December 2019

Court often drops charges in misdemeanor domestic violence

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana prosecutor’s office has dropped charges in nearly 90% of misdemeanor domestic violence cases it has closed since the beginning of 2018, new data shows.

The data analyzing domestic violence cases in the local Municipal and Criminal courts was presented to the New Orleans City Council on Tuesday, according to news outlets.

Sherry Guillotte Ardoin

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A Mass of Christian burial for Sherry Guillotte Ardoin, 75, of Jennings was held at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 at 11 a.m.

A gathering of family and friends was held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, from 3-8 p.m., with a rosary recited at 6 p.m. Visitation resumed Monday from 8 a.m. until the time of her funeral mass.

Sherry was laid to rest in Bertrand Cemetery.

Jerry Morgan LeJeune

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Funeral services for Jerry Morgan LeJeune, 34, of Evangeline will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at 2 p.m., with Reverend Kevin Colson officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at the funeral home Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, from 9 a.m. until the time of his service at 2 p.m.

Jerry was born in Lafayette on Aug. 30, 1985, to Larry LeJeune and Marla Fontenot LeJeune. He was called from this earthly life by his Heavenly Father on Dec. 3, 2019.

Texas judge orders border wall fundraiser not to build

HOUSTON (AP) — A local judge in South Texas has ordered supporters of President Donald Trump not to build their planned private border wall on a section of land near the Rio Grande.

State District Judge Keno Vasquez on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order against We Build the Wall, which raised $25 million after promising to build its own private barrier. Vasquez set a Dec. 17 hearing for We Build the Wall and its founder, Brian Kolfage, to appear in court in the South Texas city of Edinburg.

STATE BRIEFS

Police: Man shot into school, hid inside for hours

China, US clash over Xinjiang, Hong Kong bills

BEIJING (AP) — Already strained relations between China and the United States were further muddied after U.S. Congress overwhelmingly approved a bill targeting Beijing’s mass crackdown on ethnic Muslim minorities Wednesday, less than one week after President Donald Trump signed separate human rights legislation on Hong Kong.

China’s ruling Communist Party has long regarded Hong Kong and the far west Xinjiang region as crucial areas for asserting territorial sovereignty, and it has responded with fury to what it considers foreign meddling.

NATO downplays divisions as infighting roils alliance

WATFORD, England (AP) — NATO leaders sought Wednesday to paper over their differences on an array of issues, such as the military alliance’s future priorities, but insisted they would respond as one in the event of any attack on any 29 member countries.

Home-state skepticism of Kamala Harris foretold trouble

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — When Sen. Kamala Harris entered the presidential race in January, her California roots were supposed to give her special access to the cash and delegates required to win the Democratic nomination. Instead, she faced headwinds in her home state that would become a microcosm for the trouble that ultimately forced her sudden departure from the contest.

Trump administration tightens food stamp work requirements

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is tightening work requirements for the federal food stamp program in a move that will slash benefits for hundreds of thousands of people.

The final rule, announced Wednesday, will limit the ability of states to exempt work-eligible adults from having to obtain steady employment in order to receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps feed more than 36 million Americans.

The Who plans 1st Cincinnati area concert since ‘79 tragedy

CINCINNATI (AP) — The rock band The Who announced Tuesday night it will play its first Cincinnati area concert since 11 fans died 40 years ago in a preshow stampede.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band will play April 23 at Northern Kentucky University’s BB&T Arena, across the Ohio River 7 miles south of the Dec. 3, 1979, concert site, where another two dozen people were injured Dec. 3, 1979, amid confusion and lack of preparation for thousands of fans lined up for hours for first-come seats.