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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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





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Louisiana

Duck hunters hope cold fronts will save first split

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2 hours ago

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November 16, 2024

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Duck hunters hope cold fronts will save first split


Last week’s midweek cold front, and another even colder front predicted this week, could save Louisiana’s first split of the 60-day duck season.

With the West Zone — it covers our state’s entire coast — entering its second full week and East Zone’s wild waterfowlers getting their first shots this weekend, two cold fronts are a blessing.

A double stroke of good luck is both fronts brought and are predicted to bring much-needed rain, maybe too much in some places, but water to quench what was left of that October drought.

From the first West Zone reports, it appears only a handful of isolated spots held enough migrating birds to give hunters enough opportunity after that Nov. 9 opening day.

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The first day’s take was good enough for most coastal hunters, but the second and third days left them wanting. Only a few, and somewhat small, locations in Grand Chenier and Little Chenier in the southwestern parishes and spots on the eastern side of the Mississippi River south of Buras held enough bluewing teal, pintails and gray ducks for hunters after opening day.

The southwestern marshes had to wait for rice-field hunters to chase birds their way, which meant seeing a few birds near sunrise and more birds later in the morning for those willing to wait out the lull in the action.

The take more than verified Wildlife and Fisheries’ Waterfowl Study Group survey, an aerial counting that showed Louisiana was holding a record low number of ducks for a November survey — ever!

The 510,000 ducks spread among 11 species is, according to study leader Jason Olszak, “12.7% lower than last November’s record low of 584,000 and is 37% lower than the most recent five-year average (809,000), and 58% lower than the most recent 10-year average (1.2 million).”

The survey showed increases only in bluewing teal and pintail from 12 months ago, but did not show a count of 107,000 black-bellied whistling ducks, a species that’s increased its numbers dramatically during the past four years in our state.

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All it not lost. Midwest states like Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri have temperatures dipping below freezing for the first time this year, and that’s usually enough to chase south the last remaining teal, grays, pintail, shovelers and ringneck ducks to increase the number of birds pushing south into Louisiana.

One surprising number in November’s survey was the number of ducks in the Little River Basin, a place identified as Catahoula Lake in past years. The 119,000 ducks seen in the basin is big uptick from past years and gives East Zone hunters a leg up on what usually is a sparse first split.

A reminder: The East Zone’s first split runs through Dec. 1. West Zone hunters have a Dec. 8 first-split final day.

Red snapper

Charterboat operations with federal for-hire permits will get another chance to take red snapper this year.

Federal fisheries folks announced charters in all five Gulf States will open a second season Monday and remain open through Dec. 31.

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That’s because during the federal charters’ special 88-day season (it closed Aug. 28) the feds estimated landings to be 2,193,710 pounds in an annual allotment of 3,076,322 pounds whole weight. That leaves 882,612 pounds on the table, enough federal fisheries managers say can extend a season through the end of the year.

Private recreational anglers and charterboats under state permits continue to have a closed or limited seasons under each of the five state’s allowed red snapper frameworks.

Louisiana private and state-chartered fishermen continue to have a closed season on the take of red snapper.

Closures

Recent heavy rains forced Wildlife and Fisheries to close the deer season in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, and the closure of Blount Road on the Richard Yancey WMA.

Both are popular deer and small-game hunting areas. Maurepas Swamp (112,615 acres) is between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and takes in parts of Ascension, Livingston, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes.

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Richard Yancey is located 35 miles south of Ferriday. The agency said Blount Road, a major access route, will have to be inspected and repaired before it can be reopened to hunters.



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Court narrows ruling barring display of Ten Commandments in Louisiana schools

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9 hours ago

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November 16, 2024

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Court narrows ruling barring display of Ten Commandments in Louisiana schools


A federal appeals court in New Orleans on Friday temporarily limited the scope of a ruling that Louisiana’s law requiring public schools to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms next year is unconstitutional.

US district judge John deGravelles’ ruling that the law is unconstitutional remains in effect under the order from the fifth US circuit court of appeals. However, the appellate court temporarily blocked a part of the ruling that requires state education officials to notify public schools statewide that the law has been struck down.

State attorneys said in an emergency stay motion filed on Wednesday that deGravelles’ finding that the commandments posting requirement is unconstitutional only affects five local school systems that are defendants in the case. They said deGravelles overstepped his authority when he ordered that schools in all 72 districts tbe notified of his finding. They asked that the notification requirement be paused immediately while they appeal all of deGravelles’ order. That broader appeal was filed later on Friday night.

Friday’s fifth circuit order was a temporary “administrative stay” granted in response to the state’s emergency request. The order may be altered or lifted as the appeal progresses. Judges Jerry Smith, nominated to the court by Ronald Reagan, and Kurt Engelhardt, nominated by Donald Trump, voted to grant the stay in a one-sentence order. A footnote said Judge James Graves, nominated by Barack Obama, would have denied the stay.

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Louisiana’s attorney general, Liz Murrill, celebrated the ruling in a Friday evening social media post.

“I look forward to immediately working with all of our school boards who are not involved in this lawsuit to implement the law soon,” she wrote.

The law specifies a version of the Ten Commandments must be posted in all Louisiana classrooms at public K-12 schools and universities by 1 January. It was passed by the Republican-dominated state legislature this year and signed by the Republican governor, Jeff Landry, in June.

DeGravelles ruled on Tuesday that the law was “overtly religious” and “unconstitutional on its face”. He said state superintendent of education, Cade Brumley, and the state education board – both of them defendants in the lawsuit – can take no steps to implement the law. And he told them to notify all school boards that it has been found unconstitutional.

Murrill, a Republican ally of Landry, said the state disagrees with the entire ruling. However, she said the notification requirement created an immediate problem because it will confuse school systems where, the state contends, the law remains in effect.

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How to Watch Louisiana vs. South Alabama: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 16, 2024

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17 hours ago

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November 16, 2024

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How to Watch Louisiana vs. South Alabama: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 16, 2024


Data Skrive

Star player Terrance Carter and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (8-1) face the South Alabama Jaguars (4-5) on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, at Cajun Field.

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You’ll want to check out ESPN+ for the upcoming matchup featuring the Ragin’ Cajuns and Jaguars.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Ace Bailey drops 17 points and 6 rebounds in his Rutgers debut | FOX Hoops Player Highlight

Check out star freshman Ace Bailey’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights debut in which he dropped 17 points and 6 rebounds in a win against the Monmouth Hawks.

Learn more about the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the South Alabama Jaguars.

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How to Watch Louisiana vs. South Alabama

  • When: Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana
  • Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Read More About This Game

  • Louisiana vs. South Alabama Predictions

Louisiana vs. South Alabama: Head to Head

  • Over the past two matchups against South Alabama, Louisiana has collected one win and zero ties.
  • The Ragin’ Cajuns have covered two times in those games while not outscoring the point total once.
  • South Alabama has put up 10 fewer points than Louisiana in their past two games.

Louisiana’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 vs. Grambling State W 40-10
9/7/2024 at Kennesaw State W 34-10
9/21/2024 vs. Tulane L 41-33
9/28/2024 at Wake Forest W 41-38
10/5/2024 at Southern Miss W 23-13
10/12/2024 vs. Appalachian State W 34-24
10/19/2024 at Coastal Carolina W 34-24
10/29/2024 at Texas State W 23-17
11/9/2024 vs. Arkansas State W 55-19
11/16/2024 vs. South Alabama –
11/23/2024 vs. Troy –
11/30/2024 at Louisiana-Monroe –

Louisiana 2024 Stats & Insights

  • On the offensive side of the ball, Louisiana has been a top-25 unit, ranking 11th-best in the FBS by compiling 457.1 yards per game. The defense ranks 40th (335.4 yards allowed per game).
  • Louisiana ranks 32nd in passing yards this year (266.8 per game), but has been shining on the other side of the ball, ranking 17th-best in the FBS with 173 passing yards allowed per game.
  • The Ragin’ Cajuns own the 38th-ranked defense this season (21.8 points allowed per game), and they’ve been better offensively, ranking 24th-best with 35.2 points per game.
  • The Ragin’ Cajuns rank 33rd in run offense (190.3 rushing yards per game) and 89th in run defense (162.4 rushing yards allowed per game) this season.
  • Louisiana owns the eighth-best offense this season in terms of third-down efficiency (50% third-down conversion rate), but ranks 14th-worst on the defensive side of the ball (45.9% third-down percentage).
  • The Ragin’ Cajuns have the 17th-best turnover margin in college football at +8, forcing 12 turnovers (69th in the FBS) while turning it over four times (second in the FBS).

Louisiana 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Ben Wooldridge QB 2,301 YDS (68.5%) / 17 TD / 4 INT
190 RUSH YDS / 5 RUSH TD / 21.1 RUSH YPG
Elijah Davis RB 585 YDS / 5 TD / 65 YPG / 6 YPC
9 REC / 86 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 10.8 REC YPG
Terrance Carter TE 35 REC / 558 YDS / 4 TD / 62 YPG
Lance LeGendre WR 27 REC / 515 YDS / 4 TD / 57.2 YPG
K.C. Ossai LB 76 TKL / 2 TFL / 0.5 SACK
Tyrone Lewis DB 42 TKL / 0 TFL / 0.5 SACK / 4 INT
Tyree Skipper DB 35 TKL / 0 TFL / 4 INT / 4 PD
Carmycah Glass LB 51 TKL / 3 TFL / 0.5 SACK

South Alabama’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 vs. North Texas L 52-38
9/7/2024 at Ohio L 27-20
9/12/2024 vs. Northwestern State W 87-10
9/19/2024 at Appalachian State W 48-14
9/28/2024 at LSU L 42-10
10/5/2024 at Arkansas State L 18-16
10/15/2024 vs. Troy W 25-9
10/26/2024 vs. Louisiana-Monroe W 46-17
11/2/2024 vs. Georgia Southern L 34-30
11/16/2024 at Louisiana –
11/23/2024 at Southern Miss –
11/29/2024 vs. Texas State –

South Alabama 2024 Stats & Insights

  • South Alabama’s offense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks 14th-best in the FBS with 455.2 total yards per contest. In terms of defense, it is ceding 394.4 total yards per game, which ranks 98th.
  • South Alabama ranks 51st in passing yards per game (242.8), but it has been worse on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 12th-worst in the FBS with 264.2 passing yards allowed per contest.
  • The Jaguars’ defense ranks 69th in the FBS with 24.8 points given up per game, but they’ve been lifted up by their offense, which ranks 20th-best by generating 35.6 points per game.
  • The Jaguars’ rushing attack has been paving the way for the team, as they rank 17th-best in the FBS with 212.4 rushing yards per game. In terms of defense, they are ceding 130.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks 47th.
  • South Alabama ranks 54th in the FBS with a 42.1% third-down conversion rate on offense, and 58th with a 37.4% third-down percentage allowed on defense.
  • The Jaguars have excelled in terms of turnovers, as their turnover margin of +8 ranks 17th-best in the FBS, with 14 forced turnovers (48th in the nation) and six turnovers committed (fifth in the nation).

South Alabama 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Gio Lopez QB 1,891 YDS (65.4%) / 14 TD / 2 INT
393 RUSH YDS / 4 RUSH TD / 43.7 RUSH YPG
Da’Marion Bothwell RB 609 YDS / 10 TD / 67.7 YPG / 6.8 YPC
12 REC / 83 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 11.9 REC YPG
Jamaal Pritchett WR 62 REC / 770 YDS / 7 TD / 85.6 YPG
Kentrel Bullock RB 606 YDS / 5 TD / 67.3 YPG / 5.9 YPC
12 REC / 116 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 12.9 REC YPG
Blayne Myrick LB 66 TKL / 4 TFL / 1 SACK
Jaden Voisin DB 41 TKL / 1 TFL / 3 INT / 3 PD
Jordan Scruggs DB 47 TKL / 3 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Courtney McBride LB 27 TKL / 5 TFL / 4 SACK

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

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