Author: Josh

A 15-year-old from Vidalia died in a tow truck crash in East Feliciana Parish. Louisiana will receive $208 million for rural health care; Mississippi state employees gain paid parental leave, and Louisiana’s handheld-phone driving ban is fully enforceable.

A 15-year-old Vidalia teen was killed in a tow-truck crash in East Feliciana Parish; Louisiana also won $208 million in federal funds to strengthen rural health care. Mississippi began a new paid parental-leave policy for eligible state employees (up to six weeks), Louisiana’s handheld phone ban is now enforceable, and the Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia…

Winter illnesses — flu, RSV and pneumonia — are rising in the Miss Lou amid fluctuating temperatures and holiday gatherings. New Orleans saw large drops in violent crime through 2025, while Mississippi ranked second‑highest per capita for New Year’s driving deaths; officials also urge litter prevention.

A Vidalia 17-year-old was arrested after surveillance tied him to a stolen firearm taken from a vehicle; bond is $67,500. Meanwhile, Louisiana recorded 13 fatal Christmas holiday crashes amid foggy, hazardous conditions—authorities cite speed, impairment and seatbelt failures.

A ceiling fire at Natchez’s Mark Hall paper plant was quickly extinguished with no injuries. Louisiana’s “Gulf to Gumbo” float will appear in the Rose Parade, Mississippi again ranks poorly on maternal health, and Paul Hollis was confirmed as U.S. Mint director.

Two hospitalized after a crash on US‑61; roughly 350 National Guard troops will deploy to New Orleans for major events; ACA premium subsidies face expiration that could raise costs for hundreds of thousands of Mississippians; Tulane advances a melioidosis vaccine.

A local roundup: a man suffered minor injuries when his pickup overturned on Colonel John Pitchford Parkway. Auto premiums showed some decreases in 2025 but remain high, flu activity is steady, farmers struggle with low commodity prices, and the Mississippi at Natchez‑Vidalia is 11.23 ft and rising.

Adams County deputies rescued a disoriented driver after a brief GPS signal; Louisiana reports a resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild waterfowl; Mississippi troopers boost holiday patrols — and Powerball climbs to an estimated $1.7 billion.

Adams County deputies rescued a disoriented driver who briefly regained cell service and sent GPS coordinates; authorities thanked partnering agencies for the weekend search. Meanwhile, Louisiana sees a surge in avian flu, Mississippi ramps up holiday patrols through Dec. 26, and the Powerball jackpot hits an estimated $1.7 billion.

Monterey Fire Chief and school board member Matt Taunton has died at 47; faith leaders urged an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch amid concerns over wrongful detentions — plus briefs on Santa’s reindeer entering Mississippi and Gov. Jeff Landry’s Greenland remarks.