A group ommissioned by Governor 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…:
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The proposals will be debated by lawmakers in the upcoming regular session.

Catholics who abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent get a pass on St. Patrick’s Day, sort of. Father Frank Coens of St. Paschal Catholic Church in West Monroe says the St. Paty’s Day exception dates back to an old Irish tradition..:
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He recommends that if Catholics do eat meat tomorrow, make a point to make some type of other Lenten personal sacrifice.

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 is Doctor Katara Williams …:
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Usage rates were up in each region of the state, except for the Alexandria and Monroe areas.

A Walker police sergeant has been suspended for three days without pay after hanging a noose in the department’s squad room. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp said it was a piece of twine that had a cookie tied to it. He says there’s a law on the books that prohibits the display of a noose in public to intimidate a person or persons…:
Cut 5 (12) “squad room”