The House Appropriations Committee has voted to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program for the next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil amended the state’s spending plan to take 82-million dollars from the Department of Health’s budget to fund it.

Cut 14 (11) “percent”

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger raised concerns about how these cuts would impact LDH. He says the only areas of the health budget that can be cut are optional Medicaid programs that will greatly impact Louisiana residents.

Cut 16 (12) “on the streets”

The budget plan heads to the House floor.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of 26-year-old Deputy Justin Beard, who was killed in a crash Sunday morning. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says Beard was responding to a call on Highway 34 when he veered off the roadway.

Cut 5 (08) “this crash”

Beard leaves behind a wife and three young children.

Evangeline Parish is battling flooding that’s occurring as a result of a severe weather system. Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Liz Hill says although the water wasn’t as high as it was in the August flood, some people had to be rescued from their flooded homes.

Cut 10 (07) “higher ground”

Flooding impacted about 60 homes in Mamou, along with the schools, hospital, and city hall.