Louisiana

Proposed Louisiana bill would eliminate parole opportunity for most convicted in the future

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2024

Proposed Louisiana bill would eliminate parole opportunity for most convicted in the future

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Lawmakers in Louisiana — a state that routinely has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country — are considering a bill that would eliminate the chance of parole for nearly all prisoners convicted after Aug. 1.

The legislation is one piece of the GOP-dominated Legislature’s conservative list of bills that are being discussed during a special session, in an effort to tamp down violent crime in the state. The tough-on-crime policies, which Democrats argue do not address the root of the issue, could overhaul parts of the Louisiana’s criminal justice system and public safety sector.

Among Republican priorities are toughening parole eligibility, in an effort to address recidivism rates and slow the “revolving door” of offenders who are released from jail only to return after committing another crime. The proposed sweeping legislative changes could determine how long certain incarcerated people remain in prison and when or if they would be allowed a second chance at freedom.

Among the proposals is a bill that would effectively eliminate parole for those convicted after Aug. 1, with few exceptions — including groups for whom it is constitutionally required, such as those who were sentenced to life terms as juveniles.

GOP state Rep. Debbie Villio, who authored the bill, said that under Louisiana’s current system, inmates are “released after serving a fraction” of their sentence — leaving victims and the public confused and “sorely disappointed.”

“For those of you who believe parole should be for a person 18 years or older who commits a heinous crime, there’s likely very little I can say that will make a difference. We simply disagree,” Villio said during a hearing Wednesday in a legislative committee, which advanced the bill. The proposal now heads to the House floor for debate.

Opponents argue that the legislation wouldn’t be effective in deterring crime, would cost the state millions as they continue to house inmates who could be paroled, and would create an atmosphere of “hopelessness,” with inmates having less incentive for good behavior and being involved in programs for success in the outside world.

Checo Yancy — who was incarcerated in the Louisiana State Penitentiary for 20 years and has since founded VOTE, which has led campaigns to expand voting rights for people on parole or probation — said the bill, coupled with other legislation being debated this session, would “lock people up and throw away the key.”

In addition, opponents say the margin for being let out early is already slim with a conservative Parole Board and many “hoops and hurdles” inmates must overcome to get a hearing.

Last year, 387 incarcerated people were granted parole, based on data in the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole’s annual report. Louisiana’s prison population last year was about 29,000, according to a report by the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

Other bills also could impact the possibility of inmates’ early release, including by reducing the amount a sentence can be lessened for good behavior and eliminating opportunities for post-conviction plea deals. Combined, the policies would ultimately require those incarcerated to serve the majority of their sentence in prison.

Spurred by violent crimes in urban areas and newly elected conservative Gov. Jeff Landry, who vowed to crack down on crime, lawmakers are considering a slew of tough-on-crime policies that could roll back reforms passed under the state’s former Democratic governor.

Among this session’s bills are proposals to expand methods to carry out death-row executions, harsher sentencing for certain crimes like carjacking, allowing the concealed carry of firearms without a permit, “qualified immunity” for law enforcement officers and mandating that 17-year-olds be tried as adults when charged with a felony.

While Democrats and Republicans have disagreed on their approaches to address crime in Louisiana — a state that in recent years has had one of the highest homicide rates in the country — they have agreed something must be done.

Lawmakers must conclude the special session no later than the evening of March 6.

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Louisiana

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

48 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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Louisiana

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

Published

13 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.

Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.

According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.

A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.

“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.

Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.

Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.

“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.

Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.

Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

6-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

3-6-7-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing

0-8-3-2-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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