Talk of uncommitted delegates choosing Ted Cruz instead of Donald Trump for president is not true according to one of the members who said he has yet to make up his mind. Trump is trying to decry the system because even though he won the primary here, Cruz could end up with more delegates. Luke Letlow, a Marco Rubio delegate from north Louisiana, says he is 100% unbound at the moment..:
CUT 6 (08) “in November”
Letlow says he and three other delegates signed letters saying they’ll remain undecided until the Republican Convention.

Dozens of dead sea turtles are washing up along the Gulf Coast and biologists are not sure why. Director of the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies, Moby Solangi says the Kemps Ridley sea turtles that are stranding early in the season are the most endangered sea turtles in the world:
CUT 9 (05) “this year”
He says the animal deaths could be linked to red tide, which is caused by toxins released by algae in the water.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces enrollment for Louisiana’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

The governor’s office says Edwards will be sitting down to interview with producers of HBO’s documentary TV series VICE later this afternoon. They say the episode is expected to focus on college affordability and the future of higher education.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces enrollment for the state’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Edwards told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that expanding Medicaid will benefit the state greatly by cutting healthcare costs and improving health outcomes. He says the expansion will also save the state much-needed dollars in critical budget times…:
CUT 3 (06) “million dollars”
He says over 300-thousand Louisiana residents will be eligible for enrollment.

If there isn’t enough money to fund the TOPS scholarship program, there’s a measure that could get a vote on the Senate floor this afternoon that would line out a contingency plan. Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish seeks to change it, so all TOPS students receive at least some scholarship money…:
Cut 13 (04) “totally”
TOPS is expected to cost the state 300-million dollars next fiscal year.

Nicholls State launches a lecture series tonight that’s designed to encourage females to pursue a career as a chef. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Fire investigators are still working to determine how a blaze started in a Ville Platte home that claimed the life of a 106 year old man. They say Edwards “Knotoe” Thomas Jr, one of Louisiana’s longest-living citizens and retired police officer, was alone at the home he shared with family members when the tragic fatal fire started in the attic.

The state senate could possibly vote this afternoon on a contigency plan, if there’s shortfall in funding for the TOPS scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says instead of paying the full tuition of recipients with higher ACT scores, he would like to see everyone who recieves the scholarship get at least some scholarship money. Morrish says his legislation also contains language to help TOPS students, if they receive a partial scholarship…
cut 14 (11) “….additional amount”
Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation.

The governor announced this morning that enrollment for the state’s expanded Medicaid program will begin June 1st. Edwards believes the expansion will benefit at least 300-thousand residents. Republicans are concerned about the potential for Medicaid fraud.

A House committee may bring leaders of St. Joseph to Baton Rouge to talk about the brown water that flows from the faucets at homes in the Tensas Parish town. Roy Bowman spoke to legislators about the urgency of St Joesph’s water problems….
cut 8 (09) “….now”
City residents say Mayor Edward Brown has been dragging his feet on getting state funds to help fix the water.

Nicholls State begins a lecture series on its campus tonight that’s designed to inspire future female chefs. Assistant professor Amelie Zeringue says only 21-percent of the jobs in the restaurant industry are held by women.
cut 5 (10) “…vice versa”
Zeringue says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry.

Former St. Tammany DA Walter Reed and his son are in a courtroom today on federal corruption charges. Reed is accused of illegally spending at least $100,000 from his campaign fund on expenses unrelated to his campaign. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the whole country will be watching, because this case could have implications for other state elected officials. He says it could start a trend of prosecuting state offenses at the federal level…:
CUT 12 (11) “this country”
Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud.

Nicholls State is launching a series to inspire future female chefs. Amelie Zeringue is an assistant professor at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute..:
CUT 6 (09) “their success”
She says just 21-percent of the jobs in the restaurant industry are held by women.

Since Friday was a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, tax filing day was delayed three days and midnight tonight is the deadline to get your federal returns in the mail.

A House committee is seeking to speak with leaders of the small Tensas parish town of St. Joseph about why the water there has been yellow to murky brown for years. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police say impairment and lack of seat belt use are suspected in a Vermilion Parish crash that claimed the life of a 30-year-old Lake Charles man. They believe 31-year-old Martin Nguyen was drunk and speeding in this 2016 Corvette when he ran off the road causing his passenger, Hoang Nguyen, to be partially ejected. Hoang Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene.

The state senate is expected to vote on a contingency plan if Louisiana can no longer fully fund TOPS. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says his legislation is an attempt to make sure recipients have at least part of their tuition paid, if the state can’t fully fund the program. He says the current rules are unfair..:
Cut 15 (08) “get nothing”
Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships.

Nicholls State is launching a series to inspire future female chefs. Amelie Zeringue, an assistant professor at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, says successful female chefs will speak to the culinary students about how women can achieve their goals in this male-dominated industry…:
cut 4 (11) “the field”

Today begins the federal corruption trial of former St. Tammany Parish DA Walter Reed, who became not-so-affectionately known as St. Slammany due to his aggressive pursuit of criminals and harsh sentences his 30 years on the job. Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud. Legal analyst Tim Meche says federal prosecutors are seeking to convict the former DA on what amounts to state ethic violations…:
cut 11 (10) “federal crime”
Reed allegedly spent over $100-thousand from his campaign fund for non-campaign related purchases.

Residents of the Tensas Parish town of St. Joseph are pleading with lawmakers to intervene in their water problems. The water in St. Joe has been yellow, murky and brown for years. Wanda Bowman told a House committee she feels awful that her special needs child uses this filthy water…:
Cut 9 (11) “unclean”

Former St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Walter Reed’s corruption trial begins today. Halen Doughty reports the longtime DA faces 19 criminal counts..:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police Col Mike Edmonson wrote a letter to the lawyer of the man accused in the shooting and killing of former Saints player Will Smith, saying they will not take over the murder investigation. John Fuller, attorney for 28-year-old Cardell Hayes, made the request of state police. Edmonson says he’s confident city police can conduct an objective and professional investigation. Smith was allegedly gunned down by Hayes last weekend in what police call a road-rage incident.

One of Louisiana’s longest-living citizens and retired police officer died in a house fire in Ville Platte, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office. They say investigators continue to piece together what could have started the blaze that claimed the life of 106-year-old Edward “Knotoe” Thomas Jr. The victim was home alone when the fire apparently broke out Saturday in the attic. Thomas is survived by five of his 10 children, 37 grandchildren, 74 great grandchildren and 56 great great grandchildren.

St. Joseph residents are seeking help from the state about their water, which has been yellow to dark brown for years. They went before the House Natural Resources Committee and gave emotional testimony. Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson says the water is causing health issues in the small Tensas Parish town…:
CUT 7 (11) “entire town”
They want the state to intervene in the water problems.

The state senate is expected to vote this week on a new contingency plan, if the state is unable to fully fund TOPS. Currently, if the scholarship program is underfunded, TOPS students with lower ACT scores and without financial need, lose their scholarships. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish seeks to change it, so all TOPS students receive at least some scholarship money…:
Cut 13 (04) “totally”
TOPS is expected to cost the state 300-million dollars next fiscal year.

Former-St. Tammany Parish District Attorney, Walter Reed, federal corruption trial begins today at a US courthouse in New Orleans today. Reed faces 19 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Reed could spend a lot of time behind bars if convicted…:
Cut 10 (06) “my prediction”
Reed allegedly spent over $100-thousand from his campaign fund for non-campaign related purchases.

Nicholls State launches a lecture series tonight that’s designed to encourage females to pursue a career as a chef. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to speak before the Senate Health and Welfare committee today on Medicaid expansion. Later today, his office says Mr. Edwards will record an interview for HBO’s “VICE” regarding higher education in Louisiana.