Just before midnight, the Louisiana legislature gave final approval to a spending bill that calls for the TOPS scholarship program to be fully funded for the fall semester. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it’s the right thing to do…:
Cut 13 (09) “tuition free”
But under the bill, students would only have 42 percent of tuition covered for the spring semester, and Governor John Bel Edwards says with no more revenue rolling in, our kids will have a massive bill the second half of the school year.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote today on whether or not their AgCenter will grow medical marijuana. Spokesperson for the LSU AgCenter, Frankie Gould, says the law passed this year that expanded the diseases for which the drug can be prescribed, and also outlined two possible growers for the plant…:
CUT 7 (09) “medical marijuana”
The new drug will be a pill containing cannabis oil, and you won’t be able to smoke it.

The Louisiana filmed movie, Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey opens in theaters today. Executive Director of Celtic Studios Patrick Mulhearn says the movie revolves around a Mississippi farmer who tries to secede from the Confederacy. He says it’s set during the Civil War and was filmed in 10 different Louisiana parishes…:
cut 4 (10) “the map”
He says Hollywood South is struggling a bit this year, and he hopes lawmakers will make some changes to the film tax incentive program in the 2017 session.

As expected former LSU star Ben Simmons was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. He’s the second player from LSU to be taken with the top pick. Shaquille O’ Neal was the first in 1992. Simmons says this is a dream come true…:
Cut 16 (08) “accomplish that”