LSU has picked up top ranked quarterback Lowell Narcisse out of St. James High School. The 38th ranked player in the nation announced on Twitter he was choosing the Tigers over Auburn, where h’d previously committed. Narcisse, who is rated as the top dual-threat QB in the country and listed as one of the best players overall by ESPN, said he’s decided to play for his home state.

The New Orleans Saints announced Monday they’ve signed 19 rookie free agents following the NFL draft. The group consists mostly of offensive line and defensive backfield players.

The Louisiana Supreme Court decided not to hear the appeal of the estranged heirs of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, over whether or not he is competent to handle his own affairs. Benson is trying to remove his estranged family from being able to receive shares of the franchises, and they aren’t happy about it. The disagreement is being hashed out in federal court in New Orleans.

The LSU baseball team fell several spots to No. 13 in the Baseball America Poll, and No. 27 in Collegiate Baseball, following 2 losses in a three game series against Ole Miss.

Once the rain got out of the way, the Zurich Classic finally wrapped up with Brian Stuard walking away with his first PGA Tour victory. Stuard beat Jamie Lovemark on the second extra hole to win the tournament which had to be shortened to 54 holes because of weather delays.

On the diamond today, Southern hosts McNeese State.

Longtime Franklinton High School football coach Shane Smith joins the SLU football coaching staff. Smith, who led the Demons to seven district championships and a Class 4A title in 2010, will serve as an assistant on the Lions offensive staff.

UL-Lafayette says it’s extended the deadline for football season ticket holders to May 10th.

Fired LSU band Director Roy King has filed a lawsuit against the university over his dismissal, alleging he was let go in part because he openly objected to the way a donation made to the school was used. His lawyer contends all along that King was terminated as the result of a witch hunt over bad blood between her client and the School of Music. LSU says it stands by its decision to fire King.

The legislature has approved as bill that curbs the cost of TOPS, likely meaning recipients will have to pay a portion of their tuition. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the measure freezes the scholarship and it doesn’t go up, even if tuition rises…:
cut 14 (10) “afford to”
The measure passed on a 74-20 vote and heads to the governor’s desk, where he is expected to sign it.

Slidell Police say a man allegedly hit a school crossing guard with his vehicle on purpose causing her to sustain minor injuries. They say witnesses report around 8:15 Monday morning near Abney Elementary School, 33-year-old Francis Gras got into an argument with the victim when he wouldn’t follow her instructions, then backed up and hit the guard intentionally. Gras faces several charges including hit and run, aggravated battery, reckless operation and possession of marijuana.

The Senate approves legislation that would send 17-year-old non-violent offenders through the juvenile court system, instead of adult court. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says 17-year-olds who are convicted of crimes would be better off if they didn’t go to adult jail…:
cut 11 (08) “hardened criminal”
The measure, which is supported by Governor Edwards, was approved on a 33-4 vote and heads to the House.

The Louisiana Supreme Court decided not to hear the appeal of the estranged heirs of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, over whether or not he is competent to handle his own affairs. Benson is trying to remove his estranged family from being able to receive shares of the franchises, and they aren’t happy about it. The disagreement is being hashed out in federal court in New Orleans.

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that curbs the cost of the TOPS scholarship program, but it will likely mean recipients will have to pay a portion of their tuition. The taxpayer funded scholarship program costs the state nearly 300-million dollars and Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the legislature must do something to rein in its costs…

Cut 16  (08)  “the future”

The measure passed on a 74-20 vote and heads to the governor’s desk\

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate is at an all-time high, as 78-percent of the Class of 2015 received their diplomas. State Education Superintendent John White, says that’s almost a 3-percent increase over the previous year, which is the second largest annual gain in 10 years. He believes more students are graduating, because educators raised the bar.

CUT 9 (09) “high expectation”

Officials in St. Tammany announce the start of a program that would let drug addicts turn in their drugs to police and get help instead of being arrested. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

A school crossing guard is recovering after he was intentionally struck by a vehicle this morning. 33-year-old Francis Gras engaged in an altercation with the crossing guard at Abney Elementary. When the guard told Gras he would call the police, Gras put his vehicle in reverse, squealed the tires, the accelerated forward, striking the crossing guard. The guard is expected to make a full recovery, and Gras is being held at the Slidell City Jail.

Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that would send 17-year-old non-violent offenders through the juvenile court system, instead of adult court. The measure was approved on a 33-4 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says 17-year-olds who are convicted crimes would be better off if they didn’t go to an adult jail…
jp 1 and cut 30 (08) “…hardened criminal”
The bill, which is supported by Governor Edwards, heads to the House for more discussion.

One of the governor’s main bills for the session, raising the minimum wage is having a difficult time gaining approval in the Senate…
cut 1 (07) “…that bill”
The measure barely got past the Senate Labor committee, but it’s been stuck in the Senate Finance committee, because it will result in pay raises for the state’s lowest paid workers.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James was unable to get enough votes from the House Commerce Committee to advance a measure that would allow law enforcement to unlock a homicide victims’ phone, if they were able to get a court order. James called the bill the “Brittney Mills Act.” She was murdered over a year ago and her case is still unsolved. Shreveport representative Thomas Carmody voted against it after hearing concerns this legislation could risk consumer protection…
cut 20 (12) “…is doable”
James might bring the bill up for another vote.

The full house has given final legislative passage to a bill is that would lock the value of the TOPS scholarship at its current price and it would not go up automatically, even if tuition rises. That means TOPS students would be forced to pay a portion of their tuition, if it goes up. Governor Edwards is expected to sign it.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate has reached an all-time high. Don Molino reports…
voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

Roy King, the former director of the LSU Golden Band from Tiger Land, has filed a lawsuit seeking monetary damages from LSU for his recent dismissal by the university. LSU has not commented on King’s firing, but his attorney says it came at the end of a witch hunt conducted by jealous colleagues.

Officials across the Northshore announce the start of “Operation Angel” – a program whereby a person addicted to drugs can walk into a police station and ask for help instead of being charged with a crime. Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz says it’s time law enforcement changes the way they do business…:
CUT 12 (08) “not a crime”
He says the only requirement of Operation Angel is that an addict ask for help and want to change their life.

Cleco utility customers can expect a $475 credit on their bills beginning in July, as a result of the Pineville-based company’s sale to foreign investors. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the Louisiana Public Service Commission created this credit as a part of their transaction…:
CUT 6 (06) “from Cleco”
Cahill says the credit will be applied until it runs out.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate has hit an all-time high as 78-percent of the Class of 2015 received their diplomas. Louisiana still lags behind the national graduation rate which was 82-percent in 2014. But State Superintendent of Education John White says the state’s graduation rate is rising faster than the nation’s…
cut 11 (06) “…significant gains”
White is also pleased to see the graduation rate for African-American students has increased 12.5 percent since 2010.

St. Tammany law enforcement announced a new way of dealing with drug addicts. Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz if a drug addict turns in their drugs or drug parphernalia they will help that person get treatment…
cut 14 (10) “…in jail”
Lentz says law enforcement is calling it Operation Angel. Several law agencies in St. Tammany are participating.

Good news for Cleco customers. They will see a 475-dollar credit on their bill in July as a result of the Pineville-based utility company’s sale to a group of foregin investors. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill…
cut 8 (03) “….customers’
Cahill says the credit will be applied until it runs out, meaning some customers will not have to pay a utility bill for a couple of months.

A flash flood watch for the southern half of the state is set to expire at 7 PM tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 5 (08) “…go away”
Keim says rain moves out of the state after today and we are looking a dry week.

State Superintendent of Education John White says the state’s graduation rate has hit an all-time high of 78-percent. White says this class has benefited from policy changes made by BESE in 2012 and many in this class also participated in education classes prior to kindergarten…
cut 10 (07) “…LA 4”
Louisiana’s high school graduation rate still trails the nation’s which is at 82-pecent.

We’re seeing more heavy rainfall across Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says isolated areas could see another three inches of rainfall, which could produce street flooding
cut 4 (09) “….that in use”
Keim says the rain moves out of the state tomorrow and we have a dry week in front of us.

Officials in St. Tammany announce the start of a program that would let drug addicts turn in their drugs to police and get help instead of being arrested. Michelle Southern reports…
voicer 2 (28) “….reporting”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve made an arrest in the death of a 16-year-old Kenner girl who was found dead in a ditch in St. Rose. The man arrested is Daniel Beckley and he’s been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jorian White. Beckley is the longtime boyfriend of the victim’s mother. Investigators say Beckley was the last known adult to see White alive.