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.”

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…

Cut 4  (11) “natural disaster.” 

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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 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…

Cut 12 (06) “Orlando.Florida”

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.”

A four run fourth inning was all the runs Tigers pitcher Zack Hess needed last night as he threw eight strong innings in a 4-1 win in the series opener versus Texas A&M. Hess allowed just four hits, three walks and he struck out five to improve his record to 5-3. Antoine Duplantis had a two-run single in that four-run fourth. Hunter Feduccia (Fuh-do-shuh) and Bryce Jordan also drove in runs that innings. LSU is now 6-4 in the SEC and game two is tonight at 6 PM.

In other action tonight, 22^nd ranked Louisiana Tech is at UTSA. The Bulldogs have a one-game lead over Southern Miss for first place. The Roadrunners are 5-3 in league play.

Grambling State leads the SWAC Western division by a half game and the Tigers are at last place Prairie View A-and-M for a 3 PM first pitch today.

The Cajuns host Texas-Arlington, while the Warhawks look to even up their record to five-hundred in Sun Belt play when they battle Texas State in Monroe.

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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says the quarterback battle between Myles Brennan, Justin McMillan and Lowell Narcisse is a tight one. Narcisse (Nar-cease) says if all three of them have to play to win games, he’s fine with that…

Cut 17 (20) “….quarterback system”

Narcisse says he’s lost 15 pounds since arriving on campus and now weighs 228 pounds, thanks to fewer trips to McDonald’s.

Former LSU running back Derius Guice is one of 22 players that will attend the NFL draft in Dallas on April 26^th.

The Saints have resigned New Orleans native Michael Mauti to a one-year contract.

The Pelicans look for win number 45 on the season as they visit Phoenix tonight. The Suns have the worst record in the NBA at 20-59.

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”

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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…

Pig guts

A bill that would force students who lose TOPS to repay the money is headed to the House floor. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Baton Rouge Police officer Howie Lake was back at work today for the first time in nearly two years. He was one of the two officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Since that time he was on paid administrative leave and then served a three-day suspension starting on Monday. It’s unclear what his role will be on the force going forward.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has filed a bill on behalf of the governor’s office that’s designed to prevent hazing on college campuses. Carter says the legislation requires colleges and universities to provide hazing education and prevention during orientation…

Cut 3 (11) “on hazing”

Colorado State Researchers predict above average activity for the upcoming hurricane season, but nothing like the historic 2017 season that devastated the Gulf. 14 named storms are predicted for this year, below the 17 named storms last year. Dr. Michael Bell says there’s a one in three chance the Gulf Coast gets hit this season.

Cut 6 (08)  “thirty percent”

A bill that would force students who lose TOPS to repay the value of the scholarship passed a house committee on an eight to five vote. The legislation by Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo would charge students who drop out, or lose eligibility while in school. Garofalo says his bill isn’t mean spirited, it’s responsible.

Cut 15 (09) “that gift”

But New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie says the bill targets working class students who often times lose eligibility after a few years when bills start piling up.

Cut 14 (11)   “to school”

The bill heads to House Appropriations.

A bill that expands illnesses that medical marijuana can be prescribed for clears a House Committee. State Representative Ted James bill adds Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, muscle spasms, and intractable pain to diagnoses that physicians will be able to prescribe medical marijuana for when it becomes available in Louisiana. Rep James…

Cut 9 (08) “save lives.”

Dr. Will Hall, with the Louisiana Baptist Coalition, warned the committee that not enough research has been done to determine the out-come of increasing the access to medical marijuana.

Cut 10 (:11) “etcetra.”

And a bill legalizing the use of medical marijuana for children with autism passed on a 71 to 21 vote.

Forecasters say an above average hurricane season is on tap for 2018. Matt Doyle has the story….
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Baton Rouge Police officer Howie Lake was back at work today for the first time in nearly two years. He was one of the two officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling. Since that time he was on paid administrative leave and then served a three-day suspension starting on Monday. It’s unclear what his role will be on the force going forward.

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would require TOPS students to pay back their scholarship award if they drop out of school or fail to remain eligible to receive TOPS. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson doesn’t like this legislation…
cut 16 (11) “…financial hardship”
Despite Emerson objecting to the legislation, the measure passed on an eight to five vote.

And a House committee approved a bill that would allow PTSD patients, plus those dealing with muscle spasms and intractable pain to receive a prescription for medical marijuana once it becomes available. Doctor Will Hall of the Louisiana Baptist Coalition opposes it, because the pot industry hasn’t come together on single plant strain that can monitor its effectiveness…
cut 11 (10) “…different intensitites so”

A bill that would force TOPS students who drop out or lose eligibility to repay the value of the scholarship passed the House Education committee on an 8-5 vote. The bill’s author, Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, says TOPS costs the state 290-million dollars and it’s becoming more difficult to find money to pay for the taxpayer funded program.
cut 13 (09) “…of time”
The bill calls for the Board of Regents to determine the repayment process, which could include interest. Voting no was New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie, who says the bill targets working class students who often times lose eligibility when bills start piling up.
Cut 14 (11) “to school”
The measure now heads to the House Appropriations Committee.

A bill requiring colleges and universities to provide hazing education and prevention during orientation has been filed by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter. Members of on-campus organiziations would have to take a one-hour class on hazing prevention and Carter says the Board of Regents would establish a uniform anti-hazing policy for all state institutions…
cut 5 (07) “…governor proposed”
Governro John Bel Edwards is backing this legislation.

Get ready for another active hurricane season. The Colorado State Hurricane Forecast team is predicting 14 named storms for the upcoming season. There were 17 named storms last year and Doctor Michael Bell says conditions are ripe for another busy season….
cut 7 (10) “…potentially favorable”
Bell says there’s a one and three chance the Gulf Coast will see a major hurricane in 2018.

A bill that would force students who lose TOPS to repay the money is headed to the House floor. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Baton Rouge Police Department officer Howie Lake is back on the job today. He was one of two officers involved in the shooting death of Alton Sterling. The other officer, Blane Salamoni was fired for his involvement in which he shot Sterling at least six times. Lake was suspended for three days following an internal investigation by the BRPD.

A bill that expands illnesses that medical marijuana can be prescribed for clears a House Committee. State Representative Ted James bill says his motivation is because his constituents are leaving the state to go to other states to get medical marijuana, because they have tried the drug and it works.

Cut 12 (08)   “will help.”

The vote for the legislation was 8-to-4 and it now heads to the House floor.

Colorado State Researchers are predicting above average activity for the upcoming hurricane season, but nothing like the historic 2017 season that devastated the gulf. 14 named storms are predicted for this year, below the 17 named storms last year. Dr. Michael Bell says there’s a one in three chance the gulf coast gets hit this season.

Cut 6 (08)  “thirty percent”

The House Education Committee has approved legislation that would require a TOPS student to pay back the state, if they fail to keep the scholarship or drop out of school. Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is the author of the measure…
cut 15 (09) “…that gift”
The bill heads to House Appropriations for more discussion.

Also, heading to the full House is a proposal that would expand the list of medical conditions for a person to receive a prescription for medical marijuana. Under the bill, P-T-S-D, muscle spams and intractable pain are diagnoses that could receive medical canibas. Will Hall with the Louisiana Baptist Coalition argued not enough research has been done on expanding medical marijuana use….
cut 10 (11) “…etcetra”

A constitutional amendment requiring a unanimous jury verdict in felony cases is approved by the Senate and is now heading to the House…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The 2017 hurricane season produced 17 named storms, the fifth-most active season in recorded history. Doctor Michael Bell, with the Colorado State Hurricane Forecast research team, says they are predicting 14 named storms for 2018….
cut 8 (10) “…active season”

Forecasters say an above average hurricane season is on tap for 2018. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has filed a bill on behalf of the governor’s office that’s designed to prevent hazing on college campuses. Students will be required to attend an orientation class telling students what the consequences of hazing are, then they would be required to report they attended the class…

(CUT 4) (09) “serious business.”

A bill that expands illnesses that medical marijuana can be prescribed for has cleared a House Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James bill adds Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Muscle Spasms, and intractable pain to diagnoses that physicians will be able to prescribe medical marijuana for when it becomes available in Louisiana. James says this legislation will help many…

Cut 9 (08) “save lives.”

The vote for the legislation was 8-4 and now heads to the House Floor.