Author: Imported Author 1980807

A man is in custody with charges pending after a police chase in Natchez ended in a ravine. According to authorities, Courtney Smith attempted to drive away from officers at a fast‑food restaurant on Sergeant Prentiss Drive. A short pursuit followed, ending when Smith crashed into a ravine. Police recovered a discarded gun after the incident.

A recall effort targeting Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry continues to gain momentum, prompting state Republicans to push back. One of the recall organizers, Desiree Morrison, says the effort began after Landry halted U.S. House elections following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, claiming the process was stopped while voting had already begun. Louisiana Republican Party Executive Director Corey Dennis dismissed claims that Landry acted to weaken Black voting power and said the party views the criticism as politically motivated. The state GOP is launching a week‑long social media campaign highlighting Landry’s actions in office.

The U.S. Supreme Court has vacated a Mississippi legislative redistricting case, which previously led to several districts being redrawn in 2025. The case involved the redistricting maps approved by lawmakers in 2022. The Mississippi Voting Rights Act Rapid Response Coalition criticized the ruling, calling it a deeply troubling abuse of judicial power. Governor Tate Reeves said the decision provides additional judicial clarity.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy offered insight into his future plans following his failure to advance to the runoff in the U.S. Senate primary. Cassidy’s 18 years in Congress will conclude on January 3rd. When asked about his next political steps, Cassidy indicated he does not plan to seek further office, including ruling out a run for governor next year. His career has included three terms in the U.S. House, two terms in the U.S. Senate, and more than two years in the Louisiana State Senate.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 30.67 feet and falling.

Natchez city officials are seeking demolition contractors to tear down the Frye Building as plans advance to convert the site into a parking lot for the adjacent, yet-to-be-renovated Eola Hotel. The long-delayed project has involved numerous complexities, including asbestos contamination in the former office building. More than one million dollars in state and federal cleanup funds are being used to support the demolition. The city has been working toward tearing down the 1950s-era structure since it was donated to Natchez in 2021.

For the second consecutive year, Louisiana voters rejected all proposed constitutional amendments. None of the five measures on the ballot came close to passing, with margins of defeat ranging from 16 to 56 points. Representatives from the Public Affairs Research Council noted that voters may have opposed the amendments for a wide range of reasons, including dissatisfaction with the proposals themselves and the complexity of the measures.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the launch of Operation Hope, a statewide effort to locate missing foster children. Officials report that 13 children have been found, provided with support services, and brought to safety. A similar federal initiative, Project Hope, was implemented during the previous presidential administration in Kansas and Missouri, where authorities located 42 missing youth.

Louisiana continues to grow as a major hub for film production, supported by the state’s film incentive program. Film Louisiana reports that programs aimed at early engagement, such as the Filmmaker’s Junior festival for middle and high school students, are helping develop a future workforce. The state now ranks fourth nationally in film production. Industry representatives say legislative support will be important in sustaining workforce development efforts that link education, economic growth, and job creation.

The Mississippi River at Natchez–Vidalia measured 31.71 feet and is falling.

The Natchez Fire Department began testing the city’s more than 800 fire hydrants today. The annual process is used to identify any problems, which will be reported to Natchez Waterworks for repairs.

In Louisiana, Congresswoman Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming are headed to a June 27 runoff in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Letlow received 45 percent of the vote, assisted by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Senator Bill Cassidy conceded and did not mention Trump in his remarks, instead criticizing him for disputing the results of the 2020 presidential election. Fleming, who finished second, said he plans to appeal to all voters ahead of the runoff.

Mississippi Republican leaders are seeking to redraw congressional, legislative, and Supreme Court district maps following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that race cannot be the primary factor in creating election districts. The focus is on the state’s Second Congressional District, represented by Congressman Benny Thompson. Governor Tate Reeves said discussions will continue ahead of the 2027 elections, though he does not anticipate any changes before the upcoming midterm elections.

A bill awaiting Governor Jeff Landry’s signature aims to address co-mingling in Louisiana’s seafood industry, a practice in which imported shrimp is mixed with domestic shrimp and sold as a fully domestic product. Representative Tim Kerner of Lafitte sponsored the measure, which establishes fines between $10,000 and $50,000 for companies found to be co-mingling. The Southern Shrimp Alliance’s Sherry Blanchard said the bill increases awareness but emphasized that its effectiveness will depend on enforcement.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 32.74 feet and falling.

News, sports, and weather updates are available anytime at ListenUpYall.com.

City officials in Natchez will hold a special meeting Monday to revisit proposed changes to the tennis courts at Duncan Park. A previous proposal to convert some of the courts to pickleball failed last month after concerns were raised about maintaining enough tennis courts for school use and tournament play. The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers on Pearl Street.

Louisiana’s U.S. Senate primary election takes place tomorrow. The Republican race has drawn the most attention, featuring Bill Cassidy, John Fleming, and Julia Letlow. Polling indicates a likely runoff. Letlow entered the race following an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which shifted the field. Three candidates are running for the Democratic nomination: Jamie Davis, Nick Alvarez, and Gary Crockett.

Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann has created a Senate select committee on redistricting and reapportionment. The move follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Louisiana v. Callex case, which suggested that race should not be a factor in the drawing of political maps. Hosemann said he expects Mississippi lawmakers to redraw congressional, legislative, and state Supreme Court districts before the 2027 elections.

In Louisiana, the state Senate has approved a new congressional map containing five majority‑white Republican districts and one majority‑Black Democratic district. Supporters noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has said partisan considerations cannot guide map drawing. Opponents argued the map lacks diverse representation and is being pushed through at the direction of the president. The debate now moves to the House.

The Mississippi River stands at 35.79 feet and is falling.

The Vidalia Board of Aldermen has adopted a new ordinance regulating golf carts on streets within the town limits. Until now, Vidalia followed Louisiana traffic laws without a specific local ordinance. During Tuesday’s public hearing, several residents expressed concerns, particularly noting that enforcement of golf cart rules has been minimal for the past decade. The police chief stated that some violations went unenforced because officers did not have a local ordinance to reference prior to this change.

A Louisiana Senate Governmental Affairs Committee meeting concluded with approval of a proposed congressional map that would likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing the state in the U.S. House. Senator Jay Morris of West Monroe said the map closely resembles the one approved by the legislature in 2022 and maintains the core of existing districts. Dozens of speakers argued that a 5-1 map does not adequately represent minority voters. Opponents called the proposal a step backward, and Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis questioned whether their concerns would continue to be ignored. The committee advanced the map on a 4-3 vote, sending it to the Senate floor for further debate.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a ruling that found Mississippi’s current Supreme Court district map violated the Voting Rights Act and needed to be redrawn. The court dissolved the injunction that had blocked the state from using the existing map, allowing it to remain in place for future elections. Following the decision, Governor Tate Reeves withdrew his proclamation calling for a special legislative session.

Louisiana continues to rank first in the nation for academic improvement, according to the latest Education Scorecard. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley highlighted the state’s progress, noting that Louisiana ranked first in reading growth and second in math growth from 2019 to 2024. The newest scorecard shows the state again leading the nation in improvement from 2022 to 2025. Brumley said efforts will continue, including expanded tutoring for students who need additional support.

The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 36.65 feet and falling.

Natchez city aldermen have agreed to join officials in Meadville and Brookhaven to advance plans for a potential Natchez‑to‑Brookhaven passenger train service. The project depends on securing federal funding and remains uncertain, as discussions have been ongoing for several years. According to Mayor Dan Gibson, significant work is still required before the service could become a reality. The proposal involves collaboration with Natchez Railway, which currently uses the 65‑mile rail line to transport freight between the two cities. The development comes as Natchez–Adams County prepares for the return of commercial passenger air service in July, the first since the 1990s.

Louisiana officials have reached a tentative $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Green, a Black motorist who died during a 2019 roadside arrest involving five white law enforcement officers. The information comes from two individuals familiar with the agreement who spoke with the Associated Press. The settlement would conclude a federal wrongful‑death lawsuit filed by Green’s family. Green’s case drew national attention after the Associated Press obtained and released footage in 2021 showing Louisiana State Police officers punching, kicking, and using stun guns on him near Monroe. A Louisiana State Police spokesperson said the agency could not comment on the agreement because it has not been finalized.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that its statewide program to expand access to substance‑use‑disorder care has reached all 82 counties. The program aims to identify risk earlier, reduce treatment barriers, and provide services closer to where patients live. MSDH cites several factors contributing to the need for expanded care. In 2023, 49 percent of Mississippi households were either in poverty or earning below the cost of basic needs. Overdose deaths in the state increased by more than one‑third from 2020 to 2021, including a 51 percent rise in deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Federal estimates from 2022 and 2023 indicate that about 327,000 Mississippi residents age 12 and older who needed substance‑use treatment did not receive it.

Concerns have emerged following a hantavirus outbreak on a sightseeing cruise ship, but infectious‑disease experts say the risk of a pandemic is low. According to an infectious‑disease specialist from LSU Health New Orleans, hantavirus generally does not spread easily between people and is far less transmissible than viruses such as COVID‑19 or influenza. While hantavirus typically does not spread from person to person, officials noted that the outbreak involves a specific strain known as the Andes virus.

The Mississippi River at Natchez Valley stands at 37.38 feet and is falling.

A crash in Concordia Parish early Sunday morning resulted in the deaths of two teenagers and the arrest of the driver. According to investigators, the incident occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. when 18-year-old Gregory Steele of Vidalia lost control of an SUV, drove off the roadway, and overturned the vehicle. Steele sustained minor injuries. Two passengers, 19-year-old Jacob Bodet of Vidalia and 17-year-old Michelle Beatty of Natchez, were killed. Another 18-year-old passenger suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. State Police reported that alcohol appears to have been a factor and that none of the four teens in the SUV were wearing seat belts.

Early voting data released by the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office shows that approximately 4,500 more Democrats than Republicans participated. According to JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon, redistricting hearings contributed to high Democratic turnout in the final two days of early voting. He noted that the turnout increase occurred despite significant rainfall on Friday and Saturday. Couvillon also said some Democratic voters may have been motivated by proposed constitutional amendments.

The Mississippi Insurance Department issued recommendations aimed at reducing wildfire risks as part of National Wildfire Awareness Month. Suggested precautions include retrofitting homes, clearing debris from properties, and creating defensible spaces to help prevent flames from spreading to structures.

Louisiana will implement a recreational alligator hunting season for the first time following Governor Jeff Landry’s signing of Senate Bill 244. The measure was introduced in response to the state’s alligator population exceeding 3 million. Supporters of the bill say commercial hunting alone has not been sufficient to manage the population, as not all commercial hunting tags are being used.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia measured 38.01 feet and is falling.

A recent increase in deer-related collisions in Adams County has prompted a warning from Sheriff Travis Patton. One of the incidents involved a dirt bike striking a deer, injuring the rider. The extent of the rider’s injuries is not yet known, and the individual was taken to Merit Health Natchez for treatment.

Debate is ongoing in Louisiana over a new congressional district map. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee held a lengthy meeting Friday as Black lawmakers urged the Republican-led legislature to approve a map containing two Black-majority districts. Some lawmakers questioned why a 4–2 map could not be drawn, while others argued that political considerations, rather than race, should guide the process. The committee is expected to vote on a proposed map on Wednesday.

The number of injuries from last Wednesday’s severe storms in Mississippi has risen to 26. Of those, 22 occurred in Lincoln County, three in Lamar County, and one in Franklin County. According to the governor, the Mississippi State Department of Health will meet with hospitals today to assess the conditions of those injured. In Lincoln County, eight roads remain impassable due to debris, and damage assessments are scheduled for today.

A proposal in the Louisiana House that would make it more difficult for school districts to shift to a four-day school week faced pushback on the House floor. Supporters of the bill said longer school days required by a four-day schedule place strain on students and working parents. During debate, amendments were added that would exempt certain school systems and charter schools. Some lawmakers expressed concern that the bill should not advance at this time.

The Mississippi River at Natchez–Vidalia stands at 38.29 feet and continues to rise.

A man has been charged in connection with a dogfighting incident in Jefferson County. According to Sheriff James Bailey, Cyrus Van Charles Marsaw of Adams County turned himself in following an April 18 incident in Union Church that ended with a shooting. Bailey said the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office did not receive a report about the shooting until 12 hours later, and the information came from another agency. Adams County deputies responded to reports of individuals with gunshot wounds at Merit Health Natchez, and some victims were transported to a Jefferson County hospital. Four people were injured in the shooting.

Louisiana’s shrimping industry continues to face economic challenges. Oscar Tickle, producer of the program Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp, said imported shrimp has driven down the value of locally caught shrimp, creating financial strain for shrimpers. He said those in the industry are hopeful that federal action, including tariffs, could provide relief. Tickle noted that the program features conversations not only with shrimpers but also with restaurant owners and dock workers.

Severe storms on Wednesday caused major damage in Lincoln County. Flooding at a mobile home park in the Boque Chitto community left people trapped for several hours. According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, 12 injured individuals were transported from the washed-out park. The Lincoln County EOC reported no missing persons, and at least 17 people were hurt in the severe weather.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana has risen above $4 for the first time since 2022. AAA fuel analyst Don Redmond said the statewide average now stands at $4.02, compared to about $2.70 a year ago. Redmond said a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is needed for prices to fall and suggested that increased stability in the region could lead to lower fuel costs by June.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 37.13 feet and rising.

Severe weather moved across the Mizzou region yesterday, leaving storm debris and prompting cleanup efforts on both sides of the state line. The storm system led to early closures of city and county offices and produced a tornado warning, along with a confirmed tornado near Meadville. Residents are encouraged to report any storm damage through listenupyall.com. Forecast updates indicate quieter weather ahead.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would limit Louisiana governors to two elected terms has received approval from the state House after previously failing to reach the required 70 votes. Representative Michael Bahan of Chalmette is advancing the legislation, stating that the change could help reduce political corruption and signal efforts to move away from past political practices. Representative Mark Wright of Covington questioned whether the amendment would benefit the state and expressed concern about adding more amendments to the constitution. The measure passed 73-25 and now moves to the Senate.

Mississippi lawmakers will return to Jackson to redraw the state’s Supreme Court maps. Governor Tate Reeves announced a special session to begin three weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the Louisiana versus Calais case, which suggested that race should not be considered in map drawing. Mississippi has three Supreme Court districts. Prior to the legislative session, a federal judge ruled that several seats in the central district were unconstitutional, but paused the ruling to allow the legislature to address the issue during the 2026 session. Lawmakers did not act during the regular session.

CLECO has launched the largest grid resiliency investment in the company’s history. Spokesperson Brooke Buford said the effort is designed to reduce outages and shorten restoration times, particularly during hurricane season. The five-year plan involves more than 550 infrastructure projects and includes maintenance or replacement of over 700 power poles in areas such as Covington, Eunice, Jenneret, Lacombe, Madisonville, New Iberia, Pineville, and Slidell. CLECO customers can track project progress through the company’s website.

The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 36.29 feet and rising. News, sports, and weather updates are available anytime at listenupyall.com.