The Louisiana House rejects a bill that would have required some TOPS recipients to pay back their scholarships if they lost them as a result of poor grades or not taking the required number of courses. Bossier City Representative Dennis Bamburg says he was looking after taxpayer dollars with his legislation.
But Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says no other scholarship asks for the money back if a student fails to keep it.
Cut 8 (07) “…back those scholarships”
Bamburg had exemptions in his bill, where TOPS recipients would not have to pay their scholarships back if they lost them while also dealing with significant life challenges, like a death of an immediate family member. The measure failed on a 38-to-62 vote.
A new poll shows state senator Blake Miguez is leading the Fifth District Congressional Republican primary. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
A woman is arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into the East Baton Rouge Prison for one of the suspects in the murder of three-year-old Devin Page Jr. Police say Errolynn Hilson planned to give 120 sheets of mojo paper, which is a synthetic cannabinoid, to Jordan Anderson, who’s been incarcerated there for an unrelated killing.