The Louisiana House rejects a bill that would have required some TOPS recipients to pay back their scholarships if they lost them as a result of poor grades or not taking the required number of courses. Bossier City Representative Dennis Bamburg says he was looking after taxpayer dollars with his legislation.

Cut 7 (09) “..this is about.”

But Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says no other scholarship asks for the money back if a student fails to keep it.

Cut 8 (07) “…back those scholarships”

Bamburg had exemptions in his bill, where TOPS recipients would not have to pay their scholarships back if they lost them while also dealing with significant life challenges, like a death of an immediate family member. The measure failed on a 38-to-62 vote.

A new poll shows state senator Blake Miguez is leading the Fifth District Congressional Republican primary. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A woman is arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into the East Baton Rouge Prison for one of the suspects in the murder of three-year-old Devin Page Jr. Police say Errolynn Hilson planned to give 120 sheets of mojo paper, which is a synthetic cannabinoid, to Jordan Anderson, who’s been incarcerated there for an unrelated killing.

The mayor of Winnsboro is arrested on a Medicaid fraud charge. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A new poll shows state senator Blake Miguez is leading the Fifth District Congressional Republican primary. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

DOTD is using the occasion of Love The Boot Week to launch a new program aimed at cleaning litter from busy highways.  Secretary Glenn Ledet (luh-DAY) says it’s called Sponsor-A-Highway.

Cut 3 (05) “…segments of highways.”

Unlike the more common Adopt-A-Highway, in which volunteers pick up trash along the stretch of highway they have adopted two to four times a year, Sponsor-A-Highway is geared towards companies which pay a monthly fee to have a third party vendor clean the sponsored section of highway. Ledet says sponsors are already signing up.

Cut 4 (06) “…in New Orleans.”

Ledet says sponsors get road signs with their logos on them, giving them an additional advertising opportunity, making this a win-win for everyone.

Cut 5 (13) “…really congested areas.”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana House rejects a bill that would have required some TOPS recipients to pay back their scholarships if they lost them as a result of poor grades or not taking the required number of courses. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan could not figure how they would pay it back, since the scholarship money goes directly to the school.

Cut 6 (13) “…to be garnished.”

The measure failed on a 38-to-62 vote.

Bossier City Representative Dennis Bamburg says he’s looking after taxpayer dollars with his legislation.

Cut 7 (09) “..this is about.”

Bamburg had exemptions in the bill, where TOPS recipients would not have to pay their scholarships back if they lost them while also dealing with significant life challenges, like a death of an immediate family member. He also gave the option for a student to go to a technical school instead, with the state still paying for the tuition.

But Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says no other scholarship asks for the money back if a student fails to keep it.

Cut 8 (07) “…back those scholarships”

_____________________________________________________

We are ten days away from the start of the early voting period for the May 16th election. Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM, and he’s expecting a low turnout for the state’s first closed primary election since 2010.

Cut 9 (12)  “…more like 25.”

Republican and Democratic U-S Senate primaries are the main item on the ballot, but voters in 20 parishes will also be electing a new person to represent the 5th Congressional district. In a poll of 600 likely voters, State Senator Blake Miguez leads the field in the 5th District Republican Party Primary. Cross says it remains to be seen if Miguez ends up replacing Julia Letlow.

Cut 10 (10) “…in the race?”

Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds received 13-percent of the vote in the survey, followed by Monroe Representative Michael Echols at 10-percent. Board of Regents chairwoman Misti Cordell received three-percent. Cross says the winner of this election may come down to who has the most money.

Cut 11 (13) “…just don’t know”

New Orleans-based pollster Greg Rigamer conducted the survey that was paid for by business lobbyist Alton Ashy.

______________________________________________________________________

LSU freshman baseball player William Patrick from Monroe will have an opportunity to play in right field now that Jake Brown is out for the season with a broken hamate bone in his wrist. Patrick started for Brown in last night’s 10-7 win over UNO and had an RBI double — but not before he got some valuable advice from Brown.

Cut 12 (15) “…up to him.”

Coach Jay Johnson is impressed with Patrick’s athleticism.

Cut 13 (07) “…a great competitor.”

LSU will look to snap a six-game SEC losing streak when they visit Mississippi State for the start of a three-game series Friday night.

The Louisiana House rejects a bill that would have required some TOPS recipients to pay back their scholarships if they lost them due to poor grades or not taking the required number of courses. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan could not figure how they would pay the money back, since the scholarship money goes directly to the schools.

Cut 6 (13) “…garnished.”

A report from Leaders for a Better Louisiana finds that Louisiana is doing well in creating jobs. Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says health and social assistance is leading the growth in new jobs, and employment in construction has been steadily growing since last August.

Cut 5 (09) “…over the place.”

DOTD is using Love The Boot week to launch Sponsor-A-Highway. Unlike the more common Adopt-A-Highway, in which volunteers pick up trash along the stretch of highway they have adopted, Sponsor-A-Highway is geared towards companies which pay a monthly fee to have a third party vendor clean the sponsored section of highway. DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet says sponsors are already signing up.

Cut 4 (06) “…in New Orleans.”

LSU freshman baseball player William Patrick from Monroe will have an opportunity to play in right field now that Jake Brown is out for the season. Patrick started in last night’s 10 to 7 win over UNO and had an RBI double – but not before Brown gave him some valuable advice.

Cut 12 (16) “…up to him.”

A report from Leaders for a Better Louisiana finds that Louisiana is doing well in creating jobs. Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp says based on state and federal data, Louisiana ranks third among Southern states for job growth. Knapp says all large Louisiana metros and two smaller metros saw year-over-year growth.

Cut 4 (06) “…all seeing growth.”

DOTD is using the occasion of Love The Boot Week to launch a new program aimed at cleaning litter from busy highways.  Secretary Glenn Ledet (luh-DAY) says it’s called Sponsor-A-Highway.

Cut 3 (05) “…segments of highways.”

Unlike the more common Adopt-A-Highway, in which volunteers pick up trash along the stretch of highway they have adopted two to four times a year, Sponsor-A-Highway is geared towards companies which pay a monthly fee to have a third party vendor clean the sponsored section of highway.

A major milestone for the Amtrak Mardi Gras line, and it reached it much earlier than expected. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The mayor of Winnsboro is arrested on a Medicaid fraud charge. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Mayor Alice Wallace fraudulently received Medicaid benefits for herself and a dependent since 2021 while misrepresenting the availability of employer-provided health insurance. The arrest comes three weeks before Wallace faces voters in her re-election bid.

Two people have been arrested for killing a three-year-old in Baton Rouge four years ago. Police have charged 22-year-old Jayden Davis and a juvenile with first degree murder in the killing of Devin Page Jr., who was fatally shot while sleeping in his home in April of 2022. His grandmother, Cathy Toliver, is overcome with emotion that justice is finally being served.

Cut 13 (12)  “…process of healing.”

A major milestone for Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line, as it has welcomed its 100-thousandth passenger much earlier than expected. Walt Leger, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says the success of the Mardi Gras line could ultimately result in a population boom for New Orleans.

Cut 9 (08)  “…creates more accessibility.”

A new report finds that Louisiana’s job growth rate is ranked third fastest in the South for 2025. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Federal agents arrest a Shreveport man who they say possessed the firearm used to kill eight children Sunday. The Justice Department says 56-year-old Charles Ford admitted that Shamar Elkins took the rifle and shot the kids with it. Ford is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements.

Federal agents arrest a Shreveport man who they say possessed the firearm used to kill eight children Sunday. 56-year-old Charles Ford is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements.

The Justice Department says Ford eventually admitted that Shamar Elkins took the rifle and shot the kids with it. An examination of Elkins’ Facebook page shows that he had been having mental health issues. Holly Howat, the interim assistant secretary of the Louisiana office of behavioral health, says if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988.

Cut 3 (09) “…care they need.”

Congressman Cleo Fields took to the House floor this week to express his condolences.

Cut 13 (07) “…this unimaginable grief.”

It is National Work Zone Awareness Week and this year’s theme is “Safe actions save lives.” Louisiana Department of Transportation Secretary Glenn Ledet says every driver has a responsibility to slow down, stay alert, and make safe decisions behind the wheel while driving through a construction zone…

Cut 9 (11)  “…work zones.”

A devastating blow to a teetering LSU baseball team as slugger Jake Brown is out for the year with a broken hamate bone. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Coach Jay Johnson may turn to Freshman William Patrick from Monroe.

Cut 7 (13) “…in the SEC.”

Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation expressed its collective sympathy to the families of the victims of Sunday’s mass murder in Shreveport. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the tragedy on the House floor with Cleo Fields, Clay Higgins and Steve Scalise by his side.

Cut 12 (10) “…senseless, unspeakable evil.”

A glimpse of the killer’s Facebook profile establishes that he was experiencing mental health issues prior to the killing spree. Holly Howat, the interim assistant secretary of the Louisiana office of behavioral health, says if you’re experiencing emotional issues, you need to reach out to a family member, a trusted friend or to Louisiana 988.

Cut 4 (12) “…and gets worse.”

It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week and State Police are asking you to do your part to prevent crashes in work zones. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Police in Baton Rouge make two arrests in connection with the death of a toddler, who was hit by a stray bullet four years ago. 22-year-old Jaden Davis and a juvenile are each charged with first-degree murder. The two were allegedly engaged in a shootout back on April 12th, 2022, when one of the bullets went through a window and hit three-year-old Devin Page Jr. as he was sleeping in his crib.

An examination of the Facebook profile of the Shreveport man who killed his seven children and a nephew Sunday morning shows that he had been struggling with mental health. In light of that, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to prioritize your mental health by using Louisiana 988. Holly Howat, the interim assistant secretary of the office of behavioral health, says it’s not just for suicide prevention – it’s for all types of emotional distress.

Cut 3 (09) “…care they need.”

Governor Landry says he’s thinking of everyone affected by the tragedy.

Cut 5 (14) “…City of Shreveport.”

We’re in the midst of Love The Boot Week, during which volunteers take part in cleanup efforts throughout the state. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser mentioned a new law that allows people to anonymously report people who litter, and those litterbugs are then issued tickets. He says those citations are very effective in preventing repeat occurrences of littering.

Cut 9 (05)  “…likely to litter.” 

A devastating blow to an LSU baseball team that’s already teetering as right fielder Jake Brown is done for the season with a broken hamate bone. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU’s offense is already struggling, and now LSU will play the rest of the season without one of its best players.

Cut 6 (10) “…national championship.”

As of right now, LSU isn’t even on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament.

Out of unspeakable tragedy comes some good. Governor Landry has announced that the Love One Louisiana Foundation, which is led by his wife Sharon, will be paying for the funerals of all eight children killed in Sunday morning’s mass shooting.

Cut 4 (14) “…in this world.”

This week is Love The Boot week. It actually got underway Saturday and runs through this Sunday. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says four years ago, he got the legislature to move Keep Louisiana Beautiful under his office.

Cut 7 (09) “…all 64 parishes.”

Throughout the week, more than 28-thousand volunteers will participate in over 12-hundred cleanup and beautification efforts throughout the state.

Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath and Governor Landry say it was a productive meeting as they discussed McMath’s proposal to dismantle the Department of Children and Family Services. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It’s not far-fetched to say that it’s been a rough title defense for the LSU baseball team, and now the Tigers got a double dose of bad news with season-ending injuries to slugger Jake Brown and pitcher Cooper Moore. The draft-eligible Brown’s hand injury will likely end his career in Baton Rouge, while Moore will medically redshirt due to his arm injury.

Governor Landry makes a generous announcement in Shreveport in the wake of Sunday’s tragedy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

This week is the fifth annual Love The Boot week – the state’s largest litter cleanup and beautification effort. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath and Governor Landry say it was a productive meeting as they discussed McMath’s proposal to dismantle the Department of Children and Family Services. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________________

Out of unspeakable tragedy comes some good. Governor Landry has announced that the Love One Louisiana Foundation, which is led by his wife Sharon, will be paying for the funerals of all eight children killed in Sunday morning’s mass shooting. In making the announcement in Shreveport, Governor Landry said he hopes the gesture will bring some comfort during a very trying time.

Cut 4 (14) “…in this world.”

The First Lady’s foundation also sprung into action following the terror attack on Bourbon Street early New Year’s Day last year. Landry says he’s thinking 0f everyone affected by Sunday’s tragedy, especially the two women who remain in critical condition after being during the rampage carried out by the father of seven of the eight children.

Cut 5 (14) “…City of Shreveport.”

In addition, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana has set up two funds. The CEO is Kristi Gustavson.

Cut 6 (10) “…prevent domestic violence.”

You can learn more or make a donation on the foundation’s website at cfnla-dot-org.

_____________________________________________________________

This week is Love The Boot week. It actually got underway Saturday and runs through this Sunday. This is the fifth year for the initiative; Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says four years years ago, he got the legislature to move Keep Louisiana Beautiful under his office.

Cut 7 (09) “…all 64 parishes.”

Nungesser recalls when he went to a Chamber of Commerce announcement years ago when he was in private business, where he expected the president of Nissan to announce that he was going to build a plant in New Orleans East. What he said instead had a profound effect.

Cut 8 (08) “…employees living here.”

Nungesser mentioned a new law that allows people to anonymously report people who litter, and they’re issued tickets. He says those citations are very effective in preventing repeat occurrences of littering.

Cut 9 (05)  “…likely to litter.”

Throughout the week, more than 28-thousand volunteers will participate in over 12-hundred cleanup and beautification efforts throughout all 64 parishes.

_________________________________________________________

Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath has met with Governor Landry about revamping the state’s child welfare system. McMath introduced legislation last week that would dismantle the Department of Children and Family Services, moving most of its functions within the Louisiana Department of Health and having State Police run the child abuse hotline.

Cut 10 (06) “…doesn’t exist now.”

McMath is also proposing that the attorney general’s office would handle child support enforcement.

Cut 11 (10) “…abuse and neglect?”

McMath, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow and other state lawmakers have been critical of DCFS for not taking the proper steps in preventing deaths of several toddlers, despite receiving calls from the public about their safety before they died.

Governor Landry expressed frustration last week about not being informed about McMath’s proposal before he presented it to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. McMath says since then, he’s had a good meeting with Landry and DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris, and the plan is to pass legislation that dramatically changes how the state handles child welfare problems.

Cut 12 (05) “…change is necessary.”

Senate Health and Welfare meets tomorrow, and it’s possible it will vote on McMath’s bill at that time, or it could wait until next week.

_________________________________________________________

If you drive a pickup truck in this state, this is the week when you will want to especially make sure that you’re wearing your seatbelt. That’s because this week is “Buckle Up In Your Truck Week,” which is an extension of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the name of the week-long enforcement period is self-explanatory.

Cut 13 (14)  “…numbers this week.”

Fischer says they’re taking a week to single out pickup trucks because the latest survey shows that almost one of every five pickup truck drivers in Louisiana do not wear their seatbelts.

Cut 14 (09) “…for whatever reason.”

Fischer says that may explain the disproportionate percentage of unrestrained pickup truck drivers who die in crashes.

Cut 15 (13) “…wearing their belts.”

Pickup truck drivers pulled over for not wearing their seatbelts this week will be issued 50-dollar tickets.

________________________________________________________

LSU baseball was swept for the second straight SEC series over the weekend, getting outscored 22-8 by Texas A&M. With the team’s recent struggles this season, head coach Jay Johnson says his philosophy will undergo some changes in the near future.

Cut 16 (20) “…a big way.”

LSU leads the SEC in wild pitches with 59 on the season, which is 21 more than the second-most in the conference. Johnson says both the pitchers and catchers have to do a better job of limiting them.

Cut 17 (12)  “…on a positive.”

The Tigers haven’t missed the postseason since 2011, but they now find themselves in real jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament, sitting at just 6-and-12 in SEC play. The typical mark to reach the postseason is around 13 conference wins, putting added pressure on LSU to pick up key victories down the stretch. Johnson still believes there’s a chance his team can turn things around.

Cut 18 (13)  “…and help guys.”

The Tigers look to get back on track against UNO tonight at 6:30 p.m.

______________________________________________________

UL-Lafayette dropped two of three games to Troy over the weekend. Coach Matt Deggs says the outcome came down to a few missed opportunities, including a misplayed ball in the outfield that sparked a five-run sixth inning for the Trojans in Friday’s 7-6 loss.

Cut 19 (16) “…with the series.”

The Cajuns look to get back in the win column tonight when they host Grambling at 6 p.m.

________________________________________________________

ULM baseball has now dropped its last three Sun Belt series. The Warhawks lost two of three games to Arkansas State over the weekend and managed just six runs across the entire series. Coach Ford Pemberton says his team needs to get back to being more disciplined at the plate.

Cut 20 (10) “…in some moments.”

ULM is at Northwestern State tonight. First pitch is set for six p.m.