With budget shortfalls still looming, higher education leaders are looking at more potential changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Lawmakers are hopeful they can find the necessary $89 million to fully fund the program next year, but Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says changes will likely come to TOPS whether or not it’s fully funded…:
Cut 8 (10) “on them”
One option being discussed is raising the number of hours a TOPS student must complete in one year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a public health emergency for the town of St. Joseph in Tensas Parish after the Office of Public Health found elevated levels of lead in two samples. Health workers also found elevated levels of copper at two other sites. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is providing residents of the town with bottled water. St. Jospeh has been dealing with water problems for years because of deteriorating water distribution system.

Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state in the nation according to the United Health Foundation, who has released it’s American Health rankings. Mississippi comes in at number 50, while Louisiana is at 49. One troubling statistic is that the rate of diabetes has increased from 11 to 13 percent. State health secretary Rebekah Gee says that’s due in part to the high rate of obestity. She says a healthy lifestyle starts with the individual…
cut 11 (08) “…of money”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has not been healthy all season, which is why he won’t play in the Citrus Bowl. Fournette, who has declared for the NFL draft, has decided to give his injured ankle time to heal, so he can get ready to work out for NFL teams…
cut 15 (11) “….best for my future”
Today, Grambling plays North Carolina Central in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta and the Cajuns face Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a public health emergency for the town of St. Joseph. Edwards advises residents of the Tensas parish town to use alternative sources for drinking water, as tests showed elevated levels of lead in the water. The Department of Health recommends using alternative sources for water for brushing teeth, food preparation, and personal consumption.

A report from United Health Foundation finds Louisiana is no longer the unhealthiest state in the country. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

With the state having problems fully funding the TOPS scholarship program, the idea is being kicked around to require TOPS recipients to take 30 credit hours a year, instead of 24. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the idea is to encourage students to graduate in four years. He says 20 years ago 15 hours a semester was the norm.

Cut 7 (08) “four years”
Many students oppose this idea, as TOPS recipients are already having to pay roughly 60-percent of their tuition for the spring semester.

LSU’s Leonard Fournette has decided not to play in the Citrus Bowl to give his injured ankle more time to heal and get ready for the NFL draft. Head Coach Ed Orgeron supports the decision, but says he’ll miss the dynamic running back.

Cut 16 (07) “great games”

There’s talk among higher education officials about more changes to TOPS. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says they’re considering raising the hourly requirement for the scholarship from 24 credits per year to 30 to encourage students to graduate more quickly. He says TOPS only covers 8 semesters.

Cut 6 (11) “extra year”

Rallo says this would mean students would have to take either 15 credits per semester or 6 additional hours during the summer.

Now former-Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Charlie Melancon, says Governor John Bel Edwards is forcing him out of his cabinet position. Melancon told the AP he was asked to leave the office but wasn’t given a reason. The resignation comes just months after auditors identified financial problems in the department. Governor Edwards says it’s time to move the agency in a different direction.

Forecasters say a cold front is heading towards the state. Andy Tingler, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says there’s a slight chance we could see severe weather in the Monroe and Alexandria areas along with a portion of south Louisiana.

Cut 4 (04) “a potential”

Tingler says the cold air will stick around for a couple of days, at least through Tuesday.

According to United Health Foundation, Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state in the country, as the Bayou State has moved up one spot to number 49. State Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says the state still has high rates infant mortality and obesity.

Cut 9 (12) “in Medicaid”

Mississippi was the only state found to be less healthy than Louisiana.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette will not play in the Citrus Bowl with the Tigers. He and head coach Ed Orgeron broke the news…
Cut 15 (11) “best for my future”
Fournette said he plans to rest and rehab the ankle injury that limited him to seven games this season.

One day after FBI agents raided the offices of the Hammond Police Department and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office, Sheriff Daniel Edwards held a brief press conference to say they are cooperating with federal authorities….
cut 30 (12) “…federal investigation”
The two individuals mentioned by Edwards are former deputies.

Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state in the nation according to the United Health Foundation, who has released it’s American Health rankings. Mississippi comes in at number 50, while Louisiana is at 49. One troubling statistic is that the rate of diabetes has increased from 11 to 13 percent. State health secretary Rebekah Gee says that’s due in part to the high rate of obestity. She says a healthy lifestyle starts with the individual…
cut 11 (08) “…of money”

Louisiana wildlife and fisheries Secretary Charlie Melancon tells the Associated Press that he’s being forced out from his Cabinent position. Melancon has not seen eye-to-eye with recreational fishermen and hes tried to make changes within the agency as a result of an audit that discovered financial problems under his predecessor. Melancon’s resignation became public earlier this week.

Get ready for another change in the weather. Andy Tingler, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a strong cold front will move through the state Saturday and produce a big temperature drop….
cut 3 (12) “….upper 30s”
There’s also a slight chance for severe weather tomorrow.

Leonard Fournette’s college football career is over. Fournette says he will not play in the Tigers bowl game on December 31st, so that he can rehab an injured ankle that’s kept him from being less than 100-percent all season. Fournette says it was not an easy decision, but he leaves LSU with great memories…
cut 30 (09) “…I can’t forget”
Fournette leaves LSU as the school’s fourth leading rusher.
More changes could be coming to the TOPS scholarship program. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Tomorrow night the Cajuns football team will face Southern Miss in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Jay Cicero, says both fan bases are fired up for this one….
cut 14 (08) “…two schools”
Kick-off is tomorrow night at 8 PM.

A report from United Health Foundation finds Louisiana is no longer the unhealthiest state in the country. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Michelle Southern”

LSU’s Leonard Fournette has decided not to play in the Citrus Bowl, so that he give his injured ankle more time to heal and allow his body to get ready for the NFL draft. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron supports the decision, but he’ll miss the dynamic running back…
Cut 16 (07) “great games”

With the state having problems fully funding the TOPS scholarship program, the idea is being kicked around to require TOPS recipients to take 30 credit hours a year, instead of 24. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the idea is to encourage students to graduate in four years…
cut 7 (08) “…for four years”
There will likely be push back on this idea, as TOPS students are having to pay roughly 60-percent of their tuition for the spring semester, forcing many to work more hours, so they can continue college.

There’s the possiblity of severe weather tomorrow in the Monroe and Alexandria areas, along with a portion of south Louisiana….
cut 4 (04) “….a potential”
That’s Alex Tingler with the National Weather Service who says a strong cold front will push across the state tomorrow, dropping temperatures by at least 20 degrees.

With budget shortfalls still looming, higher education leaders are looking at more potential changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Lawmakers are hopeful they can find the necessary $89 million to fully fund the program next year, but Higher Ed Commissioner JOe Rallo says changes will likely come to TOPS whether or not it’s fully funded…:
Cut 8 (10) “on them”
One option being discussed is raising the hourly requirement.

Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state in the country, according to United Health Foundation. But the report found that funding for public health decreased by 28-percent over the last four years. State Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee hopes public health will become more of a spending priority, because money is used to protect against Zika outbreaks and flu epidemics…:
Cut 10 (09) “it is”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette’s college football career is over. The junior, who has already said he intends to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, announced today that he would not play in the Citrus Bowl with the Tigers. He and head coach Ed Orgeron broke the news on Friday…:
Cut 15 (11) “best for my future”
Fournette said he plans to rest and rehab the ankle injury that has limited him to seven games this season.

Get ready for another change in the weather. Andy Tingler, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we warm up tomorrow and there’s potential for severe weather Saturday night, but Sunday might be a good day to stay inside..:
CUT 5 (12) “around 60”

More changes could be coming to the TOPS scholarship program. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Get ready for another change in the weather. Andy Tingler, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a strong cold front will move through the state Saturday and produce a big temperature drop..:
Cut 3 (12) “upper 30s”

Louisiana is no longer the least healthy state in the country, according to United Health Foundation. State Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says this is great news, but unfortunately Louisiana still ranks 49th in the nation for overall health. She says the state has high rates of low birth weight, infant mortality, and obesity…:
Cut 9 (12) “in Medicaid”
Mississippi was the only state found to be less healthy than Louisiana.

R+L Carriers will continue to be the sponsor of the New Orleans Bowl through the 2021 season under a renewed deal. UL-Lafayette and Southern Miss face off in the contest tomorrow night at 8pm.

With budget shortfalls still looming, higher education leaders are looking at more potential changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says one option being discussed is raising the hourly requirement for the scholarship from 24 credits per year to 30. He says the idea is to encourage students to graduate more quickly, as TOPS only covers 8 semesters…:
Cut 6 (11) “extra year”
Opponents of the change say it would add to students’ workload, especially for those who take time-consuming labs or play sports.

The FBI isn’t saying much about why they raided the Hammond Police Department and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Thursday. A spokesman with the Bureau said they conducted multiple “court authorized” searches and that there were more to come. Among items seized in the simultaneous inspections include computers, cellphones and case files.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a 5.3 million dollar grant to study why some people benefit more or less from exercise. Associate executive director of clinical research and study investigator Dr. Eric Ravussin..:
CUT 12 (09) “of that”
You can learn more on Pennington’s website.

The Big Easy is gearing up for the big R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl tomorrow featuring the UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns taking on Southern Miss. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says they’ve never had two regional teams in the bowl game so they’re seeing tons of fans in town…:
CUT 12 (09) “for us”
He expects this year’s game to bring in as much as $30 million dollars for area businesses.

The National Institutes of Health grants LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center with 5.3 million dollars to study why certain people benefit more or less from exercise. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A State Trooper has been arrested on charges of aggravated burglary and malfeasance in office. Alexandria Police booked 43-year-old Jeffrey Covington of Alexandria after he allegedly entered a person home on Thursday morning and was confronted, but left without incident. .

Tickets to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th have been very popular. Cole Avery is a spokesperson for Congressman Ralph Abraham’s office and says they don’t have enough tickets to meet the demand, but they are keeping a record of everyone who made requests…
cut 14 (09) “…to waste”
Avery says they had over 300 ticket requests and only 185 to give away.

Doctor Chris Carlton with LSU’s Entomology Department says we’ve seen a larger population of the Asian Lady Beetle this year. Carlton says there are many yards in Louisiana where we are seeing large swarms of this insect. He says they will bite a human, but they are not aggressive…
cut 6 (11) “….you’re food”
He says the best way to keep these ladbuy look-alikes out of your home is to make sure your windows and doors are closed and tightly sealed.