Some much-needed rainfall fell across parts of the state over the weekend, but state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state continues to battle more than 100 fires a day. The largest wildfire is in Beauregard Parish, and Sheriff Mark Herford says the Tiger Island Wildfire will likely burn until they get some good, long rain, which is not in the forecast anytime soon.
An appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal who was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for a 1998 Metairie shooting. Executive Director of the Capital Appeals Project Cecelia Kappel says Neal’s attorney failed to use physical evidence that connected his co-defendants to the crime scene.
If the state does not seek a rehearing of the case, Neal will return to Jefferson Parish and face a new trial.
A bomb threat that was emailed to schools in Livingston and Ascension Parishes and Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet, has prompted delays and even cancellations. Bomb squads and increased law enforcement presence have been reported at the affected schools.
The housing market has cooled but Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a home is affordable homeowners’ insurance. He says less destruction by hurricanes and tighter regulations may help stabilize the market and bring in new insurers.
Cut 15 (12) “….and regulations.”
The average cost of homeowner’s insurance in New Orleans is $5,500. In Shreveport, the average cost is $2,800, and in Lafayette just under $3,000.