louisiana
April 7, 2023:
Crime is the top concern for most Louisianans this election cycle and many are unhappy with the way the criminal justice system has addressed the problem, a new poll of statewide voters shows. A bill filed by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, would make forfeiture of good time and credits — incentives that allow early release for good behavior — a mandatory penalty for incarcerated people who commit certain transgressions behind bars. Those penalties currently occur at the discretion of prison staff. Crowley Republican Rep. John Stefanski, a candidate for Attorney General, has filed a bill proposing life imprisonment for people who distribute 28 grams or more of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has pushed overdose deaths to record levels in Louisiana and the country. Rep. Larry Frieman, R-Abita Springs, has filed a bill that would allow judges to revoke parole for people who district attorneys argue are "dangerous offenders." Anyone convicted of a violent crime, sex offense, drug production or terrorism could be deemed a "dangerous offender" under the bill. |
Louisiana: - Shreveport Times -
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March 9, 2023: The Advocate: State public defender officials criticize Baton Rouge's embattled chief in tense meeting
Tensions over Baton Rouge's embattled chief public defender boiled over Thursday at a state board meeting, with state officials presenting a report blasting her handling of her office's finances and a lawsuit accusing her of withholding pay for ex-employees' accrued vacation time.
Tensions over Baton Rouge's embattled chief public defender boiled over Thursday at a state board meeting, with state officials presenting a report blasting her handling of her office's finances and a lawsuit accusing her of withholding pay for ex-employees' accrued vacation time.
March 9, 2023: The Advocate: LaToya Cantrell recall organizers handed over 32,000 signatures to Times-Picayune, analysis shows
An exhaustive review of thousands of petitions provided to The Times-Picayune by the organizers of the LaToya Cantrell recall campaign shows they contained 32,228 signatures, far short of the threshold needed to put the question on the ballot.
An exhaustive review of thousands of petitions provided to The Times-Picayune by the organizers of the LaToya Cantrell recall campaign shows they contained 32,228 signatures, far short of the threshold needed to put the question on the ballot.
Jan 17. 2022: Roys Report: Court Dismisses Louisiana Pastor’s COVID Restrictions Suit
A Louisiana pastor’s lawsuit over Gov. John Bel Edwards’ past COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings was rejected for a second time Wednesday by a federal judge.
U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson in Baton Rouge said the lawsuit by Tony Spell seeking an order blocking the restrictions is moot because the restrictions expired long ago.
A Louisiana pastor’s lawsuit over Gov. John Bel Edwards’ past COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings was rejected for a second time Wednesday by a federal judge.
U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson in Baton Rouge said the lawsuit by Tony Spell seeking an order blocking the restrictions is moot because the restrictions expired long ago.
Dec 29, 2021: Shreveport Times: LDH: Omicron cases continue to climb. Unvaccinated make up largest portion
The Louisiana Department of Health estimates the proportion of omicron cases in the state is 88.5% for the week ending Dec. 25.
LDH’s estimate for the omicron proportion is preliminary and subject to change as more sequencing data are reported, according to a news release.
The CDC estimates the proportion of Omicron in HHS Region 6 (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is 86.7%, with 95% of parishes at the two highest levels of community transmission.
The Louisiana Department of Health estimates the proportion of omicron cases in the state is 88.5% for the week ending Dec. 25.
LDH’s estimate for the omicron proportion is preliminary and subject to change as more sequencing data are reported, according to a news release.
The CDC estimates the proportion of Omicron in HHS Region 6 (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is 86.7%, with 95% of parishes at the two highest levels of community transmission.
Dec 29, 2021: WWNO: As much of the Gulf South remains unvaccinated, New Orleans issues a mandate for kids
As cases and hospitalizations spike again, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama remain among the bottom states for overall vaccination rates. Only about 10% of young children in these states have gotten at least one shot, compared to 23% nationally. In a region where rejecting broad vaccine requirements is a source of pride for many state leaders, New Orleans wasn’t afraid to issue a mandate.
As cases and hospitalizations spike again, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama remain among the bottom states for overall vaccination rates. Only about 10% of young children in these states have gotten at least one shot, compared to 23% nationally. In a region where rejecting broad vaccine requirements is a source of pride for many state leaders, New Orleans wasn’t afraid to issue a mandate.
Dec 13, 2021: Baptist Messenger: Pastors celebrate defeat of Slidell casino
Louisiana Baptist pastors in St. Tammany Parish rejoiced about the resounding vote, Dec. 11, against a proposal that would have brought casino gambling into Slidell.
By a margin of 63 percent against (37,664 “nays”) and 37 percent for (22,031 “yeas”), voters rejected
Louisiana Baptist pastors in St. Tammany Parish rejoiced about the resounding vote, Dec. 11, against a proposal that would have brought casino gambling into Slidell.
By a margin of 63 percent against (37,664 “nays”) and 37 percent for (22,031 “yeas”), voters rejected
Dec 10, 2021: Houma News: Filming for a Will Smith movie to block traffic next week on part of La. 311 in Schriever
The agency did not name the film, but The Courier and Daily Comet confirmed the work is being done for "Emancipation," a movie starring Smith directed by Antoine Fuqua.
The agency did not name the film, but The Courier and Daily Comet confirmed the work is being done for "Emancipation," a movie starring Smith directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Nov 16, 2021: Christian Post: New Orleans archdiocese to pay over $1M in Hurricane Katrina fraud settlement
The settlement came in response to allegations that the archdiocese had violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair facilities damaged by Katrina, a 2005 Category 5 storm that caused billions of dollars in damage.
The settlement came in response to allegations that the archdiocese had violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair facilities damaged by Katrina, a 2005 Category 5 storm that caused billions of dollars in damage.
Nov 12, 2021: Mississippi Today: Data Dive: Mississippi is among at least 27 states suing over Biden business vaccine mandate
Mostly composed of Republican-leaning states with vaccination rates on the lower end of the spectrum, this coalition includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Mostly composed of Republican-leaning states with vaccination rates on the lower end of the spectrum, this coalition includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Sept 9, 2021: Christian Post: After criticism, Jesse Duplantis says ministry donated $100K in generators to Ida victims
Louisiana televangelist Jesse Duplantis hit back at critics who charged that he and his ministry weren’t doing enough to help his storm-ravaged community of St. Charles Parish, where Hurricane Ida left most residents without power.
Louisiana televangelist Jesse Duplantis hit back at critics who charged that he and his ministry weren’t doing enough to help his storm-ravaged community of St. Charles Parish, where Hurricane Ida left most residents without power.
Aug 17, 2021: Shreveport Times: Shreveport nurse's tearful plea for COVID vaccines goes viral as Delta variant spreads
A Shreveport nurse has garnered national attention for her tearful plea for others to get vaccinated.
However, following a social media post, Felicia Croft has become one of the many public voices encouraging people to be vaccinated.
A Shreveport nurse has garnered national attention for her tearful plea for others to get vaccinated.
However, following a social media post, Felicia Croft has become one of the many public voices encouraging people to be vaccinated.
Aug 12, 2021: NFL: Fans to be required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to attend Saints games
The city of New Orleans will require fans to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours in order to attend Saints home games at Caesars Superdome.
The city of New Orleans will require fans to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours in order to attend Saints home games at Caesars Superdome.
Aug 12, 2021: Christianity Daily: Louisiana Gov Calls For Prayer And Fasting To Combat COVID-19 In State
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has called for prayer and fasting last week to combat the cases of COVID-19 in his state.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has called for prayer and fasting last week to combat the cases of COVID-19 in his state.
