The TOPS Task Force met for the first time today to discuss the future of the scholarship program. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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Governor John Bel Edwards is pushing for changes in the federal disaster grant program. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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Today the TOPS Task Force met for the first time, as state leaders take a closer look at the scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish authored the legislation that created the group. He says almost no changes have been made to TOPS in the past 20 years, but a lot has changed in higher education…:
Cut 3 (11) “and we do now”
Morrish says they want to see where TOPS is going, what needs to be done, and what the legislative intent is of the scholarship program. He says the goal is to collect all the information available on TOPS so lawmakers can make decisions about the future of the program.
Cut 4 (07) “on it”
The task force will meet twice a month for the next four months before issuing their report in February. Morrish says the purpose of today’s meeting is to get a general overview of the taxpayer funded scholarship program.
Cut 5 (12) “costing us”
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The National Hurricane Center says the eye of Cat-5 Irma is closing in on the Virgin Islands, but most models still show it shifting east and staying away from Louisiana. NHC Meteorologist David Zelinsky says the 5 day cone of probability currently shows Irma impacting Florida…:
Cut 6 (11)”does shift”
Zelinsky says encourages people not to focus on the exact forecast track, especially at longer ranges. He says there is a mid-level trough that is causing Irma to turn…:
Cut 7 (04) “actually occur”
Zelinsky says atmospheric conditions and sea surface temperatures will likely keep the storm a major hurricane as it heads towards the Bahamas and southern Florida. He says Irma is going to hit Puerto Rico this afternoon or tonight:
Cut 8 (10) “and The Keys”
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Major refineries in Texas are starting to come back online, and gas prices across the nation are finally starting to level off. Senior Petroleum Analyst with GasBuddy.com, Patrick Dehaan says, the Bayou State saw a 16 cent increase at the pump over the last week. The current statewide average is $2.39. He says we can blame this spike on Hurricane Harvey.
Cut 9 (11) “higher”
Dehaan says it seems like gas prices have begun to peak and Louisiana is already seeing subtle decreases.
Cut 10 (05) “plateau”
Dehaan says Louisiana’s average, although it has increased by 16 cents, it’s lower than the national average of a 21 cent jump.
Cut 11 (10) “unscathed”
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In the wake of devastating storms with more on the way, Governor John Bel Edwards hopes to change the way disaster grants are awarded to impacted homeowners. Richard Carbo with the governor’s office says SBA loans are the only funding available immediately after a disaster, but they may not be the best option.
Cut 12 (11) “Restore Louisiana program”
Carbo says a provision called a “duplication of benefits” prohibits families who took out loans from receiving any federal funding. He says the problem is FEMA almost insists that homeowners apply for these loans without telling them what that will mean down the road.
Cut 13 (08) “to pay back”
Carbo says the governor is pushing to end that provision and allow disaster victims to receive any assistance that’s available. He says the loan program isn’t fair to homeowners because they can be punished for taking out a loan, whether or not they use it.
Cut 14 (13) “just approved for”
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