The state senate could possibly vote this afternoon on a contigency plan, if there’s shortfall in funding for the TOPS scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says instead of paying the full tuition of recipients with higher ACT scores, he would like to see everyone who recieves the scholarship get at least some scholarship money. Morrish says his legislation also contains language to help TOPS students, if they receive a partial scholarship…
cut 14 (11) “….additional amount”
Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation.

The governor announced this morning that enrollment for the state’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Edwards believes the expansion will benefit at least 300-thousand residents. Republicans are concerned about the potential for Medicaid fraud.

A House committee may bring leaders of St. Joseph to Baton Rouge to talk about the brown water that flows from the faucets at homes in the Tensas Parish town. Roy Bowman spoke to legislators about the urgency of St Joesph’s water problems….
cut 8 (09) “….now”
City residents say Mayor Edward Brown has been dragging his feet on getting state funds to help fix the water.

Nicholls State begins a lecture series on its campus tonight that’s designed to inspire future female chefs. Assistant professor Amelie Zeringue says only 21-percent of the jobs in the restaurant industry are held by women.
cut 5 (10) “…vice versa”
Zeringue says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry.

Former St. Tammany DA Walter Reed and his son are in a courtroom today on federal corruption charges. Reed is accused of illegally spending at least $100,000 from his campaign fund on expenses unrelated to his campaign. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the whole country will be watching, because this case could have implications for other state elected officials. He says it could start a trend of prosecuting state offenses at the federal level…:
CUT 12 (11) “this country”
Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud.

Nicholls State is launching a series to inspire future female chefs. Amelie Zeringue is an assistant professor at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute..:
CUT 6 (09) “their success”
She says just 21-percent of the jobs in the restaurant industry are held by women.

Since Friday was a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, tax filing day was delayed three days and midnight tonight is the deadline to get your federal returns in the mail.

A House committee is seeking to speak with leaders of the small Tensas parish town of St. Joseph about why the water there has been yellow to murky brown for years. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police say impairment and lack of seat belt use are suspected in a Vermilion Parish crash that claimed the life of a 30-year-old Lake Charles man. They believe 31-year-old Martin Nguyen was drunk and speeding in this 2016 Corvette when he ran off the road causing his passenger, Hoang Nguyen, to be partially ejected. Hoang Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene.

The state senate is expected to vote on a contingency plan if Louisiana can no longer fully fund TOPS. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says his legislation is an attempt to make sure recipients have at least part of their tuition paid, if the state can’t fully fund the program. He says the current rules are unfair..:
Cut 15 (08) “get nothing”
Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships.

Nicholls State is launching a series to inspire future female chefs. Amelie Zeringue, an assistant professor at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry…:
cut 4 (11) “the field”

Today begins the federal corruption trial of former St. Tammany Parish DA Walter Reed, who became not-so-affectionately known as St. Slammany due to his aggressive pursuit of criminals and harsh sentences his 30 years on the job. Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud. Legal analyst Tim Meche says federal prosecutors are seeking to convict the former DA on what amounts to state ethic violations…:
cut 11 (10) “federal crime”
Reed allegedly spent over $100-thousand from his campaign fund for non-campaign related purchases.

Residents of the Tensas Parish town of St. Joseph are pleading with lawmakers to intervene in their water problems. The water in St. Joe has been yellow, murky and brown for years. Wanda Bowman told a House committee she feels awful that her special needs child uses this filthy water…:
Cut 9 (11) “unclean”

Former St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Walter Reed’s corruption trial begins today. Halen Doughty reports the longtime DA faces 19 criminal counts..:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police Col Mike Edmonson wrote a letter to the lawyer of the man accused in the shooting and killing of former Saints player Will Smith, saying they will not take over the murder investigation. John Fuller, attorney for 28-year-old Cardell Hayes, made the request of state police. Edmonson says he’s confident city police can conduct an objective and professional investigation. Smith was allegedly gunned down by Hayes last weekend in what police call a road-rage incident.

One of Louisiana’s longest-living citizens and retired police officer died in a house fire in Ville Platte, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office. They say investigators continue to piece together what could have started the blaze that claimed the life of 106-year-old Edward “Knotoe” Thomas Jr. The victim was home alone when the fire apparently broke out Saturday in the attic. Thomas is survived by five of his 10 children, 37 grandchildren, 74 great grandchildren and 56 great great grandchildren.

St. Joseph residents are seeking help from the state about their water, which has been yellow to dark brown for years. They went before the House Natural Resources Committee and gave emotional testimony. Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson says the water is causing health issues in the small Tensas Parish town…:
CUT 7 (11) “entire town”
They want the state to intervene in the water problems.

The state senate is expected to vote this week on a new contingency plan, if the state is unable to fully fund TOPS. Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish seeks to change it, so all TOPS students receive at least some scholarship money…:
Cut 13 (04) “totally”
TOPS is expected to cost the state 300-million dollars next fiscal year.

Former-St. Tammany Parish District Attorney, Walter Reed, federal corruption trial begins today at a US courthouse in New Orleans today. Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Reed could spend a lot of time behind bars if convicted…:
Cut 10 (06) “my prediction”
Reed allegedly spent over $100-thousand from his campaign fund for non-campaign related purchases.

Nicholls State launches a lecture series tonight that’s designed to encourage females to pursue a career as a chef. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to speak before the Senate Health and Welfare committee today on Medicaid expansion. Later today, his office says Mr. Edwards will record an interview for HBO’s “VICE” regarding higher education in Louisiana.

The latest employment figures show the state’s unemployment rate went up slightly to six-point-one percent in the month of March. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Aaron Caffarel….
cut 15 (10) “….labor force”
Caffareal says the number of people employed in Louisiana grew by eight-thousand last month.

The House approved a bill to allow lawmakers to have a say in whether recipients of food stamps should be required to work to receive federal assistance. But opponents like Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says Louisiana is losing jobs left and right in the oil industry, and there’s a huge need for this assistance
CUT 8 (09) “need it”
Despite White’s objections, the legislation heads to the Senate.

The LSU Spring football game is today and fans will get to see if the Tigers passing game has actually progressed as Coach Les Miles claims. Brandon Harris is the returning starter at quarterback. Purdue transfer Danny Etling is the new back-up QB. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham…:
Cut 16 (20) “Anthony Jennings”
The game begins at 3pm.

The Louisiana International Film Festival is this weekend in Baton Rouge. Kelsey Grammer, who is known for his sitcom television character “Frazier” has a film during this four-day event called “Breaking the Bank.” Grammer says its an indictment on the investment banking system…
cut 11 (07) “….might happen”
For more information go to li-film-fest-dot-org.

Former Saints defensive end Will Smith will be laid to rest today. A public visitation for the ex-football star who was gunned down last weekend took place yesterday at the Saints practice facility in Metairie. Hundreds of fans, many wearing Saints jerseys, attended the visitation to pay their final respects.

The Louisiana House believes the state legislature should have a say on whether a work mandate should be in place for food stamp recipients. Currently, the governor is allowed to seek a federal waiver of the work requirements for able-bodied, childless adults to receive food stamps. The bill’s author, Monroe Representative Jay Morris, says he knows jobs are hard to come by, but…
cut 7 (10) “…every day”
After a 56-28 vote, the bill heads to the Senate.

A new jobs report shows the state added nearly eight-thousand to its workforce in March. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Aaron Caffarel says construction employment posted its largest over-the-month increase since 2004…
cut 14 (08) “…Lake Charles region”
Despite the increase in jobs, the state’s unemployment rate also grew to six-point-one percent.

Iberia Parish Superintendent Dale Henderson says the Westgate High School band will compete its scheduled band compeitition event in Florida, despite the arrest of its band director for indecent behavior with a juvenile. 30-year-old Jeremy Conner was allegedly found in a teenager’s closet by the mother of the victim. Lt. Colonel Bobby Webre is with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office….
cut 5 (07) “…their career”
Conner was booked into the Ascension Parish jail.