Latest news with #YouthViolencePrevention
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Advocates speak out against Missouri concealed carry age bill
ST. LOUIS – It was just before 4 p.m. when shots rang out at January-Wabash park in Ferguson. Police say they arrived within 50 seconds of the 911 call—only to find no victim in sight. Shortly after, they got a second call—leading officers to a church nearby, where a teen was found with a gunshot wound to the arm. He was treated on-site and rushed to the hospital. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The victim arrived supposedly a few minutes prior to or really seconds prior to the. Somebody yelled and then gunshots,' said Captain Tim Harris, Ferguson police captain of Investigations. 'So they all separated and it was the end of it.' Police say it began with a dispute between a group of 18-22 year-olds. No one is claiming to know the shooter, and investigators are reviewing video from the park and nearby church. 'But this incident that happened, I grew up here. I went to Ferguson middle. I went to McClure and never in my life have I seen anything like this,' Lorenzo Clark, a citizen, said. 'So I don't know what's going on with these teens nowadays but they need to get a handle on them.' The shooting comes the same day Youth Violence Prevention advocates rushed to Jefferson cCty, speaking out against a Missouri House Bill that would lower the legal concealed carry age from 19 to 18. 'It's just okay. It's scary! We're already in crisis mode but it puts you even more in crisis mode. Almost like all the work you're working towards is just backwards,' said Precious Jones, a Youth Violence Prevention advocate. The bill, already passed by the house, would also allow guns on public transportation and in churches. Family sues youth league after teen's suicide following coach's alleged abuse Democratic Representative Chanel Mosley says lawmakers outside urban areas don't see the daily violence. 'They're not in a city where they see gun violence often. Like you said, they are in rural areas or just in small areas where they don't have those types of problems, so they don't know what the bill will be doing to our area,' Mosley said. Individuals like Clark have no issue with the bill. 'I don't have an issue with lowering the age. I do believe everybody has the right to defend themselves but I do believe folks need to have some type of psych paperwork that they have to go through to be able to carry,' Clark said. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death among children and teens in Missouri. With this latest shooting and legislation in motion, advocates fear what might come next. As police continue to investigate, several youth violence prevention organizations are taking action. On April 22, they'll head to Jefferson City to present their 'Safer Summer Streets' initiative, with local doctors, teachers, and community leaders sharing the real impact of youth gun violence in St. Louis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards discusses budget overhaul
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) – Mayor-President Sid Edwards is updating the public on his new plan to revive Baton Rouge, which includes a major budget overhaul. He said he's trying to create a better future for East Baton Rouge Parish and the City of Baton Rouge, but some want more details about his proposal. 'I make tough decisions,' said Edwards. 'I have no time for political theater. I've sat quietly for two weeks.' Edwards said change in the Baton Rouge area will be painful – but necessary – to clean up the $52 million deficit he's facing, along with a high crime rate.'I like books, I like libraries but I like people more – and not one service will be cut from the library system,' Edwards Baton Rouge Parish Library Board Vice President, Donald Luther, said he'd like to see more detailed numbers of the Mayor's proposed plan, which would take from the library's funds. 'If your plan doesn't work – it could be a potential problem – it could be devastating to the library system,' he said. Local leaders had a chance to voice their beliefs at the mayor's press conference. 'What I feel the conversation needs to be is: how to get everyone at a livable competitive wage,' said Metro Councilman Darryl Hursts. The mayor's plan calls for a proposal to move $114 million from the library tax to the general fund. If passed by the Metro Council, it will be on the ballot in October for voters to decide. The plan also includes police officer pay raises, and money for economic development and infrastructure. Below is a breakdown of what projects will be funded with the reallocation. Gardere Initiative Partnership: $1M-1.25M Repurposing former 'Brave Cave' with YWCA: $1M-1.5M Head Start program enhancements/pay increase: $1.25M-2M Mental Health and Homelessness Services: $1M-1.5M recurring Youth Violence Prevention Program: $1.5M-1.75M Community Policing Expansion: $1M-1.25M Gang Task Force Development: $1M-1.25M Support for District Attorney and Public Defenders: $2M-2.5M Additional Public Safety Funding: $10M-10.5M recurring Blight Reduction Efforts: $1M-1.5M Ending Food Deserts and Increasing Access to Fresh Food: $2M-2.5M Budget Stabilization for Long-Term Financial Health: $9.6M Revitalization of the River Center: $7M-7.5M Drainage System Enhancements: $2M-2.5M recurring Road Beautification and Maintenance: $6M-6.5M recurring Judge blocks attempt from BRPD officers to throw out 'Brave Cave' lawsuit Former rodeo star inspires others to 'buckle up' against heart disease East Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards discusses budget overhaul Honoring Southern University football coach Sean Wallace's legacy House GOP pushes 'big' budget resolution to passage, a crucial step toward delivering Trump's agenda Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
