The state senate is expected to vote on a contingency plan if Louisiana can no longer fully fund TOPS. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says his legislation is an attempt to make sure recipients have at least part of their tuition paid, if the state can’t fully fund the program. He says the current rules are unfair..:
Cut 15 (08) “get nothing”
Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships.

Nicholls State is launching a series to inspire future female chefs. Amelie Zeringue, an assistant professor at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry…:
cut 4 (11) “the field”

Today begins the federal corruption trial of former St. Tammany Parish DA Walter Reed, who became not-so-affectionately known as St. Slammany due to his aggressive pursuit of criminals and harsh sentences his 30 years on the job. Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud. Legal analyst Tim Meche says federal prosecutors are seeking to convict the former DA on what amounts to state ethic violations…:
cut 11 (10) “federal crime”
Reed allegedly spent over $100-thousand from his campaign fund for non-campaign related purchases.

Residents of the Tensas Parish town of St. Joseph are pleading with lawmakers to intervene in their water problems. The water in St. Joe has been yellow, murky and brown for years. Wanda Bowman told a House committee she feels awful that her special needs child uses this filthy water…:
Cut 9 (11) “unclean”