The Commissioner of Higher Education Joe Rallo is concerned about the possible lack of funding for the TOPS program. Governor Edwards will present his budget proposal on Monday. Rallo says if funding for TOPS is eliminated, it’ll be devastating for students:
Cut 6 (13) “to school”
Governor Edwards says the budget which includes the lack of funding for TOPS is not one he wants to present if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement on ways to deal with the budget deficit.

Testimony is underway in the trial of Ronald Gasser; the man accused of shooting and killing former NFL player Joe McKnight in an apparent road rage incident. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the defense will likely claim McKnight tried to enter Gasser’s car in a road rage incident:
Cut 4 (08) “will apply”
That permits use of force in defense of your home or car.

This afternoon Governor John Bel Edwards will speak at the Joint Louisiana Council of Chapters and Greater Baton Rouge Area Military Officers Association of America Luncheon. In a release, the governor says a new economic study finds the military plays a significant role as an employer in Louisiana, accounting for $7.7 billion dollars in annual economic output.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission wants to know why utility customers were asked to reduce energy consumption for a time Thursday morning over concerns the grids may not be able to handle the high demand. PSC Chairman Eric Skrmetta says there are always adequate resources available…:
CUT 3 (08) “to happen”
He says there is no reason the state of Louisiana should ever run short on electricity and the PSC plans to get to the bottom of what happened.