News roundup: John Legend calls for voters to change Louisiana felony conviction law … Lake Charles adding jobs faster than any other Louisiana city … Lafayette officials gun for Oil Center district revival

Celebrity call out: In a letter to The Washington Post yesterday, musician John Legend joined other activists calling for Louisiana voters to change its felony conviction policy, which allows a conviction when 10 out of 12 jurors vote guilty, instead of a unanimous jury. The change will be on the ballot in November. “We are at a crossroads, with an opportunity to right this long-standing wrong… voters will have the opportunity to strike down the discriminatory rule and uphold justice for all,” Legend writes. Read the full letter.
Job gains: Lake Charles is adding jobs faster than any other city in Louisiana according to a new USA Today list. Lake Charles’ employment boasted gains of 30.5% from 2013 to 2018, going from 85,917 jobs to 112,145 with the largest growth in construction. See the full list of US cities with the greatest employment gains.   
Rebound: Officials in Lafayette are hoping to lure residents to a commercial and business district by redeveloping the city’s Oil Center district, once a hub for petroleum exploration offices. Lafayette Downtown Development Authority CEO Geoff Dyer says the plan aims to make the Oil Center more walkable and increase business at night. Read the full story.