Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson has asked the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to take the lead in the investigation of Sunday night’s homicide at the Maryland Heights apartments. The agency has agreed to assist and is expected to work alongside the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. The shooting resulted in the death of 29-year-old Daja Davis and seriously injured 26-year-old Curtavious Knight. Both were inside a car at the apartment complex when the incident occurred.
Louisiana lawmakers are expected to again consider whether to allow concealed carry on college campuses during the upcoming legislative session. Similar proposals have failed in previous years following opposition from university officials and campus police departments. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick plans to bring the measure forward after hearing from college students who believe their rights were taken away. McCormick says the proposal is intended to give students the ability to defend themselves during an active shooter situation.
The Mississippi Senate has passed a bill that would shorten the required waiting period for retired state employees who wish to return to work. Current IRS rules require a 90-day break in service; the proposed change would reduce that to 30 days. The bill would allow retirees to return without affecting their retirement benefits, which would remain fixed under their existing tier. Presently, returning employees can earn either 50 percent pay for 50 percent work or up to 25 percent of their highest four years of salary. The new measure would allow employers and returning retirees to agree to compensation of up to 80 percent of the job’s salary.
LSU Alexandria reports another enrollment increase. According to Abby Bain with LSUA, overall spring enrollment is up nearly 12 percent from last year, driven largely by growth in online programs that attract adult learners. On-campus enrollment has also risen by more than 10 percent. Bain attributes the growth to affordability and small class sizes, which she says are drawing more freshmen to the university.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 18.26 feet and falling.
