The bill that would require students starting 9th grade this fall to have at least a 2.75 GPA in order to receive the TOPS scholarship advanced on the House floor. The current requirement is 2.5. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there is a reason his bill wouldn’t take effect for 4 years…:
Cut 14 (10) “this fall”

Today lawmakers in the House are expected to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in 27 years. A proposal by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter would up the tax by 17 cents a gallon. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says more revenue is needed to pay for better roads…:
Cut 4 (09) “all have them”
The GOP opposes the measure.

Vice President Mike Pence will be in Baton Rouge today to meet with business leaders. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the frustration business owners have experienced over the last few years has peaked. He says in the first year of opening a small business, owners spend more than $80-thousand just complying with federal regulations..:
Cut 8 (11) “new approaches”

A Senate Judiciary committee voted to raise the fees for individuals on probation and parole in Louisiana to increase salaries for parole officers. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris’ measure would up the fee by 37-dollars to 100 dollars. Harris hopes this would be an incentive for parole officers to stay in their position…:
Cut 11 (08) “recruit some”
The Senate panel passed the House approved measure on a 3 to 1 vote.

LSU’s Todd Peterson was scheduled to start today’s SEC Tournament game against Missouri, but the freshman from Florida has been suspended for one game, because of a violation of team rules. So sophomore right-hander Caleb Gilbert will get the start. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Gilbert should do just fine…:
Cut 17 (14) “butt off”
LSU is seeking its sixth SEC Tournament championship with Coach Paul Mainieri at the helm.

UL Lafayette has an RPI of 52. The Cajuns are scheduled to begin play today in the Sun Belt Tournament but heavy rain in Statesboro, Georgia is causing a scheduling nightmare for conference officials.

Louisiana Tech begins play today in the Conference USA Tournament against Charlotte in Biloxi. Charlottte won two of three from Tech earlier this season and the Diamond Dogs are coming off a disappointing series loss to Middle Tennessee.

2nd seeded Southeastern Louisiana will face 7th seeded UNO at noon today in the Southland Tournament. The Lion’s Taylor Schwaner has been named conference player of the Year. The junior from Slidell completed the regular season with a 321 average with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs. McNeese State’s Shane Selman has been named Southland Hitter of the Year and his coach Justin Hill is coach of the year.

The Pokes head into the Southland Conference Tournament in Sugar Land, Texas as the top seed after winning the league’s regular season championship. McNeese will take on Lamar today after taking two of three from the Cardinals last week. Cowboys Head Coach Justin Hill..:
Cut 19 (16) “that much”
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. The proposal repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits offshore revenue among Gulf States. Managing Director with the America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money if GOMESA is repealed.

Cut 3 (12) “of that”

Gulf States would lose a total of $3.6 billion over the next decade.

Vice President Mike Pence will visit Baton Rouge tomorrow to discuss health care, jobs and the economy with local business leaders. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan on the visit.

Cut 13 (11) “for him”

The White House says the Vice President will make remarks afterwards at Cajun Industries in Port Allen.

Authorities in LaFourche Parish are looking for a man accused of living in his ex-girlfriend’s attic when stalking her. Emelie Gunn reports…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities are investigating the death of an 8-month-old in Baton Rouge. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner says the infant, Bryaneishia Washington-Dixon died of blunt force trauma to her abdomen. Police say no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.

The House Transportation Committee approves a proposal to require signs several hundred feet ahead of speed enforcement cameras. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter believes those who oppose this are just interested in collecting money from unsuspecting motorists.

Cut 7 (11) “municipality”

The bill is awaiting final passage on the House floor.

A bill that would include dating partners in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws advances in a Senate committee. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White raised concerns about situations that could arise, like a boyfriend pushing his drunk girlfriend into the car after a night out.

Cut 9 (09) “different deal”

The measure was sent to the Senate floor without objection.

The House is scheduled to take up a proposal tomorrow to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 23 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves a proposal to require parents of minors seeking an abortion to show a photo ID at the clinic. Currently minors only need a notarized statement from a legal guardian. The Senate-approved bill adding the picture identification requirement now heads to the full House for consideration.

Vice President Mike Pense will be in Louisiana tomorrow. The White House says during the Vice President’s visit, he’ll hear first-hand stories about health care, job creation and the economy. Governor Edwards, who announced today he opposes President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, will be at the Baton Rouge airport to welcome Pense. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan gives his take on that …:
Cut 15 (07) “state of Louisiana”
The Vice President is also slated to make remarks afterwards at Cajun Industries in Port Allen.

Authorities in Lafourche Parish are looking for a man accused of living in the attic of his ex-girlfriend to stalk her. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Brennan Matherne says 21-year-old Taylor Broussard has nine active warrants for several felony crimes including stalking, auto theft, battery, and aggravated assault…:
Cut 12 (10) “XLG-572?

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. It means the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several coastal states, would be repealed. Managing Director with America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion, says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money..:
CUT 5 (12) “United States”
US Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement saying that taking this funding away from Louisiana’s coastline is a nonstarter.

A Senate Judiciary Committee advances a bill to include dating partners in Louisiana’s domestic abuse laws. Currently they only apply to couples who are married or living together. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this closes a huge loophole in the law..:
Cut 8 (08) “love them”

Vice President Mike Pence is slated to visit with Baton Rouge area business leaders and address the community tomorrow. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the Trump administration wants to show they listen to the public…:
Cut 14 (10) “craft policies”
The White House says during the Vice President’s visit, he’ll hear first-hand stories about health care, job creation and the economy.

The full House will vote on a Senate approved measure that would give drivers a warning before an upcoming speed camera. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says local municipalities shouldn’t have a problem with this if they argue that the devices are meant to deter speeding…:
CUT 6 (07) “a consequence”
Carter’s bill has been approved by the Senate and awaits final passage on the House floor.

Louisiana stands to lose $140 million a year in coastal restoration funding under the budget proposal released by President Donald Trump today. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Blake lawmakers in Mississippi want a state representative there to resign for saying Louisiana leaders should be “lynched” for removing confederate monuments. Representative Karl Oliver apologized Monday over the Facebook post and was also stripped of his vice chairmanship of a House committee. But the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is demanding the resignation of Oliver, who is white.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. The proposal repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several Gulf States. Managing Director with the America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion, says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money…:
Cut 3 (12) “of that”
He hopes Louisiana’s congressional delegation will fight to get this money back in the budget.

The House Health committee advances a measure that would require parents of minors seeking an abortion to show a photo ID at the clinic. Currently only a notarized statement from a legal guardian of an unmarried girl under 18 is required. The bill mandating parental consent with picture identification for abortions on minors has already been approved by the Senate and now heads to the full House.

Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Louisiana tomorrow to discuss health, jobs and the economy. The White House says the Vice President will participate in a listening session with local business leaders in the Baton Rouge area and he’ll make remarks afterwards at Cajun Industries in Port Allen. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan:
Cut 13 (11) “for him”
He says this is a political trip designed to show the public they are listening to input.

LaFourche Parish authorities are looking for a man they believe stalked his ex-girlfriend by living in her attic for some time. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Brennan Matherne says when investigating an assault, they located evidence that showed 21-year-old Taylor Broussard had been staying in the attic..:
Cut 11 (09) “in the attic”
Broussad faces a myriad of charges and authorities have been unable to locate him.

Authorities in LaFourche Parish are looking for a man accused of living in his ex-girlfriend’s attic when stalking her. Emelie Gunn reports:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The full House will vote on a Senate approved measure that would give drivers a warning before coming up on speed cameras. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter believs those who oppose this are just interested in collecting money from unsuspecting motorists…:
Cut 7 (11) “municipality”

A bill that would include dating partners in domestic violence laws, instead of just those couples living together or married, advances in a Senate committee. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White says but what if a situation arises like a boyfriend pushing his drunk girlfriend into the car during a night out..:
Cut 9 (09) “different deal”
But it heads to the full Senate without objection.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. The proposal repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several Gulf States. There are those who say this money was dedicated mostly to coastal restoration and coastal infrastructure projects…:
Cut 4 (09) “in Louisiana”
That’s Managing Director with America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion.

Louisiana stands to lose $140 million a year in coastal restoration funding under a budget proposed by President Donald Trump..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Senate Judiciary Committee advances a bill to include dating partners in Louisiana’s domestic abuse laws. Currently they only apply to couples who are married or living together. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this closes a huge loophole in the law..:
Cut 8 (08) “love them”
The measure was approved without objection and heads to the Senate floor.

Authorities in Lafourche Parish are looking for a man who is facing several charges amid allegations including living in the attic of his ex-girlfriend for a period of time while stalking her. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Brennan Matherne says officers responded to the home in reference to a disturbance involving 21-year-old Taylor Broussard:
CUT 10 (10) “one incident”
He says cops located evidence such as bedding showing Broussard had been living in the victim’s attic. Broussard is at large and has nine active warrants for several felony crimes including stalking, auto theft, battery, and aggravated assault.

Today the House is expected to take up a proposal to raise the minimum GPA requirements for TOPS. Don Molino has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The full House will vote on a Senate approved measure that would give drivers a warning before an upcoming speed camera. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says local municipalities shouldn’t have a problem with this if they argue that the devices are meant to deter speeding…:
CUT 6 (07) “a consequence”

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. It means the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several coastal states, would be repealed. Managing Director with America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion, says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money..:
CUT 5 (12) “United States”
US Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement saying that taking this funding away from Louisiana’s coastline is a nonstarter.

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser has launched a horse tourist initiative which is an attempt to draw enthusiasts to their facilities and horse shows. He says the horse industry in Louisiana already generates 2 billion dollars a year…:
CUT 26 (09) “with that”