The pest that eats Ash Trees has been discovered in Union Parish. Emelie Gunn has more on the Emerald Ash Borer in north Louisiana.
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The House Education Committee has approved a bill to require students to recite part of the Declaration of Independence every day, like they do with the Pledge of Allegiance. Jeff Palermo has more…
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Captain Clay Higgins, who achieved internet fame through his viral crime stoppers videos, has announced he is running for Congress. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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The federally regulated insect pest of Ash Trees, the Emerald Ash Borer, has been found in Union Parish. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the pest originates in Asia and was first found in the U.S. in 2002 and is now in four Louisiana parishes. He says the main way Emerald Ash Borer is transmitted is by the moving of firewood.
The United States Forestry Service identified the invasive pest and over 470 traps to catch the insect have been installed. Strain says the emerald Ash Borer doesn’t attack hardwoods or pine trees.
The Emerald Ash Borer is now in Union, Bossier, Claiborne, and Webster Parishes and a quarantine is in place. Strain says you can lose an entire forest of ash trees in 10 years, because of the pest. He says they’re working with the LSU Ag Center and USDA to control the bug.
Cut 6 (08) “biological control”
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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll sign a bill today that expands the list of medical conditions for which medical marijuana can be prescribed. Under the legislation by St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills, individuals with seizure disorders and cancer could use medical cannabis once it becomes available. Edwards says it’s just the right thing to do.
Edwards spoke on his monthly call-in radio show about signing of the medical marijuana bill. The governor says, however, he does not support the legalization of recreational marijuana. But he says he’s happy to let Colorado and Washington do that if that’s what they want.
Edwards was asked how he would address the problem of opiate addiction in Louisiana. He says one key thing to do is to get Narcan, a medication that treats people who overdose, into the hands of first responders and allow it to be administered without a prescription. Edwards says they are also looking into legislative action.
One caller asked the governor about what can be done to reduce Louisiana’s incarceration rate. Edwards doesn’t think there are more criminals here than anywhere else, so the incarceration rate shouldn’t be so high. He says this problem will be addressed in next year’s legislative session.
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A bill to require students to recite part of the Declaration of Independence daily has made it out of the House Education Committee. Author of the bill, Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says kids should understand this important historic document.
Hodges says many Americans wouldn’t be able to pass the citizenship test because although they live here, they don’t know about much our country. She says schools need to prepare students for citizenship.
Gonzales Representative Eric Price was one of two legislators who voted against the measure. He says forcing students to recite this would open the door for more lawsuits.
The measure passed on a 6-2 vote and heads to the House floor.
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Female lawmakers are not happy about a joke a male member of the House made during debate over legislation that raises the age from 18 to 21 to be hired as a stripper at a dance club. Jackson Representative Kenny Harvard proposed an amendment that strippers in Louisiana could only be between the ages of 21-and-28 and less than 160 pounds. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes called the amendment disrespectful and disgusting…
Havard says the amendment was just a joke. But Stokes says she’s tired of the derogatory comments made about women at the State Capitol…
The bill ended up passing the House 96-0 without Havard’s amendment and it goes back to the Senate for final approval, before heading to the Governor’s desk. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says the goal is to keep young women from entering the dangerous world of human trafficking…
Cut 16 (08) “taken advantage of”
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The LSU Tigers begin their final regular season series tonight against number one ranked Florida. Alex Lange will pitch tonight, but game two’s starter is Riley Smith. The junior right-hander from Texas has pitched well lately and Coach Paul Mainieri wanted to give him a shot against the Gators…
Florida comes into the Box with an overall record of 43-9, 18-8, which is the best record in the SEC. They also have the top pitching staff in the league, with a team ERA of 2.92. Mainieri is impressed with the collection of arms Florida has…
LSU center fielder Jake Fraley says his teammates are confident they can hit good pitching…