The Louisiana budget bill that lawmakers sent to Governor John Bel Edwards desk fully funds TOPS for the fall semester, but only pays 45% of tuition for spring. Several democrats call the front-loading of TOPS a budget gimmick. Edwards doesn’t anticipate a higher than expected amount of revenue rolling in, so TOPS students will be left with a big tuition bill in the spring…:
Cut 15 (08) “time of year”
But others say students were promised to have their tuition paid, so funding the program next semester is the right thing to do.

We may find out today whether or not LSU wants to be the state’s grower of medical marijuana. The new drug will be a pill containing cannabis oil, and patients won’t be able to smoke it. LSU AgCenter spokeswoman, Frankie Gould, says they have a lot to consider before committing to growing the plant…:
Cut 8 (07) “of things”

Louisiana filmed, “Free State of Jones”, starring Matthew McConaughey, opens in theaters today. Emelie Gunn talks with Patrick Mulhearn of Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

An Abbeville man will spend the rest of his life in prison for fatally shooting a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy in 2014. District Attorney Keith Stutes says 22-year-old Quintylan Richard entered a plea of guilty on the two-year anniversary of shooting Deputy Allen Bares (BAH REZ)…:
Cut 10 (07) “difficult circumstance”