Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation support the president’s decision to launch a missile attack on a Syrian airbase. Military expert Maj. General Ron Richard of Louisiana says this action was necessary given the heinous chemical attack on civilians, and these missiles caused serious damage.

Cut 7 (08) “of action”

A Baton Rouge man faces over 200 counts of theft after allegedly cashing his dead mother’s retirement checks from the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph’s father was the beneficiary for his wife’s retirement checks after Ruby Joseph passed away in 1997.

Cut 9 (09) “send checks”

Joseph collected over $400 thousand in undue benefits.

A bill filed for the regular session would exempt tampons from the state sales tax. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Ehrenberg supports the bill and says Louisiana women living below the poverty line could use any extra savings they can get.

Cut 13 (08) “than opposition”

But she does expect some push back since women’s issues bills haven’t had much success in the legislature.

Festival season is in full swing in all corners of the Bayou State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Blues Festival gets underway in the Capitol City, while the Crawfish Festival kicks off in Lake Charles. He says there’s plenty to do in Louisiana this weekend.

Cut 3 (11) “strawberry festival”

Louisiana holds over 400 festivals a year.

A proposed law would exempt items like tampons and diapers from the state sales tax. Emelie Gunn has more….
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Reducing the state’s incarceration rate is one of Governor Edwards’ priorities in the session….
cut 16 (09) “…any longer”
Edwards says they are recommending strategies that have worked in other southern conservative states.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says a Baton Rouge man has been arrested after he allegedly cashed in his deceased parent’s retirement checks for 18 years. Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph the Second has been charged with 201 counts of felony theft and two counts of identity theft….
cut 10 (11) “…particular benefits”
Joseph’s mother died in 1997. Her husband was a beneficary and he died about a year later. Landry says Joseph forged his signature on checks that the teacher retirement system kept sending.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says President Trump should have received Congressional approval before authorizing a military strike on an air base in Syria. But retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana said on W-R-K-F’s Talk Louisiana that he supports the President’s surprise attack…
cut 8 (07) “…to do”

Governor John Bel Edwards has some big priorities for the legislative session that begins Monday. One of those is raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, a hike he calls modest but meaningful. Edwards says in 2017, $7.25 an hour is inadequate to pay for the basic cost of living..:
Cut 15 (11) “one job”
Another key item on the Governor’s legislative agenda is criminal justice reform.

Lt. Governor Billy says festival season is in full swing and it’s a great time to for locals to show off the Louisiana lifestyle and hospitality..
Cut 4 (07) “new friend”
The Blues Festival is getting underway in Baton Rouge, the Ponchatoula Strawberry festival is also this weekend as is the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans and Crawfish Festival in Lake Charles.

A New Orleans lawmaker has filed a bill that would eliminate the state sales tax when purchasing feminine products. Senator J.P. Morrell’s measure would exempt items like tampons and diapers. Supporter of the bill, executive director of Lift Louisiana, Michelle Erenberg, says these products are not luxury items for women….:
Cut 12 (10) “of money”
Erenberg says this is common sense legislation.

President Trump is being praised by several members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation for the missile strike against Syria, including Senator John Kennedy. Kennedy calls Syrian’s president a thug who cannot murder his own citizens and children without expecting consequences. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise also approved of the missile strike. The Republican Representative from Metairie called it a “clear message.”

Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation fully support the United States missile attack on an air base in Syria. Military Expert Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says the president made the right move following Syria’s chemical attack on civilians…:
Cut 6 (10) “took place”

A Baton Rouge man faces over 200 counts of theft for allegedly cashing his dead mother’s retirement checks for 18 years. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph stole over $400 thousand from the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System…:
Cut 11 (10) “go to work”
He hopes this action is a clear warning to would-be criminals looking to defraud our State.

It’s festival season in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the festivals underway around the state…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana’s junior U.S. Senator, John Kennedy, praised today’s confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. He said it was the right move to put someone in such a role who truly understands how to interpret the law, not make it.

Lotte Chemical announces they’re moving headquarters from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the company is also teaming up with Westlake Chemical to build a $2 billion ethane cracker complex there. He says Lotte also added a $1 billion plant at location…:
Cut 14 (10) “to Louisiana”
Lotte Chemical is based in Korea, while Westlake is out of Taiwan.

It’s a big weekend for festivals in Louisiana. You have the crawfish festival in Lake Charles, Blues Festival in Baton Rouge and Ponchatoula Strawberry festival are some of the big ones. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says these great tourist attractions are a great chance show off Louisiana’s lifestyle and hospitality….
cut 4 (07) “….new friend”
Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation fully support the United States missile attack on an air base in Syria. U-S Senator John Kennedy calls Syria’s President a thug and says he can not murder his own citizens and children without expecting consequences. President Trump says the military action was needed in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is New Orleans is ongoing working on ways to treat opioid addiction. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Researchers and doctors are looking at different ways to treat addiction at the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference that’s underway in New Orleans. Addiction Specialist Ross DeLeonardo with LSU Health New Orleans says they’re working to develop new maintenance drug treatments like a rod put under the skin.

Cut 9 (10) “prescriptions”

Critics of maintenance medications say users can abuse the drugs.

The Department of Transportation breaks ground on a project to widen I-10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this will increase the highway’s capacity for the 60-thousand people who drive the 7 mile stretch every day.

Cut 4 (09) “on interstates”

The Bayou State gets a big gain in economic development, as Lotte Chemical’s headquarters is moving from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the Korean based company is partnering with Westlake Chemical out of Taiwan on a $2 billion ethane cracker at the junction of Interstates 10 and 210.

Cut 15 (09) “chemical production”

Pierson says Lotte also added a $1 billion plant at the junction.

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off today. Festival King Bill Wheat says people should get their strawberries soon because the season is winding down.

Cut 11 (11) “on supply”

The weekend festival draws around 200 thousand people a year.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is underway in New Orleans where doctors address new ways to treat opioid addiction. Addiction Specialist at LSU Heath New Orleans Ross DeLeonardo Jr., says unlike methadone clinics where users have to wait in line daily, maintenance medications would gives an addict an alternative and chance to get their lives in order…:
Cut 8 (09) “same way”

The Department of Transportation has broken ground on a project to widen a 7 mile section of Interstate 10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this should alleviate congestion in the Lafayette area and lead to a smoother ride for a very important highway:
Cut 5 (10) “to grow”
He says 60-thousand people drive this stretch of highway every day.

Richland Parish Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham issued a statement in response to the United States attack on a Syrian air base. He says the use of chemical weapons on innocent women and children is a war crime that cannot go unanswered and he strongly supports the president’s move. Abraham is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The Strawberry Festival kicks off today in Ponchatoula. Halen Doughty has more on this weekend’s festivities…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is underway in New Orleans. Doctors are working on ways to treat opioid addiction.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

DOTD broke ground on a 7 mile section of Interstate 10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. Secretary Shawn Wilson says construction will begin in May, and the project is expected to take two years to complete…:
Cut 6 (09) “this project”
He says 60-thousand people drive this stretch of highway every day.

There are a ton of festivals going on throughout the state this weekend, and the weather is going to be delightful. The second biggest free event in the state, the three day Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, begins today. Festival Queen Katie Robinson…:
Cut 12 (08) “larger crowds”
The festival draws around 200,000 people every year. The 34th annual French Quarter Festival in New Orleans is also underway through Sunday.

Louisiana got some more great job news this week as Lotte Chemical announces they’re moving headquarters from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says the company is also teaming up with Westlake Chemical to build a roughly $2 billion ethane cracker complex there. He says Lotte also added a $1 billion plant at location…:
Cut 14 (10) “to Louisiana”
Lotte Chemical is based in Korea, while Westlake is out of Taiwan.

The Department of Transportation breaks ground on a project to widen a 7 mile stretch of I-10 in the Lafayette area. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

During the rape trial in Baton Rouge of the former Sons of Guns reality TV star, Will Hayden, the suspect took the stand and denied ever assaulting anyone. This came after a 15-year-old accuser became physically ill during her own testimony in which she stated Hayden ruined her life by forcing her into a sexual relationship. The prosecution is expected to call at least one witness this morning.

The city of New Orleans is hosting the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference where doctors from around the world will meet to discuss alternatives to treating opiod addictions. Addiction Specialist at LSU Heath New Orleans Ross DeLeonardo Jr. will be there. He says they’ll be discussing how to medically treat out of control addicts:
CUT 25 (09) “their life”
Some criticize the use of medicine to treat addition, but DeLeonardo says they think of it in terms of a “harm reduction model.”

Louisiana Economic Development announces Lotte Chemical is moving their headquarters from Houston to Lake Charles. LED Secretary Don Pierson says Lotte already has a chemical plant under construction at the junction of Interstates 10 and 210. He says this is a big win for the Bayou State.:
Cut 13 (10) “for Louisiana”
Together, the plant and corporate headquarters will create 130 new direct jobs, with an average annual salary of more than $80,000, plus benefits.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s annual conference is underway in New Orleans bringing together researchers and doctors from around the world to address new ways to treat opioid addiction. Addiction Specialist at LSU Heath New Orleans Ross DeLeonardo Jr., says they are trying to find alternatives to the traditional 12 step program…:
Cut 7 (10) “90%”

The Department of Transportation has broken ground on a project to widen a 7 mile section of Interstate 10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this will increase the interstate’s capacity for the 60-thousand people who drive this stretch every day..:
Cut 4 (09) “on interstates”
He says they are replacing the original pavement and widening it to three lanes.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ office released a memo Thursday saying Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves can no longer be trusted to convey accurate information about Louisiana’s response to 2016 flooding. The statement comes in response to the Congressional hearing this week in which the GOP blamed the state for the slow recovery process. The administration says Graves’ claim that Louisiana has $1.6 billion dollars its not spending is not true as the federal government has not yet released the money.

It’s going to be a beautiful weather weekend for the many events going on across the state, including the three day popular Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival which kicks off today. This year’s queen is Queen Katie Robinson
Cut 10 (09) “eating contest”
It’s the second largest free festival in the state and attended by around 200,000 people every year.