The U-S House is without a speaker. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida led a successful effort to oust Kevin McCarthy by getting a handful of Republicans to back him and every Democrat also voted for the removal. Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves calls it a bone-headed move…
Ohio Republican Jim Jordan has announced his bid to replace McCarthy.
Clemency hearings for death row inmates scheduled to begin next week will likely not happen after a settlement was reached between district attorneys and the Pardon Board. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore led the effort to stop the hearings.
Lawyers representing the inmates are planning to appeal the settlement.
33-year-old Morgan Freche, a former Tangipahoa Parish teacher, faces third-degree rape charges in connection with an alleged sexual relationship with a now 17-year-old student. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the more serious crime of Third-Degree Rape, carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years…
A police report alleges the student fathered Freche’s child.
The Environmental Defense Action Fund is running TV commercials in Louisiana urging gubernatorial candidates to make coastal restoration a priority if elected. Director of Federal Affairs Cathleen Berthelot says 80-percent of coastal projects are funded by BP oil spill settlement funds and that money will dry up over the next ten years…
cut 5 (07) “…the issue”