Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state. Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says the goal of his House resolution isn’t aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.
Cut 13 (10) “…of the billboards.”
But Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has a bill that would seek to reduce the number of trial attorney billboards, especially the ones that appear to go after the trucking industry.

The ACLU of Louisiana has released a blueprint on how to cut the state’s prison population by 50 percent. One recommendation is to change the multiple offender statute that substantially ramps up penalties for offenders who’ve committed the same crime previously. Executive director Alanah Odoms Hebert says it’s better to fix the cause of the crimes…
Cut 10 (09) “…of poverty”
Hebert says the ACLU also recommends ending mandatory life prison without possibility of parole.

Construction is underway on a innovative biomedical research complex in Shreveport. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the 14-million dollar Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy expansion will deliver next-generation diagnostic, treatment and research techinques through advanced radiopharmaceuticals. He says the new medical equipment will enable C-M-I-T physicians and scientists to diagnose, treat and mange chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s…
cut 5 (10) “…in northwest Louisiana”
The capital investment will result in 25 new jobs for northwest Louisiana.