Governor Edwards signs into law a bill that means the TOPS scholarship is no longer guaranteed to cover the full cost of a student’s tuition, starting in the fall of 2017. Executive Director of the Taylor Foundation, Dr. James Callier (*Kye-yay*), says tuition increases have hurt the scholarship program:
CUT 6 (06) “increases”
The bill locks in the amount of a TOPS scholarship at next year’s rate, and the award will not automatically increase, even if tuition costs go up. Supporters say this will help make TOPS more affordable and thus more sustainable for the future.

State Police say a teenager from Marksville died this morning following a crash with a school bus in Avoyelles Parish. Investigators determined 19-year-old Joshua Frank lost control of his vehicle and collided with the school bus that was going in the opposite direction. There were no children on the bus at the time, but troopers say Frank wasn’t buckled up and he died at the scene.

An attack on a member of law enforcement, firefighters or EMS would be considered a hate crime under a measure headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the hate crime law currently covers violence against people because of their race, gender, religion, age, disability or nationality — and this bill expands that…:
cut 15 (07) “EMS”
There was no objection in the Senate committee.

A juvenile who allegedly beat up a 61-year-old female because she refused to perform oral sex on him is charged with simple battery of the infirmed, according to the Thibodaux Police Department. They say the suspect was identified by a witness who tried to stop the attack, and he was subsequently booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on the charge.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill that would permanently change the TOPS scholarship program so that, starting in the fall of 2017, awards will no longer automatically go up with tuition increases. The measure was introduced as a way to control the state’s costs, because there was a fear that Louisiana won’t be able to offer TOPS if the financial note isn’t more reasonable. 17 other bills were also signed into law.

A bus driver in Bossier Parish was busted driving drunk following her drop off route, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Bill Davis says 33-year-old Bridget Whitley was subjected to a random drug test after she showed signs of intoxication…:
CUT 14 (10) “for DWI”
He says this is the second DWI for Whitley, whose bond was set at $50,000.

Lawmakers want to remove Attorney General Jeff Landry’s funds from the state’s general operating budget. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Prairieville woman has been arrested after cops say her child ate methamphetamine. Gonzales police Sgt. Steven Nethken says 21-year-old Tyler Dauzat took her 2-year-old to the hospital when the child began exhibiting erratic behavior. Nethken says Dauzat was staying in a local hotel, when she left her toddler alone…:
CUT 3 (08) “her purse”
The 2-year-old is in stable condition at a hospital and Dauzat’s charges include cruelty to a juvenile and negligent injuring.

The House Appropriations committee has backed a plan that would give the Attorney General’s Office more oversight over its own budget. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says A-G Jeff Landry requested more freedom to determine how to spend his agency’s allotted state funds…
cut 4 (10) “….move money around”
Governor John Bel Edwards says this action is not only unconstitutional, it’s also bad policy….
cut 6 (09) “….agencies”
The full House will debate this issue some more later in the week.

Flags are at half-staff over the State Capitol and all public buildings today in honor of Frank Levingston of Lake Charles. He was the oldest verified World War Two vet, who died earlier this month at the age of 110.

A poll of over six-hundred likely voters in Louisiana finds Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has a big lead over Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. John Couvillion of JMC Analytics conducted the survey and he says the poll shows very little evidence of Republican disunity…
cut 13 (10) “….republican”
Trump received an approval rating of 47-percent in the poll, while Clinton and Sanders disapproval rating was above 55-percent.

The state legislature is close to approving a bill that would require signs warning motorists of intersections where red-light traffic cameras are present. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says if there are no signs and driver gets ticketed for blowing a red light, they’ll have the opportunity to contest that ticket…
cut 10 (08) “…be heard”
The full House still has to approve it and it then heads to the governor’s desk.

The House Appropriations Committee voted to eliminate the Inspector General’s Office from the proposed budget, saying it overlaps with work done by state police, the attorney general, and legislative auditors. But IG Stephen Street says his agency investigates tough political cases that other agencies will not…:
CUT 7 (11) “place else”
The panel also wants the office of the Attorney General to have its own budget — which the governor calls bad policy and against the constitution. There are several items in the proposed spending plan which go against the recommendations of the Edwards Administration — including the fully funding of TOPS and instead cutting other agencies. It heads to the full House.

The governor has ordered flags on public buildings be flown at half staff today to honor Frank Levingston. The Cotton Valley native was the oldest living man in the US and the oldest verified surviving World War II veteran. Levingston died in Lake Charles a week ago at the age of 110.

If the presidential election were held today, Louisiana would choose Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton, 52 to 36%. That’s according to John Couvillon of JMC Analytics who says even among women voters, 48% support Trump while 41% do not…:
cut 12 (10) “like that”

Bossier Parish Deputies say a school bus driver got a DWI shortly after she dropped of a busload of kids at school. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Lawmakers would like to see the office of Attorney General Jeff Landry have its own budget instead of one with the state, despite opposition from those who say the policy would violate the constitution. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger…:
CUT 5 (07) “the past”
The House Appropriations Committee voted 17-6 to give Landry more power over the agency’s money. The spending plan is scheduled to hit the House floor Thursday. It also rejects significant recommendations by the governor’s office.

Would you like to see signs on roadways which would warn you if a red light camera intersection was just ahead? A bill that would which would mandate the notices 500 feet away is headed to the House floor for final legislative passage. New Orleans Sen. Troy Carter says the measure would also grant the individual legal rights…:
CUT 9 (09) “to challenge”

A poll finds the 52% of Louisianans would vote for Republican Donald Trump and 36% would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A bus driver in Bossier Parish is facing DWI charges after cops say she was driving drunk when she was running her morning route. Lt. Bill Davis says this was the second DWI for 33-year-old Bridget Whitley. He says this is completely unacceptable…:
CUT 15 (11) “of parents”

A House Committee advanced a proposal that would give Attorney General Jeff Landry more control over his office’s budget by removing it from the state’s general operating budget. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The graduate of Tulane who was shot and killed in New Orleans over the weekend while visiting the city to plan his wedding was the victim of robbery, according the police. They said 25-year-old Thomas Rolfes, a St. Louis native, had injuries on his hands that indicated there may have been a struggle. He was here with his fiance to select a wedding venue.

A woman from Prairieville is under arrest after her 2-year-old allegedly ate methamphetamine, according to cops. They say 21-year-old Tyler Dauzat took the toddler to the hospital for exhibiting erratic behavior, and doctors later determined the child’s system was loaded with a serious amount of meth. Dauzat was charged on counts of negligent injuring and cruelty to juveniles.

A bill that would require warnings 500 feet ahead of red-light camera intersections heads to the house floor for final legislative passage. New Orleans Sen. Troy Carter on his measure…:
Cut 8 (06) “due notice”
He says the bill would also allow a driver to challenge a red light ticket if no sign was present.

State Police will hold a memorial this evening to remember those law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The list includes Trooper Steven J. Vincent and Louisiana Highway Commission Patrolman Frank Brown Jr. The ceremony will be held at the memorial in front of the Louisiana State Police Headquarters in Baton Rouge.

A House committee proposes to give Attorney General Jeff Landry more power over his budget. House Appropriations Chairman, Cameron Henry of Metairie, says Landry requested more freedom to determine how to spend his agency’s allotted state funds…:
cut 4 (10) “move money around”
Governor John Bel Edwards says this action is not only unconstitutional, it’s just bad policy…:
Cut 6 (09) “agencies”
The House Appropriations Committee voted 17-6 to remove the A.G. office from the state’s general operating budget and give Landry his own budget.

The panel continues to remain at odds with Edwarsd as the budget proposal they advanced Monday would also fully fund the TOPS program, but leave almost everything else with a cut — which the governor opposes.

A poll from JMC Analytics finds if the presidential election was held today, the majority of Louisianans would pick Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton, 52 to 36-percent. Pollster John Couvillon says nearly 6 in 10 voters disapprove of Clinton…:
cut 11 (10) “frank remarks”

Deputies say a Bossier parish school bus driver has been arrested for a DWI, immediately after she dropped off dozens of children. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says 33-year-old Bridget Whitley reported for a random drug screen, which is typical for parish employees…:
CUT 16 (06) “happened here”
He says this is Whitley’s 2nd DWI.

Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden has filed his paperwork to run for Congress. Holden is expected to challenge fellow Democrat and incumbent US Representative Cedic Richmond, who represents the 2^nd congressional district. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says while Holden will have support from Baton Rouge voters, he may need to get support from organizations in New Orleans to win more votes in that area.

CUT 4 (05)  “very viable”

Pinsonat says Holden, who is term-limited as a mayor, is a strong candidate

The Jimmy Davis Bridge in Shreveport-Bossier City will not get its planned renovation anytime soon because the construction contract has been terminated. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the plan has been halted because of a protected species of bird that’s nesting on the bridge.

CUT 9 (10) “the work”

Louisiana is ranked third most dangerous state for teen drivers, according to a new study from Carinsurance.com. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

Deputies say a Bossier parish school bus driver has been arrested for a DWI, immediately after she dropped of dozens of children. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says 33-year-old Bridget Whitley reported for a random drug screen after her morning route, where she showed signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety test. This is Whitley’s 2nd DWI.

The House Appropriations Committee has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that fully funds TOPS. The governor’s proposed budget only funded a third of the costs associated with the program. Chairman, Cameron Henry of Metairie, says they came up with the 183-million dollars to fully fund TOPS by taking dollars from other departments…

cut 12 (06) “for priorities”

While speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club today, Governor John Bel Edwards expressed concerns about cutting funding from various agencies that have already seen their budgets slashed…

Cut 13 (08) “dollar amounts”

Henry says making sure tuition for TOPS scholarships are fully funded is a priority.

A House committee proposes to give Attorney General Jeff Landry more power over his budget. House Appropriations Chairman, Cameron Henry of Metairie, says Landry requested more freedom to determine how to spend his agency’s allotted state funds.

cut 4 (10) “move money around”

The House Appropriations Committee voted to remove the A.G. office from the state’s general operating budget and give Landry his own budget. But New Orleans Representative Walt Leger doesn’t think this move is constitutional.

Cut 5 (07) “the past”

A bill that would allow blaze pink to be added to the list of acceptable colors that hunters could wear as an alternative to hunters orange, has been signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The measure goes into effect August 1st.

A House committee has approved a spending plan for the next fiscal year that fully funds TOPS by cutting other areas. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says making sure tuition for TOPS scholarships are fully funded is a priority. But Governor Edwards says an across the board cut in other areas of the budget to get that accomplished is not a good idea…

cut 14 (08)  “of thing”

Louisiana is the third most dangerous state for teen drivers, according to a new study from Carinsurance.com. Highway safety advocate, Col. Jim Champagne is not surprised because he says we give teen drivers too much freedom at an early age.

CUT 6 (12) “until 18″

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden has filed paperwork to run for Congress. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office announces they have made an arrest in the May 3 kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman outside a casino. Police say 23-year-old Jovante Owens of Lake Charles kidnapped a woman outside of a casino and drove around in her car while sexually assaulting her. Owens is charged with first-degree rape and aggravated kidnapping.