LSU students are rallying at the Capitol this afternoon starting at 1 to protest cuts to the university. Officials say the proposed cuts could result in the closing of of satellite campuses and drastic losses of academic programs and faculty on the main campus. LSU President King Alexander says students have every right to be concerned about these cuts…:
CUT 3 (08) “or three”
King said on the Jim Engster show that it’s possible some colleges might consider bankruptcy if these cuts go through.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is now saying that former LSU player and potential first round draft pick La’el Collins will not be interviewed about the murder of a pregnant woman until after the draft. Cops say Collins is NOT a suspect but he may have information about 29-year-old Brittney Mills because the two had previously been in a relationship. There are no suspects in Mills death at this time.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School teacher who is also an assistant football coach for allegedly kissing a student inside a classroom. They say 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. Lt. Clay Higgins says the alleged incident happened around February…:
CUT 6 (08) “years old”
School Board officials say Fontenot has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Fontenot denies the allegation.

Tonight is the first round of the NFL draft and the Who Dat nation is anxiously waiting to see who the Saints will pick. The Black and Gold have two picks in the first round at 13 and 31. Rounds two and three of the draft will take place tomorrow and rounds 4-7 will occur Saturday. Overall the Saints have 9 picks this year.

The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School teacher for allegedly kissing a 17-year-old student inside a classroom. They say 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. He denies the allegation but has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount that would not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program…:
CUT 10 (04) “be able to afford it”
Opponents including Governor Bobby Jindal say they don’t want the program to be touched because it helps higher ed but New Orleans Senator JP Morrell doesn’t think so…:
CUT 12 (08) “out of business”
The bill heads to the House.

State Police say two Alabama residents are in trouble for allegedly selling “Weed Candy” out of a truck in New Orleans. Troopers say the duo was telling people the weed candy had THC in it but testing at the crime lab found no evidence of marijuana in the product. 64-year-old Thomas Ashley and 37-year-old Thomas Jones were issued summonses for selling without a permit.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

State Police say a crash on I-10 in Lafayette Parish has claimed the life of a 92-year-old man. They say Lillard Payne of Lafayette was traveling near Duson when he struck an SUV from behind that had been stopped due to a prior crash on the roadway. Payne was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. The Senator says they have filed all of the reports required and followed all state laws, but did make a couple of mistakes. Alario says when this is all said he done he is confident that everything will be okay…

cut 9 (04) “experience at times”

According to reports Alario didn’t disclose the proper amount he spent for LSU tickets and a fundraiser at a New Orleans golf course.

The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a student organized march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says students are very well aware of the gravity of the situation…

cut 6 (07) “from happening”

The march will begin at AZ Young Park at the Pentagon Barracks and proceed to the steps of the State Capitol at 1PM. Messina says anyone who supports LSU is invited to participate.

Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Beau Chene High School teacher for allegedly kissing a 17-year-old student inside a classroom. They say 25-year-old Gregory Fontenot is charged with one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student. The student, who is now 18, says the kiss happened around February. Fontenot denies the allegation. Fontenot has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

The full Senate approves Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Under the measure, each student would get a base amount and the rate would be locked in at the 2015-16 level. The amount would not automatically go up even if tuition goes up, without legislative approval. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says on its current track, the TOPS program is not sustainable…

cut 12 (08) “out of business”

The bill will now be debated in the House.

State Police say 28-year-old Shannon Laycock of Lake Charles led cops on a wild 24 minute long chase Wednesday on I-10. Sgt. James Anderson says, she refused to stop and continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed. Troopers deployed spike strips and to successfully stop Laycock on I-10 near Duson in Acadia Parish. Laycock faces many charges…

cut 14 (08) “resisting arrest”

Anderson says Laycock was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail and she will face additional charges in Jefferson Davis Parish.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount that will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says he’s gotten a lot of letters from students and others who are against messing with TOPS…

cut 11 (06) “cap on it”

Governor Bobby Jindal has already said he opposes the measure. The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

Senate president John Alario denies any wrongdoing in spite of a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. According to reports Alario didn’t disclose the proper amount he spent for LSU tickets and a fundraiser at a New Orleans golf course. Alario says they have filed all of the reports required and followed all state laws, but they did make a couple of mistakes…

cut 8 (07) “not a criminal intent”

Alario says when this is all said he done he is confident that everything will be okay.

State Police say a Lake Charles woman led cops on a wild 24 minute long chase Wednesday on I-10. Sgt. James Anderson says a trooper near Welsh encountered the driver who made eye contact with him then began to speed up and pass vehicles on the shoulder for an unknown reason…

cut 13 (09) “spike strips”

Anderson says the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Shannon Laycock, faces several charges including aggravated flight from an officer and resisting arrest.

A march, sponsored by the LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates, is planned on the State Capitol today to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says says anyone who supports LSU is invited to participate…

cut 5 (07) “to attend”

LSU officials say these proposed cuts could result in the closing of satellite campuses and drastic losses of academic programs and faculty on the main campus.

Senate president John Alario is denying any wrongdoing despite a media report that says federal investigators are looking into how he spent campaign contributions. Apparently the FBI is looking into his campaign records after media reports suggested Alario misreported as much as $20,000. But Alario says this is news to him…

cut 7 (06) “want to cooperate”

According to reports Alario didn’t disclose the proper amount he spent for LSU tickets and a fundraiser at a New Orleans golf course.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount and it will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program for our kids…:

cut 10 (04) “be able to afford it”

The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

The LSU Alumni Association’s Tiger Advocates is sponsoring a march today on the State Capitol to protest the state’s proposed $600 million budget cut to higher education. Stacey Messina, Association Director of Marketing and Communications, says if these cuts take place, it’s the students that are impacted most…

cut 4 (10) “going to effect”

LSU officials say these proposed cuts could result in the closing of satellite campuses. The march will begin at AZ Young Park at the Pentagon Barracks and proceed to the steps of the State Capitol at 1PM. Anyone who supports LSU is invited to attend.

Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Louisiana as Senate Bill 143 moves out of committee this morning and heads to the Senate floor. Many people who feel the drug would cure their various ailments spoke in favor of the bill. Pete Adams, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, does not support the measure…:
CUT 13 (09) “diseases”
The legislation moved forward without objection.

New Orleans state Representative Austin Badon is once again pushing legislation that would lessen the penalties for some marijuana possession arrests. Badon says House Bill 149 in no way legalizes marijuana for either medical or recreational use. He says the bill only brings fairness to sentencing for simple marijuana possession…:
CUT 3 (09) “subsequent convictions”
He says the DA’s Association is not opposed to the bill.

The full Senate approves a bill that’s designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s legislation would provide each TOPS recipient with a set amount and it will not automatically go up with the cost of tuition. He says this is about ensuring the future of the program for our kids…:
CUT 10 (04) “be able to afford it”
Governor Bobby Jindal has already said he opposes the measure. The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

The House Education Committee approves legislation that requires sex education to be taught in all schools in Orleans Parish. Under current law, sex ed may be offered in Louisiana public schools. But New Orleans councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, a supporter, says comprehensive sex education needs to be mandatory…:
CUT 9 (09) “new cases”
The bill now heads to the full house for more debate.