Louisiana

Louisiana is a state in the southern United States. Recent news highlights two contrasting events: a shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in Clinton, Louisiana, where six people were injured, and the state's involvement in a severe winter storm impacting a large portion of the US. The storm caused widespread power outages, affecting hundreds of thousands of households in Louisiana, alongside other southern states like Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Additionally, Louisiana's parole rate has significantly decreased under Governor Jeff Landry, reaching a 20-year low due to his "tough on crime" policies. This has resulted in a 78% drop in prisoners paroled compared to the period before his inauguration, marking a notable shift in the state's criminal justice practices. The state's current relevance stems from its experience with both violent crime and extreme weather events, as well as its changing approach to criminal justice.