A report from Wakefield Research finds more couples than ever are fighting over politics since President Trump was elected. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

One of the big stories out of the Capitol Wednesday was the House Education Committee approving a bill to increase the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS from 2.5 to 2.75. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil this could help cut down on the cost of the program. The proposed change would go into effect with the Class of 2021.

Parents of minor girls who want to have an abortion would have to show ID at a clinic before a pregnancy can be terminated under a bill that advances to the Senate floor. Dorinda Bordlee with the Bioethics Defense Fund supported the measure saying frequently girls who are victims of human trafficking are brought in for an abortion by a pimp…:
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Opponents say reducing access to timely abortion care could have a chilling effect on teens.

A bill that would allow people convicted of drug-related felonies to get food stamps and welfare benefits when they leave prison advanced to the House floor. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this would help former inmates get back into the community…:
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This measure is part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ legislative agenda on criminal justice reform.

A measure to require the photo ID of a parent for a minor to receive an abortion passes out of a Senate committee. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Workers in New Orleans last night removed the 2nd of 4 Confederate era monuments slated to be taken down. The statue of Jefferson Davis was lifted off its base in a nearly 2 hour long process that began around 3am. The Liberty Place monument was removed at night last month. The Beauregard statue and one of Robert E. Lee are the 2 left standing.

A bill heading to the House Floor would lift the one year ban for individuals convicted of a drug related felony to receive food stamps and welfare benefits after being released from prison. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the ban was originally placed as a deterrent not to commit drug related crimes, but it hasn’t worked…:
Cut 10 (11) “our community”
This measure is part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ legislative agenda on criminal justice reform.

Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state for seniors, according to a report by United Health Foundation. The state rose three spots to 47th in the nation. But Advocacy Director for AARP Louisiana, Andrew Muhl says the Bayou State still has a long way to go in how we care for seniors….;
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After a tough loss to South Alabama, LSU welcomes SEC foe Auburn to Alex Box Stadium for the start of a three-game series tonight. The Tigers blew a five to one lead on Tuesday and lost to the Jaguars seven to six. Coach Paul Mainieri says they can’t dwell on that loss…:
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This is the final home weekend series for the Tigers, but LSU’s 32-17 overall record has them in position to host at least a regional.

UL-Lafayette defeated visiting McNeese State 4-1 last night. The Cajuns saw a strong performance by sophomore right-hander Nick Lee who limited the Cowboys to one run scattering six hits over seven innings with four walks and six strikeouts.

Nicholls State topped Jackson State 4-2 last night in Thibodaux. Colonels Cayden Hatcher tossed 5.1 innings and allowed just two runs on four hits.

Also last night, Grambling fell to Alabama 12-2.

The LSU softball team landed a hard fought 6-5 win over Missouri in their opening game at the SEC Tournament in Knoxville last night.

Louisiana Tech softball hammered Charlotte 11-1 in the first game of the C-USA Tourney.

The LSU football team’s Academic Progress Rate improved 18 points to 959, meeting the national average, according to NCAA documents released Wednesday. Elsewhere, 17 teams are ineligible to participate in NCAA tournaments next year including Southern University who will be banished in baseball, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s track and field. Grambling received postseason bans in men’s basketball, men’s cross country and men’s track and field.

The Independence Bowl has announced that it’s bowl game will be played on Wednesday, December 27th in Shreveport. The New Orleans Bowl will kickoff in the Superdome on December 16th at noon.

Louisiana moves up three spots to number 47 on United Health Foundation’s report on the healthiest states for seniors. Halen Doughty has more…:
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The second Confederate era monument has been taken down in New Orleans. Around 3am this morning, a crane moved down Canal St. and removed from its base the Jefferson Davis statue. The process was completed around 5am when New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu tweeted pictures of the operation saying, “This historic moment is an opportunity to join together as one city and redefine our future.” There are two more statues slated for removal.

A report from Wakefield Research finds more couples than ever are fighting over politics since President Donald Trump took office. Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health Sciences Center Dr. Michelle Moore…:
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The data found 24-percent of Americans in a relationship say they’ve argued more about politics than any other time they’ve been together.

A measure that would require the ID of a parent before a minor gets an abortion received approval from a Senate Committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there is an abuse with the law already in place..:
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Planned Parenthood opposes SB 111.

TOPS students in the Class of 2021 would need at least a 2.75 GPA, under a proposal heading to the House floor. Emelie Gunn has more…

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A measure approved by the full House would make it easier for Louisiana voters to recall elected officials. The proposal by Covington Representative Paul Hollis would lower the required number of signatures for a recall petition. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Louisiana Economic Development receives a $7 million donation from Cleco for job-creating projects. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says Cleco executives presented Governor John Bel Edwards with the check for a fund that will be administered by LED.

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The fund seeks to grow economic development in Cleco’s 23 parish service area.

A 12-year-old boy is dead after he accidentally fatally shot himself in the head. Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot says they believe the boy was trying to intimidate his little brother with the gun.

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Fontenot says no charges will be filed.

The House Education Committee approved a bill to increase the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS from 2.5 to 2.75. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s heard frustration from voters, about the uncertainty of the scholarship program and this could help cut down on costs.
Cut 12 (10) “four year window”
The proposed change would go into effect with the Class of 2021.

A bill heading to the House Floor would lift the one year ban for individuals convicted of a drug related felony to receive food stamps and welfare benefits after being released from prison. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the ban was originally placed as a deterrent not to commit drug related crimes, but it hasn’t work.
Cut 10 (11) “our community”

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a proposal that would allow residents to carry concealed guns without permits. Jimmy Williams of Louisiana Carry argued that requiring a permit gives lawbreaking criminals the upper hand…
cut 7 (10) “…willing to”
But Cissy Rowley, a shooting victim in the 2015 Lafayette movie theater shooting spree, urged the panel to rject the bill. She says the permitting process is needed to vet people who should not be concealed carrying a firearm….
cut 9 (08) “….respect that”
The bill was defeated on an eight to five vote. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey, says he plans to bring the proposal back up next year.

A bill that would raise the minimum GPA from 2.50 to 2.75 to receive the TOPS scholarship was approved by the House Education committee on a nine to three vote. Baton Rouge Franklin Foil says he authored the legislation in an effort to cut costs and it has the support of the Council for a Better Louisiana, president Barry Erwin….
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The measure now heads to the House floor.

A 12-year-old is dead after cops say he accidentally shot himself in the head. Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot says the boy was handling a semi-automatic handgun…:
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He says the child later died from his injuries, and this is a tragic accidental incident in which no charges will be filed.

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a bill that would have allowed Louisiana residents to conceal carry a gun without a permit. Dr. Kenneth Flaming of Louisiana Carry says it can take up to a year before a CCP is approved, and can cost between $300 and $500…:
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Cissy Rowley is a Lafayette theater shooting victim. She says without the permit requirement, gun owners could carry their weapons concealed with little or no training…:
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The bill was shelved on an 8-5 vote.

And a judge in New Orleans has denied a request that would prevent the city from removing a statue of Confederate Army General P.G.T. Beauregard