Category: Morning Newscast

Natchez’s mayor cast the tie‑breaking vote to appoint Adonna Sessions to the six‑member Convention Promotion Commission, replacing Barbara Bruce — a move the mayor called qualified but that drew criticism for reducing Black representation on the tourism board.

Mayor Dan Gibson broke a tie to appoint Adonna Sessions to the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission. Also: a star‑studded 2026 Jazz Fest lineup, lingering La Niña outlook, and concerns over Operation Catahoula Crunch’s local impacts.

Merit Health Natchez says no closure is planned amid financial pressures; Louisiana farmers will get $12B in federal aid, and Mississippi leads the nation in FAFSA completion, boosting college enrollment.

Merritt Health Natchez says its 179‑bed hospital will remain open amid financial pressures as officials outline upgrades and physician recruiting. Also in today’s roundup: $12B federal farm aid for Louisiana, Mississippi tops FAFSA completion, and new NIL oversight proposals.

Investigators continue probing the Sept. 29 fire that destroyed the former Ferreri Police Department while plans for a $24 million municipal complex move forward. One jailbreak escapee remains at large, statewide safe‑room lottery notifications begin this week, and crawfish producers report promising early signs for the 2026 season.

Investigators continue probing the September fire that destroyed Ferriday’s former police building, and one jail escapee remains at large after last week’s South Louisiana jailbreak. Mississippi safe‑room lottery notices go out this week; crawfish farmers report a promising start to the 2026 season.

No new details have been released about the late‑September fire that destroyed the former Ferry Police Department, and plans for a new $24 million municipal complex are moving forward. One jail escapee remains at large in St. Landry Parish, and Mississippi EMA has begun emailing winners of the statewide safe‑room lottery (applicants must wait for…

Investigators continue probing the Sept. 29 fire that destroyed the former Ferriday Police Department; one jailbreak escapee remains at large. MEMA safe‑room lottery notifications begin — do not buy or install until approved.

Buddhist monks from Fort Worth are on a 2,300‑mile, 110‑day pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., crossing into Mississippi this week. Meanwhile, Operation Catahoula Crunch faces criticism in south Louisiana, Mississippi ranks highest for Christmas travel deaths, and the Lake Bourne marsh restoration is complete.

Natchez Workforce Director Tawana Williams will leave to lead workforce education at Co‑Linn; Operation Catahoula Crunch targets certain undocumented violent offenders; a Great Lakes cheese recall spans 31 states; former LSU president William Jenkins has died.