| By Jessica Williams | Capitol News Bureau Editor |
Youth records: The criminal records of children in Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Caddo parishes would be public under a bill that cleared the state House last week, James Finn reports. Though supporters say it will curb crime, critics call it racist, as the targeted parishes all have majority-Black populations. Underage drinking: A bill that would have banned people under 21 from bars was gutted last week amid fierce opposition, Paul Cobler reports. The bill, to be heard Monday by the full Senate, now would increase fines for bars that serve liquor to underage patrons, among other changes. Legislative races: Hodges vs. Mincey; Garofalo vs. Owen; Glover vs. Jenkins; and Ivey vs. Edmonds. All are races this fall where two state House colleagues will vie for a state Senate seat, Bridges reports. That means candidates with similar voting records will have to figure out how to set themselves apart. | 