Louisiana receives a five-year, $1.8 million annual federal grant that will be used to expand mental health services in public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Doctors can now take on as many medical marijuana patients as they can handle after a ruling removed the previous, 100 patient cap. Matt Doyle has more.
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A former LSP cadet is behind bars, facing blackmail allegations. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Louisiana will receive $1.8 million annually over five years after receiving a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The funding will be used to establish a comprehensive Louisiana School Mental Health Support Program within thirty-four schools throughout Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says it’ll help provide special training to school personnel.
Cut 4 (07) “…to help them.”
Dunn says students facing mental health challenges have a serious burden placed on their overall health and well-being.
Cut 5 (09) “…academically and socially.”
Dunn says the state reviewed all of the school systems to see where the funds were most needed.
Cut 6 (10) “…persistently struggling schools.”
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A Donaldsonville man is facing battery and hate crime charges after an altercation at a Gonzales store that was allegedly sparked when he told a Latino family to “go back to Mexico.” Authorities say 60-year-old Robert Ray approached a 19-year-old girl at the store, made the comments, and then shoved her and her father. Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson says it came out of nowhere.
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After making the inflammatory comments, Jackson says the family’s daughter approached the man…
Cut 8 (12) “…fighting”
The man Mr. Ray began to fight with was actually a Texas born marine, who stepped in after his Louisiana born daughter was allegedly shoved.
Jackson says he hasn’t seen an incident in Gonzales like this for decades, and says that kind of hateful behavior won’t be tolerated on his watch.
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Ray is facing one hate crime charge along with two counts of simple battery and criminal damage to property.
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The Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners is lifting the cap on how many medical marijuana patients a doctor can treat. Previously doctors were limited to 100 patients a year. Medical Marijuana expert and prescriber Dr. Victor Chou, one of only three or four dozen in the state, says this will dramatically increase access to the treatment for those who are eligible.
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The state expanded the number of illnesses that qualify for medical marijuana treatment in the last regular legislative session.
Chou estimates about 50 doctors are participating in the program in Louisiana, which is a bit lower than the number of doctors who participate in other states who have legalized the practice. But he says he expects that number to balloon now that the practice is profitable.
Cut 11 (08)“…a year.”
Medical marijuana is currently being grown in the state by GB Sciences, which is working with LSU to produce the oil and pill based treatment.
The cap vote was decided eight to one, but another medical cannabis based regulation passed along a much tighter five to four line. That decision removes the need for medical marijuana patients to see their doctor every 90 days to maintain their treatment. But Chou says since the “prescriptions” only last 30 days, they’ll be in frequent communication with their doctor regardless.
Cut 12 (08) “…or so.”
To get access to the treatment, a patient is given a physician recommendation form, because technically prescriptions are still illegal under federal laws.
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State police have arrested a former LSP cadet following an investigation that revealed he was involved in an attempt at blackmail against a former US Army coworker. LSP spokesperson Sgt. Jared Sandifer says 26 year old Jimmy Kassis was let go from the state police in June upon hearing of the investigation from the US Army.
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Sandifer says there’s no word on why Kassis was motivated to commit the alleged acts of blackmail.
Cut 14 (08) “…an active investigation.”
Sandifer says the Army’s investigation began in May while Kassis was enrolled in the LSP training academy.
Cut 15 (09) “…from state police.”
State Police made the arrest in Michigan and he is now booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail.
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Sixth ranked LSU is the talk of college football with its two victories over top 10 ranked teams. Coach Ed Orgeron says they still have several tough games left to play this season and they have to get better if they want to win those contests…
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LSU’s offensive line play improved against Auburn. Orgeron credits moving Austin Deculus to right tackle and quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t hold the ball long…
Cut 17 (25) “all of it”
LSU is nearly a three touchdown favorite to beat Louisiana Tech this Saturday. Orgeron says the key to staying successful is to stay humble