The Governor’s Justice Reinvestment Task Force releases their proposals to lower the state’s incarceration rate. The recommendations seek to focus prison beds on those who pose a serious threat to public safety, but Governor Edwards acknowledges there are some people who need to be in jail for a long time.

Cut 11 (09) “smart on crime”

The proposals will go into legislation to be considered in the upcoming regular session.

A Walker Police sergeant has been suspended after hanging a noose with a cookie on it in the squad room. Capt. John Sharp says the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office will likely lead the investigation and decide if charges should be filed.

Cut 4 (11) “drag out”

The unnamed sergeant was suspended for three days without pay.

Federal charges have been filed against an illegal immigrant who is accused of fatally shooting a Baton Rouge teen on his birthday. 49-year-old Octavio Posados was picked up in Lake Charles after allegedly shooting 16-year-old Darius Plummer in his home. The federal complaint is reportedly for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and illegal reentry into the country by a removed person, Posados is also facing a murder charge in Easton Baton Rouge Parish.

St. Patrick’s Day is an exception to the rule that says Catholics can’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. Fr. Frank Coens says the exception comes from the Irish tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. He says you need a good reason to break the penance of abstaining from meat.

Cut 14 (10) “good enough reason”

He says the exception doesn’t just apply to Irish Catholics.