Mississippi’s governor has signed a bill that bans abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. A similar bill has been introduced by Shreveport Democrat Senator John Milkovich. He says the issue mentioned to him the most when he ran for office was how and when Louisiana would ban abortions. He says the bill is hopefully the first step…
Cut 6 (08) “quietly by”
A legal challenge has already been filed against Mississippi’s law.

Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is the new House Democratic Caucus Chairman. Johnson plans to take an active role in the upcoming budget negotiations…
Cut 13 (09) “years ago.”
Johnson replaces Minden Representative Gene Reynolds, who recently resigned.

A Senate panel 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 nation’s highest court has heard several challenges…
Cut 24 (10) “by jury.”
The committee meets at 1:00.

Shreveport-Bossier will host the 2018 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 Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Crawford….
Cut 10 (09) “Bossier region.”
This will be the third time the pageants have been held in Shreveport-Bossier.