Governor Landry’s special session on crime came to a close Thursday and The Legislature approved measures to expand methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, restrictions on parole and probation and permit-less conceal carry. Landry says he appreciates the legislators who passed these bills.

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But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard says the special session failed to address the root causes of crime. He says the lock them up and throw away the key approach does not work…

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Landry is expected to sign the bills early next week.

Big news for Jefferson Parish, Japanese Chemical Company UBE to construct the first US facility to manufacture key components for electrical vehicle car batteries there. Brooke Thorington has more.

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And in Rapids parish, a new Amazon distribution center will be constructed in the town of Boyce. President and CEO of Central Louisiana Jim Clinton says while many companies tend to set up distribution hubs along Interstates 10 and 20, they are beginning to see breakthroughs in the past year with Lowes and now Amazon for Central Louisiana. Clinton says site prep for the 65,000-square-foot facility located along Highway 1 off Rapides Station Road is already underway. Louisiana Central along with the Boyce Chamber of Commerce will share hiring information for Amazon on their website and social media pages when it becomes available.