Top 5 stories from the Shreveport Times this week: Louisiana snakes, rodents on traps at restaurants
Louisiana lakes with the highest snake populations according to WorldAtlas
Louisiana is home to approximately 48 species of snakes, and seven of those species are venomous.
In Louisiana lakes, the most common non-venomous snakes that are found include the banded water snake, the diamond back water snake and the common garter snake.
Conversely, the most common venomous snakes found in Louisiana lakes include cottonmouths, also referred to as water moccasins, and copperheads.
Rodents on traps, dirty surfaces | Top Caddo Parish restaurant inspections June 22-28
The Times obtained food safety inspection information for the week of June 22-28, 2025, from the Louisiana Department of Health.
The top three addresses with the most critical violations in Caddo Parish are listed, along with an explanation of the finding. All restaurants on the list had at least three critical violations.
When will it cool down in Louisiana? Fall 2025 weather forecast by Old Farmer's Almanac
This year, fall will officially begin on Monday, Sept. 22, which marks the arrival of the vernal equinox.
For the deep South, which includes Louisiana, September and October are predicted to be warmer than normal, with below-normal rainfall in the north and near-normal amounts in the South, says The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Study reveals the most stolen vehicle in each state. Find out Louisiana's most stolen car
More than 850,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States, with an average of one car being stolen every 37 seconds, in 2024 alone.
The most stolen car in Louisiana is a Hyundai Elantra, with approximately 360 vehicles stolen, according to the 2024 auto-theft insurance claims filed with the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
In Louisiana, Bill Cassidy raises mountain of cash to defend seat against MAGA Republicans
Louisiana incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy continues to build a mountain of money to defend his seat in 2026 against at least two GOP opponents who question his MAGA credentials.
Cassidy's campaign announced Louisiana's senior senator will report $9 million cash on hand after raising $2.1 million more in the second quarter.
More: Top 5 stories from the Shreveport Times this week: Friendliest small town, cotton in Louisiana
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Top 5 stories from the Shreveport Times this week: Louisiana snakes, rodents on traps at restaurants
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Mike Johnson says Ghislaine Maxwell pardon would give him ‘pause,' won't get ahead of Trump
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Fox News
3 hours ago
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Johnson says Ghislaine Maxwell deserves life sentence over Epstein crimes, rejects potential pardon
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Sunday that Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a life sentence, rejecting the idea of a potential pardon for the convicted sex trafficker. In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Johnson was asked if he supported a pardon for Maxwell, but the speaker emphasized that the decision ultimately belongs to President Donald Trump. "I think 20 years was a pittance," Johnson said of Maxwell's time behind bars. "I think she should have a life sentence, at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes." "I mean it's hard to put into words how evil this was and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing," Johnson added, acknowledging that federal prosecutors identified more than 1,000 victims, many of whom were underage. "So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would." While leaving the White House on Friday en route for Scotland, Trump was asked if he considered a pardon or clemency for Maxwell. The president left the door open, responding: "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about." Johnson said he supports the position of the president, the FBI and the Justice Department that "all credible evidence and information" be released, but emphasized the need for safeguards to protect victims' identities. As for Maxwell, she was questioned by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, for two consecutive days last week. Her lawyer told reporters she answered questions on about 100 potential Epstein associates as she angles for clemency. "That's a decision of the president," Johnson said of a potential Maxwell pardon. "He said he had not adequately considered that. I won't get in front of him. That's not my lane. My lane is to help direct and control the House of Representatives and to use every tool within our arsenal to get to the truth. I'm going to say this as clearly and plainly and repeatedly as I can over and over. We are for maximum disclosure. We want all transparency. I trust the American people. I and the House Republicans believe that they should have all this information to be able to determine what they will. But we have to protect the innocent. And that's the only safeguard here that we've got to be diligent about, and I'm insistent upon doing so." Johnson criticized a petition for the release of all the Epstein files brought by Reps. Thomas Massie, and Ro Khanna, D-Penn., as "reckless" and poorly drafted, arguing that it ignored federal rules protecting grand jury materials and "would require the DOJ and FBI to release information that they know is false, that is based on lies and rumors and was not even credible enough to be entered into the court proceedings." The speaker said the petition also lacked safeguards for minor victims who were subjected to "unspeakable crimes, abject evil" and who risk being "unmasked." Johnson said Massie and Khanna "cite that they don't want child abuse, sex abuse information uncovered, but they cite the wrong provision of the federal code, and so it makes it unworkable." The speaker argued Republicans on the House Rules Committee are committed to a better drafted approach that will protect the innocent. Asked about a potential pardon for Maxwell, Massie told NBC's Kristen Welker earlier in the program that it "would be up to the president, but if she has information that could help us, I think that she should testify." "Let's get that out there, and whatever they need to do to compel that testimony, as long as it's truthful, I would be in favor of," Massie said. Khanna said he did not believe Maxwell's sentence should be commuted and that he was concerned that Blanche was meeting with her. He said he agreed with Massie that Maxwell should testify but noted she has been indicted twice for perjury. "This is why we need the files. This is why we need independent evidence," Khanna said.
Fox News
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New Orleans jail mistakenly releases violent offender due to 'human error'; investigation underway
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