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Authorities in Jefferson County are investigating a mass shooting that injured four people during a dog fight in Union Church late Saturday. The incident occurred around 10 p.m., but the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office did not receive word of the shooting until about 12 hours later, and that notification came from another agency. Adams County deputies reported that individuals with gunshot wounds had arrived at Merit Health Natchez, while some victims were also taken to a hospital in Jefferson County. Sheriff James Bailey expressed frustration that the shooting was not reported when it happened and said arrests will be made in connection with the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Following Sunday’s mass shooting in Shreveport, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to pay attention to their emotional well-being. Officials say the suspected shooter displayed signs of mental health issues. Louisiana 988, the state’s 24/7 crisis line, is available for anyone experiencing emotional distress, not only those dealing with suicidal thoughts. Callers can reach the service by phone, text, or online chat. In addition to offering immediate emotional support, counselors can connect individuals with specialized mental health resources when needed.

A team of Mississippi State University faculty has received a $3 million National Science Foundation research traineeship grant to support efforts to develop resilient rural energy infrastructure. The funding establishes the Smart Agriculture Energy Innovation Network, or SAGIN, a cross-disciplinary initiative that integrates distributed energy production with agricultural systems. University officials say the program is designed to address challenges related to energy security, rural economic development, and environmental resilience. Goals include helping communities adopt sustainable energy technologies, improving land-use efficiency, and creating new economic opportunities.

The Amtrak Mardi Gras line has reached a major milestone months ahead of schedule. Launched in August, the line was projected to attract 75,000 passengers in its first year. Eight months in, it has already reached 100,000 passengers. Officials say the strong demand surpasses expectations and reflects long-standing interest in the service. In addition to boosting tourism, the line may eventually influence population trends by expanding options for where people can live, work, and invest.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 32.24 feet and falling.

Natchez police have charged the mother of a four-year-old child with attempted murder after threats to the child’s life were sent to the father and posted on social media. Police Chief Lee Bess said 27-year-old April Alexander was arrested after the department received a call from the father, who lives in California. According to Bess, the social media posts included a screenshot of a text message conversation showing an infant partially underneath a car with a foot placed on the infant’s stomach. Police report that the baby is safe.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced that the Love One Louisiana Foundation, led by First Lady Sharon Landry, will pay for the funerals of the eight children killed in Sunday morning’s mass shooting in Shreveport. Landry said he hopes the support provides some comfort to the affected families, noting that while no act can repair the loss, the gesture is meant to serve as a symbol of faith and goodwill. The First Lady’s foundation also provided assistance following the Bourbon Street attack early last New Year’s Day.

Mississippi Department of Transportation Executive Director Brad White praised the legislature and Governor Tate Reeves for continued investments in state infrastructure. Lawmakers removed the sunset provision governing how long MDOT will receive the first $80 million from the Mississippi Lottery for road improvements. They also approved funding to widen I-55 by adding an additional lane in each direction between Madison and Gluckstadt. White said MDOT’s fiscal year 2027 budget will be about $2 billion.

This week marks the fifth annual Love the Boot Week, Louisiana’s largest litter cleanup and beautification initiative. At the start of the week-long effort, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser highlighted the Adopt-A-Highway program and said he and his wife have adopted the four miles near their home due to ongoing litter concerns. Nungesser encouraged businesses to participate as well, including those that frequently advertise on billboards. More than 28,000 volunteers are expected to take part in over 1,200 cleanup events statewide.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 32.55 feet and falling.

A Natchez police officer has been charged with domestic assault and placed on administrative leave. According to Natchez Police Chief Lee Bess, Officer Brandon O’Neal, 34, was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute with his companion on Friday. He was identified as the alleged primary aggressor, arrested, and charged with simple assault domestic. O’Neal has been with the department for one year and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Louisiana Legislature is considering a pilot program that would allow veterans and others dealing with PTSD, chronic depression, or substance abuse to access psychedelic-assisted therapy. Senator Patrick McMath of Mandeville is proposing the use of opioid settlement funds so economic health centers can conduct clinical studies on the effectiveness of psilocybin and ibogaine for mental health treatment. During a committee hearing, a veteran who suffered two head injuries during service described significant improvement after receiving treatments in Mexico. The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting discussion in the House.

Mississippi has received about half its normal rainfall so far in 2026, making this year the 10th driest in state history. MSU Extension irrigation specialist Drew Golson said drought conditions shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor map are a growing concern. Justin Calhoun, soybean specialist with the MSU Extension Service, reported that the drought has nearly stopped soybean planting. He said irrigating to germinate planted seed is a last-resort measure, and mid-April is much earlier than the typical start of irrigation for crops. The optimal soybean planting window in Mississippi is April 10th through 20th.

With the Louisiana House sending the state budget to the Senate, debate is increasing over funding for the Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program. The House supported Governor Jeff Landry’s proposal to double funding for the voucher program to $87 million. Landry has advocated for directing more state tax dollars to families for educational expenses, including private school tuition. Senate President Cameron Henry noted that this is the first year of the program and said it is important to determine whether participating students are showing academic improvement.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 32.98 feet and falling.

Plans are moving forward to landscape and enhance the grounds and plaza at the historic Natchez Train Depot on Broadway. The project is supported by $362,000 in state funds approved earlier this month. According to the Downtown Natchez Alliance, the investment is intended to create a more welcoming space for residents and visitors. The Broadway Street Railroad Depot, built around 1915, reopened in 2024 as a Natchez Visitor Center with public restrooms and meeting space after a renovation process totaling about one million dollars.

In state legislative news, a bill by West Monroe Senator Jay Morris would allow the legislature to pursue a civil lawsuit against an elected official it previously removed from office for malfeasance or gross misconduct. The proposal allows either the House or Senate to authorize such a lawsuit with a two‑thirds vote. Concerns were raised that the measure could be used for political purposes, given the Republican supermajority in both chambers. The bill passed the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on a 4‑3 vote.

In Pascagoula, a man was shot and killed by law enforcement after allegedly attempting to cause an explosion outside the Jackson County Courthouse. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety reported that the man drove through a fence and parked near a large propane tank around noon. He then attempted to ignite propane tanks located in the back of his vehicle. When authorities arrived, the man fled, and an exchange of gunfire followed. A witness reported 50 to 60 shots were fired. The suspect died from his injuries, and no law enforcement personnel sustained serious physical injuries.

Louisiana college‑bound seniors will begin receiving personalized emails advising them on which in‑state colleges they should consider applying to. The Board of Regents says the emails are tailored to students’ grades, test scores, and location to help clarify their eligibility and available programs.

The Mississippi River in Natchez today is at 33.80 feet and rising.

Natchez aldermen have approved an agreement with Walmart allowing the city to use the north side of the store’s parking lot to access adjacent land that officials hope to sell for a proposed shopping center. Before voting in open session, the board held a closed discussion that Mayor Dan Gibson said involved confidential matters related to the potential sale of the publicly owned property. City officials have said Walmart’s cooperation is necessary to provide an entrance to the planned retail center.

Horn Properties, a Tennessee-based developer, has been planning a retail project on the 30-acre tract where the VFW post once stood, across from Natchez High School. In February, the Board of Aldermen granted the Knoxville company an additional year to decide whether it will purchase the land.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is urging voters to support Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16 ballot. Landry has promoted the measure on local radio, saying it would eliminate three education trust funds and allow the state to pay down teacher retirement debt. He says reducing that debt would free up funding for a permanent $2,000 teacher pay raise. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell opposes the amendment, noting that one of the trust funds has provided millions of dollars for classroom needs over the past 25 years.

A group of Mississippi students will travel to College Park, Maryland, in June to compete in the National History Day contest after winning at the state level in an event hosted by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The Mississippi History Day contest, held at the two Mississippi museums in Jackson, featured middle and high school students presenting projects on the theme of revolution, reaction, and reform in history. Thirty‑four students participated in the 2026 state contest, and 26 of them earned first- or second‑place honors to qualify for the national competition.

Amazon is purchasing GlobalStar, a satellite communications company based in Covington, Louisiana, for $11.6 billion. Michael Hecht, president of Greater New Orleans, Inc., says Amazon intends to use GlobalStar’s satellite network and technology to allow smartphones to connect directly to a large satellite system for voice and data services. Hecht says GlobalStar will remain in St. Tammany Parish and retain its Louisiana workforce. He also notes that the acquisition brings positive attention to the state’s business environment.

The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia is at 33.69 feet and rising.

Concordia Parish has reached out to LaSalle Community Action to manage its HUD reports and Section 8 vouchers following the resignation of the parish’s Section 8 director at the end of March. Parish officials say the move is intended to prevent any interruption in services.

A Louisiana lawmaker is proposing that drivers take a short test when renewing their driver’s licenses in an effort to reduce traffic crashes. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMacen says testing drivers on basic rules of the road could improve safety, noting that there is currently no continuing education requirement for drivers. Members of the House Transportation Committee expressed concerns about requiring drivers to pass a test every six years. Representative Ed Murray of New Orleans questioned whether viewing an instructional video could be an alternative. McMacen says he will consider changes and may bring the bill back for further discussion.

The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against XAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech, alleging the unlawful operation of unpermitted methane gas turbines used to power the Colossus 2 data center in Memphis. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court for the Northern District of Mississippi, is being brought by the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP and the National NAACP, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice. The suit asks the court to declare that XAI violated the Clean Air Act, stop the operation of unpermitted turbines at the Southhaven facility, require installation of best available control technology, and impose financial penalties for each day of alleged violations.

A student’s father was shot by his 13-year-old son outside the Tangipahoa Alternative School in Hammond. According to Police Chief Edwin Bergeron, the father was attempting to drop the student off when the child refused to get out of the vehicle. The father began driving the boy back home when the shooting occurred. The vehicle then accelerated across the street and crashed into a nearby home. No one inside the residence was injured. Police say the armed 13-year-old began walking toward the school but was quickly disarmed by the school resource officer. The father is in stable condition, and the juvenile has been taken to a youth facility.

The Mississippi River at Natchez Volier is at 33.43 feet and rising.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson has sworn in three commanders for the Natchez Police Department under newly appointed Chief Lee Best. Commanders Shane Daugherty, Felicia Fleming, and Jerome Timmons took their oaths on the steps of City Hall. Best said he has worked with all three throughout much of his career.

Louisiana public schools will adopt new English language arts standards aimed at strengthening reading and writing fundamentals. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley said the revised standards are designed to clarify what students should learn at each grade level, reinforce grammar skills, and support students in becoming confident, independent readers. Handwriting instruction, including cursive, will remain part of the curriculum. The updated standards will take effect during the 2027–28 school year.

Between October 2024 and September 2025, USA Facts reported that Mississippi generated $4 million in tax revenue from sports gambling. A February WalletHub report found that Mississippi had the highest statistical share of gambling disorders among residents. Research from the University of Mississippi indicated that 39 percent of the state’s college students gambled within the past year, and about 6 percent met the criteria for a gambling disorder. The legal age for sports gambling in Mississippi is 21.

Fuel prices in the region have seen slight declines. AAA reports the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.76, down three cents from last week. Diesel prices have also decreased slightly, now averaging $5.29 per gallon, which remains $2 higher than at this time last year. Analysts say sustained relief is unlikely in the near term due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding a fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 32.64 feet and rising.

Adams County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 42-year-old Christopher Serena in a domestic violence case that occurred Saturday morning. Deputies responded to Hobofort Grocery just after 7 a.m. following a report of a domestic disturbance. The victim reported that an argument with Serena became physical, alleging that he knocked her to the ground, slapped her, and choked her in front of two special‑needs children. She was able to leave the scene and reach the store to call for help. Serena was taken into custody a short time later and faces an aggravated assault charge.

A bill intended to make canceling unwanted subscriptions easier in Louisiana is moving to the full state House for consideration. House Bill 750, referred to as the “Click to Cancel” bill and modeled after similar legislation in other states, is being carried by Representative Vincent Cox of Gretna. Cox has worked with industry representatives to refine the proposal and plans to introduce several amendments, including one that would exempt FCC‑regulated industries such as cell phone and high‑speed internet services.

Pedestrian crash deaths in the United States have increased 80 percent since 2009, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Mississippi continues to experience a high rate of pedestrian fatalities and ranks third in the nation, based on data from the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration. The agency reported that fatal pedestrian injuries in 2024 were 20 percent higher than in 2023 and 55 percent higher than in 2019. Data indicates that larger, taller vehicles contribute to more severe injuries or fatalities in pedestrian crashes.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has created the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Department of Health. The new office aims to improve access to quality health care for residents throughout the state, including rural communities. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein said a key focus will be growing the health care workforce in rural areas by training more professionals and encouraging them to serve in those communities. The initiative is part of Louisiana’s rural health transformation program, supported by over $208 million in federal funding.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 31.44 feet and rising.