New FBI Crime stats show the state’s murder rate is down eight percent while the overall violent crime rate declined at the national average of three percent. LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist Peter Sharf credits reinvestment from the criminal justice reform, new crime prevention programs in New Orleans, and statewide adoption of 21st-century police training programs.
Despite the improvements, Louisiana’s murder rate remained the highest in the nation.
Ruston’s recovery from last April’s deadly EF-3 tornado has stalled due to the wait for FEMA assistance reimbursement. Mayor Ronny Walker says debris was removed and power restored in the days after the twister, but recovery efforts have slowed.
Cut 6 (13) “…it goes through.”
A Monroe dog trainer was arrested after allegedly faking the death of one of his client’s 25,000 dollar duck hunting dogs so that he could sell the pup to a dog club. Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw says about a week ago 44-year-old Lester Langley called his clients and told them the dog had died, and he had buried it, but he refused to provide the body or allow the clients to see the grave. Mashaw says when deputies arrived to investigate the matter, Langley couldn’t produce a body…
Mashaw says they’re now searching nationwide to try to find the prized canine.