TOPS funding is still top of mind at the state capitol with three days left in the special session. A House approved measure that funds the program at 70% will be heard next in the Senate. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says he would like to see TOPS funded at least at 80-percent…:
Cut 13 (10) “a promise”
Others feel services like healthcare for the poor should have priority over TOPS.

Anyone who has a loved one who suffers from the incurable disease Alzheimer’s knows how hard the heartbreaking condition is to understand. LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is conducting a study on ways to slow the memory loss, and they are looking for volunteers. Director of Dementia Research Dr. Jeffery Keller says the treatment they’re studying is promising…:
cut 16 (08) “disease”
He says they are looking for people aged 50-85 to participate in the study.

Louisiana anglers rejoice as Toledo Bend has been ranked the number one bass fishery in the country for the second straight year by Bassmaster. Magazine Editor James Hall says there were over 130 10-pound bass catches at Toledo Bend this year…:
Cut 8 (11) “is fantastic”
He says tourism in the area increased 23-percent last year when Toledo Bend ranked 1, and he expects it to go even higher now.

Autopsies confirm that the 3 year old Bossier City twins who died in a vehicle outside their lost their life due to heat-related issues. Oliver and Aria Orr were found unresponsive and its believed the toddlers could have been in the hot pickup truck more than two hours. Bossier Police say no charges have been filed at this time. The Orrs’ twins father is a deputy with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The second special session of the year ends at midnight Thursday, and lawmakers are still squabbling over TOPS funding. The House approved a bill that would fund the program at 70%. But Bogalusa Representative Malinda White believes safety net hospitals should have priority over TOPS…:
CUT 11 (09) “or death”
But other legislators do not want to take anymore money away from TOPS. The Senate will hear the measure next.

The storms in Louisiana this year have been loaded with astounding lightning, and State Farm says the state ranks third for claims related to damage caused by the bolts. Spokesman Roszell Gadson if you have an expensive device or appliance, you should plug it into a surge protector…:
Cut 5 (08) “thousands of dollars”
He says lightning is most frequent during June, July, and August.

Toledo Bend on the Texas-Louisiana border came in as the number one fishing destination in the country for the second straight year. Emelie Gunn has more:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say an arrest has been made in the case of a fatal hit and run crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Terrebonne Parish. They say 52-year-old Darrell Barlow of Chauvin was booked with vehicular homicide, felony hit and run, improper lane usage and obstruction of justice. 22-year-old William Boyne was walking along a roadway last Friday when he was run over by Barlow’s truck, according to investigators.

We’re in the final days of the second special session of the year, and lawmakers are still arguing over TOPS funding. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana ranks third in the country for lightning claims, according to State Farm. Spokesman Roszell Gadson says across the state in 2015, they paid out over $6 million on almost 14-hundred lightning claims, averaging $46-hundred each…:
cut 4 (07) “related losses”
Gadson says this week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

Toledo Bend on the Sabine River is the number one bass fishery in the country for the second straight year as dubbed by Bassmaster. The publications’ Editor James Hall says you don’t have to be a professional to reel in a great catch there between the Texas and Louisiana line…:
CUT 7 (10) “bass fishing”
He says the 185-thousand acre reservoir in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes has better catch rates in quality and quantity than any other fishery in the U.S.

A former deputy with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office accused of having sex with a 14-year-old runaway has bonded out of jail on $125,000. Cops say William Lanoux met the girl on social media, then met up in person to have sex while he was on the job. It’s reported the encounter occurred in the back of the suspect’s patrol unit. Authorities say the juvenile was reported missing by her family. Lanoux is charged with first degree rape and malfeasance in office.

With three days left in the special session, lawmakers are arguing over how much to fund TOPS. A bill approved by the House funds the scholarship program at 70-percent. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White believes fewer dollars should go to TOPS in favor of more money for safety net hospitals….:
Cut 10 (11) “to college”
Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala urged House members not to take any more funding away from the scholarship program. He says LSU students will leave the state for better scholarship opportunities or attend cheaper schools if they do stay in Louisiana…:
cut 12 (11) “or Nicholls”
The Senate Finance committee will talk more about TOPS funding at its meeting today.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is looking for volunteers for a first-of-its-kind study to slow memory loss as a result of Alzheimer’s. Director of Dementia Research, Dr. Jeffery Keller, says they’re seeking people ages 50 to 85 who are concerned about their memory and don’t have a confirmed case of Alzheimer’s Disease to undergo this new treatment:
cut 14 (11) “from occurring”
Keller says this study is necessary because the disease forms in individuals who don’t show symptoms.

Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington issued a statement regarding the 3-year-old twins who died in a hot vehicle in Bossier City. The father of Oliver and Aria Orr, Travis Orr, works as a deputy. Whittington this is even more difficult, as they are a part of the Sheriff’s Office family. Cops said they are still investigating how the children got into the truck.

Two children died after being locked in a hot pickup truck in Bossier City, and authorities are still unsure of what happened. Halen Doughty has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police have made an arrest in the fatal hit and run that claimed the life of 22-year-old William Boyne of Patterson on Friday Night. Troopers arrested 52-year-old Darrell Barlow of Chauvin on charges of vehicular homicide, felony hit and run, improper lane usage and obstruction of justice.

The two Alabama football players that were arrested in May in Monroe won’t be prosecuted on gun and drug charges because of a lack of evidence. DA Jerry Jones told the TV station KNOE, he didn’t want to run Cam Robinson or Hootie Jones lives because they’ve been working in the heat while we were all sitting in the air conditional. Legal analyst Tim Meche says…

cut 15 (09) “and he has the discretion”

32-year-old Margaret Sanchez has been sentenced to 40 years in jail after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and manslaughter in the death and dismemberment of Bourbon Street exotic dancer Jaren Lockhart in 2012. Legal analyst Chick Foret says now that the case is over, Lockhart’s family can finally have closure.

CUT 9 (09) “involved”

The Louisiana House approved two bills today that would generate an additional 75-million dollars in tax revenue. If approved by the Senate, the legislature will raise 284-million dollars in this special session, far short of the $600 million sought by Governor John Bel Edwards. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…:
cut 12 (10) “….for raising taxes”
Based on the taxes that have been raised in the two special sessions, at least 70% of TOPS would be funded under a bill approved by the House. Dubos says that would mean only 70% of a student’s tuition would be paid instead of all of it…:
cut 14 (11) “…higher tuition”

With three days left in the special session, lawmakers are arguing over how much to fund TOPS. A bill approved by the House funds the scholarship program at 70-percent. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White believes fewer dollars should go to TOPS in favor of more money for hospitals that provide care for the poor and uninsured…
cut 28 (10) “…life or death”
Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala urged House members not to take any more funding away from the scholarship program. He says LSU students will leave the state for better scholarship opportunities or attend cheaper schools if they do stay in Louisiana….
cut 29 (11) “…or Nicholls”
The Senate Finance committee will talk more about TOPS funding at its meeting Tuesday.

Two Alabama football players arrested in Monroe on gun and drug charges will not be prosecuted. Ouachita Parish District Attorney Jerry Jones told KNOE-TV there was insufficient evidence. Back in May, Cameron Robinson and Hootie Jones were arrested after a Monroe police officer allegedly found them smoking pot inside a vehicle.

Data from the Department of Children and Family Services indicate the number of food stamp recipients is declining nationally, but increasing in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Authorities continue to investigate the deaths of 3-year-old twins who died after being locked in a hot pickup truck. Bossier City Police spokesperson Mark Natale says on Saturday afternoon, the children’s mother realized she didn’t know where the kids were…:
CUT 3 (09) “unresponsive”
He says the kids were pronounced deceased, and they are working to determine how the toddlers ended up in the truck.

Thirty-two-year-old Margaret Sanchez of Metairie was sentenced to 40-years in prison for the stabbing death and dismemberment of a Bourbon Street dancer. Last year, Sanchez’s ex-boyfriend was convicted and is serving two life sentences. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says the victim’s family is happy with Sanchez’s sentencing, because the trial of Speaks was a fiasco…
cut 11 (10) “…that took place”