08:30 Newscast, May 25th, 2016

A recent study out of Tulane finds the state would benefit from making TOPS needs based instead of merit based. The popular scholarship program is facing changes including cuts in light of Louisiana’s budget problems, and Tulane Cowen Institute Policy director Vincent Rossmeier says if the academic conditions are raised, many college worthy students won’t get TOPS…:
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He says education is the main vehicle to long term economic prosperity.

A woman in Baton Rouge gave up her infant anonymously to a fire station under the state’s Safe Haven law, saying she couldn’t take care of the baby. Rhenda Hodnett with DCFS says hospitals, police stations, and child advocacy centers are examples of locations where a child can be handed over…:
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She says the child is in good health.

On the heels of Mike the Tiger’s recent cancer diagnosis, PETA sent a letter to LSU calling for them to end the live mascot program. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The floor is laid and the stage is going up in Tiger Stadium ahead of this weekend’s big Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge. But ticket sales are reportedly struggling for the three-day country music festival. Seats are still available at Ticketmaster, and the secondary ticket market has tickets for sale at lower than face value. Headliners this year include Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Jason Aldean.