Louisiana

PHOTOS: LSU softball blanks Ragin’ Cajuns to advance to the regional final

Published

2 years ago

May 20, 2023

PHOTOS: LSU softball blanks Ragin’ Cajuns to advance to the regional final

The Tigers are 2-0 to start the Baton Rouge Regional after Saturday’s 4-0 shutout win over a Louisiana squad that’s one of the top mid-majors in the country.

Pitcher Sydney Berzon was electric in her postseason debut, tossing a complete game shutout. McKenzie Redoutey got the scoring started with a home run in the bottom of the second, while Ali Newland and Ciara Briggs also recorded RBI singles.

The Tigers will now await the winner of the elimination game between Louisiana and Omaha. The winner will have to beat LSU twice on Sunday, while just one victory for Beth Torina’s team would be enough to advance to a super regional, which would either be at Washington or at home at Tiger Park.

Here were the best photos from Saturday’s win.

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Louisiana

Council for a Better Louisiana praises approved tax reform package

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Council for a Better Louisiana praises approved tax reform package

You can add the Council for a Better Louisiana to the groups hailing the tax reform package. CABL President Barry Erwin said the lowering of personal and corporate income taxes and the elimination of the franchise tax will make Louisiana a better place to live and to do business.

“All these things kind of help improve our competitiveness and I think send a message that Louisiana is trying to do some things that we can where we can to improve the environment for businesses and for people.”

Erwin said he hopes that the new tax structure will encourage people to consider moving to Louisiana.

“We need to do some things that send messages about what we’re doing, how we’re trying to improve ourselves, how we’re trying to make life better in our state, and I think this is one thing that does it.”

Erwin, however, said it’s unfortunate that sales taxes, which are already among the highest in the nation, are increasing even further, with the state rate going up to five-percent as of January 1st.

“I think a lot of people feel more comfortable in some ways with a sales tax than an income tax, but I think we can’t lose track that the highest in the country is not a great place to be, and it hurts our poorest citizens the most.”

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Louisiana

License plate readers popping up at Mall of Louisiana

Published

10 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

License plate readers popping up at Mall of Louisiana

BATON ROUGE – Ahead of the holiday shopping season, new technology is being used at shopping centers across Baton Rouge to track and combat crime.

License plate readers have been popping up all around the city, along the interstate, and now at the Mall of Louisiana due to the Page-Rice public safety initiative. So far, more than 100 cameras and license plate readers have been installed.

Clay Young is with the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Foundation (LECJF), a group partnering with law enforcement to put up the license plate readers. He says the cameras can be pricey, ranging from $2,800 to $5,000 depending on the type of tech, and it’s up to law enforcement to decide where the cameras are most effective and monitor them.

“Hopefully, nothing happens. But if something does, we want to expedite justice as fast as possible,” Young said.

Earlier this year, law enforcement used license plate readers to track down the stolen car of a man who was murdered and dumped alongside a Tangipahoa Parish highway. TikTok personality Mr. Prada, whose legal name is Terryon Thomas, was identified as the person driving the car and he was arrested in the murder.

The cameras are also being used on the interstate to track shootings, where one has happened as recently as Sunday on Interstate 110.

“This time of the year, a lot of people are shopping, and kids are moving around,” Young said. “We just wanted to lend some assistance to law enforcement to make certain that they can keep eyes on everything.”

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Louisiana

Louisiana Christmas tree farm ready for holiday rush after drought recovery

Published

18 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Louisiana Christmas tree farm ready for holiday rush after drought recovery

ETHEL—A Christmas tree farm in Ethel is ready for the holiday rush and happy to keep Christmas traditions alive for families across the state.

Lisa Brabham and her husband Ricky Peairs own Windy Hills Farm and have been growing trees since the 1990s. Last year’s historic lack of rain spooked the couple.

“We had such a serious drought. Some of the trees we lost. They died and some had damaged limbs. We still had plenty to sell, but we were worried about the impact on this year,” Brabham said. “We’ve had calls this year saying, ‘Hey, do y’all have trees this year? Do you have a good selection?’ And I think we do.”

The couple waited anxiously to see if those young trees would come back. As they get ready for the Christmas season to begin, Brabham says she’s pleased with how the farm held up.

“We’ve had rain this year, so I would say the trees have recovered, so lots better than last year,” Brabham said.

Families can come to chop down their Christmas trees once again and carry on traditions.

“I remember going with the family to go get the tree. It’s a very good memory we have, and I think that’s what people are trying to do now is build memories and get traditions started,” Brabham said.

Windy Hills Farm will be open for business on Black Friday.

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