The Department of Corrections has activated a database that enrolls prisoners in Medicaid on the day they are released from 7 state owned facilities. DOC Medical Director Dr. Raman Singh says this new program gives former offenders access to primary care physicians, instead of emergency rooms…:
Cut 5 (11) “cost efficient care”
He says this is good for taxpayers because proper care could reduce the recidivism rate.

A 15-year-old on his way to school this morning in Denham Springs died after he was hit by a truck, according to police. They believe the student was crossing the road when headed to Denham Springs Freshman High, and was struck.

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a man in the shooting death of his son. They say the suspect, 48-year-old Rico Wilbert, had been in an altercation with the victim, 23-year-old Tyrone Issac. Wilbert is booked with second degree murder.

A Baton Rouge man convicted of killing his 5-year-old son will spend the rest of his life behind bars. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore said 38-year-old Vernell Day’s defense argued during sentencing Wednesday that their client had another child that was never hurt. Moore that doesn’t fly…:
CUT 15 (08) “him on that”
Day was convicted of beating 5-year-old Jay’v’une Bergin to death in 2015.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to present a criminal justice reform plan to lawmakers that looks at reducing minimum sentences for some nonviolent offenses. He says the reforms will reduce state spending, incarcerate fewer people, and have a lower crime rate and less recidivism without jeopardizing public safety…:
Cut 9 (09) “a gamble”
Edwards says the state is looking at proven strategies that have worked to reduce the prison population in other southern conservative states.