Free Republic

Orange County bars, breweries and wineries were ordered to close, restaurants were told to offer take-out or delivery only, and people were told not to gather starting Tuesday, March 17, to curb transmission of the coronavirus. An order Orange County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick issued Tuesday prohibits public and private gatherings of any size – not including families that live together – and lasts through March 31. It exempts people and businesses performing “essential activities” including emergency responders, health care providers, grocery stores, banks, gas stations and homeless shelters. “This is not a lockdown,” Orange County Board of Supervisors...

N.O. Demo aiming to reduce violenceBATON ROUGE -- Carrying or using firearms at public events such as block parties, New Year's Eve celebrations and Carnival parades could send the violator to jail for at least five years if the Legislature enacts a bill filed by a New Orleans lawmaker. Democratic Rep. Juan LaFonta said he has filed the bill for the session starting April 27 as a way to reduce violence at events popular to New Orleans including second-line processions at funerals and Carnival Indian parades. "We are about to kill a part of our culture," LaFonta said, referring to...