The Justice Reinvestment Task Force Commissioned by Governor John Bel Edwards has released its recommendations to reduce Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. Department of Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says they are presenting 26 ideas borrowed from other states that reflect compromise and innovation…:
Cut 10 (11) “other states”
Governor Edwards says while the recommendations are a good start, we’re a long way from mission accomplished…:
cut 12 (09) “legislative instruments”
The proposals from the task force will be put into bills that will be considered in the upcoming regular session.

A new record has been set in the Pelican State for seat belt usage. Based on a study from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, 88-percent of drivers and passengers are buckled up, which is up two-percent from the previous year. The commission’s executive director, Doctor Katara Williams says there was a seven-percent decline in drivers and passengers who use their seat belt in central Louisiana…:
Cut 8 (07) “that trend”

Catholics who are abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent get a pass on St. Patrick’s Day, sort of. Father Frank Coens of St. Paschal (Pascal) Catholic Church in West Monroe says giving up meat is a type of penance Catholics practice during Lent. He says the St. Patrick’s Day exception dates back to an old Irish tradition..:
Cut 13 (09) “Irish family”
He recommends that if Catholics do eat meat tomorrow, make a point to make some type of other Lenten personal sacrifice.