A TOPS task force could vote on recommendations today to change the popular scholarship program. Matt Doyle has more on one proposal supported by the chairman of that panel…
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An already hard flu season are prompting officials to hold free flu vaccination clinics today across the state. Kelley Ray has a look at how you can get yours…
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House Republicans have provided Governor John Bel Edwards with their ideas on how to reduce state spending. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A 14-year-old Lafayette girl who is battling cystic fibrosis got the thrill of a lifetime, being a special guest in attendance at the State of the Union address last night. Bella Reed was a guest of St. Landry Parish Congressman Clay Higgins. He says having Bella in attendance hopefully will bring more awareness to the disease as he introduces legislation supporting ongoing research…
Higgins says he’s known the family for about two years. In that time, Higgins has worked with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to support critical research and advances in eradicating the fatal disease…
He echoes many of the things President Trump talked about last night in advancing his agenda. The Republican says it’s time for Congress to put aside their differences and quit obstructing progress on issues such as immigration and healthcare…
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A TOPS task force will vote on a series of recommendations today they hope will bring long-term sustainability to the popular scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says under his proposal many TOPS students would not have their tuition fully paid for anymore…
Morrish proposes a 4,000 dollar stipend for TOPS Opportunity recipients, those are incoming freshman that have a C average high school grades. He says students that have a higher GPA and ACT score will receive higher financial awards.
Morrish says students who receive the 4-thousand dollar stipend can look at attending a community college, if they can’t afford a full tuition at LSU or a UL System school…
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Governor John Bel Edwards has already said he doesn’t see the need to make major changes to TOPS. But Morrish says his plan is necessary to help maintain the program as the state struggles to pass a balanced budget
Morrish’s proposal would need legislative approval during the regular session. He says if enacted, it would save the state 20-million dollars a year.
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The State Health Department is making available free flu shots at more than 60 parish health units between 1 and 4:30pm today. The vaccinations are in response to one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory. Regional Health Director Dr. Marilyn Reynaud says over ten percent of the people seeking care at doctor’s offices are suffering from the flu…
A flu shot is critical for persons who may be at a higher risk for serious complications from other illness. Reynaud details those especially affected…
Officials are concerned that an extra influx of visitors coming in for the Carnival season could further increase the amount of influenza cases we’ve already seen. Reynaud says you are at risk anytime you are around people…
She reminds you to bring proper identification and insurance or Medicare cards.
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Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras provides Governor John Bel Edwards with budget cutting proposals as part of the negotiations to solve a nearly billion dollar shortfall. House Republican delegation chairman Lance Harris says in an effort to reduce health care spending, so they would like to see work requirements for certain people who receive Medicaid…
Harris says they also believe some Medicaid patients should pay a copay for services and medications. The Alexandria lawmaker says GOP legislators also want to a new website to track spending and they are pushing for a lower spending cap…
Edwards has been waiting GOP legislators to present a plan on how to address the fiscal cliff that could be discussed in a special session next month. Harris says if the governor supports these budget reform measures, House Republicans can look at making tax changes in order to create the revenue to cover up the shortfall…
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Southeastern Louisiana names Abbeville native Frank Scelfo as its new head football coach. Scelfo takes over from Ron Roberts who left the Lions after six seasons to coach ULL’s defense. Roberts led the Lions through their most successful run since the school restarted its football program in 2002, and Scelfo says he expects to maintain that momentum.
Scelfo was a former offensive coordinator for Tulane and LA Tech, and also spent time in the NFL as an assistant with Arizona and Jacksonville. Through his time across college and the pros, he’s found that getting support from the community is a key to success.
Scelfo says he’ll maintain the schools commitment to the student-athlete ideal.
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After losing by 25 points to 11th ranked Auburn on Saturday, LSU gets another chance at a ranked team tonight when they visit 18th ranked Tennessee. Tigers Coach Will Wade expects a better effort tonight…
LSU is 3-5 in the SEC, while the Volunteers are 5-3. Six-foot-seven sophomore forward Grant Williams leads Tennessee in scoring averaging 16 points and six rebounds a game. Wade says Williams is one of the better players in the SEC…