TOPS would be fully funded by using revenues from riverboat gambling, under a proposal to be taken up in the upcoming regular session. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Louisiana State Police Retirement System released figures Monday which indicate former LSP Col Mike Edmonson could get an over $128,000 annual pension for life if approved by the board. Edmonson retired last week amid criticism over the way he was handling the department and certain travel related expenses and overtime pay.

Most Louisianans oppose reducing the amount of the TOPS scholarship award to cut costs, according to a recent survey from LSU. State leaders have proposed several means of making TOPS more affordable, including limiting the amount each student receives. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says 64 percent of people don’t approve…:
Cut 10 (05) “fan of that”
He says the survey did find that 60 percent of respondents support raising the academic requirements for the scholarship.

Most families are satisfied with their kid’s early childhood provider, according to a recent survey from the Department of Education. It finds 90 percent of respondents are likely to choose their program again. Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood, Jenna Conway, says families also say they are befitting from the changes which simplify enrollment…:
Cut 4 (09) “process locally”
But she says four out of ten families note they are not sure if their child is making progress.

A bill filed for the regular session seeks to fully fund TOPS by using a portion of riverboat gaming revenue. For the first time ever, the popular taxpayer funded scholarship didn’t cover all of a student’s tuition costs this year. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he wants to make sure the program isn’t underfunded in the future…:
Cut 7 (08) “a year”
He says if this bill passes, TOPS would have to be fully funded before riverboat gaming revenues can be used on other items in budget.

Louisiana’s revised coastal restoration master plan will be discussed in the session as part of the governor’s proposals. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish co-authored the legislation…:
Cut 13 (07) “can afford”
The bill contains 120 projects to be completed in the next five years that will maintain over 800 square miles of coastal land.

A survey from the Department of Education finds most Louisiana families are satisfied with their early childhood provider. Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office reports that, for the first time in history, more people died from accidental drug related deaths last year than homicides in The Big Easy. Dr. Jeffrey Rouse said 211 overdoses eclipsed 175 murders in 2016.

It was a deadly weekend on our state highways. State Police say their troopers investigated 10 fatal crashes that resulted in 15 deaths of people. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says knowing that these crashes could have been avoided continues to frustrate law enforcement…:
CUT 11 (08) “change your life forever”
He says lack of seatbelt use, impairment and even excessive speed contributed to the crashes. Also several involved a vehicle crossing into the opposite lane of travel.

A nationwide shortage of doctors is expected to impact Louisiana. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts we could see 88-thousand fewer doctors by 2025. Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Steve Nelson, says Medicaid expansion has put a strain on doctors…:
Cut 4 (10) “that service”
He also says doctors are aging, which means there are fewer of them still able to practice.

Two weeks to go before the legislative session and we’re still waiting on Governor John Bel Edwards to announce his tax reform plans. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A new report indicated the majority of Louisiana residents support raising taxes to fund education and other state services. According to the 2017 Louisiana Study, 62 percent of those polled support tax increases for spending on K-12, and 59 percent for higher education. 53 percent support more taxes for health care, and 57 percent for transportation infrastructure.

State Police say it was a deadly weekend on Louisiana’s roadways. From Friday through Monday morning, troopers investigated 10 fatal crashes that resulted in the deaths of 15 people. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says every one of these fatal crashes, that also claimed the lives of children and teenagers, were preventable…:
CUT 9 (09) “their seat belt”
Sandifer says several of the crashes also involved vehicles crossing over into the opposite lane of travel.

Under a measure slated to be taken up in the session that begins in two weeks, refineries would pay an oil processing tax. The bill is buy Amite Representative Robby Carter…:
Cut 6 (09) “going through”
The bill is expected to face stiff opposition from the oil and gas industry.

A nationwide shortage of doctors means seeing your regular physician could become more difficult in the coming years. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards has delayed the release of his tax reform proposal to be discussed in the session that begins April 10th. The Administration had said the announcement would be made today, but they needed an extra couple of days to put finishing touches on the package.

Governor John Bel Edwards planned to release his tax plan for the legislative session, but it has now been pushed back until Wednesday. But we do have an idea of what he may propose, and Jeff Palermo has more on that…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A St. Charles parish teen will serve 11 months in jail after breaking into a State Trooper’s home and stealing several guns, a PlayStation, and other items. 19-year-old Dillyn Austin plead guilty to simple burglary and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. A 14-year-old was also arrested in the incident.

The first direct flight from New Orleans to London takes off today from the Louis Armstrong Airport. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and other state officials will be aboard the British Airways flight. Nungesser says this direct flight opens the doors for international tourism to Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”

A round trip ticket to London costs $900.

The number of duck hunters is declining nationwide, according to a report by Delta Waterfowl. Luke Laborde with the LSU School of Natural Resources says we’re seeing a similar trend in the Bayou State. He says the number of duck hunters has been declining for decades.

Cut 13 (09) “fathers’ day”

Laborde says access and crowding are big issues driving people away from the sport.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ Administration has decided to wait a couple more days before releasing the details of its tax reform proposal for the April 10th legislative session. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor looking to replace a corporate tax on profit, with one that targets sales, instead of tweaking the individual income tax…:
CUT 11 (11) “losing battle”
The state of Ohio has a similar “gross receipts tax/”

In Avoyelles Parish a 12-person jury found former Marksville City Marshal, Derrick Stafford, guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this conviction will heavily affect the trial of the other suspect, Norris Greenhouse…:
CUT 9 (09) “any differently”

The popularity of duck hunting is going down across the nation and in Sportsman’s Paradise. Luke Laborde with the LSU School of Natural Resources says they are working on ways that would get more people interested in hunting..:
Cut 15 (11) “that opportunity”

The first direct flight from New Orleans to London takes off tonight and is very affordable for a traveler. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A former Marksville City Marshal has been found guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter by an Avoyelles Parish jury. Emelie Gunn has more on his sentencing…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to release details of his tax reform plan some time this week. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says in the meantime Republicans are working on their mission for the session that begins in two weeks, and the GOP are staying the course that priorities need to be realigned.:
Cut 12 (10) “to address it”

$900 is what it costs to get a round trip ticket from New Orleans to London, and the British Airways direct flight out of the Big Easy to the UK takes off for the first time today. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s easy getting international travelers to visit New Orleans, but the struggle will be attracting them to other locations around the state..:
Cut 6 (10) “the best”
Nungesser will be aboard the flight along with the governor and other state officials.

Folks across Louisiana are losing interest in duck hunting according to a report by Delta Waterfowl. Luke Laborde with the LSU School of Natural Resources says they have research that indicates youth are less interested in the great outdoors….:
Cut 14 (11) “an iPad”
Laborde says LSU and LDWF are doing what they can to get more people interested in duck hunting.

Two weeks to go before the legislative session and we’re still waiting on Governor John Bel Edwards to announce his tax reform plans….:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Bossier City Police have arrested a man in connection with the death of a 15 month old baby. They say the toddler, Serenity Slone, succumbed to her injuries Sunday afternoon, and 28-year-old Tristan Deon Williams will subsequently be charged with first degree murder. Cops believe the suspect caused the death of his girlfriend’s baby when he was caring for the child. An investigation found Serenity had sustained blunt force trauma to her head.

Derrick Stafford, one of two former Marksville City Marshals’ accused in the death of a 6-year-old boy, has been found guilty of manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this is a classic case of a compromised verdict….:
Cut 8 (10) “of manslaughter”
Stafford will be sentenced on March 31st.

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s exciting that the start of direct flights between London and New Orleans begins today. He says, in addition to bringing more international visitors, the introduction of fight allows for more business endeavors to come to Louisiana…:
Cut 5 (10) “opportunity”
A ticket to London from New Orleans cost 900-dollars round trip.