The LSU AgCenter is one step closer to getting medical marijuana to patients with cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Lawmakers have finally come to a budget agreement, as the Senate approves the spending plan for next fiscal year on a 26 to 9 vote. The budget allocates all of the available dollars, but instructs the administration to hold some back in case of a shortfall. The plan also fully funds TOPS and higher ed and gives pay raises to some state employees.

Arguments are being heard today in a federal courtroom over state abortion laws passed last year. Center for Reproductive Rights attorney Zoe Levine says they filed a motion to dismiss 7 laws that impede women’s access to safe and legal abortions.

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The Louisiana Right to Life says the laws protect the health and safety of women and the lives of unborn babies.

New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond is concerned about security for congressman, as Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise continues to recover from a gunshot wound sustained during a shootout on congressional leaders. Richmond says members of Congress need protection.

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The House Majority Whip has a security detail, but other congressmen do not.

The shootout on members of Congress has New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond concerned about protection for federal lawmakers. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has a security detail, but other congressmen do not. Richmond says security for members of Congress is embarrassingly inadequate.

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Richmond says if Scalise had not been at the ball park with his security detail, it could have been a blood bath.

The LSU AgCenter selects a vendor for the medical marijuana program. Chancellor Dr. Bill Richardson says LSU will be on the cutting edge of cannabis research, and they’ll be able to help patients.

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Richardson says they hope to have the product available by early next year.

A State Trooper is facing a simple battery charge after allegedly kicking a handcuffed suspect in the head while he was on the ground. Trooper Melissa Matey says Master Trooper John Neal’s use of excessive force didn’t stop there.

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Civilian surveillance and body cameras captured footage of the incident.

An agreement with the federal government allows anglers to fish for red snapper in federal waters on weekends beginning today. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says after this season the fish population will be reevaluated to determine if a fall season can open.

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Anglers can fish for red snapper 200 miles off the coast of Louisiana every weekend through September 4.

The LSU AgCenter is one step closer to getting medical marijuana to patients with cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS. Jeff Palermo has more:
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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:
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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:
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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…:
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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….:
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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…:
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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.
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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..:
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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:
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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…:
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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:
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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…:
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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…
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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….
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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…
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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