Louisiana is one of the few states that automatically tried 17-year-old suspects as adults, but that changes Friday. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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The condition of a Lake Charles dual national detained in Venezuela is being followed closely as that nation’s political crisis deepens. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Bayou Teche Brewing’s got some good news for fans of both Boudin and Beer. Matt Doyle has more…
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The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses. Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights says the act is a big win, as the juvenile justice program has a lower rate for recidivism. And Policy Director Rachel Gassert says in most cases you are not considered an adult until you turn 18.
Cut 4 (08) “…a lot of sense.”
Gassert says the juvenile system has special procedures for children, and one of the big advantages is that the parents become part of the process.
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Often the juvenile justice system faces challenges as it relates to capacity limits. But Gassert says the system has been making changes that prepare for this change. She adds that alternatives should be used for pretrial detention to free up space.
Cut 6 (09) “…achieve those goals.”
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Louisiana political leaders are keeping a close eye on the developing situation in Venezuela, as Houston based Citgo, the American subsidiary of the country’s state own oil company, is responsible for the direct and indirect employment of thousands of Louisiana workers. Senator Bill Cassidy says of particular concern is the government’s yearlong detainment of a dual national, Tomeu Vadell, from Lake Charles.
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Venezuela is facing a political crisis as a coalition of nations of called for the resignation of current President Nicolas Maduro amid accusations of anti-democratic behavior.
The internationally backed opposition has also named their own acting President, potentially setting the scene for a violent confrontation. Cassidy says he’s been told if Maduro were to step down peacefully, intervention would not be needed, but if the government were to harm the Lake Charles native…
Cut 8 (10) “…war criminals.”
The opposition party in Venezuela has named a new board of directors for the American based Citgo, amid an international effort to seize control of the oil-rich nation’s assets from Maduro.
Cassidy says he’s working to maintain diplomatic contact with Vadell, even as the political situation in Venezuela deteriorates and grows more chaotic.
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Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state. According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating. Website spokesperson Alec Sears says it’s not all bad news for the state.
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Sears says many factors came together to formulate the results.
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The research showed the number one dating site in Louisiana is Plenty of Fish. Sears says the state is doing okay in median earnings and unemployment, and ranked highly for those that were open to online dating, but saw several factors bring Louisiana to last place.
Cut 12 (06) “…the gender ratio.”
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Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a definitively Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Brewery founder Karlos Knott says to his knowledge it’s the first time in the sausage’s over 200 year history that it’s been tossed into beer, and not just eaten alongside it, and taste like nothing you’ve sipped before…
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The sausage comes from Russell’s Grocery in Arnaudville.
Knott says like most good ideas, the plan started with a few drinks to get the team in the right frame of mind to think up their next great beer. The owner says they’ve been wanting to take on a breakfast stout, but do it with a bayou twist.
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They don’t just brew up a stout, toss some sausage into the bottle and call it a day either. The boudin is introduced early in the process, during mashing, when the grains that will become your drink get converted to sugar.
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The beer is available at the brewery’s Arnaudville location, on draft and in four packs. Knott says if the beer takes off locally, they’ll look to getting it sent out statewide.
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