Today the House is expected to take up a proposal to raise the minimum GPA requirements for TOPS. Don Molino has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The full House will vote on a Senate approved measure that would give drivers a warning before an upcoming speed camera. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says local municipalities shouldn’t have a problem with this if they argue that the devices are meant to deter speeding…:
CUT 6 (07) “a consequence”

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. It means the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several coastal states, would be repealed. Managing Director with America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion, says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money..:
CUT 5 (12) “United States”
US Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement saying that taking this funding away from Louisiana’s coastline is a nonstarter.

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser has launched a horse tourist initiative which is an attempt to draw enthusiasts to their facilities and horse shows. He says the horse industry in Louisiana already generates 2 billion dollars a year…:
CUT 26 (09) “with that”

On the Louisiana House floor, a vote is expected today on a bill that would increase the minimum GPA required to receive the TOPS scholarship. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect lawmakers to approve the jump from a 2.5 GPA to 2.75…
cut 5 (09) “…hell no”
Governor Edwards also opposes the bill.

State Police say a potential 23-million cut in state funding will reduce the number of troopers they have in New Orleans, making it difficult to replace aging patrol vehicles and dropping a plan to provide every trooper with a body camera….
cut 12 (08) “…funding issues”
Major Doug Cain says its State Police’s hope the Senate will fund their agency to the level the governor recommended.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has launched a Horse Tourism initiative to attract visitors to go to the state’s racetracks and horse shows. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former secretary of state and state lawmaker Al Ater has passed away. The Ferriday resident served as interim Secretary of State in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. He was in charge of putting together a mayoral election for New Orleans in 2006. Ater was receiving treatment for brain cancer. He was 63.

A bill to stabilize the state’s film tax credit program heads to the House floor, with support from the tourism industry and small businesses. Jo Banner with River Parishes Tourist Commission says local businesses see a 30 percent hike in their bottom line when productions film in the area.
Cut 13 (07) “our churches”
Supporters of this Senate approved bill say it will help grow the state’s film industry again.

State Police raises concerns about proposed budget cuts. Major Doug Cain says the House has proposed a 23-million dollar cut in funding from this fiscal year, which would force them to cut a cadet class and make it difficult to replace aging patrol vehicles…
cut 11 (10) “…new vehicle”
Cain says its State Police’s hope the Senate will fund their agency to the level the governor has recommended.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office has announced the arrest of a Minden woman who allagedly stole nearly 400-thousand dollars from residents at retirement home in Arcadia. A-G Jeff Landry says 49-year-old Stehanie Sanders Hays executed several scemes over three-and-half years to gain access to financial assets.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has launched a new Horse Tourism Initiative to bring visitors to Louisiana racetracks, campgrounds, therapeutic riding centers and state parks. Nungesser says Texas and Mississippi have great horse shows, but Louisiana is also home to some of the finest equestrian facilities in the country.
Cut 7 (11) “a priority”
Nungesser says they’ll have an in-state horse show circuit featuring open, amateur and youth divisions.

State Police has serious concerns over the budget that has been approved by the House. The governor recommended a five-million dollar cut to State Police, but the House’s spending plan calls for an overall reduction of $23 million from the current fiscal year. Maj. Doug Cain says this could lead to fewer troopers.
Cut 10 (12) “next year”
Cain says LSP would also have to look at reducing the increased force in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

On the Louisiana House floor, a vote is expected today on a bill that would increase the minimum GPA required to receive the TOPS scholarship. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect lawmakers to approve the jump from a 2.5 GPA to 2.75…
cut 5 (09) “…hell no”
Governor Edwards also opposes the bill.
Small businesses are getting behind legislation that revamps the film tax credit program. Supporters of the bill by New Orleans Senator J-P Morrell say the legislation will help the movie industry grow in Louisiana. Gabriel Markel with Markel Lumber in New Orleans says the film industry has been a huge benefit to him, because he supplies materials for sets…
cut 15 (09) “…these guys”
The film tax credit bill is heading to the House floor and it’s already received approval from the senate.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has announced plans to market horse shows. Nungesser plans to put a statewide circuit together to bring national and international horse competitions to the state’s equine facilities….
cut 8 (09) “…the state”
Nungesser says visitors embrace the communities where horse shows are held.

Louisiana State Police officials say a proposed budget cut to the agency is coming at a bad time. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Billy Broadhurst an adviser to former Governor Edwin Edwards and many other politicians has died at the age of 77. Broadhurst was also on the yacht that sunk the 1988 Democratic presidential campaign of Gary Hart. During the cruise, a picture was taken of Donna Rice sitting on Hart’s lap, leading to allegations of an extramartial affair.

The House is expected to take up a proposal today that would raise the minimum GPA requirement for TOPS. The measure by Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil increases the requirement from a 2.5 to a 2.75. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this would knock out about 30 percent of the students currently eligible for the scholarship.
Cut 4 (09) “lot of kids”
Which is why Governor Edwards opposes the legislation.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has launched a horse tourist initative which is an attempt to draw horse enthusiasts to equine facilities and horse shows. Nungesser says the horse industry in Louisiana already genrates two billion dollars a year….
cut 9 (09) “….with that”
Nungesser says they’ll have an in-state horse show circuit featuring open, amateur and youth divisions.

A vote is expected today in the House on a bill that would increase the minimum GPA in order to receive the TOPS scholarship. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says upping the GPA requirement to 2.75 would save the state millions. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says while lawmakers struggle to fully fund TOPS, many of them will say raising the GPA requirement isn’t the answer…
cut 6 (11) “….to do that”

State Police say a potential 23-million cut in state funding will reduce the number of troopers they have in New Orleans, making it difficult to replace aging patrol vehicles and dropping a plan to provide every trooper with a body camera….
cut 12 (08) “…funding issues”
Major Doug Cain says its State Police’s hope the Senate will fund their agency to the level the governor recommended.

A bill that reforms how the state hands out film tax credits is one step closer to final legislative passage. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s measure puts a 180-million dollar cap on the credits handed out and it’s expected to help movie production grow in Louisiana. Jo Banner with the River Parishes Tourist Commission says media coverage of movie productions in the River Parishes equates to advertisting the Tourist Commission can’t afford…
cut 14 (10) “….Tourist commission”
The Senate approved bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday and moves to the full House.

A Mississippi lawmaker has apologized for saying on Facebook that Louisiana leaders should be lynched for taking down confederate monuments. It remains to be seen where the statues will go, but it’s possible they could leave the state. Courtney Carter with News Mississippi says there’s been talk of rehoming them at the Beauvoir estate there.

Cut 11 (08) “put there”

The estate is already home to many confederate-era memorials.

A Sunday morning crash in Kentwood left two teens dead. Police Chief Michael Kazerooni says 18-year-old Ashley Moreau overcorrected on the road and slid into a tree.

Cut 8 (10) “injuries”

Her passenger, 18-year-old John Moore, was also killed in the crash.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle has been chosen to head the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in the Trump Administration. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says this will give Angelle national name recognition after a disappointing loss in the gubernatorial and congressional elections.

Cut 14 (10) “to him”

Angelle will have to resign from the PSC, as he begins his new position on Tuesday.

It’s been reported that Vice President Mike Pence will visit Baton Rouge on Wednesday. The visit comes just as President Donald Trump releases the proposed budget. The Vice President is expected to meet with business leaders in a so-called listening session. A location for the event has not yet been released.