FEMA has extended the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program until December 18th to benefit people displaced by the August flooding. Denham Springs resident and flood victim Dennis Rodriguez is living in a Breaux Bridge hotel thanks to the program and says it has been a tremendous help…:
Cut 3 (10) “for us”
He says he’d have nowhere to live if the program ended on November 18th like originally planned.

After a heated US Senate race, Caroline Fayard has endorsed Foster Campbell in the runoff. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says this endorsement is about fence mending…:
Cut 15 (09) “Foster Campbell”
Cambpell faces a tough battle against Republican John Kennedy in the December 10th runoff.

Michael Doherty, a junior at St. Paul’s High School, is continuing to recover from a neck injury he sustained in a game last Friday night, and the community is rallying behind him in a huge way. Doherty collided with three players which resulted in the neck break. The school’s athletic director, Craig Ketelsen, says Doherty is a hard working young man, dedicated to his teammates…:
cut 11 (10) “handle adversity”
A GoFundMe page in support of Doherty has received over $10,000.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement today in response to the fact that TOPS students will only be eligible for about 40% of the total award for the upcoming spring semester. He says it’s his hope that they can restore funding to TOPS because too many students were counting on the funds they were promised. He said he’s asking the legislature to work with him in the next session so that Louisiana students are not left to shoulder the burden of the state’s financial problems.

A 17-year-old St. Paul’s High School football player is still recovering from a serious neck injury suffered in last Friday’s playoff win. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today, New Orleans-based air service GLO Airlines is celebrating its one year anniversary. Founder and CEO Trey Fayard says they’re excited about offering south Louisianans daily, non-stop flights to destinations across the Gulf South…:
cut 12 (07) “great year”
He says they plan to add additional markets in the near future.

The big cut to the TOPS scholarship program is going into effect this spring and students and parents are getting letters this week with the reminder. It’s the first time in the popular program’s history that 100% of tuition will not be covered due to acts of the legislature. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says there are other options…:
CUT 1 (10) “those dollars”
Students will be required to cover at least 60% of their tuition.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards dedicated the new 96,000 square foot CSRA Integrated Technology Center in Bossier City. By June 2018, the ITC is expected to have created at least 800 jobs. Bossier City was selected out of 134 potential cities to be the site of the ITC.

The good news keeps rolling in for the recovery of Hollywood South. Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association president Patrick Mulhearn says the 36 month, 180 million dollar cap on the state’s film tax credit program is about halfway in, and he hopes lawmakers will make changes next year. He says movie producers don’t realize how susceptible they are to fraud in other states that don’t have limits on film incentives like Georgia:
CUT 7 (08) “in Atlanta”
He wants to see the film tax cap back-ended instead of on the front side.

Despite extremely heated words between the two during the campaign, Democrat Caroline Fayard has decided to publicly endorse fellow Democrat Foster Campbell in the race for US Senate. In a statement, Fayard says Cambpell gives the best hope to protect President Obama’s legacy in Washington. Cambpell faces Republican John Kennedy in the December 10th runoff.

A 17-year-old boy is continuing to recover after receiving a serious neck injury during a football game on Friday night. Michael Doherty, a junior at St. Paul’s High School in Covington, collided with three players resulting in a major injury to his C5 vertebra. The school’s athletic director, Craig Ketelsen, says Doherty’s condition is still in a holding pattern after undergoing a seven hour surgery on Saturday…:
Cut 9 (10) “positive results”
He says the love and support Doherty is receiving is amazing.

A couple from Vinton is facing serious animal abuse charges after deputies say they found three decomposed puppies and six other extremely sick dogs in their home. 25-year-old Shawna Crochet and 31-year-old Christopher Hilburn are charged with eight counts of simple animal cruelty, three counts of aggravated animal cruelty; and three counts of failure to cremate or bury the remains of an animal.

This week thousands of Louisiana college students on the TOPS scholarship will have a difficult decision to make, as they’re reminded they will owe almost 60-percent of their semester’s tuition in January – due to actions by the state legislature. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says some students could be forced to drop out…:
cut 4 (09) “in time”

Northwestern State has been designated a Military Friendly School by Victory Media. N-S-U Vice President of Technology Darlene Williams says they have a long history of working with Fort Polk and Barksdale Airforce Base. She says they also have a nationally ranked online degree program….
cut 14 (10) “…of honor”

Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is concerned about drastic state cuts that have been made to help parents receive assistance for early child care and education. Melanie Brofin with L-P-I-C says more than 20-thousand families who qualify for school readiness tax credits are not getting assistance…
cut 9 (09) “…coming session”

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Hollywood South, according to Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association president Patrick Mulhearn. He says we’re halfway through the 36 month 180-million dollar cap legislators placed on the film tax credit program and he’s hopeful lawmakers will approve changes next year that will be more beneficial for Louisiana’s film industry….
cut 6 (10) “…front end cap”

Beginning next semester, students on the TOPS scholarship program will be required to pay about 60% of their tuition. Due to a massive budget deficit, the legislature was not fully able to fund the program in the last session. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the future of TOPS is not certain, but he doesn’t think it will go away completely…:
CUT 5 (09) “toward TOPS”
The average LSU student will owe more than $2-thousand for the spring tuition.

Northwestern State University has received the 2017 Military Friendly School designation. N-S-U Vice President of Technology Darlene Williams says they have specific services in order to address the needs of military students and their families…:
CUT 15 (10) “that group”
She says it’s the 7th time they’ve been recognized for being a military friendly school.

The Louisiana Policy Institute conducted a report on the benefits of the school readiness tax credits. Emelie Gunn has more on the results…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

This story has been making national headlines, and once again UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth is apologizing for the video showing some of his players dancing and singing to a profanity laced anti-Donald Trump rap song inside the locker room…:
CUT 16 (06) “promoted here”

College students in Louisiana have disappointing news heading their way, as letters are being sent out this week reminding them they will owe 60-percent of their spring tuition in January if on TOPS. Jeff Palermo has the story:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The US Department of Agriculture says Bossier, Caddo and Concordia parishes have been declared primary natural disaster areas due to damage caused by storms and flooding. This means farmers and ranchers in those parishes can apply for aid.

A group supporting a tax incentive for parents to put their young kids in early child education has released a study looking at the effectiveness at the program since its adoption in 2008. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Brofin says the school readiness tax credits have been very effective…:
Cut 8 (07) “very effective”
She says they plan to present their findings to lawmakers in the 2017 session in hopes they will vote to continue the program.

The latest in the dispute between Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry is that the governor wants a Baton Rouge court to define the role of the AG and indicate what he can and can not do. Publisher of LaPolitics.com, Jeremy Alford, says Louisiana has become increasingly partisan over the past couple of terms, and this dispute is the product of that divide…:
cut 12 (10) “for Louisiana”
A hearing is set for tomorrow.

The big cut to the TOPS scholarship program is going into effect this spring and students and parents are getting letters this week with the reminder. It’s the first time in the popular program’s history that 100% of tuition will not be covered due to acts of the legislature. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says there are other options…:
CUT 6 (10) “those dollars”
The average LSU student on TOPS will owe more than $2-thousand for the spring tuition, not including fees.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne will present the proposal for plugging a $315 million dollar budget hole to lawmakers on Friday. The gap is left from the fiscal year that ended June 30th and could mean cuts across state agencies and higher ed. Those groups have already been asked to present what a 7-10 percent cut in their general fund would mean.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking a Baton Rouge court to outline Attorney General Jeff Landry’s political power. Halen Doughty has more.:
cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Northwestern State University has received the 2017 Military Friendly School designation. N-S-U Vice President of Technology Darlene Williams says they are proud to be recognized for their efforts to provide educational opportunities for military students and their families…:
Cut 13 (07) “friendly school”

This week thousands of Louisiana college students on the TOPS scholarship will have a difficult decision to make, as they’re reminded they will owe almost 60-percent of their semester’s tuition in January – due to actions of the legislature this year. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says some students could be forced to drop out…:
cut 4 (09) “in time”
He says even without TOPS, there are funding options, which is why high school grads are required to file for FAFSA.

The quarrel between Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry continues, as the governor is asking a Baton Rouge court to define Landry’s role in state government. Publisher of LaPolitics.com, Jeremy Alford, says the two officials disagree about how much power the AG should have…:
Cut 10 (10) “traditional boundaries”
A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children released a report on how the school readiness tax credits are benefiting the state. Melanie Brofin with L-P-I-C says the incentive helps working families afford and access early care and education for children up to 4 years old. She says the program is moving in the right direction…:
CUT 7 (10) “gotten credentials”
She says they will present their findings to the legislature in the next session.

FEMA officials announced another extension for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program Monday evening, extending the program until Sunday, Dec. 18. This will provide more time for flood evacuees to stay in rooms paid for by the federal government.