The TOPS program would be fully funded next semester under the budget bill sent to Governor John Bel Edwards by the legislature late last night. But under the plan, students would only have 42-percent of their tuition covered for the spring semester. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says hopefully we’ll see higher than anticipated revenues because of rising oil prices…:
CUT 14 (09) “we need”
Edwards doesn’t see that happening and he can line-item veto the TOPS language.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to vote today on whether or not the AgCenter will grow medical marijuana. It’s unknown if growing the plant is a worthwhile investment. That’s according to AgCenter spokeswoman Frankie Gould. She says it could take $10 to $20 million to produce medical marijuana…:
Cut 9 (07) “of ifs”

There’s more turmoil with Grambling State’s administration. Halen Doughty reports…:
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The man who murdered a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy will spend the rest of his life behind bars. 22-year-old Quintylan Richard of Abbeville pleaded guilty exactly 2 years after he shot and killed Deputy Allen Bares (BAH REZ). District Attorney Keith Stutes says Richard apologized to the family and Bares’ wife..:
cut 12 (10) “some remorse”

The Louisiana budget bill that lawmakers sent to Governor John Bel Edwards desk fully funds TOPS for the fall semester, but only pays 45% of tuition for spring. Several democrats call the front-loading of TOPS a budget gimmick. Edwards doesn’t anticipate a higher than expected amount of revenue rolling in, so TOPS students will be left with a big tuition bill in the spring…:
Cut 15 (08) “time of year”
But others say students were promised to have their tuition paid, so funding the program next semester is the right thing to do.

We may find out today whether or not LSU wants to be the state’s grower of medical marijuana. The new drug will be a pill containing cannabis oil, and patients won’t be able to smoke it. LSU AgCenter spokeswoman, Frankie Gould, says they have a lot to consider before committing to growing the plant…:
Cut 8 (07) “of things”

Louisiana filmed, “Free State of Jones”, starring Matthew McConaughey, opens in theaters today. Emelie Gunn talks with Patrick Mulhearn of Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

An Abbeville man will spend the rest of his life in prison for fatally shooting a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy in 2014. District Attorney Keith Stutes says 22-year-old Quintylan Richard entered a plea of guilty on the two-year anniversary of shooting Deputy Allen Bares (BAH REZ)…:
Cut 10 (07) “difficult circumstance”

Just before midnight, the Louisiana legislature gave final approval to a spending bill that calls for the TOPS scholarship program to be fully funded for the fall semester. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it’s the right thing to do…:
Cut 13 (09) “tuition free”
But under the bill, students would only have 42 percent of tuition covered for the spring semester, and Governor John Bel Edwards says with no more revenue rolling in, our kids will have a massive bill the second half of the school year.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote today on whether or not their AgCenter will grow medical marijuana. Spokesperson for the LSU AgCenter, Frankie Gould, says the law passed this year that expanded the diseases for which the drug can be prescribed, and also outlined two possible growers for the plant…:
CUT 7 (09) “medical marijuana”
The new drug will be a pill containing cannabis oil, and you won’t be able to smoke it.

The Louisiana filmed movie, Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey opens in theaters today. Executive Director of Celtic Studios Patrick Mulhearn says the movie revolves around a Mississippi farmer who tries to secede from the Confederacy. He says it’s set during the Civil War and was filmed in 10 different Louisiana parishes…:
cut 4 (10) “the map”
He says Hollywood South is struggling a bit this year, and he hopes lawmakers will make some changes to the film tax incentive program in the 2017 session.

As expected former LSU star Ben Simmons was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. He’s the second player from LSU to be taken with the top pick. Shaquille O’ Neal was the first in 1992. Simmons says this is a dream come true…:
Cut 16 (08) “accomplish that”

The second special session comes to an end tonight at the State Capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards went into this session asking legislators to raise 600-million dollars in revenues in order to avoid more cuts. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there was only a certain point the legislature was willing to go to fully fund government…
cut 14 (06) “….we died”
It’s expected the legislature will only raise 258-million dollars, which will fund TOPS scholarships at 70-percent, which means students would have to pay 30-percent of their tuition.

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies are in the hospital tonight after they were shot while trying to serve a felony warrant. Both deputies are listed in stable condition, with one suffering injuries to his face, while the other was shot in the leg. Sheriff Jay Russell says Rickie Wade Junior shot the deputies and was taken into custody. Russell says they hope Wade spends the rest of his life in jail.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, opened today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center and she says this facility is unlike any other in the region…:
CUT 8 (06) “of their patient”
She says doctors at the facility can use 3D technology which allows them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time.

Grambling State President Willie Larkin turned in his resignation after spending less than a year as the leader of the historically black school in Lincoln Parish. Grambling’s Faculy Senate was not pleased with Larkin as they were upset about failling enrollment, fundraising and the loss of the school’s nursing program. The University of Louisiana System Board, which oversees, Grambling, is not commenting on the situation, because it’s a personel matter.

The second special session for 2016 comes to an end tonight. State lawmakers raised an estimated $258 million in this session to address a $600 to $800 million budget shortfall. Legislators have spent the day deciding how to spend that money. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says they will be able to mitigate cuts to hospitals that provide care for the poor and the TOPS scholarship program.

cut 12 (07) “are funded”

The second special session must conclude by midnight tonight. It appears based on the tax revenues available, the TOPS will only be funded at 70-percent, which means recipients of the state funded scholarship program will have to pay a portion of their tuition for the first time. Henry says he’s comfortable with how the legislature addressed funding for TOPS…

Cut 13 (09)  “fund TOPS”

Beginning in August, the felony for assaulting an officer could land someone in jail for up to 10 years, under a new law that expands the felony to include assault with any weapon, not just firearms. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says this law means individuals who assault cops will receive consequences more in line with their actions.

Cut 11 (06) “a firearm”

Walsworth says under the previous law, assaulting an officer with anything other than a gun was a misdemeanor.

The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on whether or not their AgCenter will grow medical marijuana that would be sold to patients who receive prescription for the drug. Spokesperson for the LSU AgCenter Frankie Gould says the law passed this year that expanded the diseases for which the drug can be prescribed, also outlined two possible growers for the plant.

CUT 7 (09)  “medical marijuana”

Gould says they aren’t sure if this is a worthwhile investment, especially since state funding for colleges has been slashed in recent years.

Lawmakers have been working since February to solve the state’s massive budget shortfall and have increased tax revenue by about 258 million dollars during this second special session. Governor Edwards went into this session asking legislators to raise 600-million dollars in revenues in order to avoid more cuts. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says there was only a certain point the legislature was willing to go to fully fund government…
cut 14 (06) “we did”
The special session must conclude by midnight tonight.

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were shot in Monroe while serving a felony warrant Sheriff Jay Russell says one of the the officers was shot near near his face and the other in his the leg by 26-year-old Rickie Wade, Jr. Russell says both deputies are undergoing surgery and this so-called scumbag needs to be behind bars.
CUT 5 (08) “this community”
Russell says Wade had a long rap sheet.

President of Grambling State University Willie Larkin resigned today after one year at the school. Larkin made the announcement at Louisiana Tech during a meeting of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors. In February, Grambling’s Faculty Senate gave Dr. Larkin a vote of no confidence. As they were repordly upset with falling enrollment, fundraising and the loss of the school’s nursing program.

The US Supreme Court issues a ruling regarding affirmative action and it has a connection to Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Monroe man shot two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies when they attempted to serve him a felony warrant this morning. Sheriff Jay Russell says the deputies arrived at the home of 26-year-old Rickie Wade, Jr. when they were notified he was in the back of the house. He says one deputy went through the home and the other went around the outside of the house.

CUT 3 (12)  “once also”

Russell says one deputy was shot in the leg, and the other near his face.

Based on the tax revenues available, it appears TOPS will only be funded at 70-percent, which means recipients of the state funded scholarship program will have to pay a portion of their tuition for the first time. Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s comfortable with how the legislature addressed funding for TOPS…

Cut 13 (09)  “fund TOPS”

Residents in northwest Louisiana will now have access to revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, as new state-of-the-art breast imaging center is opening today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center. She says doctors there will use 3D technology which lets them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time…:

CUT 6 (09) “to get a report”

The American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 get yearly breast cancer exams.

Beginning August 1, assaulting a police officer will be a felony, no matter what kind of weapon is used. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says under the previous law, assaulting an officer with anything other than a gun was a misdemeanor. He says this new law expands that language to include the use of any weapon in the felony, not just a firearm.

CUT 9 (10) “is assault”

Two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were shot while serving a felony warrant in Monroe. Sheriff Jay Russell says 26-year-old Rickie Wade Jr was found a few blocks from the scene a couple hours after the shooting. He says the Swat team pumped gas into the house to get the suspect out of the residence without hurting him.

CUT 4 (10)  “team members”

Russell says Wade shot one deputy in the leg, and the other near his face.

Since February, legislators have been trying to solve a massive budget deficit and in this second special session they’ve increased tax revenue by at least 258-million dollars. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says that money will go toward mitigating cuts safety net hospitals and the TOPS scholarship program…

cut 12 (07) “are funded”

The second special session must conclude by midnight tonight.

A new law goes into effect on August 1 that expands the felony for assaults on police officers. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says the law includes all weapons in the felony, not just firearms. He says we need to ensure that people who go after law enforcement are put behind bars.

cut 10 (08)  “private citizen”

Walsworth says the idea for this law came about when two police officers in Monroe were attacked by someone wielding an ax.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, is opening today in Shreveport. Spokesperson for the WK Breast Health Center, Marilyn Joiner, says the new center offers northwest Louisiana convenient hours for patients to come for screening exams. She says detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages makes treatment more effective:

CUT 7 (11) “surgery”

This morning two Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were serving a felony warrant in Monroe when the suspect tried to flee and shot both deputies. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The DA is East Baton Rouge Parish says they will not seek the death penalty in the case of the two suspects accused in the brutal murders and kidnapping of an elderly Baton Rouge couple last year. Hillar Moore says this was the decision of the Duplantier’s family. Ernesto Alonso and Frank Garcia are both charged with two counts of first degree murder and kidnapping.

A new law goes into effect on August 1 that expands the felony for assaults on police officers. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says under the previous law, assaulting an officer with anything other than a gun was a misdemeanor. He says assault is assault no matter the weapon and says this law means criminals will receive consequences more in line with their crimes…:
Cut 11 (06) “a firearm”
the felony for assaulting an officer could land someone in jail for up to 10 years.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, is opening today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center. She says they are very excited about this facility that is unlike any other in the region…:
CUT 8 (06) “of their patient”
She says doctors there will use 3D technology which lets them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time.

Just one day after a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy was shot and killed, authorities in Ouachita Parish say two of their officers also sustained gunshot wounds this morning and will undergo surgery. Sheriff Jay Russell says the deputies were serving warrant at the home of 26-year-old Rickie Wade when they were gunned down. He calls the suspect a scumbag who needs to be behind bars:
CUT 5 (08) “this community”
Charges against Wade are pending.

A new law goes into effect on August 1 that expands the felony for assaults on police officers. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says under the mandate,
the crime of using any weapon, not just a gun, on a cop will no longer just be a misdemeanor…:
CUT 9 (10) “is assault”
The felony of assaulting an officer could land someone in jail for up to 10 years.

A brand new state-of-the-art breast imaging center, offering revolutionary hi-tech methods for breast cancer detection, is opening today in Shreveport. Marilyn Joiner is the spokeswoman for the WK Breast Health Center. She says doctors there will use 3D technology which lets them do a mammogram and a biopsy at the same time…:
CUT 6 (09) “to get a report”
She says the new center offers the northwest Louisiana region convenient hours for patients to come for screening exams before and after work.

The maker of the ever-popular Gold Brick Egg is officially opening it’s new $40 million dollar expansion today in Ponchatoula. Elmer Chocolate president and CEO, Robert Nelson, says the technology inside this new facility is off the charts…:
CUT 1 (08) “very efficiently”
There are 230 full-time employees at the plant.