A grand jury in Adams County has decided not to indict a man involved in an October 2024 shooting that resulted in a death during a fight at a convenience store. The incident occurred at a Shell station on U.S. 61 North in Washington, where James Keating died after an argument that reportedly began with a spilled cup of ice and escalated into gunfire.
Nearly two weeks after Bill Cassidy challenged Julia Letlow to three debates, she has not committed to participating. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says candidates leading in the polls often avoid debates, as taking part can provide an opportunity for lower‑performing opponents to gain ground. The third major candidate, John Fleming, has stated he is willing to debate Cassidy at any time. Hogan notes that Cassidy and Fleming could attempt to target Letlow in her absence, but their impact may be limited if voter attention is low. He says interest may be diminished given Letlow’s status as the endorsed candidate of former President Donald Trump.
The Mississippi Senate is making another attempt to advance legislation aimed at reforming the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS). Earlier in the session, several bills — including one proposing a cash infusion to address approximately $26 billion in debt — failed to move forward. On March 17, senators added six PERS‑related measures to a House bill through an amendment. Proposed reforms include reducing the years of service required for full retirement benefits for Tier 5 employees from 35 years to 30 years. State Senator Daniel Sparks says a return‑to‑work option would allow retirees to reenter the workforce and earn up to 80 percent of the salary for the position while still receiving retirement benefits, without affecting those benefits.
Louisiana state senators are calling for changes within the Department of Children and Family Services to address child abuse deaths. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow reports that 12 children in Louisiana have died this year, following 53 deaths last year. Shreveport Senator Thomas Presley asked DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris to offer specific recommendations to improve the agency’s effectiveness. Harris says the department has been adopting best practices used by successful private‑sector organizations. She is expected to present a set of improvement proposals to legislators in two weeks.
The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia is at 39.08 feet and rising.
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