Louisiana

A look at the tough-on-crime bills Louisiana lawmakers passed during a special session

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

A look at the tough-on-crime bills Louisiana lawmakers passed during a special session

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s Republican-dominated legislature concluded a two-week special session Thursday that was called to address one of the state’s most pressing issues — violent crime.

During the session lawmakers passed a slew of tough-on-crime policies, including expanding death row execution methods, charging 17-year-olds as adults and eliminating parole for most people who are jailed in the future.

The bills enjoy broad GOP support, but Democrats fear they won’t deter crime and will actually exacerbate Louisiana’s ailing and crowded prison system.

Here’s a look at the approved bills, which now head to the desk of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry to be signed into law or vetoed.

DEATH PENALTY

Seeking to resume death row executions after a 14-year pause, the Legislature passed a bill that adds the use of nitrogen gas and electrocution as methods to carry out the death penalty.

Currently 58 people sit on Louisiana’s death row. No executions are scheduled at the moment.

Like most states that have capital punishment, Louisiana has relied on lethal injection. But amid legal battles and challenges over the drugs involved, some states have explored other methods.

Proponents of expanding the allowed execution methods say it’s past time for the state to uphold “contractual obligations” between victims’ families and the state. Opponents question the legality of the proposed methods, saying they could amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Republicans say youths are terrorizing cities with violent carjackings, shootings and homicides.

As a result, lawmakers passed a bill that will treat all 17-year-olds charged with crimes, including misdemeanors, as adults. The measure is a rollback of the state’s “Raise the Age” law.

While critics of the bill agree that juvenile lawbreakers should be held accountable, they have raised safety and recidivism concerns.

Legislators also passed a law making certain juvenile criminal records public.

PAROLE

Lawmakers spent a portion of the session debating sweeping changes that could determine how long certain incarcerated people remain in prison and when, or if, they would be allowed a second chance at freedom.

One bill that was passed effectively eliminates parole for anyone convicted after Aug. 1, with few exceptions — including groups for whom it is constitutionally required, such as those who were sentenced to life terms as juveniles.

In addition, the legislature passed a bill that reduces the amount of “good time credit” that prisoners can accumulate to shave time off their sentence.

Supporters say the measures will reduce instances of inmates only serving a “fraction of their sentence” and, hopefully, decrease recidivism.

Critics say the legislation will not deter crime, would cost the state millions as it continues to house inmates who could be paroled, and would create less incentive for good behavior and involvement in programs designed to help former inmates succeed in the outside world.

HEIGHTENED CHARGES

Other bills propose harsher penalties for certain crimes.

Under one of them, the minimum sentence for a carjacking conviction will increase from two years to five. If a carjacking results in bodily injury, the offender will serve 20 to 30 years.

Another measure toughens fentanyl-related penalties, specifically in cases where people distribute the drug in a way that appeals to children, such as the shape, color, taste or design of packaging. The crime would be punishable by a minimum of 25 years in jail.

PERMITLESS CONCEALED CARRY

A bill allowing residents 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit received final approval Wednesday.

Legislators also passed a bill providing a level of immunity from civil liability for someone who holds a concealed carry permit and uses their firearm to shoot a person in self-defense.

NEXT STEPS?

Lawmakers will return to the capitol March 11 for their three-month-long regular session, in which they can take up additional crime-related bills.

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Louisiana

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

Published

11 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Silver Alert issued for missing New Orleans man

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana State Police issued a Silver Alert Friday for a 76-year-old New Orleans man who has been missing since Wednesday.

Elbert Welch was last seen in the 1700 block of Holiday Drive on May 6 at approximately 11 a.m. State police received the request to issue a Silver Alert at approximately 6:54 p.m. Friday on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department.

Welch is a white male with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He is 5′10″ and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt, black pants and a blue baseball cap.

Family reports that Welch has a medical condition that may impair his judgment.

Welch is believed to be walking on foot in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information regarding Welch’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the New Orleans Police Department, 4th District, at (504) 821-2222 or dial 911. All questions should be directed to the New Orleans Police Department.

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Louisiana

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score, TV and more from SBC series

Published

24 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score, TV and more from SBC series

Pressure is back on for Louisiana baseball, especially on the weekend in Sun Belt Conference play.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (30-19, 12-12) dropped their final midweek game of the season, losing 9-6 to the University of New Orleans in extra innings. Now, the Cajuns are back on the road for SBC play, needing every win they can get to better their chances of snagging a regional spot. They travel to Appalachian State for what will likely be a chilly three-game series against the Mountaineers.

Seventh-year head coach Matt Deggs will go with junior Cody Brasch to start Game 1, a spot the right-hander is becoming accustomed to. Saturday’s are for Andrew Herrmann, the most reliable of the Cajuns’ arms through the year. App State will start junior righty Nick DiRito on Friday, followed by junior righty Gage Peterson and junior lefty Tanner Nolan to close out the series.

Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajuns baseball in its SBC series vs App State (28-18, 15-9), including time, TV schedule, live score and streaming information.

Watch Louisiana baseball vs App State on ESPN+

Louisiana baseball vs App State live score

What channel is Louisiana baseball vs App State on?

TV: None

Livestream: ESPN+

Radio: Varsity Network, 96.5 FM

Louisiana vs. App State will be available live on ESPN+ streaming service for the teams’ ninth SBC series of the 2026 college baseball season. Matt Present will provide commentary from Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.

What time does Louisiana baseball play App State today?

5 p.m. Friday, May 8
2 p.m. Saturday, May 9
12 p.m. Sunday, May 10

The Louisiana vs. App State series starts at 5 p.m. Friday at Beaver Field in Boone, N.C., followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Cajuns will close out the series at noon on Sunday.

Louisiana baseball vs App State weather update

Friday’s matchup will be played in semi-cloudy weather with sunshine throughout the day. It’ll be a high of 62 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. Winds will get up to about five to 10 mph, and there is less than a 7% chance of rain in the afternoon. Saturday’s game will be played in warmer weather with a high of 67 degrees, followed by Sunday’s high of 73 degrees.

Louisiana baseball vs App State history

Series record: Louisiana leads 14-9

In Lafayette: Series tied 6-6

In Boone: Louisiana leads 6-3

Louisiana’s last win: April 2, 2023 (6-0)

App State’s last win: April 1, 2023 (8-5)

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

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Louisiana

Behind the Curtain: How Louisiana’s Parole System and Courts Shape Who Goes Free | The Lens

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Behind the Curtain: How Louisiana’s Parole System and Courts Shape Who Goes Free | The Lens

This week on Behind The Lens, the public gets a rare look inside one of the most powerful and least understood parts of Louisiana’s criminal justice system: the parole process.

A sign posted on the door at the live parole hearing on the campus of Loyola University. (Photo by Gus Bennett / The Lens)

In Louisiana, Parole Board hearings are sometimes held in public, offering families, victims, attorneys, advocates, and reporters an opportunity to witness how decisions are made about who is granted freedom and who remains incarcerated. But those hearings reveal more than individual cases. They expose the broader tensions shaping punishment, rehabilitation, public safety, and political pressure across the state.

Reporters Bernard Smith and Gus Bennett join editor Katy Reckdahl to examine how parole decisions are influenced not only by testimony inside the hearing room, but also by a growing wave of legal and political changes moving through Louisiana’s courts and legislature. From rulings connected to the Louisiana Supreme Court to election season politics and criminal justice reforms, the episode explores how policy decisions made at the highest levels can directly affect incarcerated people, victims’ families, prosecutors, and entire communities.

The discussion also breaks down how recent state actions involving sentencing, parole eligibility, election dynamics, and judicial oversight are reshaping Louisiana’s criminal justice landscape in real time. Together, the team examines the human consequences behind those decisions and what they reveal about accountability, power, and transparency inside the system.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music “Fading Prospects” by Podington Bear (soundofpicture.com)

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