Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Ralph Abraham painted two very different pictures of the current status of state at the Louisiana Municipal Association convention in Monroe.  Edwards touted his hard work over the last four years to pull the state out of its largest deficit and an economy that was deep in the ditch.

Cut 10 (09) “…to a better path.”

Edwards says no other state in the nation has exceeded Louisiana’s rate of decline in unemployment in the last 12 months, adding the economy is the strongest in the history of the state. But Abraham says the state has so much more potential.

Cut 12 (10) “…better than that.”

The third man currently on the ballot in the Governor’s race, Eddie Rispone, was absent from the event.

The state appears set to run a surplus for the third year in a row, with non-finalized estimates showing Louisiana may have collected 300 million more in taxes last fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards credits an improving economy, but Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the state’s slowly improving outlook isn’t the primary reason why revenues are up…
Cut 5 (12) “…side”

The LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product has been approved for distribution by the Department of Agriculture and nine licensed pharmacies will have access to it on Tuesday. Only those with a specific set of diseases approved by the Legislature will be allowed access to medical marijuana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says that includes HIV, intractable pain, cachexia…

Cut 15 (11) “…dystrophy.”

While speaking at the Louisiana Municipal Association Conference in Monroe, Governor John Bel Edwards and one of his Republican contenders, Ralph Abraham, laid out their plans for a better Louisiana. Abraham says he wants to pass serious tax reform…
cut 13 (10) “…of leaving Louisiana”
But Edwards says the state’s economy has grown during his term…
cut 11 (10) “…historic low unemployment”
The other major Republican candidate in the race, Eddie Rispone, did not appear at the forum. Tuesday begins a three-day sign up period for the candidates to officially put their name on the October 12th ballot.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says medical marijuana will be available at nine licensed pharmacies around the state starting Tuesday.

Governor Edwards told the Associated Press that he expects the state will have a 300-million dollar surplus when the books are closed on the last fiscal year. Legislative Fiscal Office Economist Greg Albrecht says the federal tax reform legislation and a reduction in business tax breaks are the main reasons for the extra dollars…
cut 4 (11) “…tax”
It would be the third year in a row that the state has ended the fiscal year with a surplus.

Eight individuals will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend and three of them have strong ties to Louisiana. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed went to Destrehan High School. His defensive coordinator at Destrehan and current Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux says it’s a well-deserved honor…
cut 6 (9) “..another level”
Former LSU standouts Kevin Mawae and Johnny Robinson are also entering the Hall.

The state appears set to run a surplus for the third year in a row, with non-finalized estimates showing Louisiana may have collected 300 million more in taxes last fiscal year. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the surplus is mostly due to two things, one of them is the impact of the Congressional tax reform law…
Cut 3 (09) “…paid”
Albrecht says a reduction in tax breaks for businesses is another reason.

Medical marijuana will finally be available to Louisiana patients on Tuesday. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the first batch of medicinal pot produced by G-B Sciences with the help of LSU has passed all tests. Strain says only state approved physcians can write prescriptions…
cut 16 (08) “…pharmacy”
Nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies around the state will sell the product at a cost between 90 and 200 dollars.

Induction ceremonies are Saturday night for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class and three of the inductees have strong connections to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies arrested four juveniles who allegedly took school buses parked at Donaldsonville High School for for a joyride. Two of buses were driven into an exterior wall at the school. The building sustained moderate damage. No injuries reported, but juveniles are facing felony charges.

Two of the three men on the ballot for the Governor’s race portrayed two contrasting images of the state at the Louisiana Municipal Association convention in Monroe. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (31) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Senator Bill Cassidy announces Louisiana will receive one-point-two billion dollars in flood mitigation dollars. Cassidy this money will help reduce Louisiana’s flood risk which will lower flood insurance premiums. The release from Cassidy’s office does not say where the money will be spent.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state will end up with a 300-million dollar surplus form the fiscal year that ended on June 30th. It would be the third straight year that Louisiana finished a fiscal year with extra dollars. Edwards credits an improving economy, but Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the state’s slowly improving outlook isn’t the primary reason why revenues are up…
cut 5 (12) “…side”

After a 16 year career in the NFL, former Leesville Wampus Cat Kevin Mawae will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Mawae was a standout offensive lineman in the early 1990s at LSU and LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says Mawae is a class act…
cut 9 (08) “…to your institution”
Former LSU running back Johnny Robinson and former Destrehan standout Ed Reed are also going into the Hall.

Three former Louisiana football stars are among the eight that will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, and two of them were former LSU Tigers Johnny Robinson and Kevin Mawae. LSU Executive Deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry…

Cut 8 (11) “…played at LSU.”

Destrehan safety and Ravens star Ed Reed is also being inducted.

The LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product has been approved for distribution by the Department of Agriculture and select pharmacies will have access to it by Tuesday. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the treatment has undergone extensive testing…

Cut 14, 11 seconds, 28

The Advocate reports the product will cost about 90 to 200 dollars a bottle at the Baton Rouge-based pharmacy.

The state appears set to run a surplus for the third year in a row, with non-finalized estimates showing Louisiana may have collected 300 million more in taxes than it spent for the fiscal year that ended in June. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says one reason is lower state rax returns people received as a result of the federal tax reform, and the other reason is the steady elimination of a series of corporate income tax deductions over the past four years, which increased state revenue.

Cut 4 (11) “…tax”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Ralph Abraham painted two very different pictures of the current status of state at the Louisiana Municipal Association convention in Monroe.  Edwards touted his hard work over the last four years to pull the state out of its largest deficit and an economy that was deep in the ditch.

Cut 10 (09) “…to a better path.”

Edwards says no other state in the nation has exceeded Louisiana’s rate of decline in unemployment in the last 12 months, adding the economy is the strongest in the history of the state. But Abraham says the state has so much more potential.

Cut 12 (10) “…better than that.”

The third man currently on the ballot in the Governor’s race, Eddie Rispone, was absent from the event.

Three former Louisiana football stars are among the eight that will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed went to Destrehan High School. Reed spent 12 years in the NFL and holds the record for interception return yards. His defensive coordinator at Destrehan and current Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux says Reed is an even better person away from the field as he hosts football camps and he’s raised money to build a park in his hometown

Cut 7 (11) “…the community.”

The state appears set to run a surplus for the third year in a row, with non-finalized estimates showing Louisiana may have collected 300 million more in taxes than it spent. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says the surplus is mostly due to two things, one of them being the impact of the Congressional tax reform on Louisiana income tax returns.
Cut 3 (09) “…paid”
Albrecht says the other reason is the elimination of many corporate tax deductions over the past four years.

The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network reviews Louisiana’s legislative efforts to fight the disease. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 1, 30 seconds, Barnhart

The Department of Agriculture OK’s the joint LSU/GB Sciences medical marijuana product, and officials say that means the treatment will be available to select pharmacies statewide on Tuesday. To be eligible to pick up the non-psychoactive product, you’ll need to be diagnosed with one of a specific list of illnesses and get a prescription for treatment from your doctor.

In God We Trust will be displayed in every public school starting next fall when the kids return to class thanks to a 2018 law that’s just now going into effect. The law was written by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who says the law requires that the history of the motto also be taught in classrooms. She says it’s meant to teach students about the “patriotic history” of the USA.

Cut 8 (10) “principle.”

The information will be taught alongside instruction on proper flag etiquette.

Preseason camp is underway at LSU with fan expectations higher than they’ve been in half a decade. Head coach Ed Orgeron says he’s aware, and the only way the team can live up to those expectations is by improving their play in the trenches. He says one matchup to watch is at nose tackle, between Tyler Shelvin and Apu Ika

Cut 14 (11) “…going to be a battle.”

Orgeron adds the left guard position is also wide open.