Louisiana
Proposed Louisiana bill could eliminate parole for offenders in the future
BATON ROUGE – Some Louisiana legislators are pushing to remove parole for prisoners convicted after Aug. 1. Opponents say it will force people to stay in jail longer and cost tax payers more.
“Louisiana is the capital of incarceration in this nation, and parole helps us to reduce that prison population,” said Donna Hamilton with the Capital Area Reentry Coalition. She does not support the bill.
State Rep. Debbie Vilio (R) from Jefferson Parish says by making prisoners stay their full sentences, it will lower recidivism.
“When I was a prosecutor and I stood before a jury, and I asked a jury to convict somebody for a life sentence, I told them, ‘life means life in Louisiana,’” Rep. Vilio said.
The bill applies to those offenders convicted after Aug. 1. Despite passing in the House 70 to 33, there’s push back from the conservative organization Right on Crime. Organization director Scott Peyton says tax payers could end up paying more, although an exact number is unclear.
“Whatever the price tag is, we’re going to have to pay it to keep our community safe, but as a conservative, we also have to look at is this going to work,” Peyton said.
Sixteen states in the county have similar legislation dealing with parole, but Peyton says only two of those states are actually ranked for their safety.
Donna Hamilton has worked with people who have gotten out of prison on parole. She says her organization helps formerly incarcerated people have direction.
“They are positive forces out there to do good in the community,” Hamilton said.
Advocates against the special session on crime say the bills proposed are too reactive and don’t actually prevent crime. Rep. Vilio says she’s willing to meet in the middle to discuss crime prevention and community services.
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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