State

Vincent Simmons greets family, friends, supporters and a CBS national news crew as he leaves Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola Monday night. Simmons had served 44 years of a 100-year sentence after being convicted of two counts of attempted aggravated rape in 1977. In the hearing Monday, Judge Billy Bennett ordered a new trial, citing violations of Simmons’ constitutional rights in the original trial. District Attorney Charles Riddle said he will not prosecute Simmons, thus resulting in him being free

Vincent Simmons greets family, friends, supporters and a CBS national news crew as he leaves Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola Monday night. Simmons had served 44 years of a 100-year sentence after being convicted of two counts of attempted aggravated rape in 1977. In the hearing Monday, Judge Billy Bennett ordered a new trial, citing violations of Simmons’ constitutional rights in the original trial. District Attorney Charles Riddle said he will not prosecute Simmons, thus resulting in him being free

After 44 years in prison, Vincent Simmons is free

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 25, 2022
Shouts of “He is free” pealed like bells on Marksville’s Courthouse Square Monday afternoon as family and friends of Vincent Simmons walked out of the courthouse, celebrating the end of his 44-year journey to win his freedom.

Fire marshal rescinds statewide burn ban/ St. Landry Parish ban dropped

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Due to recent dry conditions statewide being sufficiently alleviated following several rain events, State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, along with Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, is rescinding the statewide cease and desist order for all private burning issued on Feb. 15.
This map shows what would be the new boundaries of the state’s six congressional districts as approved by the Legislature Friday. Courtesy of the Louisiana House of Representatives

This map shows what would be the new boundaries of the state’s six congressional districts as approved by the Legislature Friday. Courtesy of the Louisiana House of Representatives

Louisiana Legislature advances political maps that maintain the status quo

Harlan Kirgan
Sunday, February 20, 2022
On the final day of the redistricting session, the Louisiana House and Senate passed bills Friday that turned back efforts to expand minority representation and preserved the current balance of power in the state’s congressional delegation and the Legislature itself.
Bird eats fruit from an Arrowwood viburnum tree.

Bird eats fruit from an Arrowwood viburnum tree.

Feed the birds

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 18, 2022
February is National Bird-feeding Month, and this year’s theme is “Winter Comforts — Feed the Birds and Keep Them Happy and Healthy.” This month focusing on feeding the birds was designated with the help of Rep.
State Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, sponsored the Republican bill to redraw the maps for the state Senate. (Photo by Alex Tirado/LSU Manship School News Service)

State Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, sponsored the Republican bill to redraw the maps for the state Senate. (Photo by Alex Tirado/LSU Manship School News Service)

Senate, Supreme Court districts approved

Harlan Kirgan
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Two weeks of debate, public testimony and pleas from activists for greater minority representation culminated in a 40-minute Senate floor meeting Monday that advanced two Republican bills mostly maintaining the status quo of the state Senate and Supreme Court district maps.
Research by Stanley Nelson, an author and former Louisiana newspaper editor, will be featured in the FRONTLINE show. (Photo courtesy of Wes Faulk and Stanley Nelson)

Research by Stanley Nelson, an author and former Louisiana newspaper editor, will be featured in the FRONTLINE show. (Photo courtesy of Wes Faulk and Stanley Nelson)

Longtime Louisiana newspaper editor’s work featured in cold case documentary

Harlan Kirgan
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
The work of a longtime Louisiana newspaper editor will be included in a PBS FRONTLINE documentary Tuesday on the 1967 Ku Klux Klan murder of Wharlest Jackson, a 37-year-old Black man in Natchez, Mississippi. Jackson, who had five children, was treasurer of the Natchez NAACP.
A beautiful stroll in a botanic garden can be wonderful Valentine’s Day surprise.

A beautiful stroll in a botanic garden can be wonderful Valentine’s Day surprise.

This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of gardening

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 11, 2022
Flowers and chocolates are the standard Valentine’s Day gifts — but if you would like to come up with something more original this year, it’s time to think beyond the typical bouquet of red roses. For the gardeners in your life, the gift of a live plant can be an excellent expression of your love.