Louisiana

Bills targeting traffic cameras see varying success in Louisiana legislature

Published

8 months ago

May 8, 2024

Bills targeting traffic cameras see varying success in Louisiana legislature

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana lawmakers have traffic cameras in their sights this session, filing several bills to change how — and if — the process should work.

The bills have had different levels of success.

They could have a significant impact on New Orleans’ drivers and government. The city’s traffic camera system generates more than $20 million per year in general fund revenue.

A Fox 8 investigation found the city is struggling to collect $135 million worth of uncollected tickets going back more than a decade.

Senate Bill 21, filed by Sen. Alan Seabaugh (R-Many), would take the most aggressive approach against traffic cameras, but has seen the least success. It would make the use of traffic cameras “strictly prohibited,” effectively bringing an end to all municipal or parish traffic camera programs in the state, along with the government revenue they produce.

In March, the bill was deferred in a Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee meeting. It has remained stalled there since.

Chair Pat Connick (R-Marrero) told Fox 8 that Seabaugh has not asked for the bill to be heard, signaling it’s likely dead.

In the meeting, opponents of the bill said the systems improve safety and allow understaffed police departments to move resources elsewhere.

Sen. Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek) raised concerns about the spread of traffic camera systems in the state.

“The more that this happens, and I know that they’re needed in some places and not unwilling to embrace that, but we’re losing touch points to see other criminal activity that’s associated with speeding violations, like driving under intoxication, human trafficking,” she said.

Cloud filed Senate Bill 360, but also deferred it to the meeting. It’s followed a similar path as Seabaugh’s bill and Connick indicated it’s also likely dead. It would prohibit traffic camera systems from issuing tickets through license plates, a system New Orleans currently uses.

“The vehicle isn’t the one that’s speeding. It’s the person that’s behind the wheel,” she said.

That logic might see more success in Rep. Daryl Deshotel (R-Marksville)’s House Bill 652.

It requires traffic camera systems to get footage of the driver to issue tickets. It also prohibits local governments from issuing or collecting on tickets if an image of the driver is not obtained.

“A lot times, you have families that may share vehicles. You have neighbors that borrow vehicles. You have all sorts of situations where people are in vehicles that they do not own,” he said in an April committee meeting.

The bill creates guardrails for administrative challenges, creates time limits for camera use and creates requirements for how any revenue generated by the cameras can be spent.

The bill has passed out of the house and is working through the senate.

Sen. Stewart Cathey (R-Monroe) filed a bill with similar guardrails which is moving through the house.

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Louisiana

Army Black Knights, Louisiana Tech Offensive Stars To Watch in Independence Bowl

Published

1 hour ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Army Black Knights, Louisiana Tech Offensive Stars To Watch in Independence Bowl

The Independence Bowl will be a game of offensive contrasts as the Army West Point Black Knights face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday at Independence Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. eastern on ESPN.

Army (11-2) enters the game using its run-based attack based on option, deception and power football. If the Black Knights don’t have 34 or 35 minutes of time of possession by game’s end, then they haven’t done their job. Army can create big plays, but the Black Knights would rather grind its opponents down to submission.

Louisiana Tech (5-7) runs a pass-based, Air Raid offense that coach Sonny Cumbie learned from one of his coaches and mentors, the legendary Mike Leach. The former Texas Tech quarterback doesn’t have the talent he needs to make it as effective as the Red Raiders’ glory days offensively. But, he’s found a quarterback that could help get him there in the coming years — if the Bulldogs can hang onto him.

This is the transfer portal era after all.

Here are three offensive players to watch for each team going into Saturday’s contest.

QB Bryson Daily

Daily was the American Athletic Conference offensive player of the year and was sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. He is the focal point of this offense. He’s rushed for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns (tied for most in FBS) and has thrown for another 942 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. If LA Tech wants to win, it has to slow him down. Look at the Navy tape for a template.

RB Noah Short

With Kanye Udoh’s transfer to Arizona State, the bulk of the complementary backfield work may fall to short, who was the Black Knights’ third-leading rusher this season. He rushed for 542 yards and two touchdowns but gained more yards per carry (7.7) than Udoh (6.2).

This is Daily’s swan song so he’ll get plenty of work. But Short needs to be a solid complement. He’s also one of Army’s top passing targets with 17 catches for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

WR Casey Reynolds

Reynolds leads the Black Knights with 19 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns. When Daily looks for a big play down the field, count on Reynolds to be the receiver he’s looking for. It’s been that way all season.

QB Evan Bullock

He finally emerged with the starting job in late September and the freshman ended up with 1,938 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions as he completed 67% of his passes. That’s a solid start in an offense that requires quick passing and high accuracy. Bullock has both, but he’s also been sacked 31 times.

RB Omiri Wiggins

The running game can be afterthought in an Air Raid offense. But Wiggins is coming off a huge game in LA Tech’s finale, as he rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns and three interceptions against Kennesaw State. That was more than a quarter of his output this season (487 yards, four touchdowns).

WR Tru Edwards

The senior is from Shreveport, La., so this is like coming home. And he’s had a huge year for the Bulldogs. Edwards is their leading receiver by a significant margin, with 77 receptions for 897 yards and six touchdowns. He’s caught 25 passes in his last three games but hasn’t found the end zone.

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Louisiana

Letters: State should invest in training mental health providers

Published

11 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Letters: State should invest in training mental health providers

Most of Louisiana is classified as a mental health professional shortage area, leaving countless families — especially children —without access to critical mental health services. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, over half of children in Louisiana who experience mental health challenges do not receive the care they need. This is a staggering number given that this study estimates that 30.3% of children ages 3-17 have at least one emotional, developmental or behavioral health disorder. This unmet need has far-reaching consequences, affecting school performance, family stability and community safety.

Addressing this gap starts with investing in higher education programs that train the mental health professionals our state desperately needs. Universities such as the University of Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of New Orleans, University of Holy Cross, Tulane University, Nicholls State University, LSU and others play a vital role in preparing skilled counselors, psychologists and social workers.

However, the current capacity of mental health training programs is not sufficient to meet the growing demand. We are facing another potential budget shortfall in Louisiana that could impact higher education. Without adequate funding and resources, these programs may struggle to equip students with the expertise and experience required to enter the workforce.

Investing in these programs is not just about addressing today’s challenges — it is about safeguarding the future of Louisiana. By increasing the number of trained mental health professionals, we can improve outcomes for children and families, reduce the strain on emergency services and foster healthier, more resilient communities.

It is time to prioritize the mental health of our state by supporting higher education programs that make a difference. Together, we can build a brighter, healthier future.

MATTHEW THORNTON

chief executive officer, Center for Children and Families, Inc.

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Louisiana

Stabbing death reported at Louisiana prison

Published

18 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Stabbing death reported at Louisiana prison

(KTAL/KMSS) – A dispute that resulted in an inmate’s death is under investigation at a Louisiana state prison, according to the Department of Corrections.

DOC Director of Communications Ken Pastorick said the incident happened at Southern Correctional Center in Tallulah, Louisiana, and caused the death of Teldric Boyd, 31.

A new release said that around 3:25 a.m. on Monday, Boyd was allegedly stabbed in the neck with a shank by fellow inmate Austin Dean, 33. Correctional center staff is said to have immediately responded and rendered first aid, and then Boyd was brought to a local hospital, where he died at 5 a.m.

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Madison Parish Sheriff’s detectives booked Dean, who they say admitted to stabbing Boyd after an argument the two men had Sunday night.

Boyd was serving a 14-year sentence for various convictions, including racketeering, aggravated battery, two counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, and drug offenses in Rapides Parish.

Dean was serving a 25-year sentence for manslaughter in Rapides Parish and a five-year sentence for aggravated assault on a peace officer; those sentences are to run consecutively.

The investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.

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