A Senate bill that will likely result in future TOPS students having to pay a portion of their tuition clears the House Education Committee. Governor Bobby Jindal opposes the legislation, but Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says his bill will have cost controls for TOPS, so it can continue for years to come…
CUT 9 (09) Q; ‘to do that’

Legislation that looks to reduce the penalties for those convicted multiple times of marijuana possession makes progress in the state legislature. A Senate committee has approved New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s bill that would change a second-offense from a felony to a misdemeanor. He says third or four offenses of possession would still be felonies, but with lower maximum sentences than current law…
CUT 3 (06) “20 times higher”
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It will likely take a year before the Louisiana Black Bear is taken off the threatened species list, but federal officials are now recommending that delisting. After public input, they could open the door for regulated hunting of the black bear, but State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says that’s not happening anytime soon…
cut 15 (11) “rifle”
Governor Bobby Jindal says it took over 20-years of collaborative research and recovery efforts to get to this point.

After about 3 hours of debate, the Lafayette City-Parish Council has rejected a smoking ban in bars. Supporters of the proposed ban–backed by the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living–expressed health concerns for employees and musicians in clubs. Some opponents argued that decision should be left to club and bar owners. The vote was 5-4.