Concerns have been raised about whether the public’s safety is at risk as a result of Governor John Bel Edwards’ criminal justice reform measures approved a year ago. Ricky Babin, who is the D-A for the parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James, says a third of the inmates in his district released early have reoffended again. But state Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says if DAs are upset about potentially violent prisoners gettting out too early, then the justice system should focus on giving them proper sentences to start with…
cut 13 (11) “…is it political”

According to the Advocate, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry opposes the constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot that seeks to make it a unanimous jury decision in order to convict a suspect in a felony case. Current law, calls for at least 10 jurists on a 12-person panel to secure a conviction.

We are three months out from the November sixth election. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the 3rd district race is worth keeping an eye on. He’s confident Clay Higgins will get re-elected, but says if voters decide on someone else, it would be another Republican, Lafayette attorney Josh Guillory.
cut 5 (09) “…point to a Republican”
Alford says Republican state lawmaker Julie Stokes has the lead in funding for the Secretary of State’s race. But Alford wonders if Stokes’ votes for taxes in the recent special sessions will hurt her chances.
cut 6 (03) “…her base”
The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has endorsed former state legislator A.G. Crowe for Secretary of State.

Other major candidates for SOS, current interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, Republican state lawmaker Rick Edmonds and Democrat Renee Fontenot Free.

Louisiana Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says one year in, the criminal justice reforms put in place last year are showing great results. That’s in response to comments from Louisiana District Attorney’s Association President Ricky Babin who expressed concerns about dangerous criminals being let out. LeBlanc says the parole reforms have led to a noticeable drop in caseloads to under 135 per officer.
Cut 10 (10) “manageable”
Leblanc says probation and parole agents can focus more on the highest risk, highest need offenders, which will lead to better public safety and rehabilitation.

St. Martinville Police detectives are asking for the public’s help in trying to determine who killed a 17-year-old last night. Authorities says the male victim was shot multiple times and died from his injuries at a local hospital.

Senior tight end Foster Moreau will wear jersey number 18 this season. Kevin Barnhart has more on his reaction of joining the one-eight club…
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And it’s National Farmers Market Week and Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is urging consumers to visit a farmers market and roadside stand. Strain says it’s not just a great place to buy fresh food, it’s an event…
cut 9 (09) “….candles’
Strain says the state department of agriculture has a list of local farmers markets in your area on their website.

Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says 2017′s criminal justice reforms are starting to show great results, despite criticism from DA’s that the program is leading to dangerous criminals being released too soon.
Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

Investigation Discovery will air “Sugar Town” tonight at seven o’ clock. It’s a two hour documentary that examines the 2014 death of Victor White the Third, who was shot in the back of a police cruiser in New Iberia. The cororner and a State Police investigation determined White shot himself, but his family says that can’t be possible, because White was in handcuffs.

With the November 6th election three months away, the campaigns of those on the ballot are doing their best to find funding. LA-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s still early, but the six Congressmen running for re-election have seen solid collections….
Cut 4 (11) “…congressional district 1.”
That’s House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who faces five challengers. But Scalise has one-point-eight million dollars in cash on hand as of June 30th.

It’s National Farmers Market Week and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is encouraging residents to visit one of Louisiana’s 75 farmer markets and 100 roadside stands. Strain says you’ll find the freshest fruits, vegetables and other Louisiana grown products…
cut 8 (12) “…flat squash”
Strain says it most cases. crops get from the field to your family on the same day at a farmer’s market.

The November 6th election is three months away and the campaigns are doing their best to find funding. Kevin Barnhart talks with LA-Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford.
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s National Farmers Market Week. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it recognizes the vital role the 75 farmers markets and 100 roadside stands in Louisiana have on the state’s economy…
cut 7 (07) “…social event”

The President of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, Ricky Babin, says the criminal justice reforms approved over a year ago, has led to the release of five men who have been since rearrested and charged with murder. But the head of the state’s corrections department, Jimmy LeBlanc, says the reforms need time to get established…
cut 12 (11) “…gotta change”
Leblanc says the reforms saved 12-million dollars last fiscal year and 70-percent of those savings will be spent on programs to reduce recidivism.

Court records show the man accused of threatening House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and another Congressman had 200 rounds of ammo and gun receipts for two guns at his home in Buffalo, New York. Carlos Bayon is charged with leaving threatening phone messages.

According to the Advocate, Attorney General Jeff Landry favors Louisiana’s current split jury law, which requires 10 of 12 jurists to convict a suspect in a felony case. A constitutional amendment is on the November 6th ballot that would change Louisiana’s law, requiring unanimous verdicts.

The Department of Corrections expects to save 262 million dollars over the next decade due to the criminal justice reforms that took place a year ago. Those changes saved the state 12.2 million in just one year’s time and the total supervised parole population statewide has fallen by 7,000 people.

However Outgoing President of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Ricky Babin says just because someone is labeled non-violent by the system, doesn’t mean they aren’t potentially dangerous.

Cut 4 (06) “last conviction”

The Department notes that 120 of those released on November 1st, 2017 are back in custody. Babin says five of those released as a result of the reforms were arrested for homicide.

The Superdome is marking it’s 43rd birthday on Friday. The world famous venue arrived on August 3rd 1975 but was approximately 100 million dollars over budget. The Superdome’s completion was almost three years later than expected. However in its four plus decades of existence the Superdome hosted events featuring the Pope, massive concerts, and of course, plenty of Saints football games.

Louisiana’s ‘Back to School’ state tax holiday is on recess for the next seven years. Traditionally, this would have been the weekend shoppers could save money on many school supplies for students. However, the Louisiana Department of Revenue estimates that particular state tax holiday removed over five million dollars from the state.

So, the ‘back to school’ state tax holiday did not survive the legislative’s need to wrestle the state budget back from a fiscal cliff. Another state tax holiday that were suspended was the Second Amendment Sales Tax holiday that used to be in September.

But shoppers should take note that nothing would prevent lawmakers from bring back the state sales tax holidays before next year’s regular session.

And a DeRidder gymnast will represent the United States in November when she competes in the World Age Group Gymnastics Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia. Lynlee Taylor is the 11 year old daughter of Wesley and Amber Taylor.

The Taylors adopted Lynlee from Korea. The girl started in gymnastics at 4 years of age and began competing at the age of 6.

It was NOT Indiana Jones blowing the dust off of an ancient discovery but rather it was Louisiana’s Lt. Governor announcing the opening up of 105 year old time capsule that was un-earthed below a recently removed confederate monument. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

LSU hits the practice field today to begin Fall football camp and there are new names on LSU offensive player jerseys to see. Coach Ed Orgeron is excited to see them in action

Cut 12 (10) “yet.”

Support for Foster kids in Louisiana used end when the youth turned 18 years old but legislative approval is now allowing the Department of Children and Family Services extend to program up to the age of 21.

The extension will likely cost about one million dollars a year, but the state will get to get access to three million dollars in additional federal funding to help cover the costs.

DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says she’s glad the state prioritized the foster care system in the midst of some difficult fiscal cliff negotiations.

Cut 10 (07) “turmoil”

In the past, the previous age limit of 18 sometimes resulted in foster families losing funding before the Foster kid had even finished high school.

The 18 year old Louisiana Tech student who is currently attempting to become the youngest pilot to fly all the way around the world just set another record along the way.

Mason William Andrews is now the youngest person to have piloted to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean aboard “The Spirit of Louisiana” Piper plane. Andrews took flight on July 22nd from the Monroe Regional Airport and made it to Paris in nine days.

The young pilot undertook the flight to encourage donations to the Med Camps of Louisiana that sends kids to camp.

The Department of Corrections is touting the results of its first year under 2017′s criminal justice reforms, but some worry about possible results from the changes. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana began its effort to extend foster care services for kids in the system up to age 21, from the current age limit of 18. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the age extension will end up changing a lot of kids’ lives for the better.

Cut 9 (11) “the state.”

Military service members will get their biggest raise in a decade with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act this week. The Senate vote 87 to 10 that included ‘yes’ votes from Louisiana Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy.

In addition to the pay raise for U.S. military service members, the legislation also funds improvements at military installations. This opens up the possibility of funding going toward projects at military installations in Louisiana such as Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Polk, and the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station among others.

The House gave a ‘thumbs up’ to the legislation last month and the President is expected to sign the 717 billion dollar bill into law.

The Louisiana State Museum opened up a time capsule that had been buried over 100 years ago in New Orleans underneath confederate monument statues that were removed. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the contents of the old copper box could potentially be worth big bucks today.

Cut 7 (09) “…to be restored.”

The Department of Corrections is celebrating the one year anniversary of the 2017 criminal justice reforms that saw Louisiana lose its title as the incarceration capital of the world. The department says the total prison population is at a 20 year low. The new parole system has seen the total supervised population fall by 7,000 people due to reforms that allow offenders to work towards goals that will reduce their time in the system. Outgoing President of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Ricky Babin says he’s not exactly happy about the shortened parole periods.

Cut 5 (09)  “the best” 

Curators with the Louisiana State Musuem opened a time capsule today found underneath a recently removed confederate monument in New Orleans. The contents of the copper box revealed Confederate money, flags, a US medal and other items.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it’s amazing that people of that time period had the foresight to preserve these items for people of today.

Cut 6 (10) “…is pretty incredible”.

Louisiana has begun its effort to extend foster care services for kids in the system up to age 21, from the current age limit of 18. The program got legislative approval and funding during the legislative season with widespread support. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the extension costs the state about one million dollars a year, which allows it to get access to three million dollars in additional federal funding to help cover the costs. Walters says she’s glad the state prioritized the foster care system in the midst of some difficult fiscal cliff negotiations.

Cut 10 (07) “turmoil”

LSU hits the practice field on Saturday to begin fall camp and there’s plenty of new faces on offense. True freshmen Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall could be LSU’s best receivers since Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Junior. Orgeron says Marshall looks healthy after suffering a knee injury last season, while Chase has added muscle…

Cut 13 (10) “ready to go”