These unlikely allies want the state to void its death penalty

By Jessica Williams | Capitol News Bureau Editor​ ​ ​

Clemency pleas: Relatives of death row prisoners and relatives of those prisoners' victims stood side by side Tuesday and asked the state to void prisoners' death sentences, James Finn reports. The state's Pardon Board is set in October and November to consider 20 of 56 pending applications for clemency. 

Heart attack fells Cantrell: New Orleans' First Gentleman Jason Cantrell, husband to Mayor LaToya Cantrell, died Monday of a heart attack, his father has confirmed. Sophie Kasakove provides more details about his memorial, which is next week at New Orleans' Gallier Hall.  

Strain wins: Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain has won a fifth term, after no one signed up to run against him in a qualifying period that ended last week, Tyler Bridges reports. Strain, 64, is a veterinarian from St. Tammany Parish who served in the House before being elected commissioner.