A senate committee is expected today to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would require unanimous jury verdicts for felony cases. Kelley Ray has more….
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Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are rolling into Shreveport-Bossier, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21st. Matt Doyle reports.
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State Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chair. Jeff Palermo spoke with the Avoyelles Parish lawmaker on how the Caucus can bring a divided House back together…
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A Senate Committee hears a constitutional amendment today from New Orleans Democrat J-P Morrell that will require a jury’s verdict in a felony trial to be unanimous for conviction. Louisiana and Oregon are the only states that allows for ten out of twelve jurors to agree on a guilty verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nations’ highest court has heard numerous challenges to Louisiana’s “majority rule” standard…
Ciolino expects the Louisiana District Attorneys Association will argue against this proposed amendment, but….
Ciolino says its unclear why Louisiana only requires 10 out of 12 jurors for a guilty verdict. He says some say it was established to diminish the affect African-Americans would have on a jury, but there’s another theory as well…
Oregon is also looking at a possible amendment in 2018 or 2020 to abolish the “majority rule” standard.
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Today marks the start of spring in Louisiana. Our winter produced two snow events and a warmer than usual February. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the La Nina effect will dictate our weather the next few months, as it pushes all the rain and colder temperatures to the north…
A very rainy February left the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red rivers inundated. Keim says the record rainfall amounts will benefit many…
Keim says spring can bring severe weather in the form of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. He says the clashing of the seasons can be expected once again…
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Shreveport-Bossier will play host to both this year’s Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, with Miss USA confirmed for May 21st. It’ll be the first time both pageants have ever been held at the same location back to back, and Miss USA will air live on FOX at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Crawford says the city is perfect for Miss USA.
The competition will bring contestants from all 50 states and DC together in Shreveport, and draw in a national TV audience. Crawford says the crush of tourists will be a big boost to the region.
Bossier City mayor Lo Walker fondly remembers the first time the competition rolled into town, back in 1998.
Miss USA/Miss Teen USA will stay in the area for 11 days.
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Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chairman. The third-term legislator says his caucus has to look beyond short-term problems – including the massive budget deficit. Johnson says the key to a better Louisiana is a united House that’s separated by party lines…
Johnson says Governor Edwards push for tax revenues in order to keep some services in place, would only cost the average taxpayer around $40.00 annually. He says it’s a small price to pay…
Johnson says he believes constituents will see the hard work Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has done in trying to get a budget that is fair for everyone….
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New Saints linebacker Demario Davis is thrilled with the opportunity to play for a winning organization. The Mississippi native says playing close to home was also a huge factor in his decision to ink a deal with the Black and Gold. He told reporters on a conference call that he plans to be an aggressive player….
The 29-year-old played for the New York Jets last season and the former Arkansas State standout was very productive with 135 tackles and five sacks. According to Next Gen Stats, Davis had the fastest sack in the regular season during Week 7, when it took him 2.09 seconds to sack the quarterback….
Davis says he’s looking forward to winning a Super Bowl in New Orleans…