Louisiana
Louisiana Senate committee advances Jim Crow Jury conviction bill
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Henrietta Wildsmith, Shreveport Times
A Louisiana bill could provide a new remedy to people incarcerated under Jim Crow Juries.
Three Democrats and two Republicans voted Tuesday in favor to advance Sen. Royce Duplessis’ bill (SB218) during a Louisiana State Senate committee meeting. This bill will provide a new remedy to people incarcerated under nonunanimous jury verdicts.
“Today, this Senate committee accepted their responsibility to right this wrong and move our state toward long-awaited justice for those convicted by Jim Crow juries,” said Hardell Ward, Promise of Justice Initiative’s director of Community Impact and former lead attorney for the Non-Unanimous Jury project at PJI.
PJI and other advocates have been working with families and loved ones of people incarcerated with nonunanimous jury convictions as well as individuals who were exonerated following such convictions since 2018.
In 2019, PJI took the case Ramos v. Louisiana to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled that nonunanimous jury verdicts violate the Sixth Amendment. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court subsequently refused to apply the Ramos decision for past convictions, initially denying about 1,500 people legal relief.
Duplessis’ bill will add a nonunanimous jury verdict to an existing list of grounds upon which an incarcerated person can file for post-conviction relief to receive the opportunity for a new trial.
SB218 will now move forward to full Senate consideration following its 5-1 vote in committee meeting.
“Louisiana lawmakers now have an opportunity to finally address this history and to recognize the right of every Louisianan to a fair process in the criminal legal system,” Samantha Kennedy, PJI executive director, said.
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter for The Shreveport Times. You can contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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