In case the legislature is not able to fully fund TOPS, a bill that would ensure all students get at least part of their scholarship is nearing final passage. Halen Doughty has more…:
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The House has approved a bill that would require cursive writing to be taught in public schools. The measure goes back to the Senate for concurrunce on House changes. Under the proposed law, the cursive writing requirement would go in effect for the 2017-18 school year.

A Senate-approved bill that would allow patients to see physical therapists without a doctor’s referral is nearing final passage. There is opposition. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says patients should see a doctor before seeing physical therapists, because doctors have more medical training…:
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Supporters of the proposed law say the bill will empower patients.

Oil rose above the $50 mark this morning for the first time since October. Executive Director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says the biggest catalyst for the uptick has been the recent fires in Canada….:
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Dismukes also says the rise in the price of crude oil could possibly stave off additional job losses in the oil industy.