The LSU Student Government releases its first “Legislative Report Card” which grades lawmakers based on their record of protecting higher ed in Louisiana during this year’s session. Student Body President Andrew Mahtook says among things they were looking for was a quick fix for the current budget deficit…

cut 13 (10) “closer to students”

In all, 40 lawmakers got an “A”, 35 received a “B”, there were 21 “C’s”, 28 “Ds” and 20 F grades.

FEMA assessment teams are in Caddo Parish today to evaluate the extent of damage from Red River flooding. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Deputy Director Mark Riley says the FEMA teams will be trying to determine if there are enough homes damaged in the area to qualify for a Presidential Disaster Declaration…

cut 5 (08) “to the President”

The declaration is required to trigger FEMA’s Individual Assistance Grant Program.

Billionaire television personality Donald Trump has announced he’s running for Republican presidential nomination. This is on the heels of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush announcing his candidacy. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says, with the name recognition both Trump and Bush have, it will force Governor Bobby Jindal to work even harder to get his poll numbers up so he’s invited to the upcoming debates…

cut 11 (08) “or South Carolina”

Jindal is expected to officially throw his hat in the ring next week.

Southwest Louisiana is getting some rain from Tropical Storm Bill. Johnathan Brazzell with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the storm formed quickly when it got into the Gulf this week, which is a reminder for us to keep an eye out on the tropics over the next several months…

cut 8 (05) “the last”

Brazzell says Tropical Storm Bill’s biggest impact to Louisiana could be on the Red River once the storm system moves into northeast Texas and Oklahoma.

Real Estate mogul and television personality Donald Trump has announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Governor Bobby Jindal is expected to officially throw his hat in the ring next week. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this announcement can’t make Jindal happy…”
CUT 10 (09) “he’s well known”
There are now eleven Republicans running in next November’s election.

Southwest Louisiana is feeling some impacts from Tropical Storm Bill. Johnathan Brazzell with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says periods of rain are expected from the storm’s outer bands..:
CUT 7 (09) “falling as well”
He says northwest Louisiana could get some more rain from this system which is the last thing the now receding flooding Red River needs.

Bossier Parish officials say water is receding on the Red River and FEMA assessment teams are in the area today to evaluate the extent of the flood damage. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Though far lower than last summer, the gas prices in Louisiana have been steadily rising over the past 7 days. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.58 which is up a nickle from this time last week.

Bossier Parish officials say water is receding on the Red River and FEMA assessment teams are in the area today to evaluate the extent of the flood damage. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says the water on the Red is receding at a pretty rapid pace…:
CUT 3 (10) “forward from now on”
GOHSEP says federal authorities are trying to determine if the damage is bad enough to qualify for a Presidential Disaster Declaration required to trigger grants.

LSU takes on Cal State Fullerton in the College World Series this afternoon at 2pm. Freshman pitcher Alex Lagne will start on the mound for the Tigers and hopes to turn around the luck after the disastrous game on Sunday in Omaha. Today’s match-up is win or go home. You can watch it on ESPN2.

The Bourbon Street burlesque performer made infamous for her love affair with Louisiana Governor Earl Long, has died at the age of 83. Blaze Starr, whose birth name was Fannie Bell Fleming, wrote a memoir about her time with Long that was made into a movie Blaze. She’d reportedly been having heart issues over the past few years.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee does not anticipate Governor Bobby Jindal vetoing the bill that puts a cap on the film tax program. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee doesn’t see Governor Bobby Jindal vetoing the film tax credit legislation that caps the program at 180-million dollars a year. Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux says if the governor vetoes the bill, it will lead to a 70-million dollar cut to higher education and health care…:
cut 13 (06) “and health care”
Film industry officials believe the legislation is unconstitutional.

Tiger fans are waiting for 2 o clock as LSU is set to take on Cal State Fullerton in the College world series. They’re coming off a dismal performance on Sunday. But shortstop Alex Bregman says the focus today is on winning that game and advancing in Omaha…:
CUT 4 (10) “find ways to win”
Freshman pitcher Alex Lange will start on the mound for the Tigers. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Springfield Mayor is resigning after pleading guilty to criminal mischief. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (27) “reporting”

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Bill is set to hit the south central Texas coast and is expected to move inland this afternoon and tonight. Far western Louisiana could feel some residual effects from the storm but is not part of the warning area and is expected to be no threat to the state.

Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, doesn’t see Governor Bobby Jindal vetoing the film tax credit legislation that caps the amount of credits redeemed to 180-million dollars a year. Hollywood South is concerned the legislation will chase movie production away. But Robideaux says the cap still allows for 540-million dollars in film production a year…

cut 15 (07) “that level”

Robideaux says if the governor vetoes the bill, it will lead to a 70-million dollar cut to higher education and health care.

Springfield Mayor Charles Martin is resigning after pleading guilty to his involved in a ticket fixing scheme. Martin is required to pay $550 in fines, perform 32 hours of community service and two years of probation. Assistant LA Attorney General David Caldwell says they take cases of small town corruption seriously…

cut 12 (07) “the right way”

Martin pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief and will not serve jail time.

The LSU baseball team will look to avoid elimination today in the College World Series when they face Cal State Fullerton. Michelle Southern reports…:

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Blaze Starr, the Bourbon Street stripper who gained fame in 1959 when she had an affair with Governor Earl K. Long, died Monday at her home in West Virginia. Starr, whose birth name was Fannie Bell Fleming, wrote a memoir about her time with Long that was made into the movie “Blaze”, starring Lolita Davidovich and Paul Newman. It’s reported that Starr experienced heart issues in the past few years. She was 83-years-old.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee does not anticipate Governor Bobby Jindal vetoing the bill that puts a cap on the film tax program. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says one of two suspects wanted for the killing of a man in Gibson over the weekend has turned himself into authorities. They say 29-year-old Carl Hayes is charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Roosevelt Stewart. Authorities are still searching for 26-year-old Kenny Veal. Veal is considered armed and dangerous.

Springfield Mayor Charles Martin is resigning after pleading guilty to criminal mischief for his involvement in a ticket fixing scheme. Assistant LA Attorney General David Caldwell says Martin has 90 days to resign as mayor and will not be allowed to seek reelection for this office…

cut 11 (12) “helped out”

Martin as well as Police Chief James Jones are accused of covering up a woman’s DWI citation.

Tropical Storm Bill is expected to make landfall today in Texas and there are concerns it could present more flooding along the Red River. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Red River could rise again as a result of this system…

cut 9 (06) “this rain”

The projected path of the system has it moving through Texas into Oklahoma dropping more rain at the source of the Red River flooding.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee does not expect Governor Bobby Jindal to veto the film tax credit legislation that caps the amount of credits redeemed to 180-million dollars a year. Film industry officials believe the legislation is unconstitutional, because it could lead to the state not honoring some credits, because the cap is for credits redeemed and not issued. But Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux says legislative staff has assured lawmakers the legislation is legal…

cut 14 (04) “do legally”

Hollywood South is also concerned the legislation will chase movie production away.

Springfield Mayor Charles Martin is resigning after pleading guilty to criminal mischief for being involved in a ticket fixing scheme. Assistant LA Attorney General David Caldwell says Martin and Springfield’s Police Chief altered a 2011 DWI report to go through misdemeanor court, instead of it being a felony charge…

cut 10 (11) “in office”

Martin’s plea deal will require no jail time.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says Tropical Storm Bill is expected to make landfall today in Texas and possibly present more flooding concerns along the Red River. Keim says the area of low pressure is expected to move through Texas and into Oklahoma dropping more rain at the source of the Red River flooding…

cut 8 (12) “landfall or not”

He says the Red River could rise again as a result of this system.

LSU faces Cal State-Fullerton at 2PM today in an elimination game at the College World Series. The Tigers are 10-0 in games following a loss this season and shortstop Alex Bregman says it seems that when they lose, the team comes back stronger…

cut 5 (08) “leave it all out there”

Today’s game can be seen on ESPN2.