The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says it’s not just New Orleans that’s going to suffer as a result.
A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent.
A Sorrento man died Saturday night on the Amite river after the boat he was riding in slammed into a river wall. The boat was driven by Patrick White 53 of Sorrento his son Caleb slammed into the bulkhead during the wreck. Louisiana Wildlife and fisheries agents were close by and assisted. Adam Einck is a spokesperson with wildlife and fisheries.
A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says criminal justice reformers are pushing this legislation, because the non-unanimous jury requirement leads to more defendants pleading guilty to crimes they may have not committed