Author: Imported Author 1980807

Chastney Doyle addressed the Natchez mayor and board of aldermen Tuesday for the first time as the newly appointed executive director of the Downtown Natchez Alliance. Doyle, who has worked with city officials for several years on downtown redevelopment efforts, said she looks forward to continuing that work in an official capacity with the city, staff, and the broader community. She succeeds Leah Hunter, who resigned in April after one year in the position.

Louisiana education officials report significant improvement in reading proficiency among the state’s youngest students. At the beginning of the school year, fewer than half of students in kindergarten through third grade were reading at or above grade level. By year’s end, that figure rose to more than 66 percent. The Center for Literacy and Learning says districts working with the organization saw even greater gains and that early literacy achievement will help build a more skilled workforce in the future.

Mississippi Blood Services reports a critical decline in donor participation, with daily blood collections down nearly 30 percent. The organization says many donor chairs and blood storage shelves are currently empty, even as demand remains high during the summer travel season. In response, Mississippi Blood Services is promoting its Save Our Summer campaign and urging eligible donors to give blood.

A new voter ID law in Louisiana will take effect in July 2027. Under the law, voters without a photo ID will no longer be allowed to vote by signing an affidavit. Instead, they must present documentation proving their identity, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card, or certificate of citizenship, along with a voter registration notice, recent utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub. Supporters say the change will strengthen voter integrity, while critics argue it will lead to voter suppression.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 38.49 feet and falling.

Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would allocate approximately $2.4 million for the City of Natchez to rebuild the Canal Street Bridge. The city’s congressional lobbyist said the proposal is still early in the process and must pass additional steps in both the U.S. House and Senate before it can be sent to the President for consideration.

Louisiana has formed a new ATV-UTV safety task force that brings together law enforcement, education, and healthcare representatives to address youth injuries and fatalities related to off-road vehicles. According to the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission, the state averages between eight and twelve ATV and UTV-related fatalities each year, with children ages 10 to 14 representing the largest group of injured youth. The task force plans to promote safety education, raise awareness, and support policy changes aimed at reducing these incidents.

Mississippi residents impacted by January’s winter storm have until the end of today to apply for financial assistance. More than 84,000 residents have registered for help. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reports that over $126 million has been distributed through FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program. In addition, 29 loans totaling $40 million have been issued through a state revolving loan program to assist counties and municipalities with cleanup and debris removal costs while they await FEMA reimbursement.

Louisiana duck hunters will have access to a new experimental season for black-bellied whistling ducks beginning this year. The season is set for October 3 through October 11 and is limited to the harvest of that species only. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the special season has been under discussion for several years and will be offered for the next four years, starting annually on the first Saturday in October.

The Mississippi River at Natchez stands at 38.99 feet and is falling.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 27-year-old Natchez man was arrested in connection with a sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl. Deputies responded to a home early yesterday after receiving a call about the incident. According to the sheriff, family members had detained the suspect, identified as Kadarius Tyree Terrell, before deputies arrived. Terrell was taken into custody and transported to the Adams County Jail. Officials say he entered the home through a bedroom window and engaged in sexual contact with the minor. Terrell allegedly provided false identification and claimed to be 18 years old. He is charged with statutory rape and providing false information or identification to law enforcement.

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office is seeking poll commissioners for the June 27 and November 3 elections. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says many current commissioners are retiring, and more people are needed to fill the roles. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and entering their senior year of high school. Those 18 and older must be registered voters in Louisiana. Compensation can range from up to $200 for commissioners to $350 for commissioners in charge.

Mississippi remains ranked 16th nationally in education in the 2026 Kids Count Databook and is one of only two states to show improvement in education between 2019 and 2024. The Annie E. Casey Foundation publishes the annual report, which measures child well-being across economic well-being, education, health, and family and community indicators. This year marks the first time states received a comprehensive score from zero to 1,000, based on 16 indicators over a five-year span. Mississippi ranks 50th overall with a score of 271 but earned a score of 448 in the education category.

A new Louisiana law effective August 1 will require prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities to immediately notify the public if a violent inmate is inadvertently released. Governor Jeff Landry signed the measure last month. The bill, authored by New Orleans Representative Mandy Landry, was introduced after multiple instances in which notifications about escaped inmates were delayed. She noted last year’s jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Jail, when the public was not notified until about 10 hours after 10 inmates escaped.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 39.40 feet and falling.

A trailer home on Red Loop Road in Adams County was destroyed by fire Thursday morning, though no injuries were reported. Emergency crews responded shortly after 9 a.m. following reports of a structure fire. Officials said all occupants escaped safely before firefighters arrived. Natchez firefighters and Adams County emergency personnel worked to contain the blaze, and Entergy crews were called to address utility concerns. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

In Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race, Democratic candidates Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis are preparing for a June 27 runoff to determine who will represent the party in the general election. Crockett, who has not run for public office before, said he felt compelled to enter the race. Davis emphasized contrasts between himself and the Republican field, describing himself as a candidate with everyday roots.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to properly secure vehicle loads during summer travel. The agency cites National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data showing that unsecured objects cause approximately 850 deaths and 19,000 injuries each year. About 73 percent of related accidents involve passenger vehicles.

Louisiana continues to rank low in overall child well-being, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book, placing 48th nationwide. Teresa Falgu of the Agenda for Children said the state ranks 50th in economic well-being due to high child poverty rates. However, the report shows improvement in education, with Louisiana ranking 35th, one of its strongest performances to date. Falgu noted that the state’s overall score improvement is surpassed only by South Carolina.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia stands at 39.47 feet and is rising.

The Natchez Aquatic Center is open for the season with weekday hours from 1 to 6 p.m. Weekend hours are still being finalized. Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and swim attire is required to enter the water. Bags are not allowed in the pool area, and the facility prohibits tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Ten certified lifeguards have been hired for the summer.

Although Louisiana’s law eliminating vehicle inspection stickers does not officially take effect until January 1, citations for expired inspections will cease on July 1 under a moratorium issued by Governor Jeff Landry. Representative Larry Bagley, author of House Bill 1085, has advised motorists not to renew expiring inspections. The traditional inspection sticker will be replaced by a QR code costing $6 annually, included in registration renewal. The code will measure about two inches by one inch and will be placed at the bottom of the passenger side of the windshield.

Mississippi lawmakers are reviewing possible consolidation within K–12 schools. The House Select Committee on Consolidation met with the Mississippi Department of Education, where State Superintendent Dr. Lance Sevens outlined two potential approaches: combining two or more school districts into one or consolidating schools or staff within an existing district.

A new Louisiana law aims to create a more family-friendly environment on college campuses by increasing penalties for marijuana use. House Bill 586 raises the penalty for smoking marijuana on or near college campuses and public schools to a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Supporters of the law say marijuana use has become a growing issue at college football games and on school campuses. It remains legal to consume alcohol on campuses where permitted.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 39.2 feet and rising.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patton and the Adams County Board of Supervisors continue to address concerns about disruptive behavior in county parks. Patton told supervisors that deputies are increasing enforcement in response to recent incidents involving fights, ATV drag racing, and other disturbances.

State lawmakers have approved changes to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services following the legislative session. A bill awaiting Governor Jeff Landry’s signature would add a law enforcement liaison within DCFS. Senator Regina Barrow sought to place a liaison in each of the state’s nine districts but said budget limitations reduced the plan to a single position. Barrow said she views the measure as a positive step in light of the number of child deaths involving open DCFS cases. She noted that there were 53 such deaths last year and 30 so far this year.

Mississippi U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith reported that she has offered to assist U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz in securing the resources needed to help Mississippi recover from tornado and winter storm damage. Speaking during a Senate Agriculture Committee oversight hearing, Hyde-Smith said she emphasized the risks posed by delays in clearing debris from private land and national forest areas affected by the May 6–7 tornadoes and January’s winter storm.

Gasoline prices in the region have begun to decline. AAA Louisiana’s Don Redman said average prices in the state have dropped about 17 cents over the past week. He noted that prices were above $4 per gallon roughly a week ago and are now averaging about $3.81 per gallon.

The Mississippi River at Natchez–Vidalia is at 38.96 feet and rising.

Adams County supervisors this week did not decide whether to join Natchez officials in developing pickleball courts near the city–county swimming pool at Liberty Park. The Natchez Board of Aldermen voted last week to pursue the Liberty Park option after rejecting a proposal supported by the mayor to build courts at Duncan Park. A member of the board of aldermen who opposes placing pickleball facilities at Duncan Park asked county supervisors to consider contributing funding for the alternative site, but supervisors did not commit to participating.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced a plan to continue the $2,000 annual stipend that teachers and support workers have received since 2023. He said the $168 million needed can be found within the state’s $4 billion public school funding formula by redirecting money from non-instructional portions of the budget. Landry acknowledged that school superintendents may oppose the move but noted that public school enrollment has declined by more than 111,000 students since 1988 and that teacher pay, when adjusted for inflation, has decreased. Changing how the funds are used will require a two‑thirds vote in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature.

Law enforcement in Chickasaw County dismantled a large illegal cockfighting operation. Authorities reported seizing 164 fighting roosters, $84,000 in cash, 14 firearms, drugs, 13 trailers, multiple vehicles, and other evidence tied to organized cockfighting. Investigators said participants and spectators traveled from several states, including Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and locations across Mississippi. A total of 60 people were arrested.

The National Federation of Independent Business in Louisiana reported general satisfaction with the outcome of the state legislative session. The organization highlighted two bills it supported: one establishing the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program aimed at developing a skilled workforce, and another updating the state’s workers’ compensation system. The group also noted that it worked to oppose several proposed measures that it said would have created costly labor and regulatory requirements for small businesses.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 38.38 feet and rising.