The state Senate unanimously approves a bill that would make sure every TOPS recipient would receive at least part of their award, if the state is not able to fully fund the scholarship program. Under the current law, students with lower ACT scores or who do not have financial need would not get a scholarship at all. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it isn’t fair to tell students for four years that they will get TOPS, then suddenly take it away because they cannot fund the program. He says lawmakers need to ensure that everyone who earns the scholarship gets something.

Cut 14 (08) “they are” 

The cost of TOPS for the next fiscal year is about 300-million dollars.

Legislation that would expand the number of diseases that medical marijuana can be used to treat failed to get enough votes to pass out of the Senate. Under current law, once medical cannabis becomes available in Louisiana, it can only be used for three different diseases. But several senators expressed concerns with the legislation, claiming it would be a gateway to the complete legalization of marijuana.

The state’s budget problems were a popular topic on Governor John Bel Edwards first monthly radio call-in show. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House approved the Pastor Protection Act, which would allow a minister or clergy member to refuse to perform a same-sex marriage. Opponents of the bill claim it is not necessary because pastors are already protected under the first amendment and some state legislation. Supporters say it just protects their fundamental right of conscience. The bill passed on an 80-18 vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating 100 days in office today. Michelle Southern has more on what the governor has achieved so far and what still remains to be done.

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

LSU’s band director, Roy King, has been fired after being on administrative leave for several weeks. The temporary brand director will be Dr. Dennis Llinas, who has been the associate director of bands. King’s attorney, Jill Craft, says King was notified via a letter mailed to his house.

The bill to allow for the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk has been approved by the Senate, despite health risk concerns. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says consumers should be allowed to choose if they want to drink raw milk. He says it’s absurd that we can trust doctors to perform surgeries, but we can’t trust local farmers to produce safe milk.

CUT 3 (10)  “America”

The bill now heads to the House for more discussion

A former police officer in St. Martin Parish plead guilty to his part in a ticket-writing scheme on Interstate 10. Ex-Henderson assistant police chief, Oliver Mack Lloyd, received a suspended sentence of six months in jail. St. Martin Parish prosecutor Chester Cedars says Lloyd orchestrated a plan where officers received bonuses for writing traffic tickets…

cut 12 (09) “Louisiana law”

Governor John Bel Edwards has been in office 100 days today. Edwards’ numerous accomplishments in the first hundred days, includes banning discrimination against the LGBT community in state offices and raising over $1 billion in revenue during the special session. Edwards says he is most proud of the healthcare coverage that over 300,000 people in the state will receive as a result of Medicaid expansion.

cut 10 (07)  “Medicaid program”

Edwards says his biggest immediate goals are resolving the state’s budget problems and getting equal pay for men and women. He says one of the most important bills he is pushing seeks to raise the state’s minimum wage.

Cut 11 (10) “in 2016″

Edwards has also installed a chicken coop at the Governor’s Mansion that is home to 16 hens.

Legislation that would expand the number of diseases that medical marijuana can be used to treat failed to get enough votes to pass out of the Senate. Under current law, once medical cannabis becomes available in Louisiana, it can only be used for three different diseases. St. Martin Parish senator Fred Mills says he wants to give cancer and AIDS patients the ability to use it…

Cut 28 (11) “…AIDS 22 states”

But several senators expressed concerns with the legislation. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says passing this bill could lead to other legislation that will legalize marijuana…

Cut 29 (15) “…gateway”

The vote on the bill was 19 yes, 16 nays. But a bill needs 20 votes to pass the senate. It can be brought up again.

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating 100 days in office today. The governor has already faced challenges in office, including the largest budget deficit in state history and a legislature that doesn’t see eye to eye with him. But Edwards says it’s about making choices that solve the state’s problems in the best possible way for the people of Louisiana.

CUT 9 (09) “same mentality”

The bill to allow for the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk has been approved by the Senate, despite concerns from the opposition about health risks. The proposal would not allow for the sale of raw milk in grocery stores. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says he’s only looking to give farmers the ability to sell raw milk and the government should not interfere….

CUT 4 (09)  “buy it”

The bill now heads to the House.

A study out of Baton Rouge finds preschoolers who watch other kids eating vegetables on TV are more likely to eat nutritious foods themselves. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The director of the Golden Band from Tigerland, Roy King, has been fired, according to his attorney, Jill Craft, who told a Baton Rouge TV station about King’s dismissal. Craft had said earlier that the university was conducting a witch hunt against King. One allegation from the school is that King forwarded resumes for those apply for the dean of the school of music position to other employees.

Today marks the 100th day in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. The governor says his proudest accomplishment to this point is following through on a campaign promise to expand the state’s medicaid program…
cut 10 (07) “….Medicaid program”
Edwards says his biggest immediate goals are resoloving the state’s budget problems and getting equal pay for men and women.

The governor may have the opportunity to sign into law a bill that would allow farmers to sell limited quantities of raw milk. The measure passed the Senate, despite objections from Delhi Senator Francis Thompson, who is concerned about the health risks associated with unpasteurized milk…
cut 5 (10) “….same milk”
The bill heads to the House for more discussion.

A study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has found kids are more willing to eat vegetables after watching other kids their age eating veggies on television. Researcher Amanda Staiano says if your child doesn’t want to eat vegetables, maybe try this method…
cut 8 (08) “….a try”
Staiano says research has found that one-third pre-school aged children are not eating vegetables.

The former assistant police chief of Henderson, Oliver Mack Lloyd, has received a six month suspended prison sentence after he plead guilty to accusations he provided other officers bonsuses for writing speeding tickets on motorists on I-10. St. Martin Parish prosecutor Chester Cedars says Henderson’s Police Chief Leroy Guidry also signed a public statement acknowledging the town will no longer target speeders on I-10…
cut 14 (07) “….like that”

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating 100 days in office today. Michelle Southern has more on what the governor has achieved so far and what remains to be done…
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

The bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a five-thousand dollar reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who stole guns from a store called Tickfaw Guns in Tangipahoa Parish. The business is located on US Highway 51.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has conducted a study that found young children are more likely to eat vegetables, if they see other kids eating veggies on TV. Researcher Amanda Staiano says they observed that kids seem to enjoy watching videos of other children their age eating bell peppers…
cut 7 (09) “…actually eating”
Staiano says if your child doesn’t want to eat vegetables, try this method.

The former assistant police chief in Henderson pleads guility to allegations he orchestrated a ticket writing scheme, where officers would receive bonuses for writing speeding tickets against motorists on I-10. Oliver Mack Lloyd received a suspended six month prison sentence and St. Martin Parish prosecutor Chester Cedars says they wanted to send a message to all police officers…
cut 13 (10) “…our law”

Today marks 100 days in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. Edwards has already faced many challenges in office, inheriting the largest budget deficit in state history and a legislature that doesn’t see eye to eye with the governor. But Edwards says it’s about making choices that solve these problems in the best possible way for the people of Louisiana….:
CUT 9 (09) “same mentality”
Edwards says he is most proud of Medicaid expansion.

The Louisiana Department of Education suspends the license of a daycare in St. Tammany Parish after state officials found out they didn’t notice 4 toddlers escape the playground and wander into a busy road in Abita Springs. They also say staff did not report the incident which is an additional violation. Abita Church Christian Daycare was cited for not reporting, not supervising the toddlers who got out and improper fencing on the playground.

A former police officer in St. Martin Parish plead guilty to his part in a ticket-writing scheme on Interstate 10. Ex-Henderson assistant police chief, Oliver Mack Lloyd, received a suspended sentence of six months in jail. St. Martin Parish prosecutor Chester Cedars says Lloyd orchestrated a plan where officers received bonuses for writing traffic tickets…:
cut 12 (09) “Louisiana law”
Lloyd pleaded guilty to a change of false accounting.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will not have just one, but two horses who will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 7th. Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready will part of the field of 20 horses who will run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s got 16 chickens that he keeps at the governor’s mansion. He said, however, there is no rooster he could keep on good terms with the neighbors.

A daycare in St. Tammany Parish had their license immediately revoked after the state Department of Education says four unsupervised toddlers, ages 1-2, wandered onto a busy street in Abita Springs. The children are fine. The department says the toddlers got out of an opening in a fence on the playground, and staff did not report the incident. Abita Church Christian Daycare was cited for many offenses.

A study out of Baton Rouge finds pre-schoolers who watch other kids eating vegetables on TV are more likely to eat nutritious foods themselves. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Raw milk supporters packed the capitol on Monday as the state Senate advanced the bill that would allow farmers to sell the product straight from their cow, to consumers. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says the government should not intervene in raw milk sales…:
CUT 4 (09) “buy it”
But opponents say drinking raw milk has significant documented health risks. The measure now heads to the House.

A bill that would let motorists who have let their car insurance lapse pay their debts in installments, and keep their driver’s license, clears the House Transportation Committee. The legislation came about in response to the controversial notices that were sent out last year letting people know about fines for not having car insurance. The measure heads to the full House.