The LSU AgCenter is one step closer to getting medical marijuana to patients with cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS. Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Recreational fisherman will be able to cast a line for red snapper 200 miles into the Gulf on 39 days over 3 day weekends today through September 4th. Congressman Garret Graves says this is due to an agreement with the federal government, but they are working on a permanent plan:
Cut 9 (06) “long term”

MedStar Hospital says it will continue to update the condition of Congressman Steve Scalise on its Twitter account. They say he is still critical but has improved over the last 24 hours.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. They say Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking the suspect and bashing his head into a window while the suspect was handcuffed. LSP spokeswoman Melissa Matey:
Cut 12 (09) “just that”
Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident and is booked with on one count of simple battery.

There’s a chance the special session could end today as a budget deal is near. The Senate Finance Committee approved the nearly 29-billion dollar House approved spending plan Thursday, so if the full senate passes the budget today without any changes, it will go the governor.

The LSU baseball team is in Omaha, as the Tigers begin their quest for a seventh national championship at the College World Series.

Congressman Steve Scalise is still in critical condition, though MedStar Washington Hospital says he has improved over the last 24 hours. The Congressional Baseball game Scalise was practicing for when he was shot took place last night, and Louisiana’s District 1 Representative was honored by members wearing LSU hats.

Congressman Cedric Richmond says what happened to Scalise is a prime example of why lawmakers in Washington should have more security. He says something has to be done to keep all members of Congress safe at all times…:
Cut 15 (07) “on my own”
Scalise had a security detail because he is the third highest ranking member of the US House, but other congressmen do not have such protection.

The state legislature could have a budget in place for next fiscal year after today. If no amendments are added to the House approved plan, the full Senate can send it to the governor’s desk today.

A State Trooper has been charged with simple battery after allegedly using excessive force on someone being taken into custody. Trooper Melissa Matey says Master Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking a subject in the head, and….:
Cut 11 (10) “to shatter”
Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident.

Louisiana has opened up a 39 day red snapper fishing season in federal waters starting today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

After members of Congress were targeted in a Virginia shooting, New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says it’s time to ramp up security for lawmakers.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Meanwhile the hospital where Scalise is being treated says the House Majority Whip has improved over the last 24 hours, but remains in critical condition and will still need more surgeries.

The legislature is close to having a spending plan for next fiscal year in place as a House approved measure was quickly approved in the Senate Finance Committee Thursday and is set to hit the floor today.

Medical marijuana could be in the hands of patients suffering certain conditions by early next year, as another major step in the cultivation of the drug has been completed. A vendor for the program is now in place. LSU AgCenter Chancellor Dr. Bill Richardson says it’s been about a year since the board voted to allow LSU to grow medical marijuana..:
Cut 5 (10) “at it”
The plan is to contract with a bio-pharmaceutical research company from Las Vegas called GB Sciences.

It’s going to be a busy red snapper season for Louisiana anglers thanks to an agreement with the federal government. Starting today through September 4th, Gulf States will get 39 days to fish for red snapper in federal waters on weekends. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves:
Cut 7 (10) “fishing”

New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says it is time to ramp up security for federal lawmakers, after a shootout at a baseball park in Virginia left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise critically injured…:
Cut 13 (09) “that’s us”
Scalise had a security detail because he is the third highest ranking member of the US House, but other congressmen do not have such protection.

The House Majority Whip underwent another surgery on Thursday, and will remain in the hospital for some time, according to MedStar Washington Hospital. They say Scalise remains in critical condition, but has improved in the last 24 hours.

Lawmakers could be leaving the special session before the Monday deadline as the full Senate is set to vote on the House-approved $29 billion dollar spending plan this morning. If no changes are made to HB1 today, it will head to Governor John Bel Edwards, who supports the bill.

The LSU AgCenter selects a vendor for the medical marijuana program. AgCenter Chancellor Dr. Bill Richardson says the plan is to contract with a bio-pharmaceutical research company from Las Vegas called GB Sciences:
Cut 4 (08) “to work with”
He says this is the last major hurdle to getting the drug into the hands of those who need it, hopefully by early next year.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. John Neal is accused of going too far when chasing after a fleeing suspect. LSP spokeswoman Melissa Matey…:
Cut 10 (08) “at that time”
Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident and is booked with on one count of simple battery.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise remains in critical condition and reportedly had a third surgery today.. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Authorities say the 66-year-old Illinois man who shot Scalise and three others was living out of a white cargo van since march in northern Virginia. He’s been described as a loner and was seen working on a computer at a YMCA located near the baseball field where the shooting occurred. An exact motive is still not known.

A 28-billion dollar spending plan is one step away from final legislative passage after it received approval from the Senate Finance committee today. The special session to pass a state budget ends Monday and Houma Representative Tanner Magee is glad they are close to an agreement….
cut 9 (10) absolutely necessary
If the full Senate approves the plan tomorrow, it could be on the governor’s desk before the weekend.

An extensive criminal justice reform package approved by the legislature is now law as the bills associated with the overhaul were signed by Governor John Bel Edwards today. Edwards says many of these measures were successful in other states when it came to reducing the prison population…
cut 16 (09) “…broken from”
The bills signed into law will lead to shorter sentences for many non-violent offenders and expanded rehabilitation programs.

Lawmakers are close to reaching a budget agreement, as the Senate Finance Committee approves the spending plan for next fiscal year just one day after House approval. The bill allocates one hundred percent of the available dollars, but instructs the administration to hold back $60 million in case of a shortfall. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says no one got exactly what they wanted.

Cut 6 (07) “a shortfall”

House Republicans proposed withholding more money, while the Senate pushed to spend it all. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says while it isn’t perfect, this was the best compromise they could reach.

Cut 7 (10) “to do”

If the full Senate approves the plan tomorrow, it could be on the governor’s desk before the weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs 10 criminal justice reform bills into law in the hopes of reducing the state’s prison population by 10 percent in 10 years. Edwards says Louisiana could finally lose the title of incarceration capital of the world.

Cut 14 (08) “something better”

The measures are designed to expand parole eligibility and reduce sentences for nonviolent offenders.

There’s still a lot of concern at the State Capitol about former state lawmaker and current US House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the hip. President Donald Trump says the Jefferson Parish congressman remains in critical condition.

Cut 10 (11) “of the way”

Scalise was one of five people wounded in a shootout at a Virginia ball park during practice for a charity baseball game.

U.S House Majority Whip Steve Scalise reportedly had a third surgery today since he was shot in the hip on a ball field while preparing for a charity baseball game. The DC hospital treating Scalise say he was in shock following the shooting. LSU Health New Orleans trauma surgeon Doctor John Hunt says that means the congressman lost a lot of blood…
cut 12 (10) “…replete again”
The Baton Rouge Advocate reports Scalise’s injuries are not considered life threatening.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law 10 bills designed to reduce to the state’s inmate population by 10-percent over the next decade. Edwards says the millions of dollars saved will be reinvested to keep released inmates from returning to prison…
cut 15 (08) “…pay taxes”

A proposed budget for next fiscal year is one step away from final legislative passage, as the spending plan received approval by the Senate Finance committee, one day after House approval. Legislators are debating over whether to allocate 100-million dollars in case there is a revenue shortfall. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says no one wants to spend more money than we have, but they had to come to an agreement…
cut 8 (09) “…special session”

The LSU Baseball team arrived in Omaha today ahead of College World Series play that begins against Florida State on Saturday night. If the Tigers win it all, it would be the school’s seventh national championship, but head Coach Paul Mainieri says they will take it one game at a time:
Cut 4 (09) “next one”
Mainieri told his players it’s been a great season regardless of what happens in the CWS.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise remains in critical condition and reportedly had a third surgery today.. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There’s a chance the special session could end tomorrow as a budget deal is near. The Senate Finance Committee approved the nearly 29-billion dollar spending plan today, one day after the House approved it. So if the full senate passes the budget tomorrow without any changes, it will go the governor for him to sign it.

An extensive criminal justice reform package approved by the legislature is now law as the bills associated with the overhaul were signed by Governor John Bel Edwards today. Edwards says many of these measures were successful in other states when it came to reducing the prison population…
cut 16 (09) “…broken from”
The 10 bills signed into law will lead to shorter sentences for many non-violent offenders and expanded rehabilitation programs.

The LSU Tigers arrived at the College World Series today looking for their first national championship since 2009. Coach Paul Mainieri has told his players it’s been a great season regardless of what happens in Omaha…
cut 5 (12) “….that way”
LSU will face Flordia State on Saturday night

Multiple reports say Congressman Steve Scalise has undergone a third surgery. D-C doctors say the gunshot wound to the left hip fractured bones, injured internal organs and caused severe bleeding. LSU Health New Orleans trauma surgeon, Doctor John Hunt, says multiple surgeries are not uncommon, especially if the bullet impacts the stomach area…
cut 13 (11) “…the operation”
A 28-billion dollar spending plan is one step away from final legislative passage after it received approval from the Senate Finance committee today. The special session to pass a state budget ends Monday and Houma Representative Tanner Magee is glad they are close to an agreement….
cut 9 (10) absolutely necessary

Governor John Bel Edwards signed 10 criminal justice reform measures aimed at reducing the state’s prison population by 10-percent
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The LSU Tigers have arrived in Omaha the site of the College World Series. Head Coach Paul Mainieri says even though this team doesn’t have a lot of experience in the C-W-S, his players seem cool, calm and confident…
Cut 3 (09) “be victorious”

President Donald Trump says wounded Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana is in trouble, but hopefully will be okay. The No. 3 GOP leader from Jefferson Parish is in critical condition after being shot in the hip. One of his procedures since was necessary to stop the bleeding, according to the hospital. LSU Health New Orleans trauma surgeon Dr. John Hunt says what that means is the patient lost a lot of blood…:
Cut 12 (10) “replete again”
The Advocate is reporting that doctors are still trying to locate the bullet.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. They say Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking the suspect and bashing his head into a window while the suspect was handcuffed. Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident and is booked with on one count of simple battery.

The Senate Finance Committee approved the budget plan passed by the House on Wednesday, leaving the full Senate left to vote on it. The proposed $28 billion-plus operating budget will be reviewed by the Upper Chamber on Friday morning. Lawmakers have until Monday to pass a budget without forcing another special session.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed 10 bills into law today that will result in shorter sentences for many non-violent offenders and expanded rehabilitation programs. Edwards predicts the new sentencing laws will reduce the prison population by 10-percent and Louisiana will finally lose the title as the incarceration capital of the world…:
Cut 14 (08) “something better”
It’s estimated these new laws will save the state 262 million dollars over the next 10 years.