Natchez police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a shooting that killed one person and injured another. According to Natchez Police Chief Cal Green, Daylon Purnell has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, shooting into a motor vehicle, and discharging a firearm within city limits. The incident occurred at the Maryland Heights apartments on Super Bowl Sunday. Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said the victims were shot while sitting in their vehicle near the apartment complex office. Twenty-nine-year-old Dayja Davis died from her injuries, and Courtevious Knight was seriously injured.
In Louisiana politics, State Treasurer John Fleming has accused Governor Jeff Landry of orchestrating a plan to position himself for a future U.S. Senate seat. Fleming claims Landry influenced former President Donald Trump to endorse Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate race as part of a broader strategy. According to Fleming, the plan hinges on Letlow eventually leaving the Senate to become a university president, which would allow Landry to appoint himself as her successor. Governor Landry dismissed the allegation as unfounded and called Fleming’s claims “ridiculous.”
The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid announced that registered nurses and licensed practical nurses with outstanding student loan debt may apply for up to $6,000 in repayment assistance through the Nurse Retention Loan Repayment Program. Eligible applicants must hold a current nursing license, work full-time in Mississippi at a skilled nursing home or general acute care hospital licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health, and have outstanding student loans in their own name. Payments will be made directly to loan servicers after one full year of qualifying employment.
Meteorologist Bill Jackman reports that strong storms are expected in Louisiana over the Mardi Gras weekend. Heavy rain and lightning are anticipated, but conditions are expected to worsen after Saturday’s parades.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Adalia is at 15.93 feet and falling.
