With budget shortfalls still looming, higher education leaders are looking at more potential changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says one option being discussed is raising the hourly requirement for the scholarship from 24 credits per year to 30. He says the idea is to encourage students to graduate more quickly, as TOPS only covers 8 semesters…:
Cut 6 (11) “extra year”
Opponents of the change say it would add to students’ workload, especially for those who take time-consuming labs or play sports.

The FBI isn’t saying much about why they raided the Hammond Police Department and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Thursday. A spokesman with the Bureau said they conducted multiple “court authorized” searches and that there were more to come. Among items seized in the simultaneous inspections include computers, cellphones and case files.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a 5.3 million dollar grant to study why some people benefit more or less from exercise. Associate executive director of clinical research and study investigator Dr. Eric Ravussin..:
CUT 12 (09) “of that”
You can learn more on Pennington’s website.

The Big Easy is gearing up for the big R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl tomorrow featuring the UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns taking on Southern Miss. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says they’ve never had two regional teams in the bowl game so they’re seeing tons of fans in town…:
CUT 12 (09) “for us”
He expects this year’s game to bring in as much as $30 million dollars for area businesses.