The Senate Finance Committee approves a bill that would increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes 64 cents which is 32 cents higher than what the House agreed to. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal will make a “major announcement” regarding the 2016 presidential race on June 24th in New Orleans. It’s expected Jindal will announce his intentions for the Republican presidential nomination. The GOP field is crowded as nine candidates have already entered the race.

The state House advances a Senate bill that puts spending controls on the TOPS scholarship program. The Senate must now vote on technical changes made on the House side. The measure does face a veto threat from Governor Bobby Jindal, who opposes major changes to the TOPS program. But Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says TOPS is in trouble without the bill…

cut 15 (06) “for the future”

The bill locks in the amount of the TOPS award at the 2015-2016 level and legislative approval would be needed for any increase.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center scientists say a spinach extract could help curb hunger and cravings. Candida Rebello, registered dietitian and one of the lead authors of the study, says they found Appethyl affects the “reward system” which is what cravings are all about. She says it’s a safe food made from spinach that decreases desire for hunger and salt and makes you feel more full…

cut 8 (07) “prolonged period”

In the study, 60 overweight participants who were given Appethyl all felt more satisfied, had a reduced feeling of hunger, and had less desire for savory foods.