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Happy Birthday to Isabella Mize!
Birthday Cake winner 3/27/26
Work is expected to begin soon on repairs to erosion threatening Canal Street near the Natchez Visitor’s Center. According to Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, earlier assessments suggested the roadway might need to be closed to traffic for six months. The Mississippi Department of Transportation has since determined the work can be completed without requiring such a closure. The state owns the land where the erosion is occurring, and MDOT will oversee and fund the project.
Louisiana lawmakers are considering legislation that would permanently ban fraternities and sororities from campus if a member dies in a hazing incident. The proposal follows the death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, who was punched several times during an off‑campus hazing ritual. His mother, Urania Wilson, urged the House Education Committee to act to prevent similar tragedies. Supporters, including Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter, are seeking strong consequences for organizations involved in hazing that results in injury or death. The measure now moves to the House floor.
Two Mississippi counties are among the ten fastest‑declining counties in the United States based on population change from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025. Washington County saw a 1.9 percent decrease in residents, while Leflore County’s population declined by 1.8 percent. Nationwide, about 80 percent of counties experienced population decline or slower growth during that period, with already shrinking counties seeing accelerated losses.
Funeral services for former Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton, who died this week after being run over, will be held at noon today at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. A procession and burial will follow. Colleagues described Hilton as highly supportive and dedicated, noting his impact on fellow law enforcement leaders and the community.
The Mississippi River in Natchez today measures 37.88 feet and is falling.
LSU has fired fourth-year coach Matt McMahon and is finalizing an agreement to rehire former Tigers coach Will Wade from N.C. State, a person with knowledge of the development told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there has been no formal announcement from LSU or N.C. State.
Multiple reports of Wade’s impending return to LSU have been published.
The topic of Wade’s potential return to LSU had been churning for weeks, enough so that Wade was ready with a response when asked about it after the Wolfpack’s loss to Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. That included noting that the job at the time wasn’t open, with McMahon — the permanent successor after Wade’s ouster — still in place.
“I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year,” Wade said, then motioned toward Wolfpack athletic director Boo Corrigan at the back of the news-conference room. “I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make and some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.”
Exactly two weeks later, Wade was gone. The buyout in Wade’s six-year deal at N.C. State has a $5 million buyout that drops to $3 million after April 1.
Wade’s return to LSU would come four years after his firing there over allegations of money-fueled recruiting violations, which came amid a federal corruption investigation into the sport. Wade rebuilt his career with a two-year stint at McNeese that included 50 wins and two trips to March Madness.
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Happy Birthday to Izzy Cook!
Birthday Cake winner 03/26/26
The dispute between Natchez city aldermen and Mayor Dan Gibson over appointing a new police chief continued this week. The latest disagreement came one day after a four-to-three vote in which Gibson broke a tie to appoint Lee Best as the new chief of the Natchez Police Department. On Tuesday, Gibson broke another tie when three aldermen attempted to appoint longtime NPD commander Justin Jones as assistant police chief. Those aldermen have argued that Best lacks sufficient experience within the department to serve as chief.
Gibson voted against creating the assistant chief position for Jones, stating that aldermen did not have enough discussion about adding a role that does not currently exist within the department’s organizational structure. Best, who joined the NPD in 2024, has served as the chief enforcement officer for city regulations related to maintaining private properties.
The Louisiana Legislature is considering a bill addressing online harassment of college athletes by sports bettors. Senator Mike Reese of Leesville has proposed legislation that would give the Louisiana Gaming Control Board the authority to ban individuals from placing bets in the state if they are found to have harassed a college athlete. Reese noted that female athletes receive a disproportionate amount of threats, with women’s basketball players receiving about three times more threats than men’s basketball players. The bill is advancing to the Senate floor for further discussion.
Ole Miss has announced the creation of a new center focused on collegiate gambling, which researchers describe as the first of its kind in the country. Approved in February by the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, the center will cost about $700,000 per year to operate. It was established to study the growing risks faced by college students and student-athletes due to the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting and online gambling. Researchers say hiring for the center will begin soon.
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has declined an invitation to debate two of his major challengers on Moon Griffon’s statewide radio program. Cassidy told KEEL Radio in Shreveport that he believes a televised debate is a more suitable format for discussing issues with candidates Julia Letlow and John Fleming. He said such a venue ensures voters can hear each candidate explain their positions and respond to criticisms. Cassidy has criticized Letlow for not agreeing to a televised debate. He also addressed questions about why he did not debate Democratic candidate Adrian Perkins during his 2020 re-election campaign, saying he already held a significant lead in the polls at the time.
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 38.7 feet and falling.
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The City of Natchez has named Lee Best as its next chief of police following a closely contested decision by the mayor and board of aldermen this week. Best has more than a decade of law enforcement experience, beginning his career in 2010 with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, where he rose to the rank of captain. His background includes work as a narcotics investigator, training manager, and criminal investigator. In December 2024, he joined the Natchez Police Department as commander of code enforcement.
Diesel prices have risen above five dollars per gallon at some truck stops, a cost that is expected to affect consumers even if they do not purchase diesel themselves. According to Dr. Walter Lane, chairman of the Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting at the University of New Orleans, higher diesel prices will be felt in grocery stores, particularly for fresh items transported by truck. Lane notes that 18-wheelers remain essential for getting goods to store shelves, leaving consumers with few options other than adjusting their budgets.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has vetoed a bill that would have created the Local Governments Recovery Emergency Loan Program. Senate Bill 2632 would have allowed the state to loan money to cities and counties impacted by winter storm damage while they awaited FEMA reimbursements. The proposed loans would have carried no interest until federal funds were distributed.
In Rapides Parish, former sheriff William Hildon was killed after being struck by a vehicle outside his home in Henniston. The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that Hildon encountered a woman leaving his residence when he returned home. During the confrontation, she ran over him and fled. Hildon was airlifted to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The suspect, identified as 53‑year‑old LaDonna Delry of Pollock, was taken into custody after deputies used spike strips on LA‑28 to stop her vehicle. She is charged with first‑degree murder. Hildon served as sheriff of Rapides Parish from 1992 to 2008 and was 80 years old.
The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia stands at 39.35 feet and is falling.
Merit Health Natchez is requesting community support for its Jars of Love peanut butter drive. Organizers report that donations are currently behind last year’s pace and are asking for contributions before the drive ends on Friday. Peanut butter jars can be dropped off at the information desk at Merit Health Natchez, and monetary donations can be sent via Venmo to Natchez Chamber with “Peanut Butter” noted in the memo. Since launching in 2023, the drive has collected nearly 5,000 jars for area food banks.
ICE agents are providing assistance to TSA at airports across the country, including Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. While ICE agents are not permitted to screen luggage, they are supporting other checkpoint functions to allow TSA staff to focus on duties only they can perform. Assistance can include crowd control when needed and conducting secondary screening of passengers after body scans. Airport officials reported that crowd control assistance was not needed this morning.
The National Park Service reports that America’s national parks recorded more than 323 million recreational visits in 2025, making it the sixth-highest year on record. Over 40 National Park Service units saw more than 2.2 million visits each. In Mississippi, the Natchez Trace Parkway was the most visited, with nearly 6.4 million visitors last year.
Entergy Louisiana is preparing to launch three demand response programs intended to help residential customers save money by conserving energy. The programs will offer incentives for installing smart thermostats, for customers with solar panels, and for electric vehicle owners who charge their vehicles at home. EV owners who charge during off-peak hours will receive an additional seven dollars per month. Entergy says the programs are designed to reduce strain on the power grid and may lessen the need for new gas-powered generation.
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 39.58 feet and falling.
The City of Natchez has officially named Lee Best as its next chief of police following a closely contested decision by the mayor and board of aldermen Monday night.
Best emerged as the selected candidate after a multi-step hiring process that began with eight applicants. The Natchez Civil Service Commission conducted initial interviews and ultimately recommended five finalists for consideration. One candidate later withdrew, leaving four individuals to be interviewed by city leadership during a closed session that began at 4:30 p.m. and concluded around 7:30 p.m.
Shortly after returning to open session, Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Carter Smith made the motion to appoint Best as police chief, with Ward 6 Alderman Curtis Moroney seconding the motion.
“We had excellent interviews tonight and I thank each and every one of them for being here,” Smith said. “But one candidate did stand out from the rest and will be the best fit for this important time in our history.”
Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier, a former longtime Natchez police officer, voiced opposition, arguing that the hiring process did not follow Civil Service guidelines.
“I want the public to hear this,” Frazier said. “We made this person who was a patrol officer a commander and now we are making him a chief of police. We are violating the rules and guidelines of Civil Service.”
Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving echoed those concerns.
“We did not follow the proper protocol,” she said. “It does not allow you to increase morale when you see the procedure was not followed through with.”
Moroney said he conducted extensive research on each candidate, including speaking with individuals who had worked alongside them.
“Lee Best is the best to lead the City of Natchez Police Department forward,” Moroney said. “I came into these interviews with a completely open mind.”
Ward 1 Alderwoman Valencia Hall also supported Best, noting that the Civil Service Commission presented a strong group of finalists.
Despite those assurances, Frazier warned the decision could result in legal action.
“This process is a sham,” he said. “Somebody is going to sue us, and it may come to the point that I might file suit against the city.”
The board ultimately split 3-3 on the motion, with Hall, Smith and Moroney voting in favor, and Frazier, Bridgewater-Irving and Alderman Ben Davis voting against. Mayor Dan Gibson cast the tie-breaking vote in support of Best.
“We have very carefully gone about this process,” Gibson said, noting that the job description had been vetted by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. “We are making a decision tonight that affects the next 50 years of this department. It is time for us to look to a new generation of leadership.”
Best brings more than a decade of law enforcement experience to the role. He began his career in 2010 with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, where he rose to the rank of captain. His experience includes serving as a narcotics investigator, training manager, and criminal investigator. He also led the Adams County Regional Counterdrug Task Force and worked with the DEA Task Force during Operation Get Wright, the largest drug bust in county history.
In December 2024, Best joined the Natchez Police Department as commander of code enforcement.
Following his appointment, Best expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for his new role.
“This is absolutely the highlight of my career,” he said. “I look forward to serving the Natchez Police Department and the citizens of the City of Natchez.”
this article first appeared in The Natchez Democrat, to see their article click here
Public lecture and exhibit set for March 27 in Port Gibson
PORT GIBSON, Miss. – Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-C. M. Boxley has donated his Forks of the Road exhibition to the Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture & Learning at Alcorn State University, Lorman Campus, announced the Center’s director, Dr. Garry Lewis.
“I am honored to entrust this research to Alcorn State University,” said Ser Boxley. “The Center’s commitment to cultural preservation ensures that the stories connected to the Forks of the Road will continue to educate, challenge, and inspire.”
Lewis emphasized the importance of Ser Boxley’s work. “Ser Boxley’s donation strengthens ongoing collaborations between Alcorn State University and regional heritage organizations committed to documenting African American history, preserving sacred sites, and expanding public access to historically grounded scholarship,” he said.
To recognize Ser Boxley’s decades‑long contributions as a preservationist and researcher, the Center will host a public lecture and presentation of the Forks of the Road exhibit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 27, at the Claiborne County Welcome & Heritage Center, 210 Walnut St. in Port Gibson. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez, will participate as a panelist and share remarks during the program.
Lewis applauded Ser Boxley for donating “his extensive artifact research and documentation on the historic ‘African/European Roots of the Underground Railroad and Forks of the Road’” to the Center. Lewis said the Forks of the Road slave market site is one of the most important locations tied to the domestic slave trade in the Deep Southwest.
For several years, the Forks of the Road exhibition was displayed at the Natchez Visitor Center on Canal Street until 2022, when the facility closed for renovation. The exhibition will have a new home with the Southwest Mississippi Center, according to Lewis.
In addition to his research, the donation includes Ser Boxley’s interpretive materials, historical analyses, and cultural documentation that illuminate the lived experiences of enslaved people trafficked through Natchez and the broader Mississippi region, Lewis said. He noted: “Ser Boxley’s work has been instrumental in shaping public understanding of the Forks of the Road as a site of memory, resilience, and truth-telling.”
In Lewis’ view, Ser Boxley’s contribution is more than a collection of research. “It is a gift of truth, legacy, and cultural responsibility. His dedication ensures that future generations can study, honor, and learn from the stories that shaped Southwest Mississippi and the nation.”
Lewis said the Center will preserve, curate, and integrate the donated materials into its educational programming, community partnerships, and student research initiatives.
“The collection will support Alcorn State University’s mission to advance cultural literacy, historical awareness, and community engagement across the region,” he said. “Ser Boxley, whose decades of research have helped illuminate the history of one of the most significant slave‑trading sites in the Deep Southwest, will share insights into his archival work, the importance of historical truth‑telling, and the ongoing efforts to preserve African American heritage across Southwest Mississippi.”
Lewis encourages Alcorn alumni, community members, visitors, and educators to attend Friday’s program and “engage directly with Ser Boxley’s scholarship and to deepen their understanding of the region’s cultural and historical landscape.”
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Happy Birthday to Miranda Bass Ross!
Birthday Cake winner 03/23/26