The LSU Student Government releases its first “Legislative Report Card” which grades lawmakers based on their record of protecting higher ed in Louisiana during this year’s session. Student Body President Andrew Mahtook says among things they were looking for was a quick fix for the current budget deficit…

cut 13 (10) “closer to students”

In all, 40 lawmakers got an “A”, 35 received a “B”, there were 21 “C’s”, 28 “Ds” and 20 F grades.

FEMA assessment teams are in Caddo Parish today to evaluate the extent of damage from Red River flooding. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Deputy Director Mark Riley says the FEMA teams will be trying to determine if there are enough homes damaged in the area to qualify for a Presidential Disaster Declaration…

cut 5 (08) “to the President”

The declaration is required to trigger FEMA’s Individual Assistance Grant Program.

Billionaire television personality Donald Trump has announced he’s running for Republican presidential nomination. This is on the heels of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush announcing his candidacy. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says, with the name recognition both Trump and Bush have, it will force Governor Bobby Jindal to work even harder to get his poll numbers up so he’s invited to the upcoming debates…

cut 11 (08) “or South Carolina”

Jindal is expected to officially throw his hat in the ring next week.

Southwest Louisiana is getting some rain from Tropical Storm Bill. Johnathan Brazzell with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the storm formed quickly when it got into the Gulf this week, which is a reminder for us to keep an eye out on the tropics over the next several months…

cut 8 (05) “the last”

Brazzell says Tropical Storm Bill’s biggest impact to Louisiana could be on the Red River once the storm system moves into northeast Texas and Oklahoma.