A Senate-approved measure is heading to the House that expands the number of diseases that could be treated with medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana. Dr. Will Hall with the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy raised concerns about putting medical marijuana in the hands of more and more people…
cut 15 (05) “…promote expansion”
Supporters say medical marijuana can help hundreds of people who suffer from various disorders.

A measure that prohibits the sale or donation of fetal tissue is moving closer to final legislative passage. It was approved by a House committee today. The measure is by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti…
cut 12 (09) “…criminal law”
The bill is the result of videos which purportedly showed Planned Parenthood representatives talking about the sale of aborted fetal parts.

A House committee approves legislation that would give domestic violence victims a chance to get an expedited or temporary permit to carry a gun. Wade Duty with the Louisiana Shooting Association says it’s very hard to get into a class and a woman could be killed waiting to take a training course…
cut 9 (10) “…this bill”
The measure now heads to the full House.

The House has approved a measure that would require students to take a wellness exam before they enter kindergarten or the sixth grade. The vote was 59-37 in favor. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee opposed the legislation. She says the health exam is unnecessary and could be costly, especially if the child has government health care….
cut 6 (10) “….not necessary”
But supporters say the measure could improve children’s health.

A bill that expands the number of diseases medical marijuana can be prescribed was narrowly approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee today. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is the author of the legislation and says he’s encountered many individuals who say medical cannabis can help their child cope with numerous diseases…:
Cut 13 (09) “back yard”
But opponents say this is a gateway to the legalization of recreational marijuana and that it actually does not help with diseases. The Senate approved measure heads to the house on an 8-6 vote.

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger authors a bill that would require students to have wellness exams before entering kindergarten….:
CUT 7 (09) “fifth month”
The measure passed the House on a 59-37 vote and moves to the Senate.

Legislation to allow victims of domestic violence with a protective order to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit now moves to the full House. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The man accused in the murder of a 16-year-old girl whose body was discovered in St. Charles Parish is being held on 1 million dollars bond. The Sheriff’s Office says Jorion White was in a ditch on April 24th when she was found. 40-year-old Daniel Beckley, who cops say is the live-in boyfriend of White’s mother, is charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice.

A bill that would allow victims of domestic violence with restraining orders to carry a concealed handgun with an expedited and temporary permit passed out of the House Criminal Justice committee. Denham Springs Rep. Valerie Hodges, says according to the FBI, a woman is battered every 15 seconds…:
CUT 8 (10) “Trade Center”
The measure now heads to the full House.

Relocating fetal tissue from an abortion could land someone behind bars for at least 10 years, under a proposal by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti. He says people should not benefit in any way from induced abortions…:
Cut 11 (07) “be sold”
The bill has been approved by the Senate, as well as a House committee.

Legislation that could result in TOPS students no longer having their entire tuition paid heads to the governor for his signature. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 5 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Gas prices have topped the $2 mark in Louisiana. AAA says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular is now $2.01.

Another proposal aimed at public schools by New Orleans Representative Walt Leger would require students to have wellness exams before entering kindergarten and sixth grade. He says this just ensures that any health issue that a student may have can be caught early…:
CUT 5 (07) “and otherwise”
Those who oppose are concerned about this law costing the state money, because kids who use government healthcare would be required to get medically unnecessary exams at Louisiana’s expense. The measure passed on a 59-37 vote and moves to the Senate.

Students in public schools could start getting lessons in personal finance management. A bill by Minden Representative Gene Reynolds advanced in the House Education Committee with no objection. Reynolds says this proposal would not create a financial literacy course…:
CUT 3 (07) “whole idea”
The bill now moves to the House floor.

May is Air Quality Awareness month, and the Department of Environmental Quality says the air quality in Louisiana is better than it’s been since the 1800s. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Senate approved measure that would ban the collecting and selling of fetal tissue from abortions was approved by the House Health and Welfare committee with no objection today. The bill comes in response to the videos that surfaced apparently showing Planned Parenthood leaders selling aborted fetuses. The organization denies the allegation. The proposal will next be heard in the full House.

A bill that puts new cost controls on TOPS heads to the governor’s desk. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the taxpayer funded scholarship program costs the state nearly 300-million dollars…
cut 16 (08) “…the future”
Under the measure, the legislature would pay the full amount of TOPS scholarships next school year, but that might not be the case in future years, if tuition rises.

A new website has been created for those working poor who will be eligible for Medicaid now that the state is expanding the government financed health insurance program. The site is healthy-dot-la-dot-gov.
cut 10 (09) “….your providers”
That’s Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee, who estimates 375-thousand people will get insurance from the expansion.

A proposal to raise the age of adult prosecution by one year to 18-year-olds heads to the House after it received strong support on the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, says 17-year-old offenders of minor crimes would have a better chance at succeeding at life, if they went through the juvenile court system instead of the adult…
cut 12 (11) “…adult facility”
The measure has the support of Governor Edwards.

A Slidell man faces numerous charges after authorities say he intentionally struck a school crossing guard with his vehicle. Slidell Police say 33-year-old Francis Gras got into a verbal alteraction with the crossing guard and then witnesses say Gras placed his vehicle in reverese, squealed his tires, then accelerated forward, intentionally striking the crossing guard, who is expected to make a full recovery.

Governor John Bel Edwards is touring the state with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, Dr. Rebekah Gee to raise awareness about Medicaid expansion. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

11 people have been arrested in St. Landry Parish for allegedly being involved in a check fraud cashing scheme that’s resulted in total losses to businesses amounting to upwards of over $30,000. The sheriff’s office says the check ring still has numerous suspects at large with more checks coming in weekly. The added this is happening throughout Acadiana.

The DEQ says the air quality in Louisiana is better than it’s been in decades, but environmental groups don’t think that’s the case. DEQ senior scientist Vivian Aucoin says agencies have done a good job enforcing higher air quality standards at industrial facilities…:
CUT 5 (11) “cleaner”
But Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes, says they work with the EPA to get air quality readings in areas near plants, and that information shows the air is not any cleaner…:
CUT 7 (08) “screening levels”
May is Air Quality Awareness month.

A measure that would increase the state’s minimum wage has stalled for now in the Senate, as it wad scheduled to be heard in committee Monday, but that didn’t happen. Governor John Bel Edwards is still trying to talk lawmakers into voting for the bill that would make the minimum wage $8.50 an hour.

Legislation that could result in TOPS students no longer having their entire tuition paid heads to the governor for his signature. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Approved by the senate Monday is a bill by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell that would let some 17-year-old offenders be tried in juvenile court instead of as adults. He says these teens are not adults and don’t belong in adult court..:
CUT 13 (08) “a child”
The bill, which is supported by Governor Edwards, heads to the House for more discussion.

Governor John Bel Edwards and DHH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee begin a statewide tour to educate the public on the Medicaid expansion which begins June 1st. Edwards says he wants to make sure that the people of Louisiana have all the information they need when it comes to Medicaid expansion before enrollment begins…:
Cut 9 (08) “July 1″
He says they’ll be answering questions about who will be eligible to enroll for the government health insurance which has a new name: Healthy Louisiana.

Two employees were fired and three others resigned from the Pointe Coupee Parish detention center. The Sheriff’s Office says one employee was arrested for malfeasance amid allegations he was exchanging inappropriate texts and pictures with a female inmate. They say another fired employee knew and inmate had a phone and didn’t take it away.

Fired LSU band Director Roy King has filed a lawsuit against the university over his dismissal, saying he was wrongfully terminated.

Governor John Bel Edwards kicks off his statewide tour to discuss Medicaid expansion. Over the next month, Edwards and DHH Secretary, Dr. Rebekah Gee, will visit cities to raise awareness and answer questions about who will be eligible to enroll for the government health insurance on June 1st. Edwards also announced that the state’s health program has a new name…:
Cut 8 (11) “of Louisiana”
State health officials say the expanded Medicaid program will be able to cover an estimated 350,000 working poor individuals.

Two bills that Edwards supports are advancing, one that seeks to curb the cost of the TOPS scholarship program – which received final legislative approval. It would likely mean students would have to pay part of their own tuition. The Senate approved the Raise the Age bill Monday which would allow 17-year-olds to be tried in the juvenile court system instead of as adults. The measure now heads to the House.

May is Air Quality Awareness month, and the Department of Environmental Quality says Louisiana’s air quality is better than it’s been since the start of the Industrial Revolution. DEQ senior scientist Vivian Aucoin…:
cut 4 (08) “quality standards”
Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director, Anne Rolfes, doesn’t think Louisiana’s air is any cleaner. She says the state does a poor job of monitoring the air in areas where it’s the worst…:
Cut 6 (08) “closely enough”
The DEQ encourages everyone to do their part in helping to keep the air clean, including industry and the public.

In the Concordia Parish town of Monterey, officials say the case of the remains of a missing person that were found last week is now a homicide investigation. The remains have not been identified yet according to authorities, but 35-year-old Hart Tiffee has been named a person of interest in the case.