How will the front loading of the TOPS scholarship program effect students? Under legislation approved by the governor, tuition will be funded in the fall, but only 42% would be covered in the spring. Ally Balthazar, a three year LSU TOPS student, says not getting the full award puts a financial struggle on her family and puts extra pressure to do better in school…:
CUT 6 (09) “TOPS anymore”
She says her parents pay out of pocket expenses outside of the TOPS funding.

Monroe Police say an arrest has been made in the case of a man who is accused of opening fire at the Monroe Civic Center Sunday morning that left two dead and three wounded. Authorities arrested 24-year-old Jaterrious Godfrey of Monroe on second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges. Investigators say a conflict in the parking lot of the Civic Center resulted in shots fired and 5 people being hit.

The pharmaceutical company, Sanofi, agrees to develop cancer immunotherapy drugs that were discovered, in part, by an LSU Health Shreveport professor. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Colorado State University forecast team now predicts there will be 15 named storms this season, up from the previous forecast of 14 named tropical storms. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there are already for named storms this season, the most ever for this time of year, and the peak is around September 10th
CUT 9 (07) “concerned”

Governor John Bel Edwards approved legislation that would front load the TOPS program in the new budget. Halen Doughty has more on how students feel about this change…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

On the heels of negative press out of Baylor, Tennessee and Florida State over sexual assault claims, LSU President F King Alexander announces every athlete, coach and athletic support staff member will have to undergo harassment sensitivity and awareness training. He hopes the classes will eradicate inappropriate behavior to prevent similar allegations of inappropriate behavior.

A deal has been struck to develop cancer immunotherapy drugs first discovered by LSU Health Shreveport professor Doctor Robert Rhoads and scientists at the University of Warsaw in Poland. Immunotherapy is already used in treatment of melanoma and prostate cancer. Rhoads says pharmaceutical company Sanofi has paid a licensing fee to see if immunotherapy could work with other types of cancer…:
Cut 13 (06) “own cancer”
Rhoads says immunotherapy would not have the toxic side effects of current chemotherapy drugs.

The town of Welsh, located in in Jefferson Davis Parish, is now the official The Home of the Cajun Dictionary.” Mayor Carolyn Louviere (Lou-Vee-Air) says the town’s long time former late pastor, Father Jules Daigle, wasn’t pleased with the way Cajun French was spoken and wrote two books on the language. She credits Welsh’s city council for taking steps to get this designation…:
Cut 10 (07) “was passed”

The budget for this fiscal year front-loads the TOPS scholarship program, meaning students on TOPS will have their tuition funded for the fall semester but only have 42-percent covered in the spring. LSU student Ally Balthazar has been on the scholarship program for the last three years and her parents pay for what’s left over…:
cut 4 (09) “I graduate”
Those who opposed the TOPS legislation believe it will be difficult for students to get financial aid for the spring semester.

A State Trooper is getting a big pat on the back today for being alert when assisting New Orleas Police in locating a 3-year-old child who disappeared with his grandfather. Authorities say LSP issued a missing child advisory because the grandfather, 45-year-old Roland Williams, suffers from a condition which impairs his judgement. A trooper at a gas station in Livingston Parish located the vehicle the two were in and found them safe inside the story. Both were in good health and returned to family.

The Colorado State University forecast team has upped the number of anticipated named storms in 2016 by one. In June they called for 14 named storms, now they predict 15. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the change is due to the fact that there are already 4 named storms on the books this year. He says that’s the most ever for this early in the season…:
CUT 7 (11) “telling us somethin”
The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November.

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is up to $449 million dollars, and lottery officials say it could become the 7th largest jackpot in US history. Nobody won the big Powerball prize over the weekend either which is $257 million for Wednesday.

Two Louisiana police officers have died while on duty during this holiday weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state officers are urging those who are going to be holding their own fireworks show tonight to exercise extreme caution. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the most common injuries associated with pyrotechnical devices are on the hands and then the eyes…:
cut 4 (07) “something occurs”

It’s an extremely hot 4th of July in Louisiana today and much of north Louisiana is under a heat advisory until 7 tonight. Michael Berry with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says if you have outdoor activities today, make sure you take some breaks from that hot sun…:
Cut 16 (12) “as well”
He says heat index values today could reach 105 in some parts of the state.

There is no shortage of Independence Day Events taking place around the state today. The USS KIDD’s Freedom Festival will take place today in downtown Baton Rouge, ahead of the fireworks show on the Mississippi River at 9pm. Chris Jay with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau says there will be an enormous Independence Day festival in Festival Plaza today…:
Cut 9 (12) “9:20 pm”

It’s Independence Day and the State Fire Marshal urges caution when using fireworks. Butch Browning says if you’re buying fireworks make sure you use them in legal areas. He reminds consumers to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting fireworks and always have a bucket of water nearby:
Cut 3 (10) “devices”
Browning says children or those under the influence of alcohol should never be allowed to use fireworks.

A police officer in New Orleans collapsed and died while on Patrol in Bourbon Street over the weekend. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says 43-year-old officer Bryan Bordes loved his job and was a great guy…:
cut 12 (08) “the other officers”
The Orleans Parish coroner will conduct an autopsy, though it appears the officer’s death was of natural causes.

There are many events going on today to celebate Independence Day. Angie Manning with the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau on what’s going on in Lake Charles…:
CUT 7 (12) “to behold”
New Orleans will hold it’s 26th annual ‘Go 4th on the River,’ and there will be an huge Independence Day festival in Shreveport’s Festival Plaza today.

It’s going to be hot as a firecracker today and much of north Louisiana is under a heat advisory until seven o’ clock tonight. Michael Berry is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport…”
Cut 15 (09) “heat advisory”
He says there’s about a 40% chance of a cooling afternoon thunderstorm.

It’s been a difficult holiday weekend for law enforcement as two Louisiana police officers died while on duty in separate incidents. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says 43-year-old officer Bryan Bordes was working on Bourbon Street when he became ill early Sunday morning…:
cut 11 (10) “to the hospital”
State Police say an impaired driver struck and killed a police officer and injured two others in Ouachita Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says Sterlington police officer David Elahi was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of US Highway 165 early Sunday morning, when a pickup truck driven by 44-year-old Tracy Govan of Monroe plowed into Elahi. Reichardt says Govan faces multiple charges…:
Cut 13 (09) “emergency vehicles”

It’s Independence Day and many people will be shooting off fireworks. Emelie Gunn has some safety tips to take into mind while enjoying the holiday…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say a deputy with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who allegedly came at the cop with a knife after a standoff. They say 40-year-old Shannon Labit of New Iberia is believed to have had stabbed two people earlier at a home before the standoff ensued. The deputy’s name is not being released at this time. The instigation is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards has decided not to veto a measure that would “front load” the TOPS scholarship program. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Joe Rallo says they support the governor. But those who oppose say this would put a massive burden on college students in the spring semester. Edwards did call this a disingenuous budgeting gimmick. Rallo says Edwards had a different plan in mind.
cut 12 (08) “30%”
Edwards says students should be prepared for cuts to TOPS in the fall, and an even bigger cut in the spring.

Louisiana is being sued over the seven abortion laws that were enacted during the legislative sessions. The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the federal suit to stop the rules from taking effect on August 1. This comes after the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn a Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals. The suit attacks laws like the banning of dismemberment abortions and prohibiting the state from funding abortion clinics.

 
The Baton Rouge mom accused of whipping her kids after they robbed a house will not face any charges according to District Attorney Hillar Moore. 30-year-old Schaquana Spears was arrested on two counts of cruelty to a juvenile for whipping her two children with a cable after the burglarized a neighbor’s home. Moore says he doesn’t plan on changing his mind. Spears lost her job and custody of her kids after she was arrested.

It’s 4th of July weekend and that means people and pets will be enjoying the outdoors but the LSU Vet School wants to remind owners to watch out for heat exhaustion and heat stroke in their animals. Associate professor and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Ryan says the number one danger is leaving pets in a hot car but they can still get overheated playing outside. Ryan says there are steps pet parents can take to make sure their animals stay as cool as possible.
CUT 7 (09) “drinking water”

Leaving an animal outside without enough water can not only hurt that pet, but it can also land a pet owned in jail because animal neglect is a crime.

Although Governor John Bel Edwards has called the legislation disingenuous, he has decided not to veto a measure that would front load the TOPS program. This means students on TOPS will have most of their tuition funded for the fall semester but only have 42-percent covered in the spring. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Joseph Rallo says they support the governor…:
Cut 11 (06) “and how much”

Those who oppose the measure say it would place a huge burden on college students in the spring semester.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 2-year-old was saved after being left in a car on a 90 degree day while his mother and aunt were inside Walmart shopping. Employees noticed the little boy was by himself and still strapped in his car seat so they smashed the passenger side window. The windows in the vehicle had been rolled up and the car off for close to 30 minutes. The child was showing signs of heat stroke as he was sweating and had vomited. 37-year-old Shaun Buchanan and 25-year-old Cynthia Simmons were arrested on charges of child desertion and cruelty to a juvenile.

A driver has been ticketed for careless operation after hitting a State Police Trooper unit and causing the unit to hit an officer. LSP says the trooper was helping a disabled vehicle change a flat tire on I-55 when a truck, driven by 28-year-old Shane Matecum of Tickfaw, ran into the back of the police car. The trooper is in stable condition after being airlifted to the hospital.

Many people will be hitting the road over the 4th of July weekend and that means thieves will be on the lookout for vacant homes. State Farm saw 1,420 theft claims in Louisiana in 2015. State Farm spokesperson Roszell Gadson says July is the third highest month for home theft claims. He advises travelers to prepare your home if you’re going on vacation…
CUT 3 (08) “your property”

Gadson says wait until you’ve returned home from vacation to post pictures or chat about your trip on social media because you never know who is watching your posts.