Louisiana

Louisiana AG, Caddo DA discuss state’s resumption of executions

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2025

Louisiana AG, Caddo DA discuss state’s resumption of executions

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — After 15 years, Louisiana has resumed executions and joined three other states in a controversial new method.

“Louisiana has decided that when you take a life in certain aggravated circumstances, you should give your life up; and that’s what we’re operating on,” Caddo District Attorney James E. Stewart Sr. said.

There have been countless attempts by anti-death penalty groups to prevent states from being able to obtain the drugs that were used to carry out the death penalty.

Nitrogen gas executions are now approved in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

“States who intend to carry out the law of the state are looking for alternative methods to carry out the penalty.” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said.

Three execution methods currently approved in Louisiana are lethal injection, electrocution and nitrogen hypoxia.

“The nitrogen hypoxia has been successfully used in Alabama, and I think it will be successfully used here,” Murrill said.

There are 63 people on death row in Louisiana, including 13 from Caddo Parish.

“You know, I believe as in Caddo, the cases we have we are at a good place with moving forward with these cases,” Stewart said.

“Our prior governor was opposed to the death penalty, and he made sure that during his term he never carried out the penalty,” Murrill said. “I think that’s a miscarriage of justice.”

Stewart said, “The question is what value do you place on life?”

According to the Supreme Court, Louisiana has the highest wrongful conviction rate in the country. So what safeguards are in place for those convicted to prevent wrongful death?

“These are cases that have been through multiple levels of reviews through the court of appeal,” Murrill said. “I’m confident in these convictions, and these are some of the most heinous crimes that can be committed by one human being against another.”

“We have conversations with victims’ families before we ever determine whether or not we’re going to seek the death penalty,” Stewart explained. “We have a good understanding of how they feel and what they want us to do.”

Could resuming executions after 15 years help deter crime?

“I don’t know that it is. I really don’t believe that the people who commit these types of crimes think about the consequences of the crime; they just do the crime.” Stewart said.

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Louisiana

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

Published

1 hour ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

(KMDL-FM) You might not have realized it, but you’re on a roller coaster. No, not the kind of roller coaster you look forward to riding, but the kind of roller coaster only Mother Nature can devise in the form of Louisiana’s annual up and down weather conditions, also known as spring.

READ MORE: Louisiana Parishes That Have the Most Tornadoes

Much of Louisiana was affected by strong storms with heavy rains and gusty winds during the day on Saturday and extending into Sunday morning. By later afternoon yesterday, conditions had improved, and it looked as though the work and school week would be off to a much calmer start.

Heavy Rain Possible in Louisiana To Start the Work Week

The start of the work and school day will be much calmer; however, the ride home on this first day of “extra sunlight” thanks to Daylight Saving Time will include a decent chance of showers and storms. Oh, and there are already reports of thick fog.

So, after a foggy start this morning, you could be picking up kids from school or driving yourself home from work in a torrential downpour. And you’ll get to do all of this while you’re mentally addled from the twice-a-year time change.

Rain chances are listed at 50% for this afternoon, but they do taper off quickly after the sun goes down. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a slight risk of an excessive rain event for portions of Louisiana later today. The area of concern is generally along and well north of US 190.

When Is The Next Threat of Severe Storms in Louisiana?

Tuesday should be a cloudy but breezy and warm day. Then on Wednesday, the rain chances and the next threat of severe storms will move into Louisiana.

weather.gov/lch

The Storm Prediction Center outlook for Wednesday’s severe weather potential suggests that the northern and central sections of the state might be more at risk for stronger storms than the I-10 corridor might be.

READ MORE: Who Is Appearing at Patty in the Parc in Lafayette?

We will know more about that potential later this morning when the SPC updates its forecast. The outlook for the remainder of the week, including the Patty in the Parc Weekend event in Downtown Lafayette, looks to be spectacular.

Patty in the Parc Entertainment 2011-2025

Gallery Credit: Dave Steel

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Louisiana

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

Published

13 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

RICHLAND — Tech companies could receive significant tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground in the state.

According to a report by The Advocate, Meta officials told state officials in 2024 that they would need significant tax breaks while negotiating the $27 billion data center project currently being built in North Louisiana.

Based on projections of Louisiana’s tax exemptions and the expected expenditures of the companies, state and local governments could potentially give billions in tax breaks to the tech giants.

Several states, including Louisiana, have seen backlash to data centers as residents worry about potential rising electric costs and strain on water systems.

Virginia is currently debating whether or not to repeal tax exemptions for the tech companies, as it has cost state and local governments in Virginia $1.9 billion in 2024 alone.

The tax break exempts data centers from state and local taxes for multiple things data centers require, including servers, chillers, electric infrastructure and construction costs.

The scale of the data center projects, which include tens of billions in spending, coupled with Louisiana’s sales tax of 10%, means tax breaks could be worth huge amounts.

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Louisiana

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

Gov. Jeff Landry speaks at an event Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, La., held to announce that Amazon plans to build data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. He is joined by Roger Wehner, left, vice president of Economic Development for Amazon, and Matt Vanderzanden, CEO of STACK Infrastructure.

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