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Richard A. Webster

New Louisiana Law Serves as a Warning to Bystanders Who Film Police: Stay Away or Face Arrest

Louisiana is the fourth state to enact a so-called police buffer law, which allows officers to order people to keep their distance. Journalists say the law will make it harder to document when police use excessive force.

Local Reporting Network

A Judge Ruled a Louisiana Prison’s Health Care System Has Failed Inmates for Decades. A Federal Law Could Block Reforms.

The Prison Litigation Reform Act was passed to curtail the number of lawsuits filed by inmates over conditions behind bars. It has kept courts from forcing Louisiana to overhaul the medical system in its largest prison.

Local Reporting Network

“Everyone Will Die in Prison”: How Louisiana’s Plan to Lock People Up Longer Imperils Its Sickest Inmates

Janice Parker has witnessed the failing medical care at Angola, the state’s largest prison, on her frequent visits to see her paralyzed son. Laws passed at the behest of Gov. Jeff Landry threaten to further strain that system.

Local Reporting Network

Unwatched

Louisiana Sheriff’s Department Settles Two Use-of-Force Cases, Including One in Which an Autistic Teen Died

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office will pay part of a $1.25 million settlement in the case of Eric Parsa and an undisclosed sum to the family of Tre’mall McGee.

Local Reporting Network

Unwatched

Louisiana Supreme Court Ruling Overturns Reform Law Intended to Fix “Three-Strikes” Sentences

The ruling was a victory for state attorney general, Jeff Landry, but defense attorneys say it could also help their clients’ requests for reduced sentences.

Local Reporting Network

Unwatched

He Fled a Traffic Stop in Louisiana. Now He’s in Prison for Life.

After 12 years behind bars, Markus Lanieux thought he had a deal for his release. Then Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a legal challenge that could derail hope for those imprisoned under the state's "three strikes" sentencing rules.

Local Reporting Network

Unwatched

Feds Say Jefferson Parish Deputies May Have Violated Law in Death of Autistic Teen

Officers sat on the 16-year-old’s back for nine minutes before he died. They claim they needed to do so because he posed a threat.

Local Reporting Network

Disaster After Disaster

Thousands of Katrina Survivors Were Freed From Debt to the State. Those Who Already Paid Are Out of Luck.

The state said it was no longer suing residents who had improperly used hurricane recovery money. That doesn’t change anything for the 425 who already paid.

Local Reporting Network

Disaster After Disaster

Louisiana to Drop Lawsuits Against Katrina Survivors Over Recovery Grants

Louisiana sued thousands of homeowners for not following the rules in how they spent recovery grants. After a joint news investigation, the governor announced Thursday that the state won’t try to collect the money.

Local Reporting Network

Unwatched

Nearly Half of All Sheriffs in Louisiana Are Violating Public Records Laws

The finding builds on earlier reporting, which found records were destroyed in the case of a 16-year-old boy who died while in custody of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Local Reporting Network