All 12 jurors have reportedly been sworn in for the murder trial of Derrick Stafford, which begins Monday in Avoyelles Parish. Stafford is a former Marksville City Marshall accused of fatally shooting a 6-year-old autistic boy during a 2015 traffic stop. It’s been reported that both the prosecution and defense are challenging some of the jury selections, reportedly over race, which is expected to be a big issue in the case of a black cop allegedly shooting white child.

The state has set a new record for seat belt usage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Proposals to reduce the state’s incarceration rate have been released by the Justice Reinvestment Task Force. Governor John Bel Edwards says we’re a long way from mission accomplished, as the proposals will be taken up in the upcoming regular session.

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The recommendations seek to focus prison beds on those who are a real threat to public safety.

Catholics can eat meat this Friday because it’s St. Patrick’s Day. Fr. Frank Coens says that’s because of the old Irish tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage during the feast of St. Patrick. But he says if you’re going to eat meat, it’s good to find another way to do penance.

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He says the exception doesn’t just apply to Irish Catholics.