Changes could be coming to TOPS, as the Board of Regents will make recommendations to change the scholarship program next month. Higher Ed commissioner Joe Rallo says they’re looking at ways to change how the scholarship is awarded.

Cut 7 (09) “at LSU”

Rallo says another possibility would be to award freshmen 80-percent of their tuition and increase the amount each year.

Crews begin cleaning up Charity Hospital in New Orleans today, as the historic building has been unused since Hurricane Katrina. Jerry Jones with LSU Health New Orleans says all the equipment is rusted and not usable, so it will have to be stripped and used as scrap metal.

Cut 11 (09) “disposed of”

The process is expected to take around 6 months.

A Pierre Part man is behind bars after accidentally texting an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Deputy to arrange a drug deal. Commander Lonny Cavalier says 39-year-old Dwayne Hebert was arrested with two firearms along with crystal meth. He says this really is an unusual case.

Cut 15 (08) “his part”

Hebert’s bond has not been set.

After last weekend’s freeze, many people are asking what can be done about their damaged plants. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says even if your plant has signs of damage, it might not be dead.

Cut 4 (10) “…seven days”

Gill says if your plant is okay, just prune the affected areas.

Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the Board of Regents is proposing changes to the TOPS scholarship program since the legislature opted not to fully fund awards for the first time beginning this year. He says one option would be into selling naming rights for the program..:
CUT 9 (12) “to come in”
TOPS recipients are paying more than 50% of the award this spring. Any changes to the program would require legislative approval.

The Bossier Parish man accused of raping and sexually abusing young foster children in his care has been indicted by a grand jury on the charges. 51-year-old Terral Parfait is charged with three counts of first degree rape of alleged victims between the ages of 9 and 12. He faces mandatory life in prison if convicted as charged.

If any of your plants were damaged in the weekend’s freeze, they may not be ruined. LSU Horticulturist Dan Gill says with tropical plants, oozy, mushy, and foul smelling damaged tissue should be removed. But woody plants are different..:
Cut 5 (11) “not sprouting”
He says sometimes permanent damage may take a week before it shows up.

Talk about a wrong number. The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says they made a sting arrest of a man who is accused of texting a deputy by mistake about a possible drug deal. Commander Lonny Cavalier says when they busted Dwayne Hebert, he had crystal meth and two guns with him..:
CUT 14 (10) “substances”
Hebert is jailed and awaits a bond hearing.

The Louisiana Board of Regents is recommending several changes to the TOPS scholarship program that will need legislative approval. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards is holding a news conference tomorrow after his call in radio show to talk about his first year in office. He will deliver remarks reflecting on the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen since his inauguration on January 11th, 2016. Later this morning, the governor will take part in the official announcement that WWE’s Wrestlemania is returning to New Orleans in 2018.

For the first time since closing its doors following Hurricane Katrina, the state is going to clean out Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Jerry Jones withe LSU Heath New Orleans’ Facility Planning says this has been 10 years coming…:
CUT 12 (09) “reuse”
He says the facilities contain asbestos, mold, chemicals, and other hazardous materials, and the process should take about 180 days.

This past weekend’s unprecedented freeze affected plants throughout the state, but they may not be completely ruined. That’s according to Dan Gill, horticulturist with the LSU Ag Center. He says don’t get discouraged if a covered tropical plant still received damage…:
CUT 6 (10) “tropical again”
Gill says if you scratch a woody plant with your thumbnail and the tissue is green, it’s still alive, but not if it’s brown underneath.

Recommendations have been presented by the state Board of Regents on ways the TOPS scholarship program could be changed to become more affordable. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says one proposed change would require those getting the award to take 30 credit hours a year instead of 24. He says right now just 40 percent of TOPS students graduate in 4 years…:
CUT 8 (11) “a paycheck”
Any changes to the program would not take effect until 2018.

The clean-up process for Charity Hospital in New Orleans begins today. Jerry Jones with LSU Health New Orleans’ Facility Planning, says everything inside the building has been there since closing after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and must go:
Cut 10 (09) “equipment”
He says this project will cost over 6.4 million dollars.

Many plants were affected by this weekend’s freeze and Emelie Gunn has tips on how to treat them…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man is under arrest for allegedly texting a deputy by mistake about a possible drug deal. They say Dwayne Hebert said that crystal meth was ready for delivery…:
CUT 13 (09) “arrested him”
That’s Commander Lonny Cavalier.

The staff of the Louisiana Board of Regents is proposing several changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says they are looking at new ways the scholarship could be awarded, since the state failed to fully fund the program…:
CUT 7 (09) “at LSU”
He says the board is reviewing their report, and the final recommendations will be made in February.

The cold weather over the weekend damaged many plants and it has some wondering what to do next. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Dan Gill recommends waiting a while to see if the plant is actually dead, even if it appears to have damage…:
cut 4 (10) “seven days”
Gill says once you determine if parts of your plant have been damaged, it’s time to prune the affected areas.

Clean-up officially begins today for the old Charity Hospital building in New Orleans after being abandoned since Hurricane Katrina. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palmero”

WWE’s WrestleMania Tweeted that the big professional wrestling event is coming back to New Orleans in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll be on hand today to take part in the official announcement this morning.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agent who was shot multiple times in Morehouse Parish is in stable condition. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says it’s a miracle that 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler is doing so well, after being shot in the head, neck, and arm early Saturday morning…:
Cut 9 (11) “in control”
31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe is charged with the crime, but Edmonson says there are still a lot of unknowns.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to go back to Washington in February to secure more federal funds for flood recovery. He says Congress has already approved more than $1.5 billion, but that will not cover flood victims who had flood insurance…:
CUT 4 (09) “housing recovery alone”
He says Louisiana is still $2 billion short for a full, robust recovery.

The staff of the Louisiana Board of Regents is recommending several changes to the TOPS scholarship program that will need legislative approval. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office arrests two adults after three juveniles in their care tested postive for narcotics. Captain Tommy Carnline….
cut 14 (09) “…day in court”
19-year-old Stephan Matthews and 22-year-old Kate Bordelon of Pineville are in jail on a charge of second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

In north Louisiana, law enforcement from around the state gave an update on the shooting and injuring of LDWF Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Pierre Part man has been arrested after allegedly accidentally texting an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy about a potential drug deal. 39-year-old Dwayne Paul Hebert was met by authorities at a location where he planned to sell crystal meth. Heber was arrested with two firearms along with the drug. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, resisting an officer and other charges.

 
The race to become the state’s next elected State Treasurer is underway as Covington Representative John Schroder becomes the first person to announce he’s a candidate for the job. The election takes place in October. The other big election is the New Orleans mayoral race, so Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Big Easy voters will playa major role in this race…

cut 7 (07) “…term limited”
Dubos anticipates a lot of candidates running for State Treasurer.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people after allegations were made that children in their care tested positive for drugs. Captain Tommy Carnline says the complaint originally came in from the Department of Children and Family Services in regards in a November incident..:
cut 12 (10) “for the parents”

Carnline says 19-year-old Stephan Deshon Matthews and 22-year-old Katie Meshell Bordelon each face 2nd degree cruelty to juveniles…:

State Police say Wildlife and Fisheries Agent Tyler Wheeler is responding well to treatment after he was shot five times early Saturday morning in Morehouse Parish. Two residents from Monroe have been arrested in connection with the shooting and State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says more arrests are possible….
cut 11 (08) “…into this”
Edmonson says they are still trying to get a handle on what sparked the shooting.

Governor John Bel Edwards was present for today’s press conference in Monroe to update the public on Wheeler’s condition. Edwards says it infuriates him that another law enforcement officer was attacked.

Tonight the governor’s mansion will be lit in blue in recognition of Law Enforcement Appreication Day.

Tomorrow the governor will reportedly in New Orleans for an announcement that WrestleMania is returning to the Crescent City in 2018.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will return to Washington in February to continue efforts to get more flood aid to Louisiana. Edwards says helping homeowners isn’t the only flood recovery need…:
Cut 5 (11) “to Congress”
So far, Congress has allocated $1.6 billion for Louisiana’s flood recovery.

Two Pineville residents have been charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles after narcotics were found in the system of three kids that were in their care. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office captain Tommy Carnline says they arrested 19-year-old Stephan Matthews and 22-year-old Katie Bordelon after receiving a complaint from D-C-F-S…
cut 13 (10) “…bond each”
Carnline says the children are doing okay.

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent is now in stable condition after being shot multiple times in Morehouse Parish on Saturday. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler cannot speak yet and officials are working to determine what happened when Wheeler encountered 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe on Hwy 165.
Cut (09) “side of the road.”

Baird has been arrested and charged with one count of attempted first degree murder of a police officer and 34-year-old Jeremy Gullette has been charged with accessory after the fact.

A 39-year-old Pierre Part man was arrested after allegedly accidentally texting an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy about a drug deal. Authorities met Dwayne Paul Hebert at a location where Hebert planned to sell crystal meth.Hebert was book on possession if methamphetamine with intent to distribute, resisting an officer along with other charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to return to Washington next month to secure more federal dollars for flood recovery. Edwards says since the historic flooding in August, he visited D.C. five times to advocate for more funds, but the state is still 2 billion dollars short of a full recovery.
Cut 3 (12) “recovery efforts.”

The race for state treasurer is now kicking off, just as we got over a historic election cycle last month. Today, Covington Rep. John Schroder announced he’s running for the potion vacated by John Kennedy, who was elected as a U.S. Senator. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says the Republican lawmaker is likely the first of many to enter the race.
Cut 6 (11) “fiscal posture.”
The special election will occur in October.

Law enforcement held a press conference this morning to give an update on the weekend shooting of a LDWF Agent Tyler Wheeler. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating its first homicide of 2017. Deputies say two subjects were shot along Highway 190 in Slidell and one of them died at the hospital. Authorities believe the shooting was drug related and more information is expected to be released tomorrow.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office arrests two adults after three juveniles in their care tested postive for narcotics. Captain Tommy Carnline says they are not releasing information on how the narcotics got into the systems of the children….
cut 14 (09) “…day in court”
19-year-old Stephan Deshon Matthews and 22-year-old Kate Meshell Bordelon of Pineville are in jail on a charge of second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

The race to become the state’s next elected State Treasurer is underway as Covington Representative John Schroder becomes the first person to announce he’s a candidate for the job. The election takes place in October. The other big election is the New Orleans mayoral race, so Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Big Easy voters will play a major role in this race…
cut 7 (07) “…term limited”
Dubos anticipates a lot of candidates running for State Treasurer.