High School graduation season is underway and a recent statewide survey shows almost two-thirds of voters favor the TOPS scholarship program to remain fully funded despite lawmakers efforts to put a cap on the awards. A bill that would put limits on TOPS scholarship awards has passed the Senate and will be considered in the House. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat, with Southern Media and Opinion Research, says the poll shows 64-percent of voters want TOPS to be left as is…:
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The poll shows only 28-percent of Louisiana voters approve of limiting the scholarship awards.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue reminds residents that today is the deadline for residents to file their 2014 Louisiana individual income tax returns. They recommend electronic filing and say the average refund processing time for electronic returns is up to 21 business days.

This summer might the biggest ever for Hollywood South at the Box Office.
Starting this weekend with the opening of the Baton Rouge filmed Pitch Perfect 2, if you hit up the theater this summer there’s a good chance you’ll see a movie that was filmed in Louisiana. That’s according to Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly…:
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There are concerns among lawmakers that the film tax program in Louisiana is too generous, Stelly doesn’t think movie makers will be deterred.

Safe Boating Week kicks off in Louisiana tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says you can expect to see increased patrols on the water. So far this year, 9 fatalities have been reported and Einck says that has LDWF officials concerned…
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He stresses the importance of using life jackets while boating as well as having a sober operator.

A new political action committee targets US Senator David Vitter’s attempt to become governor of Louisiana. Gumbo PAC has launched a website and released a video that takes a critical look at Vitter’s time in political office. Gumbo PAC Chairman Trey Ourso says their mission is to educate voters about Vitter’s record…:
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A Vitter spokesman says this video does not deter the Senator and he’ll continue to lay out his plan for a brighter future for all Louisianians.

According to a new Sports Illustrated report, the reason that former LSU Tiger and current Dallas Cowboy La’el Collins was questioned in the death of his ex-girlfriend Brittany Mills is because the victim’s daughter mentioned the offensive lineman’s name. There is no confirmation of that detail from the Baton Rouge Police Department. There has still not been an arrest in the Mills’ case. Collins, who went undrafted, signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys for $1.65 million.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces that Safe Boating Week begins Saturday. Scott Carwile reports…:
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Governor Bobby Jindal is in Washington D.C. today. Jindal is speaking to the Council for National Policy forum. Coming this weekend the Governor will once again head to Iowa for the Story County GOP Breakfast, National Security Action Summit and Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner.

A new political action committee takes aim US Senator David Vitter’s attempt to become governor of Louisiana. Gumbo PAC has launched a website and released a video that takes a pointed look at Vitter’s time in political office. Almost half of the video takes aim at Vitter’s sex scandal with the infamous DC madam and claims from a former New Orleans prostitute. Gumbo PAC Chairman Trey Ourso says this is part of the Senator’s record and it’s important that voters be reminded of this…

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A Vitter spokesman says this video does not deter the Senator.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue reminds residents that today is the deadline to file their 2014 Louisiana individual income tax returns. Spokesperson Kizzy Payton says, if you are not ready to file just yet, an extension can be filed on the Department of Revenue’s website…

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Alexandria Police have arrested a man after being accused of throwing a baby. Authorities say 20-year-old Devontee Smith kicked in the door of the baby’s mother’s home and threatened to kill them both. Smith then allegedly grabbed the child by the feet and threw him against a wall before fleeing. Smith was caught and booked into the Rapides Parish Jail on multiple charges including home invasion and domestic abuse battery. The child was not seriously injured.

The Baton Rouge-shot “Pitch Perfect 2″ opens nationwide today and expectations that it will be as loved as the first one are high. Michelle Southern reports…

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A new political action committee targets US Senator David Vitter’s attempt to become governor of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The Revenue Estimating Conference announces that $179 million has been found that can help budget issues for this fiscal year and next. They say $99.4 million would be used for this fiscal year and $79.3 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1. A large portion of the new money comes from a surplus balance in an insurance reserve fund. Legislation will need to be filed, approved, and signed by the governor to access the funds.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces that Safe Boating Week kicks off Saturday. Spokesman Adam Einck says officials want to make sure everyone is safe on the water. He stresses the importance of using life jackets while boating as well as having a sober operator. Alcohol use is a leading cause of boating crashes and fatalities on the water. Einck says DWI laws on the water are the same as on the road…

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So far this year, 9 boating fatalities have been reported in the state.

Hopes are that the movie “Pitch Perfect 2″ will be just as loved as the first one. The sequal was shot in and around LSU. Ashley Territo, with the office charged with approving all film projects on campus, says it’s great that the movie came back to Baton Rouge a second time around which is a testament to the film industry in Louisiana…

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“Pitch Perfect 2” hits theatres today.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue issues a reminder that today is the deadline for residents to file their 2014 Louisiana individual income tax returns. Spokesperson Kizzy Payton says there is no accurate way to determine exactly how many residents have yet to file, but so far 1.8 million have filed their taxes…

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She says electronic filing is the fastest, most error-free method for filing tax returns.

A new political action committee, Gumbo PAC, is targeting US Senator David Vitter’s bid to become governor of Louisiana. They’ve released a video that takes a critical look at Vitter’s time in office. Gumbo PAC Chairman Trey Ourso says some are concerned that Vitter is basically a “career Washington politician”…

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Almost half of the video takes aim at Vitter’s infamous sex scandal.

Safe Boating Week kicks off in Louisiana tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says you can expect to see increased patrols and safe boating checks throughout the weekend. In 2014, Louisiana reported 18 boating fatalities, the second lowest number ever recorded. So far this year, 9 fatalities have been reported and Einck says that has LDWF officials concerned…

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He stresses the importance of using life jackets while boating as well as having a sober operator.

The Baton Rouge-shot “Pitch Perfect 2″ opens nationwide today and expectations that it will be as loved as the first one are high. The sequel will once again be set at fictional Barden University, but was filmed in and around LSU. Ashley Territo is a manager in the office charged with approving all film projects on campus…

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During filming, over 3000 people showed up to fill in a concert crowd for one scene, so many Louisianians will be looking to see if they made the cut.

A new political action committee targets US Senator David Vitter’s attempt to become governor of Louisiana. Gumbo PAC has launched a website and released a video that takes a critical look at Vitter’s time in political office. Gumbo PAC Chairman Trey Ourso says their mission is to educate voters about Vitter’s record…

cut 10 (07) “people of Louisiana”

A Vitter spokesman says this video does not deter the Senator and he’ll continue to lay out his plan for a brighter future for all Louisianians.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue reminds residents that today is the deadline to file their 2014 Louisiana individual income tax returns. Spokesperson Kizzy Payton says, as the deadline looms, they encourage taxpayers to file their return electronically…

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Payton says if you are not ready to file your taxes just yet, you can file for an extension, but you must do so today.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces that Safe Boating Week begins Saturday. In Louisiana, Safe Boating Week marks the start of the spring and summer boating season. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says boaters can expect increased patrols and safe boating checks this weekend…

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In 2014, Louisiana reported 18 boating fatalities, the second lowest number ever recorded. So far this year, 9 fatalities have been reported.

South Carolina scored a total of eight runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 10-7 win last night over LSU. The Tigers still hold a half game lead over Vanderbilt in the overall SEC standings.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit gender based abortions. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger voted “yes” on Houma Representative Lenar Whitney’s bill, but he’s concerned language in the legislation will lead to frivolous lawsuits against abortion doctors…

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Whitney’s legislation passed on an 84-2 vote and now heads to the Senate for more debate.

In a unanimous vote, the state House passed New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill that would ban hospitals from billing rape victims for their medical exams. The measure would permit health care providers to submit a claim to the victim’s insurance company for payment, but the victim would not be required to pay any share of the costs. The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The full House has approved legislation that will reduce the maximum penalty for those who are convicted multiple times for simple marijuana possession. Under the bill, a person convicted three times for having a small amount of pot, faces a maximum sentence of eight years, instead of 20 which is current law. The senate will debate the measure next.

A recent Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows that voters approve of a series of revenue generating bills the House passed to cover state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Scott Carwile reports…

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