Three of the ten escaped inmates from the Orleans Justice Center have been recaptured as of Saturday Morning and multiple agencies are searching for the remaining fugitives that authorities warn are dangerous. The inmates escaped through a hole behind a toilet and Deputy Chief of Corrections Jay Mallett says based on the design of the toilets, the inmates had to have had accomplices from outside the jail facility.
Cut 14 (09) “…from the inside.”
The inmates escaped around 1:30 AM Friday and weren’t discovered missing until a routine headcount at 8:30 AM. Hours passed before the public was warned. Blame and finger pointing has begun from city and parish officials. Sheriff Susan Hudson says she has continuously raised concerns about infrastructure and blames defective locks. There were reportedly no deputies at the pod where the escapees were being held at the time of the escape – only a technician and a civilian to observe. Three employees have been placed on suspension.
As lawmakers consider a small handful of bills that would in effect increase the cost of healthcare, a new poll indicates that people believe the cost is already too high. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
“The Gardener of Alcatraz” and “Camp Scare” are among the books chosen for the Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards for the 2024-25 school year. State Librarian Meg Placke (“plack-ee”) says more than 24-thousand K-through-12 students read more than 82-thousand books. That marked a surge in participation, especially among 6th through 8th graders, with an 88-percent voting increase.