State Rep. Ed Larvadain, D-Alexandria, has authored a workforce bill that would lower the minimum age for the MJ Foster Promise Program from 25 to 21. (Photo by Cross Harris / LSU Manship School News Service) BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a series of education and workforce bills aimed at expanding vocational opportunities for students and addressing gaps in training across the state.   Three key proposals — House Bills 325, 407 and 482 — highlight a broader

Gary Westcott, secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, says extending the early-release period for terminally ill prisoners would be carefully vetted. (Photocourtesy of Department of Public Safety and Corrections) BATON ROUGE — A House committee voted 7-0 to advance a bill Tuesday that would allow terminally ill inmates to be released up to 120 days before their expected death, doubling the current 60-day window for early release. Under the current stat