| BY JEFF ADELSON | Staff writer |
FIGHT OVER HEMP: When Louisiana eased its restrictions on consumable hemp two years ago, the market was flooded with products with relatively high levels of THC - the compound in marijuana that gets users high. Now the legislature is considering competing bills to scale back on the burgeoning industry. One path would ban "intoxicating" products and set strict limits on the chemical. The other, sponsored by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, would make more modest tweaks. Sam Karlin reports on where things stand at the Capitol. SUITS OVER LCMC/TULANE DEAL: New Orleans health-care giant LCMC must keep all three Tulane University-run hospitals it purchased earlier this year open, a federal judge ruled in one of two suits over the $150 million deal. The cases, which experts say could have national ramifications for hospital mergers, come as part of an escalating legal battle between LCMC and the Biden Administration over possible anti-trust issues, Stephanie Reigel reports. ELDER SCAMS: Fraud targeting the elderly rose by 84% nationwide last year, with more than $3 billion in loses reported, according to the FBI. While fewer complaints came from Louisiana in 2022 than the year before, hundreds of senior citizens are losing millions of dollars across the state. Rebecca Holland takes a look at the most prevalent scams and how to avoid them. Thanks for starting your week with Morning Headlines. Catch up on the latest news on NOLA.com. Jeff. | 