The state senate could possibly vote this afternoon on a contigency plan, if there’s shortfall in funding for the TOPS scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says instead of paying the full tuition of recipients with higher ACT scores, he would like to see everyone who recieves the scholarship get at least some scholarship money. Morrish says his legislation also contains language to help TOPS students, if they receive a partial scholarship…
cut 14 (11) “….additional amount”
Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation.

The governor announced this morning that enrollment for the state’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Edwards believes the expansion will benefit at least 300-thousand residents. Republicans are concerned about the potential for Medicaid fraud.

A House committee may bring leaders of St. Joseph to Baton Rouge to talk about the brown water that flows from the faucets at homes in the Tensas Parish town. Roy Bowman spoke to legislators about the urgency of St Joesph’s water problems….
cut 8 (09) “….now”
City residents say Mayor Edward Brown has been dragging his feet on getting state funds to help fix the water.

Nicholls State begins a lecture series on its campus tonight that’s designed to inspire future female chefs. Assistant professor Amelie Zeringue says only 21-percent of the jobs in the restaurant industry are held by women.
cut 5 (10) “…vice versa”
Zeringue says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry.