Louisiana is receiving a 1.2 billion dollar block grant from the federal government to construct flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. There’s been a push for this funding after the 2016 August flood caused an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in damage. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the block grant will go right to the state and skip the red tape.

Cut 12 (10)   “for decades.”

Graves expects the money to be available by summer.

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will sweep through the state bringing the chance for flash flooding, but more concerning is the chance for tornadoes

Cut 9 (08) “pretty bumpy”

Some scary moments for a Louisiana State Trooper last night in New Orleans as a yet unidentified man attempted to get into his vehicle. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says it started when a strange car just pulled up.

Cut 3 (09) “troopers vehicle”

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 75-thousand pro wrestling fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax on Sunday and says its the wrestling fan’s Mecca.

Cut 7 (11)  “forward to”

A pair of bills are heading to the House floor that require TOPS students to perform better in order to be eligible for the scholarship and also achieve a higher minimum GPA in order to keep it. It’s uncertain if the legislation has enough votes to pass the House. Opposition comes from the Taylor Foundation, its executive director James Callier….
cut 30 (10) “….to school”
Baton Rouge Representative is the author of the proposals.

Louisiana is set to receive one-point-two billion dollars in federal money that will go towards the construction of stalled flood control and flood prevention projects. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says which projects will get funded has yet to be decided, but they want to make sure the money is well spent….
cut 13 (09) “…different folks”
The money comes from a 90-billion dollar disaster recovery project approved by Congress in February.

Louisiana State Police say a juvenile tried to carjack a Trooper’s unmarked unit last night in New Orleans. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says the Trooper observed the juvenile trying to gain entrance into his vehicle and fired his gun.
Cut 4 (11) “for that.”
The suspect has been charged with attempted carjacking.

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Hotel occupancy in the Big Easy is expected to be around 95-percent and when the city hosted Wrestlemania in 2014, the economic impact was 164-million dollars. WWE Superstar Alexia Bliss….
Cut 6 (08) “WWE”

Authorities have charged a juvenile with attempted carjacking after he allegedly tried to steal an unmarked State Police unit in New Orleans last night. L-S-P Sergeant Jared Sandifer says an on-duty trooper was sitting in the vehicle at the time and fired his weapon at the teen after he tried to enter the vehicle…
cut 5 (13) “….apprehend him”
No one was injured. Sandifer says they are still looking for the driver who helped the juvenile flee the scene.

State Police have arrested a 61-year-old convicted felon after authorities executed a search warrant of his Ponchatoula home and found 17 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Edward Sutter is banned from possessing firearms, because he was previously convicted of domestic abuse battery.

The federal government will allocate one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be spent on flood-control and prevention projects. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says they are still waiting on full details from the federal government regarding how these funds can be spent, but he anticipates Louisiana will have access to the money soon…
cut 14 (06) “….this summer”
Graves says this money can likely be spent on several stalled flood control projects in southeast Louisiana.

Big crowds are expected in New Orleans for Wrestlemania 34 which goes down on Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss says it should be an amazing few days in the Big Easy…
Cut 8 (11) “over again”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the economic impact for Orlando, who hosted Wrestemania last year, was 184-million dollars.

Southeast Louisiana is getting over a billion dollars in federal money to pay for flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A massive search is underway for a four-year-old black male who went missing in Claiborne Parish. Authorities have been searching for Junior Phillips says yesterday afternoon. His mother reported him missing around 12:30 after he appartenly wandered away from home, while the father was working outside.
Severe weather is expected tonight and through the overnight hours as a strong cold front moves through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says once this cold front moves through, be prepared for a chilly weekend. He says temperatures will be around 50 degrees in north Louisiana on Saturday and in 60s for south Louisiana
Cut 11 (10) “the state”
The weather shouldn’t stop the big party in New Orleans as pro wrestling fans will storm the city for Wrestlemania 34 on Sunday. 75-thousand fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax and she can’t wait…
cut 7 (11) forward to”

Louisiana is receiving a 1.2 billion dollar block grant from the federal government to build up flood protection projects in parishes impacted by the historic 2016 floods that caused an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in damage. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the block grant will go right to the state and skip the red tape.

Cut 12, 10 seconds, for decades

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will sweep through the state bringing the chance for flash flooding, but more concerning is the chance for tornadoes

Cut 9 (08) “pretty bumpy”

Expect temperatures as low as 50 in north Louisiana this weekend.

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center. Bliss says it should be an amazing few days in the Big Easy…

Cut 8 (11) “over again”

75-thousand pro wrestling fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network.

Louisiana State say an unidentified male tried to enter a Troopers car last night in New Orleans. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says the trooper observed the juvenile attempt to gain entrance into his vehicle and pulled his gun.

Cut 4 (11) “for that.”

There’s the potential threat of tornadoes in Louisiana as a result of a cold front that will sweep through the state later today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a slight chance for severe weather for south Louisiana, but the greater threat is for the northern parishes….
cut 10 (06) “…of that”
It will be a chilly weekend as temperatures on Saturday will only be around 50 degrees in north Louisiana.

The weather shouldn’t stop the big party in New Orleans as pro wrestling fans will storm the city for Wrestlemania 34 on Sunday. 75-thousand fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax and she can’t wait…
cut 7 (11) forward to”
A fan convention called WrestleMania Axxess is underway at the Morial Convention Center.

A bill legalizing the prescription of medical marijuana to children with autism passed the House on a 71-21 vote and heads next to the Senate. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says allowing these prescriptions sends a message of support to those families.
Cut 15 (12) “their voice”
And a House committee has approved legislation that would allow those suffering from PTSD and pain disorders to get a legal prescription of medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana, which should happen later this year.

Some scary moments for a Louisiana State Trooper last night in New Orleans as a yet unidentified person attempted to get into his vehicle. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says tt all started when a strange car just pulled up.

Cut 3 (09) “troopers vehicle”

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Hotel occupancy in the Big Easy is expected to be around 95-percent and when the city hosted Wrestlemania in 2014, the economic impact was 164-million dollars. WWE Superstar Alexia Bliss….

Cut 6 (08)  “thirty percent”

A bill legalizing the prescription of medical marijuana to children with autism passed the House on a 71-21 vote and heads next to the Senate. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons, the bill’s sponsor, says he was moved by stories from his constituents who have family members who struggle with autism.

Cut 14 (08) “of life.”

Two TOPS bills have advanced out of committee that would raise requirements for receiving full TOPS. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Cajun Navy Relief will hold their first Search and Rescue Games this weekend in Henderson Bay in the Atchafalaya basin. Jeff Palermo has the details

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two bills by Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey that would raise the minimum requirements to receive, and keep TOPS were passed out of the House Education Committee. One bill, would send students who score 2.5-2.75 GPAs and a 20 ACT to a two year college instead of a four-year university. Ivey says community colleges are a better place for those students.

Cut 7 (06)  “tremendous things”

==========————————————————–

Wrestlemania 34 will be held Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.   It marks the first time WWE has visited the Crescent City since 2014.   Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the last event drew 75,000 fans from 50 states and 36 countries…

Cut 11 (09) “their stars.”

Nungesser says he is not surprised that the WWE chose to come back to New Orleans after hosting the even just four years ago. He says economic impact is huge for the hosting city…

A bill legalizing the prescription of medical marijuana to children with autism passed the House on a 71-21 vote and heads next to the Senate. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons, the bill’s sponsor, says he was moved by stories from his constituents who have family members who struggle with autism.

Lyons says the families who care for autistic children need more positive legislation like this.

Cut 16 (06) “be heard.”

Cajun Navy Relief will hold its first Search and Rescue Games on Saturday in the Atchafalaya Basin. The games will serve as a training exercise for disaster rescue scenarios in extreme flooding. Spokesperson Amy Jones says the Games also give the volunteer rescue group a chance to work with new GPS equipment. This week, Colorado State researchers revealed they expect three strong hurricanes to strike the U.S. this year. Jones says the dire forecast makes these training games all that more important…

Cut 6 (09) “training event.”

Any boaters and dispatchers involved with real life search and rescue operations can sign up and participate.

Patrick Taylor Foundation Executive Director James Callier Callier says

Two bills by Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey that would raise the minimum requirements to receive, and keep TOPS will keep kids out of school.

Cut 10 (10) “to school”

The bills head to the House floor

Wrestlemania 34 will be held Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.   It marks the first time WWE has visited the Crescent City since 2014.   Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the last event drew 75,000 fans from 50 states and 36 countries…

Nungesser says that New Orleans’ atmosphere makes it the perfect city to host a wild event that WWE brings…

Cut 13 (11)  ” in Louisiana.”

A bill legalizing the prescription of medical marijuana to children with autism passed the House on a 71-21 vote and heads next to the Senate. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons

says allowing these prescriptions sends a message of support to those families.

Cut 15 (12) “their voice”

A big tourism weekend is expected in New Orleans as Wrestlemania 34 takes place on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Kelley Ray has the story…

Cut 3 (25) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Cajun Navy Relief will hold its first Search and Rescue Games on Saturday in the Atchafalaya Basin. The games will serve as a training exercise for disaster rescue scenarios in extreme flooding. Spokesperson Amy Jones says the Games also give the volunteer rescue group a chance to work with new GPS equipment…

Jones says markers will be “hidden” in several locations and will need to be “rescued” just like in a real disaster scenario…

Cut 5  (10)  “return them.”

==============================—————

Two bills by Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey that would raise the minimum requirements to receive, and keep TOPS were passed out of the House Education Committee. One bill, would send students who score 2.5-2.75 GPAs and a 20 ACT to a two year college instead of a four-year university.

But Patrick Taylor Foundation Executive Director James Callier says it’s not right to keep those students, who are disproportionately minorities, out of a four year college program.

Cut 8 (07)  “assesment.”

The other bill would raise the standards needed to keep TOPS once awarded. Incoming freshman would need to keep a 2.75 GPA after 48 hours of classes, up from the current 2.5. Currently students can carry a 2.3 for their first three semesters, and Ivey says that’s just too low of a bar for aid.

Cut 9 (07)  “achievement is”