With budget shortfalls still looming, higher education leaders are looking at more potential changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Lawmakers are hopeful they can find the necessary $89 million to fully fund the program next year, but Higher Ed Commissioner JOe Rallo says changes will likely come to TOPS whether or not it’s fully funded…:
Cut 8 (10) “on them”
One option being discussed is raising the hourly requirement.

Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state in the country, according to United Health Foundation. But the report found that funding for public health decreased by 28-percent over the last four years. State Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee hopes public health will become more of a spending priority, because money is used to protect against Zika outbreaks and flu epidemics…:
Cut 10 (09) “it is”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette’s college football career is over. The junior, who has already said he intends to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, announced today that he would not play in the Citrus Bowl with the Tigers. He and head coach Ed Orgeron broke the news on Friday…:
Cut 15 (11) “best for my future”
Fournette said he plans to rest and rehab the ankle injury that has limited him to seven games this season.

Get ready for another change in the weather. Andy Tingler, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we warm up tomorrow and there’s potential for severe weather Saturday night, but Sunday might be a good day to stay inside..:
CUT 5 (12) “around 60”