The House Education Committee approved a bill to increase the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS from 2.5 to 2.75. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s heard frustration from voters, about the uncertainty of the scholarship program and this could help cut down on costs.
Cut 12 (10) “four year window”
The proposed change would go into effect with the Class of 2021.

A bill heading to the House Floor would lift the one year ban for individuals convicted of a drug related felony to receive food stamps and welfare benefits after being released from prison. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the ban was originally placed as a deterrent not to commit drug related crimes, but it hasn’t work.
Cut 10 (11) “our community”

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a proposal that would allow residents to carry concealed guns without permits. Jimmy Williams of Louisiana Carry argued that requiring a permit gives lawbreaking criminals the upper hand…
cut 7 (10) “…willing to”
But Cissy Rowley, a shooting victim in the 2015 Lafayette movie theater shooting spree, urged the panel to rject the bill. She says the permitting process is needed to vet people who should not be concealed carrying a firearm….
cut 9 (08) “….respect that”
The bill was defeated on an eight to five vote. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey, says he plans to bring the proposal back up next year.

A bill that would raise the minimum GPA from 2.50 to 2.75 to receive the TOPS scholarship was approved by the House Education committee on a nine to three vote. Baton Rouge Franklin Foil says he authored the legislation in an effort to cut costs and it has the support of the Council for a Better Louisiana, president Barry Erwin….
cut 13 (11) “…period of time”
The measure now heads to the House floor.

A 12-year-old is dead after cops say he accidentally shot himself in the head. Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot says the boy was handling a semi-automatic handgun…:
Cut 3 (11) “the chamber”
He says the child later died from his injuries, and this is a tragic accidental incident in which no charges will be filed.

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a bill that would have allowed Louisiana residents to conceal carry a gun without a permit. Dr. Kenneth Flaming of Louisiana Carry says it can take up to a year before a CCP is approved, and can cost between $300 and $500…:
Cut 6 (08) “the most”
Cissy Rowley is a Lafayette theater shooting victim. She says without the permit requirement, gun owners could carry their weapons concealed with little or no training…:
Cut 8 (10) “a gun before”
The bill was shelved on an 8-5 vote.

And a judge in New Orleans has denied a request that would prevent the city from removing a statue of Confederate Army General P.G.T. Beauregard

High school students would have to graduate with a 2.75 GPA in order to qualify for TOPS under a bill approved by the House Education committee. The current minimum GPA is 2.50. James Callier with the Taylor Foundation opposed the measure, because he said it would hurt needy students…
cut 14 (11) “…one year”
The bill, which would take effect with the graduating class of 2021, passed on a 9-3 vote and heads to the House floor.

The Pineville-based utility company Cleco presented Governor John Bel Edwards with a seven-million dollar check that the state economic development department can use to create jobs in their 23 parish service area. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill…
cut 11 (10) “….in Louisiana”
Legislation that would have allowed residents to conceal a gun in public without a permit failed to get approval from a House committee. Jimmy Williams of a group called Louisiana Carry argued in front of the panel that requiring a permit gives criminals the upper hand…
cut 7 (10) “…willing to”
But the measure was shot down on an eight to five vote.

A 12-year-old southwest Louisiana boy is dead after he accidentally fatally shot himself with a semi-automatic pistol. That’s according to Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot who says they believe the boy was trying to intimidate his little brother with the gun…
cut 4 (10) “…intentional thing”
Fontenot says no charges will be filed.

Another big part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ agenda for the legislative session has been shot down, as the House Ways and Means committee did not advance a proposal to shift the tax burden from individuals to businesses. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says many lawmakers aren’t interested in raising taxes on businesses…:
Cut 15 (12) “touch it”
Governor Edwards called the action by the Ways and Means committee a severe case of misplaced priorities and a disservice to the people of Louisiana.

Up for debate at the capitol today is a bill to raise the minimum grade point average in order to qualify for the TOPS scholarship. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil is proposing to increase the required GPA from 2.5 to 3.0 for gradudating high school seniors starting with the class of 2021.

A bill that would ban so-called sanctuary cities fails to get the 70 votes needed to pass the full House. The bill is aimed at New Orleans which has a policy that prohibits officers from questioning the status of individuals who commit or report a crime. State Representative Gary Carter voiced his concern this legislation could lead to racial profiling of Hispanics…:
Cut 12 (07) “no”
The measure failed on 64-32 vote.

The personal finance website Wallethub finds Louisiana is the worst state in the country for police officers Analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana has a very high crime rate, so police officers are busy and pay for law enforcement officers is next to last in the country…..
cut 9 (09) “…crime rate”
Louisiana also ranks last in the number of police deaths per one-thousand officers.

Governor John Bel Edwards continues to have no success with his proposals to change Louisiana’s tax laws. The House Ways and Means committee rejected his plan to reduce income taxes for 90-percent of the state’s wage earners, but Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says many legislators are concerned about increasing taxes on businesses…
cut 15 (12) “….touch it”

The House Civil Law committee approves a bill that could suspend child support payments for parents who are incarcerated for six months or more. Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says the idea behind the bill is to reduce debt for inmates, so they have a better chance to succeed when they are released from prison…:
Cut 6 (10) “right path”
The proposal comes from a recommendation made by the governor’s task force that looked at reducing the state’s incarceration rate.

Louisiana US Senator Bill Cassidy appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk about his “Kimmel Test” when it comes to the nation’s health care plan. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Former LSU basketball star Shaquille O’ Neal has told an Atlanta TV station that he plans to run for sheriff in 2020. O’Neal has homes in Florida and Georgia, so if he does run, it will likely be in one of those two states.

Legislation backed by Governor John Bel Edwards’ that called for shifting the tax burden from individuals to businesses died in the House Ways and Means committee. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it appears the Republican dominated legislature is not interested in overhauling the state’s tax structure…
cut 14 (11) “…this minute”

Most inmates serving over 180-days in prison wouldn’t have to pay child support while incarcerated under a measure that cleared a House committee. While speaking to the Department of Children and Family Services, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says an offender is more likely to discuss child support payments, if they don’t have huge debts.:
Cut 7 (11) “I agree”

The stripper age requirement bill advanced with significant amendments out of a Senate committee today. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A House committee approved legislation to amend a current state law so-foreign born applicants can obtain a marriage license without a birth certificate. A Lafayette man who was born in an Indonesian refugee camp and doesn’t have a birth certificate has filed a lawsuit, because he’s unable to marry his fiancee.

Legislation that sought to increase the age requirement to 21-years-old to be hired as a stripper at a night club was heavily amended to put the age requirement back at 18. Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver is not a big fan of the 21-year-old requirement….
cut 10 (09) “..and die”
The bill heading to the Senate floor would require adult enterinament businesses to undergo training to spot human trafficking with their dancers.

A Ville Platte deputy city marsal has been arrested for two counts of promoting prostitution. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office chief deputy, Chris Ivey, says Arthur Lee Phillips had sex with a prositute and then solicited her to other me and kept the earnings….
cut 16 (10) “…was arrested”
Maria Joseph was arrested for prostitution.

An inmate who is behind bars for over 180 days might not have to pay child support payments under a bill approved by a House Committee. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says child support payments would still be required if the inmate has the means to pay it, committed a crime against the other parent or if they are in jail, because they are a deadbeat parent…
cut 8 (08) “….that situation”
The goal of Marino’s measure is to lessen the debt an offender faces once they are released from jail, so they have a better chance at staying out of prison.

A seven-year-old Hammond girl has been featured in several national interviews for her trips across the country to hug police officers. Rosalyn Baldwin’s mother, Angie, says Rosalyn and her siblings go on adventures when hanging out with the officers…
cut 14 (11) “…here there”