October 2019

Zuckerberg appears in Congress as Facebook faces scrutiny

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced bipartisan, hostile questions in a congressional hearing Wednesday focused on the social media company’s plans to launch its own cryptocurrency known as Libra.

Zuckerberg acknowledged concerns about the Libra project, saying he would not allow Facebook to move forward unless he got explicit approval from all U.S. financial regulators. But members of the House Financial Services committee were not convinced.

Mo. farmer charged in killing of Wisconsin brothers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri cattle farmer charged Wednesday with two counts of firstdegree murder shot two brothers from Wisconsin, burned their bodies and dumped the remains on a manure pile on his property, investigators said.

Garland Nelson, 25, of Braymer is also charged with two counts of abandonment of a corpse, two counts of tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution, two counts of armed criminal action, tampering with a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to documents filed in Caldwell County, Missouri.

US stocks tick closer to records after mixed profit reports

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes ticked closer to their records following a mixed set of earnings reports Wednesday, where some big companies topped Wall Street’s expectations and others warned that the slowing global economy and trade tensions are hitting their profits.

The S&P 500 flipped between small gains and losses in early trading, much like it has been the past couple weeks. It’s within about 1 percent of its record, set in July.

Turkey says it will make cease-fire permanent

BEIRUT (AP) — TA Syrian Kurdish commander says the truce with Turkey would not have been possible without the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Commander Mazloum Abdi’s comments were tweeted Wednesday by his force’s spokesman as Trump made his announcement that the cease-fire between Turkey and the Syrian Kurds will be permanent. Abdi said Trump promised to maintain the U.S. partnership with the Kurdish-led forces and continue long-term support.

Court sidesteps issue on juvenile sex offenders

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana’s Supreme Court has sidestepped, for now, the question of whether juveniles convicted of sex crimes can be required to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives.

The case involved a man convicted of having molested his younger sister when he was 14 years old. He was ordered held in juvenile custody until age 21. After his release, he sought relief from the sex registration requirement.

Google touts quantum computing milestone

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google said it has achieved a breakthrough in quantum computing research, saying an experimental quantum processor has completed a calculation in just a few minutes that would take a traditional supercomputer thousands of years.

The findings, published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature, show that “quantum speedup is achievable in a realworld system and is not precluded by any hidden physical laws,” the researchers wrote.

JHS Band Booster Club to hold raffle fundraiser

The Jennings High School (JHS) Band Booster Club is now selling raffle tickets to raise money needed to pay the salaries of the band instructors as well as the color guard assistant. A number of donated items will be up for grabs.

“Tickets cost $5 each and may be purchased from any band member or band parent,” said Band Booster President Joni Reed. “Tickets will be on sale until Saturday, Nov. 16.”

Reed said the club has planned a cake bingo for that day and winners will drawn during that event. Winners need not be present.

Farmers could soon start growing industrial hemp

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana’s farmers could start growing industrial hemp by the spring if federal and state agriculture agencies keep their regulatory work on track, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said.

Strain outlined to state lawmakers Monday the regulations his department has drafted for industrial hemp production, rules that will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval.

“I know there’s a full-court press to get this done,” Strain said.

Gertrude Doucet Bonin

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Funeral services for Mrs. Gertrude Doucet Bonin, 73, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Miguez Funeral Home.

Funeral home visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. Friday until time of services.

Burial will be in Sensat Cemetery in Egan.

Mrs. Bonin passed away at noon Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Camelot Brookside Nursing Home.

Mrs. Bonin lived most of her life in Jennings. She loved listening to music, cooking and watching football. She also loved to read and spend time with her family.

STATE BRIEFS

State police look into shooting by Beauregard Parish deputy