Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. Edwards says the state is looking at other states’ proven strategies that have worked to reduce the number of inmates behind bars…:
Cut 7 (08) “offenses”
Edwards says Louisiana spends a whopping $600 million a year on the Department of Corrections.

Louisiana native Paul Rainwater is a finalist to become the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Last month 38-year-old Vernell Day, Jr. was found guilty of second degree murder for beating his son Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2014. District Attorney Hillar Moore says with that conviction, there was only one way the sentencing could go.:
Cut 13 (10) “life imprisonment”
Police say Jay’v’une was taken to the hospital in August of 2014 after suffering multiple blows, and the child died two days later.

FEMA has denied federal aid for several parishes impacted by tornadoes in February. Governor John Bel Edwards’ request was approved for Livingston and Orleans, but FEMA will not provide assistance to Ascension, St. James and St. Tammany parishes. The governor intends to appeal this decision.