The bill to ensure that all TOPS scholarship recipients get at least part of their award has received final legislative passage. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says the bill will only go into effect if the legislature cannot fully fund the program, as TOPS is only funded at 48% under the current budget proposal. Morrish says who pays the remainder of the tuition would be at the discretion of the university…:
CUT 6 (10) “the universities”
Lawmakers will begin the second special session of 2016 on Monday.

State Police say a 6-year-old involved in an East Baton Rouge Parish crash last week has scummed to her injuries. They say the crash happened as 67-year-old Jacque Gregory of Prairiveille failed to yield when making a turn and was hit by a Jeep Wrangler and another vehicle. 6-year-old Ava Branstetter died Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards honored fallen troops at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville during a Memorial Day service Monday. Edwards, who is a West Point graduate and was an Airborne Ranger with the Army, said it’s important to honor national heroes every single day and let our kids know about the sacrifices of vets and fallen soldiers.

Louisiana is one of the worst state’s in the nation for people suffering with asthma. Director of the Division of Lung Diseases with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Dr. James Kiley says the condition is inherited, but environmental factors in The Bayou State also contribute such as exposure to pollution, cleaning products, roaches and animal dander. He says if you have asthma it’s important to stay on a treatment plan and develop an action plan:
CUT 15 (10) “provider”

Four people, including a one year old child, are dead after a fiery head-on Memorial Day crash in East Feliciana Parish. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says two vehicles were involved in the incident which took place on Louisiana Highway 67, just north of Clinton…
cut 3 (12) “…after that crash”
The four people dead range from ages 24 to one-years old. State Police say 15 people were killed in crashes on Louisiana Highways over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Louisiana legislature has sent a bill to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk that would increase the fines for texting and driving. The current fine is $175. This measure increases that fine to 500-dollars and up to one-thousand dollars for a second offense.

A bill waiting for the governor’s signature would prohibit state agencies from asking job applicants if they are a felon before the interview process. The proposed law has the support of the US Justice Action Network. Executive Director Holly Harris says government employers can still ask about criminal history in an interview…
cut 12 (10) “….rehabilitate themselves’
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the measure.

A meeting to discuss ways to control the feral hog population takes place this afternoon at the Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria. AgCenter area agent Donna Martin says the AgCenter started research three years ago looking into toxic baits for the feral swine and they’re looking at additional ways to manage the population…
cut 8 (10) “…eradicate them”

The spending plan for next fiscal year got many changes in the Senate Finance Committee and the bill now goes to the full Senate. 48% of the TOPS scholarship was funded under the plan. Louisiana DHH undersecretary Jeff Reynolds says fully funding the waiver program, which was another change that was made, took away from funding the state’s safety net hospitals..:
Cut 6 (11) “the partnership“
The session must end Monday.

3 people and 1-year-old child died in fiery East Feliciana Parish head-on collision last night, according to State Police. They believe the vehicle with 1-year-old Hazel Temple inside was passing in a no passing zone on LA 67 north of Clinton, when he slammed head on into 24-year-old’s Jakyle Hall’s vehicle on top of a hill. The passing vehicle was driven by 22-year-old Brandon Temple. His other occupant was 19-year-old Holley Thomas. All died in the blaze.

Feral hogs are a big problem in Louisiana, so the LSU AgCenter is hosting a meeting today at their Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria to give updates on latest research and new regulations that are being implemented. AgCenter area agent Donna Morgan says strides have been made to control the feral pig population…:
CUT 7 (13) “now offer”

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says 271,000 adults are living with the condition in Louisiana. Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, Dr. James Kiley, says if you suffer with asthma, you should take notice of your symptoms, and see your physician for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan…:
cut 14 (09) “as directed”
New Orleans is one of the top ten most challenging places to live with asthma.

The four people who died in the fiery head-on East Feliciana Parish crash have been identified, and one of the victims was a 1 year old according to State Police. They say the child, Hazel Temple, 19-year-old Holley Thomas, 22-year-old Brandon Temple all of Denham Springs, along with 24-year-old Jakyle Hall all died. It is believed Brandon Temple tried to pass two vehicles when he slammed into Hall’s vehicle head on just north of Clinton — and both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames killing all occupants.

The full Senate is expected to debate the budget bill for next fiscal year on Wednesday. Under the Senate Finance committee’s version of the spending plan, all waiver programs that assist the elderly and families with developmentally disabled children are funded. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
CUT 5 (08) “have needs”
The session must end June 6th.

Five teams from Louisiana are in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The measure that would prohibit state agencies from asking job applicants about their criminal history before the interview process is awaiting Governor Edwards’ signature. US Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris says this will help felons get back to work and turn away from crime…
cut 11 (07) “taxpayer’s dime”

The Senate Finance Committee makes major changes to the state’s proposed 26-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Four people died in a fiery head-on crash in East Feliciana Parish Monday, according to State Police. They say it happened on La. 67 north of Clinton. Details will be released later today.

The state Senate gave final legislative passage Monday to a bill that would raise the fine for texting while driving to $500, up from $175 on a first offense.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says New Orleans is one of the top ten most challenging places to live with asthma. Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, Dr. James Kiley, says in Louisiana, about 271,000 adults are living with asthma, which is inherited and also caused by environmental factors…:
Cut 13 (10) “pollen”
He says knowing your symptoms and getting treatment is important.

Feral hogs are a huge problem in Louisiana, and the LSU AgCenter is hosting a meeting today to give updates on the latest research and regulations being implemented. Area agent Donna Morgan says feral hogs are causing damage all over the place…:
CUT 9 (07) “golf courses”

As ESPN unveiled the 64 teams playing in this year’s NCAA baseball tournament, five teams from the Bayou State saw their names pop up on the screen. LSU, UL-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Southeastern and Tulane all made the tourney which begins Friday.

The Senate Finance Committee has made their changes to the proposed budget for next fiscal year and sent it to the Senate floor. Amendments made to the budget only fund 48% of the TOPS scholarship program. Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur says they hope to have more money to fund the program after the special session…:
cut 4 (08) “to TOPS”
The upper chamber is slated to take up the budget bill tomorrow. The regular session must end Monday.

The “Ban the Box” bill, which would prohibit state agencies from asking job applicants about their criminal history before the interview process, is waiting on the governor’s desk to be signed. US Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris says this breaks down barriers to employment for thousands of citizens with criminal records..:
Cut 10 (03) “crime free lives”
Governor Edwards is expected to sign the measure.

The LSU AgCenter hosts a meeting today to address the growing problem of feral hogs. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The state Senate gave final legislative passage Monday to the REAL ID law, which in Louisiana would mean motorists would get to choose whether or not they want a license which meets federal standards. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the measure.

A week from today, the regular legislative session will come to a close, and just 30 minutes later, lawmakers will begin another special session. Communications Director for the Governor, Richard Carbo says legislators will address some of the unintended consequences of the last special session, like exemptions that should have been placed on the sales tax increase.

Cut 15 (09) “cleaned up”

This Memorial Day, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Joey Strickland, encourages families to get together and remember those that gave their lives fighting for our freedom. He says no matter how people feel about the war, they should still honor our veterans. He says there’s plenty that people can do to salute veterans’ service.

Cut 5 (10) “our communities”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser hopes Louisiana will be a popular destination for travelers this summer. He says the soaring summer temperatures shouldn’t stop people from visiting our festivals and historic locations.

Cut 9 (10) “having fun”

2015 was another record-setting year for Louisiana tourism.

The Tin Roof Brewery of Baton Rouge will brew the official beer of LSU, with a little help from some LSU fans. Cofounder William McGehee says Tin Roof Brewery was selected to brew the LSU beer after a series of conversations with LSU officials.

Cut 12 (11) “we are”

LSU fans 21 and over can register to be on the tasting panel for the new brew at TinRoofBrewery.com

In honor of Memorial Day, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland encourages families to take time during their family gatherings and remember those that have fought for our freedom.

Cut 6 (11) “of freedom”

Strickland says in the past year alone, 7 Louisiana troops have died.

A week from today, lawmakers will end the regular session and begin another special session in the same day. Communications Director for Governor Edwards Richard Carbo says the budget will be a big issue during this session, as lawmakers were unable to raise enough revenue in the last special session to close the budget deficit.

Cut 14 (11) “be priorities”

Carbo says legislators will look at responsible revenue raising measures to ensure that critical state services are fully funded.

LSU fans will help choose the taste of the official beer of LSU. Cofounder of Tin Roof Brewery William McGehee says people age 21 and over can register to be on the tasting panel that will select the LSU brew from 10 different test batches of lagers and ales.

Cut 10 (08) “we’ve done”

Registration to be on the panel continues through June 8 at TinRoofBrewery.com. McGehee says the new beer should be ready in time for the start of the 2016 LSU football season.

The LSU Tigers have received a national seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Tigers will host Utah Valley, Rice and Southeastern Louisiana in the Baton Rouge Regional this weekend. UL Lafayette will host Sam Houston State, Princeton and Arizona, while Louisiana Tech is heading to the regional in Starkville and Tulane will be at the Oxford Regional.

The regular legislative session will come to a close in just one week and on that same day, legislators will begin a special session to address a 600-million dollar revenue shortfall. Communications Director for Governor Edwards, Richard Carbo, says the state will look at responsible revenue raising measures to ensure TOPS, healthcare, K-12 education and higher ed are fully funded…

Cut 13 (06) “it out”

Carbo says they’ll also try to clean up the unintendenced consequences of the first special session, like collecting sales tax on Girl Scout cookies.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is hopeful that tourists will choose the Bayou State as their summer vacation destination to visit one of the 400 festivals that will occur across the state during the summer months. He hopes the low gas prices will bring in more people from other states.

Cut 8 (06) “low prices”

Five teams from Louisiana are in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

According to organizers of the Bayou Country Superfest, attendance at the three-day country music festival dropped for the second straight year. 100-thousand people attended the seventh annual festival at LSU’s Tiger Stadium to see performances by country stars like Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Jason Aldean.

In just one week, the regular legislative session will wrap up, and 30 minutes later, lawmakers will begin another special session. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The LSU Tigers have received a national seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Tigers will host Utah Valley, Rice and Southeastern Louisiana in the Baton Rouge Regional this weekend. UL Lafayette will host Sam Houston State, Princeton and Arizona, while Louisiana Tech is heading to the regional in Starkville and Tulane will be at the Oxford Regional.

A Baton Rouge Brewer will brew an official LSU beer, with the help of some LSU fans. Cofounder of the Tin Roof Brewery William McGehee says registration to be on the panel that will select the new brew continues through June 8. He says the new beer will be ready in time for the start of the 2016 LSU football season.

Cut 11 (12) “big scale”

People 21 and older can register to be on the tasting panel at TinRoofBrewery.com.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is hoping a lot of visitors will come to this Bayou State through the summer. He says this is the time to put our best foot forward, as over 400 festivals will occur throughout the state during the summer months. He says we have the best food, culture and history, but it’s our people that really set us apart from other states.

Cut 7 (06) “of year”