Author: Imported Author 1980807

Investigators responded to a reported break-in at Concordia Pawn and Gun Shop in Vidalia during the early morning hours of Saturday. Officers detained 19-year-old Dakota Lee Page, who was found shirtless and bleeding, with injuries believed to have been caused by broken store glass. According to investigators, several items linking Page to the burglary were recovered. His bond has been set at just under $27,000.

The race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Louisiana remains unpredictable as Election Day approaches. Polling shows varying results on whether Julia Letlow or John Fleming holds the lead. Low anticipated voter turnout has made forecasting the outcome difficult. The deciding factor is expected to be which campaign is more successful in mobilizing its supporters to vote on Saturday.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced that 11 individuals have been indicted in connection with Medicaid fraud cases totaling more than $12.3 million. The indictments involve allegations of fraudulent billing, wire fraud, and false documentation, with cases spread from Olive Branch to Gulfport and other communities across the state.

A rain gauge in Avoyles Parish recorded 29.06 inches of rainfall within 12 hours during Tropical Storm Arthur. State climatologist Jay Grimes is working with the National Weather Service to officially validate the measurement. If confirmed, it would surpass the current state record of 22 inches of rainfall in a single day. Grimes said the extreme rainfall resulted from a chain of thunderstorms repeatedly forming over the same area, similar to the conditions that led to the 2016 floods in south Louisiana.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 37.35 feet and rising.

Residents and some businesses in downtown Natchez will experience a temporary water outage on Tuesday. Natchez Waterworks will conduct a second shutoff from approximately 8:15 a.m. to noon in order to replace an old valve and repair a leak in the system.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry visited Avoyelles Parish on Monday to assist with ongoing relief efforts following historic flooding. The governor and First Lady Sharon Landry helped distribute food, water, ice, and cleaning supplies at the Mooreville Volunteer Fire Department. Faith-based organizations are also participating in cleanup efforts. Landry encouraged flood victims to report their damages, noting that federal assistance depends on the number of affected residents. Losses can be reported at damage.la.gov.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced a settlement with Roblox that will require the company to implement new safety measures to protect minors. The agreement provides parents with more control over who their children can communicate with, how long they can use the platform, and what games they can access. Roblox will also increase efforts to detect grooming behavior and other suspicious activity, and will hire a Mississippi law enforcement liaison to work with the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The settlement includes $9 million for digital literacy and parental education initiatives and imposes $5 million in penalties if Roblox fails to comply.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued guidance for residents filing claims after last week’s heavy rainfall. Insurance requirements depend on the type of damage. Flooded vehicles fall under auto comprehensive coverage, while flooded homes require separate flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple noted that many Avoyelles Parish residents do not carry flood insurance and may have limited options for recovery, relying instead on local, state, or federal programs.

The Mississippi River at Natchez Valley is at 37.20 feet and rising.

Mississippi State Treasurer David McRae has announced the launch of a scholarship giveaway through the Mississippi Affordable College Savings Program in recognition of America’s 250th birthday. Ten students will receive $250 maximum scholarships. Entries are open through July 3, and students can register at treasury.ms.gov/America250.

Early voting has ended in Louisiana, leaving this Saturday as the final opportunity for voters to participate in the U.S. Senate runoffs. A recent poll conducted ahead of the Republican runoff showed Julia Letlow leading John Fleming by 15 points. However, a newer poll commissioned by the Letlow campaign showed her trailing Fleming. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan said the conflicting results indicate the race is highly competitive and noted that both campaigns continue to raise significant funds. Hogan also pointed to a potential misstep by the Fleming campaign involving an AI-generated commercial depicting Letlow discussing her late husband.

A shortage of donated blood is highlighting the need for more volunteers as thousands of Mississippians with sickle cell disease rely on regular transfusions. The Mississippi Sickle Cell Foundation is using World Sickle Cell Awareness Day to educate communities about the disease and encourage increased blood donations. Health leaders are urging more residents to donate to help ensure adequate blood supplies for patients with sickle cell and other disorders.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry visited Avoyles Parish to survey flooding in the area. He described large sections of the parish as submerged and said the scenes were striking. A state of emergency has been declared in Avoyles Parish and five additional parishes, and efforts are underway to secure a federal disaster declaration. Landry emphasized the importance of residents documenting their damage at damage.la.gov, noting that many affected households lack flood insurance.

The Mississippi River in the Natchez Valley is at 37 feet and rising.

News, sports, and weather are available anytime at listenupyall.com.

A man wanted in a Farity murder investigation has turned himself in. Christopher “C.J.” Shepherd is now in custody in connection with the June 4 shooting that killed 19‑year‑old Caven Barrow of Natchez. Barrow was believed to have been driving near Lake Drive and Lancaster Avenue when he was shot, causing him to crash behind a church. Police are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Tropical Storm Arthur has moved out of the region after spawning multiple tornadoes. Tornadoes touched down in Houma and surrounding areas, damaging about half a dozen homes. Heavy rainfall also overwhelmed flood control pumps, and a few homes experienced flooding. Officials say no mandatory evacuations were required. Tornado damage was also reported in metro New Orleans, from Avondale across Old Jefferson to City Park.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new study from NiceRx ranks Oklahoma highest in heart disease deaths, followed by Mississippi with 235.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Louisiana ranks fifth with a rate of 217.7. The study notes that states with high heart disease death rates often have high obesity rates, though age, genetics, smoking, and access to healthcare also contribute.

The 104th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention is underway in New Orleans. More than 1,600 farmers and their families are expected to attend, along with all four candidates in the June 27 U.S. Senate runoffs. The convention provides an opportunity for political candidates to speak directly with farmers about issues affecting the agricultural community. The event includes an awards ceremony, talent and queen’s contests, and two parties over its four-day schedule.

The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia is at 35.47 feet and rising.

County supervisors have approved diverting county funds to the Adams County Youth Court after state‑authorized spending was not released. Judge Walt Brown informed the Adams County Board of Supervisors on Monday that Mississippi lawmakers did not extend a law set to expire July 1 that allows youth courts to use about $2.5 million previously allocated by the state. Because the authorization lapsed, the funds cannot currently be spent. Governor Tate Reeves has been asked to call a special legislative session to address the issue, but it is unclear whether he will do so. At Brown’s request, the board voted to transfer about $10,000 from the Adams County Youth Detention Center to help pay youth court personnel.

In Louisiana, the legislative auditor says most public school systems have enough available funding to cover teacher and staff stipends without taking a financial hit. Auditor Mike Wagaspac reported that all but four or five school systems could absorb a loss of public school funding and still pay a $2,000 stipend for teachers and a $1,000 stipend for support workers. Legislators must still approve the governor’s plan to use public school funding for the stipends, and supporters believe the proposal is more likely to pass if lawmakers are assured the $168 million reduction will not severely impact schools.

A Mississippi police officer has been placed on administrative leave following an officer‑involved shooting at a Walmart in Senatobia that resulted in the death of a one‑year‑old child. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation says officers responded Sunday afternoon to a shoplifting report and attempted to stop two women and a child who left the store and entered a vehicle. According to the MBI, officers reported that the driver accelerated toward them and nearly struck them, prompting at least one officer to fire at the vehicle. The child, identified as Koen Wiley, was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The officer involved has not been publicly identified.

In Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry has signed the Behind the Counter Protection Act, which increases penalties for assaulting retail and service employees. The bill was authored by Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin. Supporters say the measure is intended to improve safety for workers in restaurants and other customer‑facing jobs.

The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia stands at 34.14 feet and is rising.