Adams County Sheriff Travis Patton told the Board of Supervisors that increasing inmate numbers and declining staffing levels are creating urgent problems at the county jail, a facility built in the 1970s. Patton said he will return to the board next month to push for action on either constructing a new jail complex or conducting a major overhaul of the current building. He noted that renovating the existing jail is not his preferred option. The estimated cost for a new jail ranges from $18 million to $45 million.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry plans to travel to Greenland in March to attend a dog sledding event as part of his new part-time role as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland. In a Fox News Radio interview, Landry said Greenland holds a unique position and expressed interest in speaking with residents about opportunities to improve quality of life there. He said he believes Greenland would benefit from becoming an ally of the United States and independent from Denmark. Landry said he is more interested in conversations with local residents than with officials from Denmark. President Trump has said Greenland is important to U.S. national security.
The Mississippi State Senate has passed funding for the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) along with several education bills. The legislation includes a $2,000 pay raise for teachers, assistants, and instructors at community colleges and universities. It also increases take-home pay for retired teachers who return to the classroom and reduces their required sit-out period from 90 days to 45 days. PERS funding outlined in the bill includes a $500 million appropriation on July 1 of this year, followed by annual $50 million appropriations through 2036. The bill now moves to the State House of Representatives.
New Orleans is again being considered as a host city for the 2031 Super Bowl. According to NOLA.com columnist Jeff Duncan, the NFL is looking for high-end entertainment, hospitality, and deluxe accommodations when evaluating host city bids. He said New Orleans lacked enough high-end accommodations during its most recent Super Bowl. Duncan noted that the age of the Superdome will not affect the 2031 bid, but as the stadium becomes one of the NFL’s oldest, it may influence the city’s chances of hosting future Super Bowls.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 15.02 feet and rising.
