Category: Morning Newscast

Natchez aldermen backed reopening Doug Charbonneau’s rum distillery at historic King’s Tavern after planning approval, as Louisiana health officials warn of cyclophane — a synthetic opioid far more potent than fentanyl. Mississippi reports record tourism and a proposed Dolly Parton license plate.

Natchez Rotary fountain restored; Gov. Landry allows non‑taxable dyed diesel in highway ag/timber vehicles; Gov. Reeves secures $8.5M for community college workforce training; Applied Atomics opens HQ in Bywater. Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia 16.54 ft and rising.

Adams County’s insurance for government properties and liabilities climbed about 9% to more than $940,000, a rise officials partly attribute to the new $7 million passenger terminal at Natchez-Adams County Airport. The Board renewed coverage for $66 million in structures but will seek a less expensive policy next spring.

Investigators probe a Vidalia riverfront shooting after a man was airlifted to UMMC; Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser urges FDA nominee Dr. Heidi Overton to visit Louisiana over seafood inspections. Also: Mississippi tops WalletHub’s student-debt list, and Louisiana adds $100M to fortified-roof grants.

Law enforcement is investigating a Natchez crash that killed a Sicily Island man as toxicology results are pending. The roundup also highlights Louisiana’s surge in gas prices, Mississippi’s record nonfarm employment tied to a major Hitachi investment, and Louisiana’s bid to host a proposed U.S. Space Academy.

Natchez and American Cruise Lines broke ground on a major new Mississippi River cruise dock — the line’s largest infrastructure project — to boost tourism and port embarkations. Also: a Louisiana coastal-restoration award, AT&T line-theft arrests, and a residency dispute.

Natchez aldermen approved a nearly $40 million budget — including raises for public works and firefighters and no millage change — amid a 4-2 split over rainy-day reserves. Statewide, seatbelt use climbed to 88% as crash injuries hit a record low, though DWI fatalities increased.

Adams County approves a $46.3M budget, tapping reserves after a one‑mill cut. Oxford braces for big crowds at the LSU–Ole Miss game; 20 Mississippi rural providers will receive just over $187,500 each in federal grants. Cooler, falllike weather arriving; Mississippi River 15.14 ft and falling.

A $5 million Mississippi River cruise dock in Natchez breaks ground tomorrow in partnership with American Cruise Lines. Meanwhile, Louisiana is pushing to lower school absenteeism and has approved insurance changes to cut premiums, and Mississippi announced more than $104 million in rural health awards.

Vidalia approved a $1 million project to make Challenger Field wheelchair-accessible using hydroelectric revenue, as officials weigh other funding options. With 50 days until Election Day, last-minute redistricting puts congressional races into open primaries. Mississippi sweet potato acres are up, and Terrebonne Parish is probing a quadruple homicide.