Latest news with #CaddoParish
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Three suspects in Caddo Parish caught in separate car chases
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Three individuals are in custody after leading officers on two separate chases in Caddo Parish. On Saturday, May 31, at 10:30 PM, officers attempted to stop the driver of a stolen Chrysler 300 on LA Highway 2, near Centerville Road. The driver refused to pull over, leading to a chase. The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office and the Plain Dealing Police Department initiated the traffic stop, but once the driver reached the city limits of Vivian, Louisiana, the Vivian Police Department joined the pursuit. Fatal accident at Highway 79 and Buncombe Road intersection The driver, identified as a juvenile, was tased after he exited the vehicle. Upon searching him, officers discovered a handgun, ammunition, and a THC vape pen. He was charged with aggravated flight, possession of a handgun by a person under 18, and resisting an officer. According to the press release, shortly after the initial pursuit, another chase began when an officer attempted to stop a Mercedes at the intersection of Bert Kouns and Antoine. The vehicle fled the scene but eventually crashed in the 9000 block of US Highway 80. While two passengers stayed in the vehicle, both the driver and another passenger fled on foot. However, deputies were able to apprehend both suspects, identified as 20-year-old Cozy Graham and 18-year-old Havana Madden, using a drone and a K9 unit. Both were booked and charged with resisting an officer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Caddo School teacher named 2026 GRAMMY quarterfinalist
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced the quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award, including an educator from Caddo Parish. According to the GRAMMY's website, the award honors impactful music educators,, choosing 200 from across the nation. 'In total, over 2,000 initial nominations were submitted. In addition to these quarterfinalists, 214 legacy applicants from 2025 will also be eligible to win the award this year.' Caddo Parish Public Schools, A.C. Steere Elementary School's Alyson Humphery Smith has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2026 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Caddo Parish poet laureate on GRAMMY category CPPS posted via social media, 'Out of over 2,000 nominations nationwide, Mrs. Smith stands among 200 outstanding educators recognized for their exceptional contributions to music education. Her passion and commitment to nurturing young musicians inspire us all. Let's cheer her on as she advances in this prestigious recognition! Way to go, Mrs. Smith!' A.C. Steere Elementary School shared the congratulatory post saying 'We've always known she's the best! So thankful she is part of our Gator Family.' CPPS was contacted; however, as of publication, they were unavailable to comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Juvenile crime amendment rejected by Louisiana voters could still become law
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—In March, Louisiana voters rejected an amendment that would allow fifteen-year-olds to be prosecuted as adults. However, the voters' will was not enough to stop the Louisiana Legislature from advancing a bill that would do precisely what was overwhelmingly voted against. Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart, Sr., highlighted Senate Bill 74, authored by Senator Alan Seabaugh of Caddo Parish, in his monthly newsletter and expressed his opinion that the legislation ignores the hard work done by prosecutors, judges, and others at Caddo Juvenile Services. If passed, the bill would prosecute felony offenses committed by juveniles 15 and over in district court. Juvenile felony offenses committed by youth under 15 or misdemeanor offenses would still be presided over by juvenile courts. Under current law, district attorneys have jurisdiction over which offenders should be transferred to adult court and which the juvenile system believes can be restored, which is the stated purpose of the juvenile justice system. Watch: Confronting the Plague of Juvenile Crime 'The bill deletes our Caddo Parish Juvenile Court as having exclusive jurisdiction of juvenile matters. This legislation, if passed, authored with no explanation by the filer, a local legislator, is the effective beginning of the end of our Caddo Parish Juvenile Court,' Stewart said in a statement. Stewart highlighted the Parish's long history of 'strong and effective juvenile court in Caddo Parish.' In his writing, the district attorney highlights that the cases he transfers to adult court for adult prosecution are not done so because he is dissatisfied with juvenile court judges, but because the juvenile defendant committed crimes for which the maximum juvenile sentence to age 21 is insufficient. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's administration has been echoing 'tough on crime' since his inauguration last January. His first official act as governor was convening a special legislative session devoted to crime. During that time, legislators expanded the list of felonies that a juvenile case would be automatically transferred to adult court; they also lowered the age of adult prosecution to 17. Mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder and elimination of parole and suspension of sentence for many felonies also passed during the special session. So, to say Louisiana is 'soft on crime' makes little sense to anyone paying attention. DA Stewart's concern is the unintended consequences including increased cost of expanding the cases heard in district court. What will happen if more juvenile offenders are referred to district courts? 'We are often advised by the Office of Juvenile Justice that we are the state leader in incarcerated juveniles. But to apply this proposed law in any form affects the entire state and Caddo Parish in a bad way,' Stewart said. 'A DA's transfer of a 15 or 16-year-old's felony case from a juvenile court judge to an adult court judge, such as for felony theft for stealing an iPhone, would jam up the already crowded adult system.' Caddo DA highlights need for crime prevention, asks state leaders to create advisory panel He said Caddo juvenile courts saw 610 felony cases in 2023 and 501 in 2024 and anticipates 'enormous pressure' on any DA from victims and the public to try all juveniles before adult court judges, which they may perceive as tougher on crime, if SB74 passes. Although Seabaugh represents Caddo Parish, and Stewart heads the Caddo prosecutors' office, the DA said the senator did not speak with him or the parish's juvenile or district court judges before drafting or introducing the legislation. 'I continue to propose that legislators concerned about juvenile crime focus their efforts not on who is the judge, but on establishing programs for youth in at-risk communities, providing effective life-changing curriculum for troubled youth while in state custody, and programs providing post-incarceration supervision, mentorship, job skills, and support for crime-free living.' Data shows link between truancy and a life of crime The change would affect district attorneys' offices and put additional strain on public defenders, courts, and sheriff's offices across the state. The bill awaits a Senate Finance Committee hearing before advancing to the full Senate. An interview request was made through Senator Seabaugh's office, but no response was received when this story was published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
