Lawmakers are once again proposing more changes to the TOPS scholarship program as budget problems continue to plague the state. State Representative Franklin Foil says the GPA requirement is currently a 2.5, but he says it should be increased to a 3.0 over the next three years…:
Cut 13 (10) “in the state”
Foil says all options need to be considered, so lawmakers can keep TOPS intact for the future.

President Donald Trump tweeted this morning that he’s ordered a major investigation into voter fraud, but state officials insist there is no evidence that supports claims of scams. Mr. Trump says the probe will involve registered voters who are illegal or who have been dead. The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office says they participate in one of the most robust programs aimed at keeping registration records clean.

Louisiana isn’t seeing as many flu cases as we usually do this time of year, but it’s only a matter of time. That’s according to Frank Welch with the Department of Health.
Cut 6 (11) “slow season”
He says about 4 out of every 100 doctor visits are for the flu right now, but as the weather cools down, like this weekend, you’ll see that number rise.

President Donald Trump has signed two orders that move forward with construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Acting President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says there is a renewed optimism…:
Cut 10 (06) “that commitment”
He says this also creates more hope of the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline.

With budget problems still looming, state lawmakers are once again looking at possible changes to TOPS. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that the Edwards administration will likely not increase aid to public schools when they present a budget to lawmakers for next fiscal year. But the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education would like to see a 35-million dollar increase in funding for K-12 schools. Funding for public schools has been relatively stagnant since 2009.

Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Acting President Gifford Briggs says President Donald Trump’s executive order giving the go-ahead to build two major pipeline projects is a huge step towards energy security. Briggs is also pleased that Mr. Trump plans to reduce 75% of regulations on the industry..:
CUT 11 (07) “lower cost”
He says this would mean jobs, economic security and growth.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the longest married couple in the state. President Gene Mills says for th epast two years, Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton, have received the honor as they’ve been married for 82 years…
cut 5 (08) “…with that”
If you know someone that’s been married for 70-plus years contact the Louisiana Family forum at la-family-forum-dot-org.

President Donald Trump has signed two orders that moves forward with construction on the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Many people are concerned about the safety of using pipelines compared to other methods of transporting oil. But Acting President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs right now we’re struggling with aging infrastructure…:
cut 12 (09) “other systems”

Could changes again be coming to TOPS? State representative Franklin Foil proposes raising the GPA requirement to rein in costs and encourage high school students to perform better…:
Cut 15 (10) “good grades”
He plans to introduce the bill in the upcoming legislative sessions.

Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District has been appointed to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. He says continuing the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups will be a key item on the committee’s agenda, especially as threats persist both at home and abroad…:
Cut 9 (10) “recognize that”
He’s also been appointed to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

The Louisiana Family Forum is looking for the top 10 longest married couples as they do every year with Valentine’s Day approaching. President Gene Mills says entries for couples married over 70 years must be submitted by February 5th…:
Cut 6 (06) “family member”
Contact the Louisiana Family Forum at (800) 606-6470.

President Trump has signed two orders moving forward with construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines. Jeff Palermo has more on what this means for Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday approved more than $1.5 million in grant awards for state universities and school systems to advance the shift to full-year residencies for all aspiring teachers. BESE says this is key to ensuring that new teachers enter the classroom ready on day one.

Republican state Representative Franklin Foil says he will try to bring a bill in the upcoming session to raise the TOPS GPA requirement to rein in costs. He says this proposal would make the program more of a merit-based scholarship, like it was intended to be…:
cut 14 (06) “college education”
The GPA requirement is currently a 2.5, but Foil says it should be increased to a 3.0 over the next three years.

Freshman 4th District U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Benton was named to both the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security and Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. He says this puts him on the forefront of the lines when it comes to policy concerning building a wall on the southern US border, and what would work best…:
Cut 8 (11) “illegal crossing”
He says continuing the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups will be another key item on the agenda.

With budget problems still looming, state lawmakers are once again looking at possible changes to TOPS. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

What does it mean for Louisiana that President Donald Trump signed two executive orders giving the go-ahead to two major pipeline projects? Acting President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says it’s great that Mr. Trump mentions reducing 75% of regulations on the industry..:
CUT 11 (07) “lower cost”
He says this would mean jobs, economic security and growth.

US Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District has been appointed to two subcommittees of House Judiciary including one on Immigration and Border Security. The northwest Louisiana Congressman says this is an important position in a Trump Administration that reaffirms its commitment to building a wall along the southern border:
CUT 7 (07) “border security”
Johnson has also been appointed to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the state’s longest married couple to share their love story. President Gene Mills urges anyone who knows a couple married for longer than 70 years to contact their office..:
cut 4 (07) “unique way”
You can get more information on submitting an entry online at lafamilyforum.org.

President Donald Trump has signed two orders that move forward with construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Acting President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says there is a renewed optimism…:
Cut 10 (06) “that commitment”
He says this also creates more hope of the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline.

Lawmakers are once again proposing more changes to the TOPS scholarship program as budget problems continue to plague the state. State representative Franklin Foil says the GPA requirement is currently a 2.5, but he says it should be increased to a 3.0 over the next three years…:
Cut 13 (10) “in the state”
Foil says all options need to be considered, so lawmakers can keep TOPS intact for the future.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the state’s longest married couple as Valentine’s Day is approaching. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver remarks at the Plaquemines Parish Association of Business and Industry meeting.

Lawmakers are split on whether or not to tap into the state’s rainy day fund to close a $304 million budget gap. Lake Charles Representative Mark Abraham sits on the Appropriations Committee and says he’s still not sure if that’s the way to go.

Cut 3 (12) “rainy day fund”

The Edwards Administration will unveil its budget plan on Friday.

Former-Angola Warden Burl Cain defends himself amid allegations he misused public funds. A legislative audit says taxpayers footed the $27-thousand bill for appliances and TVs at Cain’s home on prison grounds. But he says he also spent his own money on the public home.

Cut 15 (09) “my pocket”

Cain made the comments during an interview with Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge.

New Orleans officials proposed a plan to reduce crime on Bourbon Street, including requiring bars to close their doors at 3 a.m. but crime analyst Jeff Asher says last year only 20-percent of shootings in that area occurred between 3 and 7 a.m.

Cut 7 (11) “of crime”

Asher says improving police response time would be a better way to reduce crime.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a Covington man is dead after he set his house on fire during a dispute with his father. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson says Brandon Kellum’s father, Jamie Kellum, has burns to 85% of his body.

Cut 11 (10) “his body”

Thompson says alcohol is believed to be a factor.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the state’s longest married couple as Valentine’s Day is approaching. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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President Trump has signed two orders moving forward with construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines. Jeff Palermo has more on what this means for Louisiana….

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

With budget problems still looming, state lawmakers are once again looking at possible changes to TOPS. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the Louisiana Family Forum is once again searching for the state’s longest married couple to share their love story. President Gene Mills urges anyone who knows a couple married for longer than 70 years to contact their office….

cut 4  (07) “unique way”

The Top 10 Longest Married Couples will be honored by receiving official recognition and will be entered into the Louisiana Family Forum’s “Marriage Hall of Fame.” Mills says for the past two years, Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton, have received the honor as the state’s longest known married couple, at 82 years together.

Cut 5  (10)  “with that”

Mills says they honor these couples, who have shown that marriage can last a lifetime,  during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. He says entries for couples married over 70 years must be submitted says to the Louisiana Family Forum at (800) 606-6470 by February 5th.

Cut 6 (06) “family member”

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Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana’s 4^th Congressional District has been appointed to two subcommittees of the House Judiciary Committee. The first is the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. Johnson says this will be a high priority area under the new administration. He says President Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to building a wall along the southern border.

CUT 7 (07)  “border security”‘

Johnson says they aren’t sure what the plan to secure the borders will look like just yet. He says lawmakers are tossing ideas around, and they plan to consult with experts to see which ideas might work best.

Cut 8 (11) “illegal crossing”

Johnson has also been appointed to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. He says continuing the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups will be a key item on the committee’s agenda, especially as threats persist both at home and abroad.

Cut 9 (10)  “recognize that”

________________________________________

President Donald Trump has signed two orders that moves forward with construction on the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Acting President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says this creates more hope of the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline. But he says looking at a bigger picture, there is a renewed optimism within the industry under a Trump presidency…

Cut 10 (06) “that commitment”

The Keystone XL Pipeline would run from Canada to Texas and the Dakota Access Pipeline could span from North Dakota to Illinois. Briggs says Trump has made comments about reducing 75-percent of regulations on the oil and gas industry. He says this would open up a lot of opportunities for investment.

cut 11 (07) “lower cost”

Many people are concerned about the safety of using pipelines compared to other methods of transporting oil. But Briggs says everything they do is done in a manner that’s environmentally safe and responsible. He says right now we’re struggling with aging infrastructure…

cut 12 (09) “other systems”

_______________________________________

Lawmakers are once again proposing more changes to the TOPS scholarship program as budget problems continue to plague the state. State representative Franklin Foil says raising the requirements for TOPS could make the program more affordable. The GPA requirement is currently a 2.5, but he says it should be increased to a 3.0 over the next three years.

Cut 13 (10) “in the state”

The Baton Rouge Republican plans to file a bill for the regular legislative session to raise the GPA requirement for TOPS students. Foil says all options need to be considered, so lawmakers can keep the program intact for the future. He says his proposal would make the program more of a merit-based scholarship, like it was intended to be.

cut 14 (06) “college education”

Last year the state failed to fully fund the popular scholarship program and TOPS students at most public schools are paying a majority of their tuition this semester. Foil says raising the GPA will encourage high school students to perform better and make the program more cost effective for the state.

Cut 15 (10) “good grades”

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There’s a week to go before national signing day and the LSU Tigers are on the verge of signing a top five class. Rivals and 24–7 sports currently have Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class ranked as the nation’s seventh best. But Shea Dixon with Geaux 24-7 says that ranking can go up, if LSU signs a few talented linebackers

Cut 16 (16) “down the stretch”

Dixon says linebacker is a piroirty for the Tigers coaching staff, because LSU has 20 commitments and only one of them is a linebacker, Patrick Queen from Livonia High School. He says LSU is also looking to sign a defensive lineman from northeast Louisiana…

Cut 17 (12)   “and Alabama”

Dixon says they will have to wait until national signing day on February first on five or six guys who could decide to play at LSU. He says with a week to go before signing day, this looks like a very good class for the Tigers new head coach…

Cut 18 (17) “top five”