Legislation aimed at preventing the removal of Confederate monuments failed to get out of a senate committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is the author of the bill…
cut 8 (08) “…shared history”
The measure failed to advance out of committee on a five to four vote. Democrats opposed the measure while Republicans voted yes.

On the House side, there were three bills that would have put limitations on the TOPS scholarship, but none of them passed out of the Education Committee. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater had one fo the proposals. He says the program has to be altered because of the state’s budget problems…
cut 11 (05) “…a challenge”
The Senate education committee is expected to debate its own set of bills to change TOPS tomorrow.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says one of the two 19-year-old boaters that was rescued off the coast of Cameron Parish this morning has died. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says two young men launched an aluminum boat from Joseph’s Harbor yesterday and were found this morning clinging to their sunken boat…
cut 30 (04) “…Joseph’s harbor”
The deceased boater has been identified as 19-year-old Derek Romero of Iberia Parish. The other 19-year-old rescued is expected to survive.

Two new Zika cases have been confirmed in Louisiana, bringing the total number to four – but DHH says they are all okay. Medical Director for the Louisiana Center for Community Preparedness, Dr. Frank Welch says this Zika confirmation is really a few weeks late, because the tests had to be sent to the Center for Disease Control for confirmation….
cut 12 (07) “…positive”
Welch says the two individuals who tested positive for the Zika Virus recently traveled to the Caribbean and South America.

The House Education Committee said “No” to a bill that would make a TOPS recipient pay back some or all of their scholarship if they fail or withdraw from school. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says changing TOPS to a loan makes it less of an opportunity for students…:
CUT 9 (11) “many students”
They also rejected a proposal to increase the GPA a college student must achieve to keep their TOPS scholarship.

Two new Zika cases have been confirmed in Louisiana, bringing the total number who have had the infection here to four — and the Department of Health and Hospitals says all have recovered. The CDC told state officials that two Louisiana residents who recently traveled to the Caribbean and South America were found to be infected, but no longer had the virus in their bloodstream. They say there have been no cases of local transmition of the virus in the US.

The Confederate monuments bill failed in a Senate Committee today. Lawmakers voted along party lines, 5-4, that they didn’t want to make it harder for local municipalities to remove statues of Confederate soldiers.

A petition on change-dot-org is calling for Natchez, Mississippi, to secede from the state and into Louisiana after our neighboring governor signed a bill saying people with religious objections don’t have to serve gay people. Natchez resident Casey Hughes says she launched the petition with tourism in mind…:
CUT 4 (07) “come here”
Hughes says Natchez welcomes all kinds of people, even if the rest of the state does not.

A couple from Vidalia was found shot to death in bed by their two children this morning, according to cops. They say a person of interest has been identified, but no other information is being released at this time.

A Natchez resident started a petition for the town to secede from Mississippi after the governor signed a bill that allows people with religious obligations to deny service to gay people. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Two men who were reported missing when they didn’t return from a fishing trip Tuesday off the coast of Cameron Parish, were located this morning — but their condition is uncertain at this time. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Eicnk says one of the men rescued from the water had to be revived with CPR…:
CUT 2 (08) “in the water or not”

The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 5-4 to kill a bill seeking to make it more difficult for municipalities to remove Confederate monuments. Monument supporter Leslie Tassin says historic monuments shouldn’t be torn down, new monuments should be built…:
CUT 7 (12) “their lives”
Democrats voted against the bill, Republicans voted for it.

At least three bills which seek to alter to the TOPS scholarship program have not passed out of the House Education Committee. On of the measures would have required students to pay back the scholarship money if they flunk out of school, another sought to require students to maintain a higher GPA while in school.

There’s a heated debate going on at this hour in a Senate Committee on legislation that attempts to prevent local governments from removing Confederate monuments. The bill would create a statewide commission that would have to grant a waiver before a monument could be moved. Confederate monument supporter Leslie Tassin says monuments of Confederate soldiers are a history lesson…:
CUT 6 (04) “brighter future”
An argument by opponents is that it shouldn’t be up to the state what happens to city property.

An online campaign calls for Natchez to secede from Mississippi and join Louisiana after our neighboring lawmakers approved a bill that allows people there with religious obligations to deny services to gay people. Casey Hughes launched the change-dot-org petition hoping the governor would not sign the bill, but he did yesterday….:
CUT 3 (08) “to everyone”
Over 700 people have so far signed the petition.

Two Acadiana men who were reported missing off the coast of Cameron Parish have been located, and according to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were alive. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says the two men left in an aluminum boat Tuesday morning, but didn’t return by the evening…:
CUT 1 (09) “sinking boat”
He says the 20-year-old and 19-year-old are not doing well and one of them had to be revived with CPR. More on this as it develops.

A Senate Committee has unanimously approved a proposal that would ban the sale of aborted fetal tissue. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says there are already laws in place about killing babies in the womb or immediately after birth. He hopes this bill fills a gap in the law about selling organs…:
Cut 16 (07) “an organ”
This bill comes as a response to allegations that Planned Parenthood sold organs from aborted fetuses.

The House Education Committee is taking up several bills that propose changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey has a proposal that would raise the GPA requirement to retain the scholarship once a recipient is in college. Ivey says changes like this will keep the program intact for more students in the future…
cut 10 (05) “….pretty quickly”
There’s also a bill that would make the scholarship a loan that students would have to pay back if they drop out or fail classes.

A state senate committee has given approval to banning the sale of aborted fetal tissue. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says his main emphasis is to make sure people can’t profit from the selling of parts of an aborted fetus…
cut 15 (10) “….that process”
Before heading to the Senate floor, the bill was amended so mothers would not be criminalized for donating stem cells or unbilical cord blood.

A rally in support of legislation to have 17-year-olds charged as juveniles rather than adults takes place on the State Capitol steps today. Meg Garvey with the Youth Justice Coalition says this bill allows 17-year-olds the opportunity to be in a system that’s rehabilities and addresses their needs…
cut 13 (11) “….public safety”
Governor John Bel Edwards is also expected to speak at this rally.

US Representative Ralph Abraham is in Cuba today. Abraham is there to talk about how Lousiaina can be a trade partner with the island country once the trade embargo is lifted…
cut 6 (08) “….the latest”
Abraham says Cuba currently gets its rice from Asia, but Louisiana rice would make for sense for both sides.

The big discussion today at the Capitol will be centered around the TOPS scholarship program. A bill by Kenner Representative Julie Stokes would make students pay back TOPS money if they drop out or fail. She says lawmakers will look at an amendment so student would not be penalized if they are able to graduate later…:
Cut 8 (06) “a loan”
Another bill would raise the GPA requirements to retain the scholarship once a recipient is in college.

A rally in support of legislation to have 17-year-olds charged as juveniles rather than adults takes place on the State Capitol steps today. Meg Garvey with the Youth Justice Coalition says 17-year-old in the juvenile justice system could help kids get back on the right track, as studies show convicted teens are 34 percent less likely to re-offend….:
cut 12 (09) “in life”
Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to speak at the rally.

Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish is in Cuba today where he’s hoping to make Louisiana a trade partner once the US lifts the embargo. He says right now Cuba is getting their rice and other imported goods from Vietnam and Taiwan:
Cut 5 (10) “the globe”
Abraham says it’s time to empower the Cuban people and help their economy grow. He says beef, poultry, corn, and soybeans will hopefully follow shortly after they secure a deal to send Louisiana rice to Cuba.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says a pedestrian was struck by a train in Calhoun Tuesday evening, and suffered fatal injuries. They identify the victim only has a young female juvenile that lives in the area. The accident is currently under investigation and no further details are being released at this time.

Today the House Education Committee will discuss several proposed changes to the TOPS Scholarship Program. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Two men shot in Algiers early Tuesday morning are Australian college students visiting New Orleans after an academic competition, according to a statement released on the their school’s website. The New Orleans Police Department has confirmed the two men were shot in Algiers early Tuesday and that they took a cab there to meet a drug dealer. Both are reported to be in stable condition.

US Representative Ralph Abraham arrives in Cuba today seeking to make Louisiana a trade partner with the island once the U.S. lifts the trade embargo. The Richland Parish Republican says exporting Louisiana rice to Cuba would make a lot of sense for both sides and the Port of New Orleans is only 36 hours away..:
cut 4 (09) “farmers”
Abraham says beef, poultry, corn, and soybeans will hopefully follow shortly after they secure a deal to send Louisiana rice to Cuba.

A Senate Committee unanimously approves a proposal that would ban the sale of aborted fetal tissue. This bill comes as a response to allegations that Planned Parenthood sold organs from aborted fetuses. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says this should never happen…:
CUT 14 (11) “for research”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

Today the House Education Committee will discuss several proposed changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey has a proposal that would raise the GPA requirement for keeping TOPS…:
CUT 9 (10) “increase performance”
Ivey’s proposal is to bump those minimums to 2.5 for freshmen and and 2.75 for sophomores on.

A rally in support of legislation to have 17-year-olds charged as juveniles rather than adults takes place on the State Capitol steps today. Meg Garvey with the Youth Justice Coalition says Louisiana is one of only 9 states that routinely prosecutes 17-year-olds as adults…:
cut 11 (09) “and unfair”
Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to speak at the rally.

A Senate committee approved a proposed bill that would prohibit selling organs collected from aborted fetuses. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU officials announced proposed rule changes for students tailgating at sporting events, aimed at reigning in binge drinking. They say these guidelines came about amid concern over the estimated 50 students who have to be taken to a hospital on any given football weekend, usually because of drinking too much. The changes would mean student groups would have to register their tailgate and possibly hire a third party vendor to serve alcohol only to students 21 and up.