The Cajun Navy Relief will hold their first Search and Rescue Games this weekend in Henderson Bay in the Atchafalaya basin. Jeff Palermo has the details
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Two TOPS bills have advanced out of committee that would raise requirements for receiving full TOPS. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”
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A big tourism weekend is expected in New Orleans as Wrestlemania 34 takes place on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Kelley Ray has the story…
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Kelley Ray.”
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Cajun Navy Relief will hold its first Search and Rescue Games on Saturday in the Atchafalaya Basin. The games will serve as a training exercise for disaster rescue scenarios in extreme flooding. Spokesperson Amy Jones says the Games also give the volunteer rescue group a chance to work with new GPS equipment…
Cut 4 (11) “natural disaster.”
Jones says markers will be “hidden” in several locations and will need to be “rescued” just like in a real disaster scenario…
Cut 5 (10) “return them.”
This week, Colorado State researchers revealed they expect three strong hurricanes to strike the U.S. this year. Jones says the dire forecast makes these training games all that more important…
Cut 6 (09) “training event.”
Any boaters and dispatchers involved with real life search and rescue operations can sign up and participate.
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Two bills by Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey that would raise the minimum requirements to receive, and keep TOPS were passed out of the House Education Committee. One bill, would send students who score 2.5-2.75 GPAs and a 20 ACT to a two year college instead of a four-year university. Ivey says community colleges are a better place for those students.
Cut 7 (06) “tremendous things”
But Patrick Taylor Foundation Executive Director James Callier says it’s not right to keep those students, who are disproportionately minorities, out of a four year college program.
Cut 8 (07) “assesment.”
The other bill would raise the standards needed to keep TOPS once awarded. Incoming freshman would need to keep a 2.75 GPA after 48 hours of classes, up from the current 2.5. Currently students can carry a 2.3 for their first three semesters, and Ivey says that’s just too low of a bar for aid.
Cut 9 (07) “achievement is”
But Callier says Ivey’s legislation isn’t going to inspire higher achievement, it’s just going to throw thousands of students out of college.
Cut 10 (10) “to school”
The bills head to the House floor
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Wrestlemania 34 will be held Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. It marks the first time WWE has visited the Crescent City since 2014. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the last event drew 75,000 fans from 50 states and 36 countries…
Cut 11 (09) “their stars.”
Nungesser says he is not surprised that the WWE chose to come back to New Orleans after hosting the even just four years ago. He says economic impact is huge for the hosting city…
Cut 12 (06) “Orlando.Florida”
Nungesser says that New Orleans’ atmosphere makes it the perfect city to host a wild event that WWE brings…
Cut 13 (11) ” in Louisiana.”
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A bill legalizing the prescription of medical marijuana to children with autism passed the House on a 71-21 vote and heads next to the Senate. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons, the bill’s sponsor, says he was moved by stories from his constituents who have family members who struggle with autism.
Cut 14 (08) “of life.”
The bill saw advocates and family members in committee testify about the harmful effects of the current, limited, slate of autism medication available. Lyons says allowing these prescriptions sends a message of support to those families.
Cut 15 (12) “their voice”
Lyons says the families who care for autistic children need more positive legislation like this.
Cut 16 (06) “be heard.”
The bill survived a last second effort from Haughton Representative Dodie Horton to insert a poison pill amendment that would have likely resulted in the legislation’s failure to pass.
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LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron says the quarterback battle between Myles Brennan, Justin McMillan and Lowell Narcisse is a tight one. Narcisse says if all three of them have to play to win games, he’s fine with that…
Cut 17 (20) “quarterback system”
Narcisse says he’s not spending too much time wondering about how much playing time he’ll see next season, his main focus is getting better every day….
Cut 18 (14) “last practice”
Justin McMillan is hoping to make the jump from Scout team Quarterback to starting Q-B. The former three-star prosect from Texas is excited about what this offense can do with new offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger