Kelly P. Kissel

NEW ORLEANS — A federal appeals court said Thursday that a legislative district map drawn by Louisiana lawmakers violated provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It said Louisiana couldn't have an exemption from a permanent, nationwide ban against racial discrimination in voting.

Denham Springs Police Cpl. Shawn Kelly is the second city police officer to die in the line of duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, an online tribute to fallen officers.

Judge opens hearing on whether Louisiana can execute condemned prisoner

Judge opens hearing on whether Louisiana can execute condemned prisoner

BATON ROUGE - A federal judge hearing a challenge to Louisiana's death row protocols was in a quandary Friday: How can the state kill Jessie Hoffman without evoking childhood trauma, interfere with his Buddhist breathing exercises or make him relive an armed robbery?

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana laid out details Thursday on how its prison system plans to kill an inmate later this month, describing a series of practice runs the execution team at Angola will make and the steps it will take to ensure that the condemned prisoner is the only person killed.

BATON ROUGE — A federal judge Friday barred enforcement of a Louisiana law that requires people to stay at least 25 feet away from police officers as they do their work, saying it was unconstitutionally void for vagueness.

BATON ROUGE — Long-distance truck drivers and local commuters weren't using the bridge carrying Interstate 10 over the Mississippi River during a snowstorm, so a local couple did.

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Supreme Court says a Livingston Parish librarian who claims she was defamed by an organization that accused her of promoting pornography to kids should have her day in court.

BATON ROUGE — The principal of Glen Oaks High School was attacked during an altercation with a student last week, the school district superintendent said.