Manship

Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro

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Education Savings Account passes in House panel despite cost concerns

(not verified)

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Parents in Louisiana would receive from $5,000 to $15,000 in state money to send their children to private schools under a Landry administration bill that is moving through the State Legislature.

A House committee rejected a proposed change to abortion laws at a hearing Monday. Photo credit: Jordyn Wilson/LSU Manship School News Service

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House rejects constitutional amendment to overturn abortion ban

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

By a 10-2 vote, a House committee rejected a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at overturning the state’s abortion ban and safeguarding individual rights in pregnancy-related health decisions.

Rep. Bryan Fontenot measured off the 25 feet that his bill would let police officers demand from bystanders. Photo credit: Madison Maronge/LSU Manship School News Service

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House panel OKs bill giving police space

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

A House committee moved forward with a bill Tuesday that would criminalize coming within 25 feet of an on-duty police officer if ordered to halt by the officer. Penalties for violations could include a jail term of up to 60 days and a fine of $500.

Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek

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Juvenile justice experts express caution about new crime laws

(not verified)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

As Louisiana undertakes a massive overhaul of criminal justice laws, one of the most controversial changes is putting more 17-year-olds on trial for crimes as adults. The move backpedals on a measure passed seven years ago that treated teens under 18 as juveniles in most cases.

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Crack down on crime approved

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, March 1, 2024

Louisiana lawmakers gave final passage Thursday to sweeping changes in crime laws sought by Gov. Jeff Landry — including measures that will expand methods of execution to include electrocution and nitrogen hypoxia and shield records relating to the executions.

Protesters filled the ground floor of the state Capitol last Tuesday during hearings on stricter crime laws. (LSU Manship School News Service photo)

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With GOP in charge, Louisiana House moves to almost completely eliminate parole

Rebecca Chaisson

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Louisiana, which tops lists for both incarceration and crime, moved Friday toward almost entirely eliminating parole and dramatically shrinking good-behavior sentence reductions. The House passed a slew of bills by Rep.

From left, Rev. Dr. Gregory Eason, First Lady Linda Eason, Cheryl Lowery, Deitra Johnson, Sgt. James Hall and a student from Clark Atlanta University at a student voter registration event in Atlanta. (Photo courtesy of Deitra Johnson)

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Black vote altered Georgia politics

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Part 2 of a two-part series Rev. Timothy McDonald, the pastor at First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta, remembers being approached in a grocery store parking lot ahead of the fall 2022 elections.

Gubernatorial candidate Democrat Shawn Wilson addresses churchgoers at United Christian Faith Center in Baton Rouge about his candidacy and the importance of voting. (Photo by Molly Ryan, WRKF/WWNO)

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Low turnout marked fall vote

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, December 29, 2023

Part 1 of a two-part series In an important election year — featuring races for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general and several local government seats — Louisiana saw historically low voter turnout. Experts are still looking at why.

Milton Scott. (Photo courtesy Scott family)

Shooting exacted a toll on victim’s family, FBI agents

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, August 4, 2023

Second of two stories Beverly Shabazz did not have a job and was seven months pregnant with her second child when her husband, Milton X Scott, was shot and killed outside their home in 1973 by FBI agents attempting to arrest him. “I was thinking I have these two kids to raise,” she said.

Damon Cormier of The Best Stop was a vendor at the annual Scott Boudin Festival, serving specialty Cajun foods like boudin and cracklins. (Photo by Layne Miller/LSU Manship School News Service)

‘We’re not done yet’: Businesses key in preserving Cajun culture

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, July 21, 2023

When Alex Cook stumbled on a flier for a local juke joint, he was confused about how he, a member of the Baton Rouge music scene, was unfamiliar with a spot just minutes away in Zachary.