A task force has been formed to study how to make TOPS a more sustainable program. Chairman Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the scholarship program, which makes it harder for lawmakers to decide how to alter it. He says the goal of the committee is to put together a report of accurate information…:
Cut 15 (10) “is introduced”
They will meet in about a month.

This year’s “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico is the biggest one yet at about 8,800 square miles. LSU scientist Nancy Rabalais one of her biggest worries about this massive oxygen-depleted region is nutrient cycling. Practically speaking, she says it’s also a problem for shrimpers…:
Cut 11 (10) “those shrimp”

An expecting mom’s diet can have huge impacts on the health of her baby. Dr. Nick Broskey with the LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center says a recent study found that soda consumption during pregnancy increased the risk of childhood obesity for her baby. He says that’s why it’s important for moms-to-be to stay healthy…:
Cut 5 (09) “health outcomes”
He says they are recruiting moms with gestational diabetes to study this further.

LSU announces offensive lineman Maea Teuhema has been granted his release from the team and will transfer to another school. This comes on the heels of a prior announcement that Teuhema had been indefinitely suspended. Now the Tigers have just eleven scholarship players on the offensive line. Teuhema’s suspension and subsequent departure likely had to do with academics which Coach O mentioned at the start of practice Monday. With Teuhema gone, Lloyd Cushenberry of Dutchtown High School will take the spot at starting right guard.