Clemency hearings set at Edwards' urging

By Jessica Williams | Capitol News Bureau Editor​ ​ ​

Clemency hearings: A day after Gov. John Bel Edwards pushed it to consider death row prisoners' applications for clemency, the state pardon board set hearings for 20 of the prisoners who applied for that relief, Tyler Bridges reports. The move was quickly blasted by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and others. 

Qualifying ends: The qualifying period for this fall's elections ended on Thursday, James Finn reports. See the full list of candidates for statewide and local races. Also this week, gubernatorial candidates Jeff Landry and Sharon Hewitt traded barbs, Sam Karlin reports. 

Cantrell vs. City Council: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has vowed to veto the New Orleans City Council's decision to lease a unit in the historic Upper Pontalba Apartments that Cantrell had personally used. Cantrell's frequent overnight stays at the apartment have sparked controversy in recent months.