A report from Carinsurance-dot-com finds Louisiana is the third most dangerou state for teen drivers. The study found that Louisiana teens are drinking and driving at a rate of nine-percent and texting and driving at a rate of 49-percent, both percentages are above the national average. Highway Safety advocate, Colonel Jim Champagne, says it’s a disturbing report…
cut 7 (09) “….the nation”

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden has filed papework that suggests he’s running for Congress. Holden is expected to run against fellow Democrat Cedric Richmond, who represents the 2nd District. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Holden could be a serious threat to Richmond, but he’ll need to raise some dough…
cut 5 (11) “…just announcing”
Qualifying is in July and the election is in November.

The Jimmy Davis Bridge in Shreveport-Bossier City will not get its planned renovation anytime soon because the construction contract has been terminated. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says work has been halted because of a protected species of bird that’s nesting on the bridge.
CUT 9 (10) “the work”
Mallett says DOTD is regrouping and will try to come up with a cost prohibitive plan to protect the cliff swallows that are living on the bridge.

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that fully funds the TOPS Scholarship program. Governor John Bel Edwards proposed spending plan only funded TOPS at one-third of the level neeeded to completely pay for all of the tuitions. Money was moved from other parts of the budget to fully fund the scholarship program. The full house will debate the budget bill later this week.