Author: Imported Author 1980807

Vidalia Mayor Buzz Craft joined more than 100 mayors from municipalities along the Mississippi River in Washington to support the Grid Act, legislation aimed at protecting local electric and water systems from the demands of large AI data centers.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has released benchmark hurricane premium discounts for homeowners with fortified roofs. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said the discounts range from 16% for homeowners in north Louisiana with base-level fortified roofs to 49% for those in south Louisiana with gold-level fortified roofs. Temple said insurers seeking to deviate from those benchmarks must prove that doing so would negatively affect their ability to pay claims and must go through a regulatory process. The discounts take effect January 1.

Scott Cullum has won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Mississippi and will face Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in the fall. In the race for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Benny Thompson secured the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson lost to Ron Eller, who advances to the general election ballot.

Amtrak’s new passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama has exceeded expectations. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross said the route, known informally as the Mardi Gras line, had been projected to draw about 71,000 riders in its first year, but has already surpassed 80,000 riders in just six months. Ross attributed the strong ridership to the walkability and appeal of New Orleans, Mobile, and the intermediate stops, as well as the convenience of twice-daily service that allows for day trips.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 25.30 feet and rising.

The Natchez Stew Pot is seeking community assistance for its Easter meal preparations. The organization is requesting donations of store‑bought potato salad from Walmart or local markets, dinner rolls, peas, and desserts such as cookies, cakes, and brownies. The deadline to donate is March 30. Easter falls on April 5.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has outlined his legislative priorities for the 2026 session, focusing on crime, education, and vehicle inspection requirements. He continues to support eliminating inspection stickers for noncommercial vehicles and has suggested replacing them with a $6 QR code sticker that would provide law enforcement with necessary information. Landry is also backing legislation that would allow the governor to recommend the removal of a judge and is advocating for increased funding for the LA Gator program, which is intended to expand school choice options for families.

In Mississippi, Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office has been using unverified credit data from Experian to update voter rolls, resulting in more than 50,000 voters being marked inactive ahead of this year’s congressional primaries. This method differs from traditional practices that rely on verified government data. Critics, including election officials and voting‑rights advocates, say the process lacks safeguards and may incorrectly inactivate voters whose credit data lists a different address, even if they have not moved. Some voters have reported being mistakenly flagged, which could lead to removal from the voter rolls if they do not participate in upcoming elections.

Authorities in Grant Parish have uncovered another attempt to smuggle contraband into the federal prison there, this time using plastic crows. According to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, two women from Texas filled plastic crows with methamphetamine, THC, synthetic marijuana, tobacco, and cell phones, then used drones to drop them onto prison grounds. Law enforcement intercepted the delivery. Officials report that multiple individuals have been arrested over the past year in similar smuggling attempts, and those involved in this incident said they were paid $40,000 to transport the contraband.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 25.26 feet and falling.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a weekend crash on U.S. 61 near Sprint Mart in Natchez. The incident resulted in traffic delays on Saturday. No information on injuries has been released.

The 2026 Louisiana legislative session begins today. Issues that have appeared in previous years are expected to resurface, including carbon capture regulations. Some lawmakers are seeking to give local governments more authority over whether carbon emissions can be injected into underground wells. Tort reform proposals are also returning, including measures backed by business groups that would make it more difficult to obtain compensation for mental anguish or emotional distress. A bill to abolish vehicle inspection stickers is also being introduced again.

In Mississippi, teachers and some public employees could see pay and retirement changes during the 2026 legislative session. The Mississippi House unanimously approved an amendment to Senate Bill 2103 that includes several compensation increases. Under the amendment, K‑12 teachers would receive a $5,000 raise, special education teachers an additional $3,000, and teacher assistants a $3,000 raise. The amendment also includes a provision that would allow retired teachers to return to work. The House rejected a Senate bill that would have allowed retired teachers to earn up to 65 percent of their salary, opting instead to insert its own version into the legislation.

Changes to Tier Five of the Public Employees Retirement System are also included. The amendment would reduce the number of years required to receive full retirement benefits from 35 to 30 and lower the retirement age from 62 to 60. The bill now returns to the Mississippi Senate for further consideration.

A new statewide poll of Louisiana voters shows cost of living and inflation as the top concerns. The Pelican Institute for Public Policy surveyed 762 voters last month. Forty percent identified cost of living and inflation as their primary issue. The economy ranked second at 18 percent, followed by concerns such as crime, health care, education, and taxes. The poll’s release coincides with the opening day of the legislative session, as residents look to lawmakers to address these priorities.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 25.63 feet and falling.

Construction at the Natchez-Adams County Airport is progressing as crews work to prepare for the return of commercial passenger airline service for the first time in 30 years. Work began in February to convert an existing airplane hangar into a passenger terminal for United Express flights scheduled to begin July 1. The project is estimated to cost up to $6.8 million. A process that would normally take about a year is being fast‑tracked to be completed in four months.

The airport has been without regular commercial airline service for three decades.

In Louisiana, legislation has been refiled aimed at tightening rules on the use of artificial intelligence in political materials. Representative Mandy Landry has introduced a bill that would require clear disclosure when any image used in political messaging is created with AI. Landry said the goal is to prevent campaigns from misleading voters. She filed a similar bill last year, but it was vetoed by the governor.

In Mississippi, several bills intended to help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain employees under the new Tier 5 retirement structure have failed. The Senate had sent six bills to the House addressing concerns raised after lawmakers passed House Bill 1 in the 2025 legislative session. The law requires new employees hired after March 1 of this year to work 35 years to receive full retirement benefits. Another proposed bill would have allowed retired employees to return to work and earn up to 80 percent of the salary for the position, but it also did not advance.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced that the state is close to reaching a settlement with ConocoPhillips in lawsuits accusing the company of contributing to coastal damage. Landry said the lawsuits have slowed coastal restoration efforts and that the agreement would move parties from litigation to cooperation. Under the proposed settlement, ConocoPhillips would provide the state access to 150,000 acres of its land for restoration work and contribute to the state’s coastal trust fund. Landry said this would allow Louisiana to begin work on a planned 94‑mile coastal land bridge and a major storm surge barrier intended to protect communities in the Bayou region, including Houma and Thibodaux.

The Mississippi River at Natchez today is at 27.13 feet and rising.