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Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency due to a police officer shortage. Landry's executive order issued Thursday lifts limits on how many new employees Louisiana sheriffs can hire and on payroll increases for their departments. Landry's order removes restrictions that state law places on hiring and payroll for a period of time following a gubernatorial election. Small towns, including in Maine, Texas and Ohio, have disbanded their police departments, turning over law enforcement work to county sheriffs, a neighboring town or state police. Earlier this month, Landry presented his first proposed state budget that included tens of millions in additional dollars for public safety.

Persons: Jeff Landry, Landry, “, Governor Landry, ” Michael Ranatza, George Floyd, ” Landry Organizations: —, — Louisiana GOP Gov, Louisiana Sheriffs ’ Association, Police, Research, Lawmakers, The Times, New, New Orleans Advocate Locations: BATON ROUGE, La, — Louisiana, Louisiana, Minneapolis . Small, Maine , Texas, Ohio, Washington, New Orleans

Louisiana's newly inaugurated Legislature is set to convene for an eight-day special session Monday during which lawmakers will discuss items that could impact how the state conducts elections. The focus of the session is to redraw Louisiana's congressional map after a federal judge ruled that current boundaries violate the Voting Rights Act. Lawmakers also may explore new state Supreme Court districts and moving away from the state’s unique “jungle primary” system. Baton Rouge-based U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick agreed with civil rights groups’ arguments and struck down Louisiana’s map for violating the Voting Rights Act in June. CHANGING LOUISIANA'S OPEN ‘JUNGLE PRIMARY’ TO CLOSEDIn a decades-old debate, lawmakers could look at an overhaul to Louisiana’s unique open “jungle primary” system, shifting the state toward a closed primary system.

Persons: Jeff Landry, Landry, Shelly Dick, “ Organizations: Lawmakers, Republican Gov, Black, U.S ., Appeals, Fifth, Louisiana Supreme Court, Times, New, New Orleans Advocate Locations: Black, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, WDSU, New Orleans

New Orleans news outlets report that the three were convicted of attempted manslaughter in the death of Linda Frickey, 73. Jury selection for the lone remaining suspect, who prosecutors said was behind the wheel when Frickey died, got underway after the three girls' guilty pleas were entered. Authorities said Frickey died of blunt force injuries after she became entangled in a seatbelt as carjackers sped away with her car on the afternoon of March 21. Outside the courthouse, Frickey's family talked with reporters about listening to statements two of the defendants made. "Our hearts and unwavering support continue to be with the Frickey family as we fight for justice and pursue a resolution that honors Linda’s memory.”

Persons: Linda Frickey, Frickey, carjackers, ”, Jinny, Frickey’s, “ That’s, “, Jason Williams's Organizations: ORLEANS, Authorities, Times, New Locations: New Orleans

☆ New Orleans saltwater: The toxic reason saltwater intrusion would be a catastrophe for New Orleans
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But it’s a looming catastrophe for New Orleans, where officials estimate that tens of thousands of the city’s water pipes are made of lead. Many residents aren’t even aware they have lead pipes supplying their drinking water, said Jessica Dandridge, executive director of the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. Dandridge’s organization works both on water quality issues around the city’s lead pipes and stormwater management and flood control, and they are one of BlueConduit’s local partners working to map the pipes. As a result, lead drinking pipes are all over the country; some national estimates say the total number of pipes is around 9.2 million. It’s “almost a sleuthing or detective (work), trying to find out where the pipes are and where they go,” New Orleans City Councilmember JP Morrell told CNN.

Persons: it’s, Chris Granger, don’t, ” Eric Schwartz, Jessica Dandridge, “, Danielle Land, ”, Land, Dandridge, ” Dandridge, Biden, It’s, JP Morrell, Adrienne Katner, Justin Sullivan, ” Schwartz, BlueConduit’s, ” Grace Birch, “ It’s, Jeffrey Thomas, ” Thomas, “ There’s, we’re Organizations: CNN, Army Corps, Engineers, US Centers for Disease Control, US Army Corps of Engineers, The Times, New, University of Michigan’s, Michigan State University, Hurricane, city’s, Water Board, ” New, ” New Orleans City, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New, Army Corp, Biden Locations: Mississippi, New Orleans, Gulf, Mexico, “ New Orleans, Plaquemines Parish, Plaquemines, ”, ” New Orleans, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Plans by the Port of South Louisiana to purchase what was once a major New Orleans area shipyard for construction of military vessels have been delayed. The port announced in January its intent to purchase the old Avondale Shipyard site from the current owner, port terminal operator T. Parker Host. However, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported Wednesday that the purchase has been put off after port officials faced questions last month from the state Bond Commission. Host bought the site in 2018, roughly four years after the shipyard that once employed thousands was shuttered. The proposed purchase would require more than $400 million in public financing.

Persons: Parker, Paul Matthews, Tony Ligi, Bond Commission “, John Schroder, Jay Dardenne, Matthews, hasn't Organizations: ORLEANS, Port, Avondale Shipyard, The Times, New, New Orleans Advocate, Bond Commission, Host, “, Treasury, ”, Administration, Avondale Locations: Port of South Louisiana, New Orleans, Avondale

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Music enthusiasts get an extra day to revel in the sounds of Trombone Shorty, the Rebirth Brass Band, Irma Thomas and many more as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival expands its schedule next year, organizers announced Wednesday. The festival said it will add an eighth day to the lineup in 2024, creating two four-day weekends for the event. The 2024 dates are now Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 28, and Thursday, May 2, through Sunday, May 5. Festival organizers did not provide a reason for the change, but the move is not unprecedented. The 2003 festival kicked off on a Thursday, as did the 50th anniversary of the event in 2019, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported.

Persons: Shorty, Irma Thomas Organizations: ORLEANS, —, New Orleans Jazz, Heritage Festival, The Times, New, New Orleans Advocate, Associated Press Locations: revel, New Orleans, Louisiana

☆ Facial recognition tool led to mistaken arrest, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

His attorney, Tommy Calogero, said authorities erroneously linked Reid to purse thefts in Jefferson Parish and Baton Rouge. I said, ‘What is Jefferson Parish?’” Reid said. Reid’s case brings renewed attention to the use of facial recognition tools in Louisiana and elsewhere. Under the latest city rules, all possible matches must undergo a peer review by other facial recognition investigators. Legislation to restrict the use of facial recognition statewide died in a 2021 legislative session.

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