The Louisiana Pardon Board denied clemency requests from five death row inmates Friday. The inmates were seeking to have their death sentence changed to life in prison. The cases were fast-tracked by Governor Edwards before he leaves office and there’s been a push for clemency hearings for all 56 death row inmates. Among the reviews denied Friday was from the state’s only female death row inmate and former New Orleans Police Officer Antoinette Frank.
Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s attempt to be the next U-S House Speaker is over. Scalise did not have enough votes. In a press conference, Scalise says he will continue as the majority leader but there’s still work to be done.
Scalise could only afford to lose four votes from Republicans and there were at least 17 GOP lawmakers against him, despite receiving the House Republican nomination on Wednesday.
Political analysts are expecting Saturday’s election to result in a run-off in the governor’s race between Republican Jeff Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there are five other main candidates in the race, but none of them including Republican Stephen Waguespack caught fire and swayed votes in their direction….
Cut 13 (07) “…twelve percent.”
A rare annular eclipse will take place on Saturday and will be partially visible in Louisiana. LSU Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Natalie Hinkel says to never look directly at an eclipse. If you don’t have solar glasses, which are different from regular sunglasses, or time to make a pinhole camera Hinkel says grab a colander from the kitchen. The small holes will act as a lens…