Author: Imported Author 1980807

Vidalia Police officer Daniel Lloyd has resigned after being charged with first‑offense DWI following a two‑vehicle crash on U.S. 84. The crash occurred Wednesday evening on 84 West Side Drive, less than a mile from the police department. Lloyd, who was off duty at the time, was the only person injured.

Researchers at Colorado State University have released the first long‑range forecast for the 2026 hurricane season, projecting a somewhat below‑average level of activity. The forecast calls for 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. The outlook is influenced by an expected El Niño pattern in the Pacific, which typically increases wind shear. Officials caution residents not to let their guard down despite the lower forecast.

Amazon has announced plans to invest an additional $12 billion in Central Mississippi. The plan includes an $11 billion expansion of existing data center operations in Madison County, which is expected to create 700 jobs. It also includes a new $1 billion project in Clinton that is expected to create 100 jobs. The company’s total planned capital investment in Mississippi now stands at $25 billion, with more than 2,000 jobs expected.

Fuel prices continue to rise sharply in Louisiana. Diesel prices are nearing record levels, according to GasBuddy.com petroleum analysts. The increase is being attributed to U.S. military actions against Iran, which have resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn that if the situation does not change soon, the economic impact this summer could be severe.

The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia is at 28.29 feet and rising.

A man accused of killing his mother in Natchez has been ordered held without bond. According to the Adams County Sheriff, 29-year-old Zachary Lavelle Jackson Jr. was arraigned and charged with first- or second-degree murder, mayhem, and tampering with physical evidence. He has been assigned a public defender and is being held at the Adams County Jail. The victim, retired educator Lana Brown Bradley, was found dead during a welfare check at her home on Melanie Road around 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

A proposal to eliminate most passenger vehicle inspection requirements in Louisiana is advancing with strong support in the state House. The bill by DeSoto Parish lawmaker Larry Bagley would replace the current inspection sticker with a $6 QR code containing the vehicle identification number. Supporters say it would eliminate the need for trips to inspection stations and reduce the risk of fines for missing inspections. Concerns have been raised about whether law enforcement officers have the capability to read the QR codes.

C Spire has completed its allocation to the Mississippi Capital Projects Fund. Officials say the initiative provided home fiber access to more than 14,000 residences and 18,530 undeveloped lots across multiple Mississippi counties. The company received funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, a $10 billion effort to expand access to essential modern infrastructure.

The Public Affairs Research Council has released its guide to the 2026 Louisiana constitutional amendments, including Amendment 3. The amendment would make a $2,000 teacher pay raise permanent by retiring three education trust funds. According to PAR, the funds currently generate less revenue than the debt owed by the related pension systems, meaning schools would likely see a net increase in available money if the amendment passes.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 27.73 feet and rising.

The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill that would allow Natchez and Adams County officials to increase funding for Natchez Inc., the community’s industrial recruitment agency. The measure is awaiting approval from Governor Tate Reeves. If signed into law, the Natchez Board of Aldermen would be able to allocate up to 150,000 dollars annually to the nonprofit, an increase from the previously authorized 100,000 dollars. The Adams County Board of Supervisors would be permitted to provide up to 225,000 dollars per year, up from the earlier limit of 165,000 dollars. State approval is required for local governments to fund nonprofit organizations such as Natchez Inc.

In Louisiana, the House Ways and Means Committee has advanced legislation aimed at attracting companies involved in building and launching rockets. The measures would grant significant sales and property tax incentives to aerospace firms making substantial investments in the state. NASA already conducts rocket production at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. According to state officials, the goal is to draw private aerospace companies to Louisiana, following strategies used in states such as Florida and Texas. Companies the state is seeking to attract include SpaceX and Blue Origin.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has confirmed the identification of U.S. Army Technician 5th Grade Edwin E. Ross of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Ross, age 24, died as a prisoner of war during World War II. He was accounted for on July 18 of last year, and his family recently received a full briefing. Ross served with the 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, during the Japanese invasion of the Philippine Islands in December 1941. He was among the U.S. forces captured following the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942.

In St. Landry Parish, the town of Melville is set to receive more than 4 million dollars in federal funding to overhaul its aging water system. The current system relies on deteriorating pipes and a single overworked well. Town officials report significant ongoing expenses to maintain water safety, including the frequent use of chlorine. The project is described as a major first step toward broader infrastructure improvements in Melville.

The Mississippi River in the Natchez Valley is at 27.5 feet and rising.

Adams County deputies arrested a man early Easter morning after responding to a reported domestic assault at the Noblehouse Apartments in Natchez. According to Sheriff Travis Patton, the victim told deputies that her boyfriend, 22-year-old Danterius Deontay Antonio Jones, struck her multiple times in the face with a firearm. She also reported that Jones took her vehicle keys and left the scene in her 2014 Dodge Charger.

Deputies later located Jones and the vehicle in a parking lot. A loaded handgun was found inside the car. Jones was arrested and taken to the Adams County Jail. He faces charges of aggravated domestic assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Louisiana legislative session is ongoing. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry’s current legislative agenda is relatively light following his administration’s earlier efforts focused on education, crime, taxes, and insurance. Pinsonat says the session will likely feature several “feel-good” bills, along with proposals from individual legislators. One measure eliminating the requirement for personal vehicle inspection stickers is advancing to the House floor. Pinsonat says additional bills with significant impacts are expected, and notes that the business community continues to seek further tort reform efforts.

The Mississippi State Department of Health is observing National Public Health Week, which runs through April 12. The department is recognizing the work of public health professionals and encouraging residents to participate in efforts that support public health initiatives.

A new report from the Data Center in New Orleans indicates that Louisiana’s job growth has remained nearly flat since the 2014 oil price crash. Researcher Alex Colker says the state has lost about 15,000 drilling jobs and 5,000 jobs in water transportation. He notes that while construction activity continues, those jobs are often temporary. Colker says Louisiana will need to diversify its economy to achieve stronger long-term job growth.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 25.92 feet and rising.