Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy responded to questions after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Cassidy voted to confirm, reversed his earlier statements regarding vaccines and autism. During Kennedy’s January confirmation hearing, he told Cassidy that vaccines do not cause autism and said he would apologize for any statements that misled the public. Cassidy later cast the deciding vote to confirm him. The CDC did not remove its statements affirming that vaccines do not cause autism, but its website now states that the claim is not based on evidence. Cassidy addressed the issue during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, noting that the scientific community agrees vaccines are safe.
The Emmett Till Interpretive Center announced that it has acquired the barn near Drew, Mississippi, where 14-year-old Emmett Till was tortured and killed in 1955. The announcement came on what would have been the 104th birthday of Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. The organization has previously restored the Tallahatchie County Courthouse, commemorated the riverbank where Till’s body was found, and replaced vandalized memorial signs. ETIC plans to open the barn to the public as a permanent memorial by 2030, the 75th anniversary of Till’s killing.
Registration is now open for the next Louisiana State Police cadet class. The deadline to register for Cadet Class 109 is January 6. Captain Johnny Brown said the number of candidates selected will depend entirely on the applicant pool, with no set class size. The selection process will take several months, and the class will run through most of the second half of next year. Participants are paid throughout the training period.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 12.51 feet and rising.
