A bill filed for the upcoming session provides an incentive for students to attend a Louisiana public university if they achieve a score of 31 or higher on the ACT. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner is proposing that high school students who score that high can receive up to 12-thousand dollars yearly in TOPS scholarship money to attend a public university in Louisiana…

Cut 10 (14) “…in Louisiana.”    (2x 

Participation in the TOPS scholarship has declined.

It’s Love the Boot Week. Lt Governor Bill Nungesser says there are over 20,000 volunteers pitching in to clean up the state and he’s encouraging ever Louisianian to participate…

Cut 6 (07) “…our great state”

During Love the Boot Week last year, 19, 441 volunteers removed 347 tons of litter. They also planted 921 trees, 4,408 plants and refurbished 366 gardens.

For the last two school years, teachers have received a two-thousand-dollar stipend on top of their regular pay, but that additional two-thousand dollars for teachers and one-thousand dollars for school support staff is set to go away because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Senate President Cameron Henry says the goal is to give teachers a permanent pay raise, but finding the money to do that will be difficult…

Cut 13 (12)  “…late May.”

Discussion on next fiscal year’s budget ramps up with the start of the legislative session next week.

An argument for increasing tariffs on other countries is that it will lead to more manufacturing of goods in the United States. Last month, it was announced Hyundai will build a 5-point-eight-billion dollar steel mill in Ascension Parish. LSU Economics professor Dek Terrell says it still costs more to makes things in the United States than other countries,….

Cut 8 (08) “…in the U-S”

It’s Love the Boot Week and volunteers in every parish will spend time cleaning up Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Work has been halted on the state’s largest-ever coastal restoration project. Governor Jeff Landry’s administration has ordered a 90-day halt on the three-billion dollar Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, because of the cost. Coastal advocacy groups are disappointed, but the Landry administration would like to develop a smaller diversion plan in Plaquemines Parish.

The 2025 legislative session begins next week and during the two-month long session, legislators will have to approve the budget for next fiscal year. Governor Jeff Landry pushed for the passage of Constitutional Amendment Two, because he said it would put the state in a better financial position. Senate President Cameron Henry says despite the failure of Amendment Two at the ballot box, the state remains in okay financial shape. But he says some agencies will not receive the funding they are seeking…

Cut 14 (09) “…some folks.”

Ruston Representative Christopher Turner would like to see more money allocated for the TOPS scholarship program. He’s filed a bill that would provide more scholarship money for students who achieve a 31 or higher on the ACT and the bill would also increase assistance for those students who want to attend a two year school…

Cut 12 (10) “…academic side”

The director of the Center for Economics, Business and Policy Research at LSU explains what the Trump Administration is trying to accomplish by raising tariffs at least 10-percent on almost every country.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Plaquemines Parish jury has ruled that Chevron must pay 740-million dollars for coastal damages. The money will go towards restoring an area of Louisiana’s coast and the landmark verdict could have an impact on the other 41 parish lawsuits against oil companies.

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Participation in the TOPS scholarship has declined. The 2020-21 school year , 56-thousand students were on TOPS, this year there are fewer than 48-thousand TOPS recipients.

Since 2016, the amount of money a student receives from the TOPS scholarship program has not changed, which has contributed to the decline. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would raise the existing award amounts and the highest-performing students coming out of high school would receive 12-thousand dollars annually. He says the goal is to keep our best and brightest in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (12) “…more money.”

This week is Love the Boot Week, a statewide anti-litter initiative. The campaign, aimed at beautifying the state through volunteerism, has grown significantly. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who leads the effort, hopes to engage one-thousand volunteer teams..

Cut 4 (09) “…in the parking lots.”

There are divided opinions over President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs and what they will do to the U-S economy.  LSU Economics Professor Dek Terrell says the tariffs are attempting to produce two outcomes, increase manufacturing in the United States and leverage for future trade negotiations with other countries.

Cut 7 (10) “…by initiating negotiations. ”

Terell says the biggest cause for concern is an increase in prices on goods,

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says it could cost more to eat out…

Cut 6 (10) “…no question about it.”

Economists are concerned the tariffs could slow the U-S economy, and Harris says the restaurant industry is bracing for increased costs for essential goods.

We are seeing strong thunderstorms in northwest Louisiana this morning and that severe weather threat will expand statewide for today. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says much of the state is under an enhanced risk of severe weather and we could see some intense storms today…

cut 27 (08) “…tornadoes”

Once this cold front moves through, we’ll see much cooler temperatures. High temperatures in the 50s in north and central Louisiana tomorrow. Highs in the 60s in south Louisiana Sunday and Monday.

For the last two school years, teachers have received a two-thousand-dollar stipend on top of their regular pay, but that additional two-thousand dollars for teachers and one-thousand dollars for school support staff is set to go away because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Senate President Cameron Henry says the goal is to give teachers a permanent pay raise, but finding the money to do that will be difficult…

Cut 13 (12)  “…late May.”

With 10 percent tariffs on all imports now in effect and higher tariffs on imports from key trading partners like China and the European Union, many Louisiana industries are expressing concerns.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris believes costs will potentially go up and low profit margin businesses like restaurants will have to do some belt-tightening.

Cut 8 (11) “…period of time.”

A fiscal legislative session begins a week from Monday and Senate President Cameron Henry expects portions of Constitutional Amendment 2, which failed at the ballot box last weekend, will be brought before lawmakers again to see if they want to put them on the ballot again…

Cut 15 (11) “…of that”

The fiscal session will last two months.

A 34-year-old man wanted for killing his parents was arrested yesterday in California.  Joshua Brocato was taken into the custody in Los Angeles. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies believe Brocato murdered his parents, Marc and Priscilla Brocato, at their Amite area home.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has announced the arrest of 49-year-old Nicky Coleman for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed a church in Monroe. The state fire marshal says there’s surveillance video that shows Coleman dosing St. Mary’s Number 2 Missionary Baptist Church and then setting it on fire.

A 73-year-old native of Cuba who has lived in the United States for the last 45 years was picked up by enforcement agents near his Lafayette home. Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriguez’s family is calling for his release…

Cut 13 (13) “…not the solution”

That’s Rodriguez’s stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs. Riggs is hoping the public will hear their story and contact their elected officials and demand for Rodriguez’s release.

It’s a day to be weather aware as there’s an enhanced risk for severe storms for most of the state. All modes and hazards of severe weather are possible, including tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rainfall is also possible…

Cut 4 (12) “rainfall amounts”

The family of a 73-year-old immigrant who was taken into custody in Lafayette is pleading for his release. Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez’s stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs says Rodriguez tried to become an official citizen for the last ten years, but because he committed a crime in the first couple of years after he arrived in the U.S., he’s been unsuccessful. She says for the last 43 years her stepfather has been a model immigrant

Cut 12 (15) “…our country.”

ULM students approved a 75-dollar per semester fee in a 711 to 650 vote. The extra 600-thousand dollars the fee is expected to generate in its first year is going to the athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell…

Cut 10 (10) “…sports medicine program.”

Hartwell says they also plan to install a video board in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

LSU baseball won its seventh straight last night as the Tigers defeated Oklahoma ten to two. West Monroe’s Josh Pearson hit two solo home runs.

There were a few walk-off victories….Sebastian Mexico hit a two-out, two run homer as Louisiana Tech beat F-I-U five to three to stay in first place in Conference USA.

Samuel Stephenson scored on a wild pitch in the ninth inning to give Northwestern State a seven to six win over UTRGV.

And Southern beat Grambling 15 to 14 in ten innings. KJ White hit a walk-off single.

Statewide Severe weather is expected Saturday. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim says North Louisiana could see two to three inches of rain, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast but once the cold front passes through, Louisiana will experience a big drop in temperatures…

Cut 5 (11) “…low 70s.”

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Deputies found a couple dead in their home near Amite Thursday afternoon, and they are searching for the couple’s son in connection with a double homicide investigation. During a welfare check, deputies first found 66-year-old Priscilla Brocato deceased and later found 75-year-old Marc Brocato deceased on the property. 34-year-old Joshua Brocato has been named as a person of interest He is 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs 200 pounds with brown hair and eyes believed to be driving a white 2014 Ford utility van with a last known to be in Lafayette. Sheriff Gerald Sticker asks anyone with information to call TPSO, State Police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-554-5245.

Sweeping tariffs on all imports has sparked concern across Louisiana industries.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

ULM students have approved a 75-dollar fee per semester that will generate 600-thousand dollars in its first year for the school’s athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says the fee goes into effect for the 2025 Fall Semester…

Cut 9 (11)  “…21 million dollars.”

Hartwell says there are plans to spend money on improving the nutrition program, mental health services and strength and training programs for the school’s 17 athletic teams. They also plan to install a new video board in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Bossier, Caddo and Webster Parishes are under a tornado watch until 9:00 tonight and tomorrow the severe weather threat will expand statewide. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rainfall is a possibility with this storm system. North Louisiana could see two to three inches, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast…

Cut 4 (12) “…rainfall amounts.”

Sweeping tariffs of 10 percent on all imports are now in effect along with higher rates on key trading partners, such as China (34%) and the European Union (20%), and that has sparked concerns across Louisiana industries.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says it could cost more to eat out…

Cut 6 (10) “…no question about it.”

In a 711 to 650 vote, ULM students approved a 75-dollar per semester fee expected to bring in 600-thousand dollars in the first year for the school’s athletic department. ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell says opponents of the fee said they do not attend athletics events or questioned the need to spend more money on sports but he says a successful athletic program improves the entire university…

Cut 11 (11) “…your diploma.”

A Rayville High School Student was arrested Thursday evening for Terrorizing. Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says the student posted a about potential violence at Friday’s RHS track meet. The student said she meant no harm, but extra deputies were assigned to the track meet. RPSO says they want to remind parents to monitor their children’s social media and make sure they know charges are serious and could potentially have long lasting consequences.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Deputies found a couple dead in their home near Amite Thursday afternoon and they are searching for the couple’s son in connection with a double homicide investigation. During a welfare check, deputies first found 66-year-old Priscilla Brocato deceased and later found 75-year-old Marc Brocato deceased on the property. 34-year-old Joshua Brocato has been named a person of interest He is 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs 200 pounds with brown hair and eyes believed to be driving a white 2014 Ford utility van with a last known to be in Lafayette. Sheriff Gerald Sticker asks anyone with information to call TPSO, State Police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-554-5245.

Economists are concerned President Donald Trump’s sweeping 10% and higher tariffs could slow the U-S economy, and Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the restaurant industry is bracing for increased costs for essential goods.

Cut 7 (06) “…or replace equipment.”

ULM students have voted to put a 75-dollar fee on themselves with the money going to the school’s athletic department. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 73-year-old immigrant living in Lafayette was taken into custody by immigration authorities and his family is pleading for his release. Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez has lived in the U.S. for 45 years since he fled Cuba. His stepdaughter, Christian Cooper Riggs posted this emotional plea on Facebook…

Cut 13 (14)  “…not the solution.”

Bossier, Caddo and Webster Parishes are under a tornado watch until 9:00 tonight and tomorrow the severe weather threat will expand statewide. LSU Public health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (15) “…severe weather.”

Heavy rainfall is a possibility with this storm system. Kein says north Louisiana could see two to three inches, while an inch of rain could fall along the coast

Louisiana State Police say a man killed in a head-on crash on I-10 in Ascension Parish was traveling the wrong way. Officials identified the victim as 39-year-old James Burns of Amite. According to preliminary investigation around 1:30 Friday morning, a tractor-trailer traveling east was struck by Burns’ GMC Sierra. The Vehicles caught fire. Authorities say Burns died at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Sweeping 10-percent and higher tariffs on all imports has sparked concern across Louisiana industries.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The family of a 73-year-old immigrant who was taken into custody in Lafayette is pleading for his release. Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriquez’s stepdaughter Christian Cooper Riggs says Rodriguez tried to become an official citizen for the last ten years, but because he committed a crime in the first couple of years after he arrived in the U.S., he’s been unsuccessful. She says for the last 43 years her stepfather has been a model immigrant

Cut 12 (15) “…our country.”