News In Brief

Louisiana is ordered to conduct '84 primary

The Justice Department told the state of Louisiana Friday it could not suspend this year's April 7 presidential primary election, saying the move would violate the Civil Rights Act. Suspension of the primaries would ''undeniably reduce the opportunities for blacks to participate meaningfully in the delicate selection process,'' the Justice Department said.

The Louisiana state Legislature last year approved a resolution that would suspend the presidential primary in the state this year only, in order to save the state $1 million to $2 million in costs.