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.

The state Senate has passed a measure that would let voters decide if Louisiana should move to unanimous jury verdicts for a conviction in felony trials. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says unanimous verdicts were a foundational part of the American justice system.
Cut 11 (08) “unanimous juries”
Louisiana is one of two states that allows 10 of 12 jursits to agree on a guilty verdict. The measure still needs House approval.

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”
Carter says the bill also mandates the reporting of hazing incidents and students found in violation of university hazing policies will be suspended or dismissed for at least that semester.
A bill to allow families to install cameras in nursing home rooms sailed out of the House and heads to the Senate for more discussion. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the proposal gives people an extra set of eyes on their loved ones in nursing homes….
cut 14 (11) “…install this”
The patient’s family would be responsible for cost of installing the video camera.

Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation to pave the way for a riverboat casino to come to Monroe. The state has 15-licensed riverboat casinos and for a casino to be located on the Ouachita, the license would have to move from another location in the state. But Hunter wouldn’t say what gaming operator is interested in moving to northeast Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “…best idea”
Ouachita Parish voters would have to okay a casino in Monroe.

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts for felony convictions passed the Senate by 2 votes after impassioned arguments from supporters. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says requiring unanimous verdicts protects citizens from government overreach.

Cut 10 (12) “your peers”

Currently only 10 of 12 jurists are needed for many criminal convictions in Louisiana.

New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill to allow surveillance cameras inside nursing home patient rooms passed unanimously in the House. Moreno says her legislation will not only give residents and their family peace of mind, but it will protect employees also…

Cut 13 (09)  ” of accident.”

A new report from LSU Health will let you compare your local area’s rate of cancer to the state average. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Colorado State University hurricane researchers are predicting a slightly above average hurricane season. 14 named storms are expected with seven to become hurricanes and three of those are expected to be at least category three storms. The hurricane season runs from June to the end of October.

A constitutional amendment requiring a unanimous jury verdict in felony cases is approved by the Senate and is now heading to the House. Jeff Palermo.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Monroe State Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation that would allow a riverboat casino to relocate on the Ouachita River in Ouachita Parish. There have never been casinos in Monroe during the modern gaming period. Hunter says it is not known which, if any, of the 15 licensed riverboat casinos would relocate to northeast Louisiana. He’s leaving that up to the gaming operators and others in the chain of command…

Cut 5  (07)  “best idea.”

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LSU Health New Orleans has released a first of its kind report that allows Louisiana residents to see if people in their local area are more or less prone to cancer.

But those living in the dreaded “Cancer Alley”, the area stretching from West Baton Rouge to St. Charles Parish, have some good news. Louisiana Tumor Registry Liason Lauren Maniscalco says while there are some smaller problem areas, the Parishes in the state’s industrial belt aren’t particularly any worse off than other areas.

Cut 9 (05)  “these parishes”

New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill to allow surveillance cameras inside nursing home patient rooms passed unanimously in the HouseThe measure heads to the Senate for more discussion. Moreno says if the nursing home patient has a roommate, both individuals have to sign waivers and then the system can be installed…

Cut 15 (13) “nursing home.”

A new report from LSU Health will let you compare your local area’s rate of cancer to the state average. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Monroe State Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation that would allow a riverboat casino to relocate on the Ouachita River in Ouachita Parish. There are currently no casinos in Monroe. Hunter says this bill will allow voters to make the decision if they want casinos in the November election…

Cut 4  (07) “conversation started.” 

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A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts for felony convictions passed the Senate by 2 votes after impassioned arguments from supporters.

Currently only 10 of 12 jurors are needed for many criminal convictions in Louisiana, one of only two states that don’t require unanimous verdicts.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, the bill’s sponsor, says unanimous verdicts were a foundational part of the American justice system.

Cut 11 (08) “unanimous juries”

New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill to allow surveillance cameras inside nursing home patient rooms passed unanimously in the House. Moreno says her legislation will not only give residents and their family peace of mind.

The patient’s family would be responsible for cost of installing the video camera. Moreno says if a surveillance system is installed, there will not be any liability toward the nursing home…

Cut 14 (11) “install this.”

LSU edge rusher Arden Key doesn’t seem concerned about his falling draft stock. Last April, Key seemed like a sure fire first round pick, but after taking a leave of absence last spring, then shoulder surgery and a lackluster junior campaign, some draft analysts say Key might be third round pick. After his LSU pro day workout, Key says he’s still confident in his abilities….

Cut 17 (09) “…shame on them”

Wide receiver DJ Chark is an interesting NFL prospect. The Alexandria native caught 66 passes in three seasons at LSU, but averaged 22 yards a catch. Chark also showed off blazing speed at the NFL combine….

Cut 18 (13) “…I can do”

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The Pelicans ended their four-game losing streak with a dominating 123-96 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. E’twaun (E-twan) Moore hit seven 3-pointers and had 30 points. Anthony Davis had 28 points and 12 rebounds and Nikola Mirotic (Knee-co-luh Mear-uh-tich) had 25 points. Four regular season games left and New Orleans is now tied for 7^th place with Minnesota and the T-Wolves and the Pels are one game ahead of ninth place Denver. New Orleans is at Phoenix on Friday.

In college baseball last night, 22^nd ranked Louisiana Tech had just three hits in a 2-1 loss to Little Rock. The Trojans scored both of their runs in the 8^th inning. David Leal gave up both runs and suffered the loss, despite striking out eight.

5^th ranked Arkansas blanked ULM 4-0. The Ragin Cajuns scored three runs in the 1^st inning and beat 12^th ranked Southern Miss 7-4. Nicholls crushed Arkansas Pine-Bluff 14-1. McNeese defeated LSU-A.

And LSU begins an SEC series tonight against Texas A&M.

Monroe State Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation that could open the door for a riverboat casino in Ouachita Parish. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

LSU Health New Orleans has released a first of its kind report that allows Louisiana residents to see if people in their local area are more or less prone to cancer. Louisiana Tumor Registry broke the state up into 1,148 sectors, and compared their rate of cancer to the state average. LTR Liason Lauren Maniscalco says it’s a great resource in the fight against cancer.

Cut 7 (08)  “the state”

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A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts for felony convictions passed the Senate by 2 votes after impassioned arguments from supporters. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says requiring unanimous verdicts protects citizens from government overreach.

Cut 10 (12) “your peers”

New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill to allow surveillance cameras inside nursing home patient rooms passed unanimously in the House. Moreno says her legislation will not only give residents and their family peace of mind, but it will protect employees also…

Cut 13 (09)  ” of accident.”

Pig guts