In case the legislature is not able to fully fund TOPS, a bill that would ensure all students get at least part of their scholarship is nearing final passage. Currently, 51-thousand students receive TOPS. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says, without this bill, 13-thousand students could lose their award which would be bad for the state’s economy…:
CUT 3 (05) “do it”
The measure passed the House and now heads back to the Senate so changes made to the bill can be approved.

A final investigation into the deaths of two giraffes at the Baton Rouge zoo finds the staff responded as an experienced and knowledgeable team and were not at fault. The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums says the handlers were faced with a challenging situation and they commend the Baton Rouge Zoo for the long-term care of these animals. The zoo requested the investigation after the two giraffes died in March.

Earlier this morning the price of oil rose above 50 dollars a barrel for the first time since October. Executive Director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says this marks an important milestone and it might put an end to the job losses in this industry…:
CUT 6 (10) “woods yet”
Crude oil was below 30 dollars a barrel earlier this year.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man is under arrest after a 17-year-old woman died of an apparent drug overdose. They say Melissa Sharpe drove the victim to the hospital, and it was determined the woman had been deceased for several hours. She is charged with obstruction of justice. Noah Sharpe is booked with 2nd degree murder in the incident. They’re asking anyone with information on this incident contact authorities.

Louisiana has joined several states seeking to block the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom policy in public schools. The federal government says public schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex….
cut 13 (06) “…that letter”
Governor Edwards’ office says they were they not consulted about the lawsuit.

Triple-A is predicting this Memorial Day weekend will see it’s highest number of travelers since 2005. Spokesperson Don Redman says gas prices are as low as they’ve been in 11 years and tickets for the top 40 domestic flight routes are 26-percent cheaper this year….
cut 26 (09) “…those prices”

A pro-Edwards group called Rebuild Louisiana is raising dollars to launch a public awareness campaign to help the governor advance his legislative agenda. Edwards’ proposals to raise the minimum wage, require equal pay for men and women, have met resistance, plus analysts say it could be difficult for the governor to raise revenues in another special session. Baton Rouge attorney Mary Olive Peierson is the Chair of Rebuild Louisiana..
cut 9 (10) “…these issues”

LSU AgCenter food scientist Marvin Moncada has developed a “nanosalt” which you can use to flavor your food, but it will reduce your sodium intake. Moncada says they are still in the lab stage, but he expects tests to be conducted with consumers shortly…
cut 11 (08) “…the consumer”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 23-hundred milligrams of sodium per day, but Moncada says most Americans eat double that amount.

11 states including Louisiana are suing the Obama Administration over the letter they sent to public schools saying they must allow students to use the bathroom based on their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding. Attorney General Jeff Landry says they want a judge to declare this directive unlawful…:
CUT 15 (09) “federal courts”
He says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex.

State lawmakers have agreed to raise the GPA requirement for upper-tier TOPS students, who also receive a stipend to help pay for their higher education costs. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would raise the GPA requirement to 3.25 for a TOPS Performance Award and 3.5 for a TOPS Honors Award.

The lowest gas price in 11 years is putting over 38 million Americans on the road this Memorial Day weekend. Don Redman with AAA says be careful out there this weekend, it’s gonna be packed..:
CUT 5 (10) “rush hours”

An LSU AgCenter scientist creates a nanosalt to reduce the sodium content in food. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Over 38 million Americans are expected to travel over the Memorial Day weekend this year. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A group of concerned citizens has formed to raise money in efforts to push Governor John Bel Edwards legislative agenda. Chairman of Rebuild Louisiana, Mary Olive Pierson says in addition to the budget, they have several concerns…:
CUT 8 (06) “big ticket items”
She says their biggest concern is the $600 million dollar budget.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says Louisiana is joining 10 other states in a lawsuit aimed at preventing the Obama Administration from forcing transgender bathrooms on public schools. He says Washington continues to try to wreak havoc on our learning institutions…:
CUT 14 (07) “harmful policy”
The White House has no comment on the suit.

An LSU AgCenter scientist has discovered a new way to reduce the sodium content in food. Marvin Moncada developed nanosalt, which is salt in a powder form that is about one-thousand times smaller than kosher salt. Moncada says nanosalt is a natural alternative to reducing the amount of salt content in foods…:
Cut 10 (08) “to cover”
He says the powerful flavor would still be present but with 25-50 percent less sodium.

Louisiana is one of several states suing the Obama administration over the new transgender bathroom policy in public schools. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A former East Ascension High School teacher and athletic trainer has been arrested by the Gonzales Police Department for prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student. 34-year-old Carl Aguillard of Prairieville was under investigation for a week amid allegations he was having sex with a 17-year-old student.

The nonprofit group Rebuild Louisiana is raising money that will go towards getting public support for Governor John Bel Edwards’ legislative agenda. Chairman Mary Olive Pierson says the group feels many lawmakers are being hard headed…:
CUT 7 (09) “really want”
It’s expected the governor will call a special session next month to address a 600-million dollar budget shortfall.

A scientist at the LSU AgCenter says he’s developed a way to reduce the sodium content in certain foods. Dr. Marvin Moncada, within the school of nutrition and food sciences, says this “nanosalt” powder coats more of the surface of what we eat delivering the same powerful flavor with 25-50 percent less sodium…:
CUT 12 (08) “maybe fries”
He hopes to market his invention, but more tests need to be done first.

LSU has had many dramatic victories at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, but none took as long as Wednesday night-Thursday morning’s 5-3 win over Florida.

Louisiana has joined several states seeking to block the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom policy in public schools. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex…:
Cut 13 (06) “that letter”
The federal government says public schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding.

Baton Rouge Police say that a woman who was allegedly drunk rammed a stolen vehicle repeatedly into the home of her child’s father after a fight. They say 25-yaer-old Rachel Champella Myles then went to the club where she was arrested, but cops say she bit one officer and grabbed another by his testicles. She was booked on many charges and bail is set at $96,000.

Triple-A expects over 38 million Americans will travel over the Memorial Day weekend, the highest number of travelers since 2005. Spokesperson Don Redman says it’s due to low gas prices, which are currently $2.09 a gallon for regular gasoline. He says these are the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 11 years….:
cut 4 (09) “done before”
Redman says from January until now, Americans have saved about 18 billion dollars that would usually go into their gas tanks.

The LSU baseball team rallied to beat Florida 5-3 in a thrilling game that was the longest in SEC Tournament history. The victory puts LSU in the winner’s bracket and they’ll face Mississippi State in the late game tonight. But the Tigers will need their rest after the 5-hour, 7-minute contest.

Sex offenders will soon be required to register their email addresses and online usernames with State Police, thanks to a bill by Metairie Representative Cameron Henry that’s heading to the governor’s desk. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Louisiana has joined several states seeking to block the Obama administration’s transgender bathroom policy in public schools.  Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the President does not have the legal authority to require children to share locker rooms and bathrooms with children of the opposite sex.

The adult smoking rate in the US is falling faster than is has in the past 20 years based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 50 years ago, roughly 42% of US adults smoked and that rate has now fallen to about 15%. Renee Underwood, with the state department of health and hospitals, says they launched a statewide campaign last year to help people kick their tobacco habits.

cut 12 (11) “adult population”

A new website, BayouOpportunity.com, has just been launched to help workers in the oil and gas industry find new jobs, as unemployment in that sector continues to rise. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says you don’t have to be a welder or a pipefitter to find a job in this industry.

CUT 5 (11)  “to Louisiana”

Kids who use the internet to play games could be chatting with predators without knowing it. A bill headed to the governor’s desk would let parents check online usernames through the state’s sex offender database. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says the penalty for sex offenders not providing their online information would be the same as not registering at all…
CUT 8 (12) “release are”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the bill.

Also on the governor’s desk, is legislation that would require muncipiliaties to place signs at the intersections where red light cameras are installed. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says under the law, if a warning sign is not posted, the fine could be challenged…
cut 11 (08) “….collect fines”
The measure faced little opposition at the capitol.
A report out of Tulane University says if cuts needs to be made to TOPS, it would be more beneficial to state if needs based students were protected first. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 5 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

State lawmakers have agreed to raise the GPA requirement for upper-tier TOPS students, who also receive a stipend to help pay for their higher education costs. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would raise the GPA requirement to 3.25 for a TOPS Performance Award and 3.5 for a TOPS Honors Award.