demanded that medical marijuana be available by May 15th. It was almost four years ago when the state legislature approved the framework for dispensing and L-A-T-A executive director Jesse McCormick says it’s time for the product to hit the shelves…
cut 3 (09) “….can’t execute”
The L-A-T-A group made their request at a stakeholders meeting involving state ag commissioner Mike Strain, who says testing will be a critical part of the process.

Many women in coastal southeast Louisiana are still experiencing high levels of trauma nearly a decade after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. That’s according to an LSU Health New Orleans study.Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says unfortunately less than half reported receiving mental health treatment…
Cut 6 (10) “…to seek treatment.”
Nearly two-thousand women participated in the study.

Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich has asked the two GOP candidates for governor, Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham, not to attack each other.
cut 9 (11) “…the state”
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in 2015 the republican candidates attacked former Senator David Vitter so much, he was wounded when he faced Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in the runoff.

The legislative session is less than two weeks away and the governor and legislators are expected to make a strong effort towards giving teachers a pay raise. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry backs the across-the-board raise and says merit based hikes would be difficult to implement…
cut 12 (11) “…environment”
Henry has introduced a proposed budget for next fiscal year that contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise.

Louisiana pharmacists are demanding that medical marijuana be available to eligible patients by May 15th. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 1 (30) “….Thorington”

The Louisiana Board of Pardons has denied former Ball Mayor Roy Hebron’s effort for a pardon, which means he will not serve as the mayor of the Rapides Parish town. Hebron was elected as mayor in November, but the state’s constitution says he can’t serve because of his 2011 conviction for FEMA fraud. A new election will need to take place.

Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry has filed a proposed budget for next fiscal year that has the money to give teachers a one-thousand dollar pay raise. Henry says the goal is also to give additional funding for early childhood education…
cut 11 (09) “…childhood development”

And Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich has asked the two GOP candidates for governor, Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham not to attack each other during the campaign. Gurvich says instead any attacks should be on Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a wise strategy…
cut 8 (12) “…accept that”
The gubernatorial primary is in October.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is proposing a budget that covers the 1,000 dollar teacher and 500 dollar support staff pay raise sought by Governor Edwards. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards will be in Bunkie this morning along Juvenile Justice Officials attending the long awaited ribbon cutting ceremony for the Acadiana Center for Youth. The new state of the art juvenile dormitory will specialize in treating violent teenagers. The 72-bed facility in Bunkie is radically different from others in the state because it’s based on a therapeutic approach which focuses on more rehabilitation versus punishment.

Women in coastal southeast Louisiana are still experiencing trauma almost a decade after the oil spill, that’s according to A LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health study. Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says many of the women studied are also not seeking the proper care for their mental health.

Cut 6 (10) “…to seek treatment.”

Nearly two-thousand women were among the study

With the arrival of spring and summer approaching, the likelihood of crossing paths with young birds that appear to be in distress rises. While the temptation for some to scoop them up in an effort to assist the animal is there, many times what appears to be trouble is actually quite natural for fledglings. LDWF bird biologist Melissa Collins…

Cut 13 (08) “…orphaned birds undisturbed.”

Collins adds if someone still feels that a bird is in trouble, they should contact LDWF before attempting to handle the animal.

Louisiana Republican Party chairman Louis Gurvich says he’s making it clear that there will be no negative campaigning between Republicans in this year’s governor’s race. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says four years ago the race was thrown by Republicans after they let their primary candidates shred front-runner David Vitter like pulled pork.

Cut 7 (11) “…them”

A LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health study finds women in southeast Louisiana exposed to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill continue to experience symptoms of trauma. Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says five classes of symptoms were observed in the women who reported being linked indirectly to the oil spill.

Cut 5 (06) “…populations as well.”

Close to two-thousand women who live in seven coastal parishes affected by the spill were among the study.

A May 15^th deadline to dispense medical marijuana has been issued by the Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives. Doug Boudreaux with the Association made the ultimatum to department of agriculture officials, citing frustrations with delays since medicinal cannabis approval nearly four years ago. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain said he hopes to meet the May 15^th deadline but he would not commit, citing he wants to make sure the product is safe.

Wildlife and Fisheries says this is the time of year in which people may come into contact with birds that appear to need help.  What should you do if that happens?

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Budget hearings start next Monday and most state leaders appear to be on-board to give teachers a raise, including Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry who has proposed a budget that includes a $1,000 raise for teachers and an additional 500 for support staff…

Cut 10 (11) “…million dollars”

The raises would cover workers in K-12 education.

A LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health study finds women in southeast Louisiana exposed to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill continue to experience symptoms of trauma, even nine years following the incident. Lead author Dr. Ed Peters says they studied nearly two-thousand women who live in seven coastal parishes affected by the spill…

Cut 4 (11) “…the oil spill.”

Peters says many of the women studied are not seeking the proper care for their mental health.

Louisiana’s GOP chairman is trying to keep the primary from devolving into another 2015 bloodbath that political analysts say helped put Democrat John Bel Edwards in the governor’s mansion. Matt Doyle has the story.

The US Justice Department says the Mueller Report does not indicate the President colluded with Russia in the 2016 election. Matt Doyle has Louisiana reaction…
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East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says there are no plans to pursue charges against Louisiana Democratic Party chairwoman and state senator Karen Carter Peterson for illegally entering a Baton Rouge casino. Peterson has admitted to a gambling problem and voluntarily put her name on a list of people banned from Louisiana casinos.

Pediatricians and the American Heart Association call for regulations to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks by kids. Dr. John Maa with the American Heart Association says for the first time, pediatricians are calling for a tax on sugary drinks, among other measures.

Cut 4 (13) “…in restaurant meals.″
Data shows that for children and teens, 17% of their calories come from added sugars. Nearly half of those are coming from drinks alone, with children consuming an average of 30 gallons of sugary drinks annually.

A West Carroll Parish woman faces life in prison after she allegedly shot and killed one person and critically injured two others early Saturday morning at Blackberry’s Bar and Billards in Lake Providence. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 34-year-old Quinessiah Sanders of Epps fatally shot Cheryl Lewis…

Cut 6 (09) “…the shooting.”

The US Justice Department says that special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation did not find any conspired or coordinated effort between President Trump and the Russian government to influence the 2016 election. Minority Whip Steve Scalise is glad the partisan witchunt is over.
Cut 9 (12) “…collusion.”
Democrats are calling for the entire report to be released.

The statewide average for a price of regular gasoline is $2.38, which is 26-cents higher than a month ago, but is about what we were paying at this time last year. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says expect the price to rise another 30 cents over the next couple of months…
cut 14 (11) “…same prices”

Pediatricians and the American Heart Association call for regulations to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks by kids. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU is one of the 16 teams still alive in the NCAA Tournament after a heart stopping 69-67 win over Maryland on Saturday in Jacksonville. LSU is 28-6 on the season and they will play Michigan State on Friday night in Washington D-C. It’s only the second meeting ever on the hardwood between the two teams. Tip off Friday is at 6:09.