A bill that would require students starting high school this fall to have at least a 2.75 GPA when they graduate in order to receive the TOPS scholarship barely won approval in the House. Non-tax bills need 53 votes to pass and this legislation received 53 “yes” votes.The current GPA requirement is 2.5 and Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there is a reason his bill wouldn’t take effect for 4 years…:
Cut 14 (10) “this fall”
The measure heads to the Senate, but Senate President John Alario previously said the upper chamber opposes this legislation.

Air Force Two carrying Vice-President Mike Pence is set to land at Baton Rouge Metro Airport next hour. The Vice President will then head to Port Allen for a listensing session with local business leaders.

The House is scheduled to debate a bill this afternoon that would increase the state’s gasoline tax by an additional 17-cents per gallon at the pump. The Louisiana Republican Party opposes the legislation. GOP chairman Roger Villere says it will have a negative impact on our economy….
cut 7 (11) “….good business”
A vote could be delayed until early next week as the bill’s author is still trying to drum up the two-thirds vote needed to pass the legislation.

A Senate committee has approved a House bill that would increase the fees for parolees so that parole officers can receive a raise. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson opposes the measure. She says state employee raises should be funded in the budget bill…
cut 13 (12) “….to us”
The parolee fee bill heads to the Senate finance for more discussion.

The full House approved a measure to raise the minimum GPA for the TOPS scholarship to 2.75, up from 2.5 by the narrowest of votes. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is one of a handful of Democrats who supported the legislation…:
CUT 25 (08) “reward students”
Opponents argue this bill would cut out low income kids who need help with tuition the most. The bill heads to the Senate on a 53-32 vote.

Today the lower chamber is expected to take up the measure that would raise the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon. The GOP opposes the the increase saying there is no guarantee the extra revenue would actually go to repair the state’s roads. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says there’s more accountability and transparency with this proposal…:
Cut 6 (09) “in legislation”
The proposal will need support from two-thirds of the House to advance.

A Senate Judiciary committee voted to raise the fees for individuals on probation and parole in Louisiana to increase salaries for parole officers…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The 7-year-old who was accidentally shot at an elementary school in Moss Bluff is doing well after undergoing surgery for a second time. The family of the first-grader says the child will remain in the PICU for a few more days. According to Calcasieu Parish authorities, the shooting occurred on May 15th when another student brought a gun to school and it fell out of his backpack, discharged when it was picked up by another student and struck the 7-year-old. The father and brother of the student who brought the gun to school were charged in the incident.

The House is scheduled to take up a proposal today to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The TOPS award requirement would be a 2.75 GPA up from 2.5 under a bill narrowly approved by the full House Tuesday. New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie says this proposal would have unintended consequences…:
Cut 15 (10) “TOPS program”
But it heads to the Senate on a 53-32 vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to meet Vice President Mike Pence at the Baton Rouge airport later this morning. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is traveling with the Vice President on Air Force 2 and says this will give them the opportunity to discuss some of the issues that are important to Louisianans…:
Cut 9 (07) “president’s budget”
The Governor’s spokesman says Edwards will bring up some of his concerns to Pence regarding President Trump’s budget proposal.

A Senate Judiciary committee voted to raise the fees for individuals on probation and parole in Louisiana to increase salaries for parole officers. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says his legislation is needed because the governor’s criminal justice reform effort will lead to more offenders on probation and parole…:
Cut 12 (11) “be making”
But opponents say this bill would increase the financial burden placed on parolees.

Vice President Mike Pence is travelling to Baton Rouge today to meet with business leaders. Halen Doughty has more on what to expect from the meeting..:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement for the TOPS award to 2.75 barely made it off the House floor Tuesday. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says many people who support this bill don’t understand communities that struggle…:
Cut 16 (07) “in the face”
The bill heads to the Senate on a 53-32 vote.

The House is slated to take up a proposal today to raise the state’s gasoline tax 17 cents. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is skeptical the additional revenue raised by the tax would be used to alleviate highway problems….:
Cut 5 (10) “new roads”
But supporters assert there is more accountability and transparency with this proposal. It will need support from two-thirds of the House to advance, and they will vote next week according to the bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter.

The West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says two white trucks, possibly drag racing down LA 1 in Port Allen, caused the death of a Plaquemine woman. They say 22-year-old Gina Marks was killed after she was ejected from one of the vehicles involved in the alleged race.

Authorities are investigating the death of an 8-month-old in Baton Rouge. The coroner says the infant, Bryaneishia Washington-Dixon died of blunt force trauma to her abdomen. Police say no charges have been filed at this time, but the case is in its early stages.

The bill that would require students starting 9th grade this fall to have at least a 2.75 GPA in order to receive the TOPS scholarship advanced on the House floor. The current requirement is 2.5. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there is a reason his bill wouldn’t take effect for 4 years…:
Cut 14 (10) “this fall”

Today lawmakers in the House are expected to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in 27 years. A proposal by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter would up the tax by 17 cents a gallon. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says more revenue is needed to pay for better roads…:
Cut 4 (09) “all have them”
The GOP opposes the measure.

Vice President Mike Pence will be in Baton Rouge today to meet with business leaders. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the frustration business owners have experienced over the last few years has peaked. He says in the first year of opening a small business, owners spend more than $80-thousand just complying with federal regulations..:
Cut 8 (11) “new approaches”

A Senate Judiciary committee voted to raise the fees for individuals on probation and parole in Louisiana to increase salaries for parole officers. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris’ measure would up the fee by 37-dollars to 100 dollars. Harris hopes this would be an incentive for parole officers to stay in their position…:
Cut 11 (08) “recruit some”
The Senate panel passed the House approved measure on a 3 to 1 vote.

LSU’s Todd Peterson was scheduled to start today’s SEC Tournament game against Missouri, but the freshman from Florida has been suspended for one game, because of a violation of team rules. So sophomore right-hander Caleb Gilbert will get the start. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Gilbert should do just fine…:
Cut 17 (14) “butt off”
LSU is seeking its sixth SEC Tournament championship with Coach Paul Mainieri at the helm.

UL Lafayette has an RPI of 52. The Cajuns are scheduled to begin play today in the Sun Belt Tournament but heavy rain in Statesboro, Georgia is causing a scheduling nightmare for conference officials.

Louisiana Tech begins play today in the Conference USA Tournament against Charlotte in Biloxi. Charlottte won two of three from Tech earlier this season and the Diamond Dogs are coming off a disappointing series loss to Middle Tennessee.

2nd seeded Southeastern Louisiana will face 7th seeded UNO at noon today in the Southland Tournament. The Lion’s Taylor Schwaner has been named conference player of the Year. The junior from Slidell completed the regular season with a 321 average with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs. McNeese State’s Shane Selman has been named Southland Hitter of the Year and his coach Justin Hill is coach of the year.

The Pokes head into the Southland Conference Tournament in Sugar Land, Texas as the top seed after winning the league’s regular season championship. McNeese will take on Lamar today after taking two of three from the Cardinals last week. Cowboys Head Coach Justin Hill..:
Cut 19 (16) “that much”
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. The proposal repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits offshore revenue among Gulf States. Managing Director with the America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money if GOMESA is repealed.

Cut 3 (12) “of that”

Gulf States would lose a total of $3.6 billion over the next decade.

Vice President Mike Pence will visit Baton Rouge tomorrow to discuss health care, jobs and the economy with local business leaders. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan on the visit.

Cut 13 (11) “for him”

The White House says the Vice President will make remarks afterwards at Cajun Industries in Port Allen.

Authorities in LaFourche Parish are looking for a man accused of living in his ex-girlfriend’s attic when stalking her. Emelie Gunn reports…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities are investigating the death of an 8-month-old in Baton Rouge. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner says the infant, Bryaneishia Washington-Dixon died of blunt force trauma to her abdomen. Police say no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.

The House Transportation Committee approves a proposal to require signs several hundred feet ahead of speed enforcement cameras. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter believes those who oppose this are just interested in collecting money from unsuspecting motorists.

Cut 7 (11) “municipality”

The bill is awaiting final passage on the House floor.

A bill that would include dating partners in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws advances in a Senate committee. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White raised concerns about situations that could arise, like a boyfriend pushing his drunk girlfriend into the car after a night out.

Cut 9 (09) “different deal”

The measure was sent to the Senate floor without objection.

The House is scheduled to take up a proposal tomorrow to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 23 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves a proposal to require parents of minors seeking an abortion to show a photo ID at the clinic. Currently minors only need a notarized statement from a legal guardian. The Senate-approved bill adding the picture identification requirement now heads to the full House for consideration.

Vice President Mike Pense will be in Louisiana tomorrow. The White House says during the Vice President’s visit, he’ll hear first-hand stories about health care, job creation and the economy. Governor Edwards, who announced today he opposes President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, will be at the Baton Rouge airport to welcome Pense. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan gives his take on that …:
Cut 15 (07) “state of Louisiana”
The Vice President is also slated to make remarks afterwards at Cajun Industries in Port Allen.

Authorities in Lafourche Parish are looking for a man accused of living in the attic of his ex-girlfriend to stalk her. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Brennan Matherne says 21-year-old Taylor Broussard has nine active warrants for several felony crimes including stalking, auto theft, battery, and aggravated assault…:
Cut 12 (10) “XLG-572?

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. It means the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several coastal states, would be repealed. Managing Director with America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion, says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money..:
CUT 5 (12) “United States”
US Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement saying that taking this funding away from Louisiana’s coastline is a nonstarter.

A Senate Judiciary Committee advances a bill to include dating partners in Louisiana’s domestic abuse laws. Currently they only apply to couples who are married or living together. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this closes a huge loophole in the law..:
Cut 8 (08) “love them”

Vice President Mike Pence is slated to visit with Baton Rouge area business leaders and address the community tomorrow. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the Trump administration wants to show they listen to the public…:
Cut 14 (10) “craft policies”
The White House says during the Vice President’s visit, he’ll hear first-hand stories about health care, job creation and the economy.

The full House will vote on a Senate approved measure that would give drivers a warning before an upcoming speed camera. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says local municipalities shouldn’t have a problem with this if they argue that the devices are meant to deter speeding…:
CUT 6 (07) “a consequence”
Carter’s bill has been approved by the Senate and awaits final passage on the House floor.

Louisiana stands to lose $140 million a year in coastal restoration funding under the budget proposal released by President Donald Trump today. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Blake lawmakers in Mississippi want a state representative there to resign for saying Louisiana leaders should be “lynched” for removing confederate monuments. Representative Karl Oliver apologized Monday over the Facebook post and was also stripped of his vice chairmanship of a House committee. But the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is demanding the resignation of Oliver, who is white.