Ron Eller has officially won the Republican nomination for the U.S. House in Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District. He defeated Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson, who had previously thanked supporters and stated he would see the vote count through. Eller will face Democrat Bennie Thompson in the general election. Thompson has held the seat since 1993.
Louisiana Central, a 10-parish economic development organization, has launched its regional strategic plan called Elevate 2030. The plan is organized around four key pillars. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill said the plan includes efforts to be bold and connected in economic development strategies, noting both legacy and emerging industry sectors in central Louisiana. He also highlighted the importance of proactive marketing and communication, emphasizing the need for the region to tell its own story. Additional pillars include building organizational excellence and strengthening strategic partnerships.
Officials with the Mississippi State University Extension Office are advising landowners with timber damage from January’s ice storm to watch for bark beetles and disease. Early signs of bark beetle activity include pitch tubes, which appear as small balls of tree sap mixed with inner bark and resemble popcorn on the sides of trees. These can range from pea-sized on heavily stressed trees to dime or nickel-sized on less stressed trees. Red or fading treetops are another sign and are often the first indicator noticed by landowners.
Legislation that would allow Louisiana communities to vote on whether they want fluoride in their public drinking water is advancing to the state Senate floor. Senator Mike Fesey of Houma supports banning fluoride from public water systems, claiming it causes health issues and lowers IQ in children. After an unsuccessful attempt last year to pass a statewide fluoride ban, Fesey is now backing a measure that would let voters gather signatures to place the issue on local ballots. Senator Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette voted for the bill after local option provisions were added, stating his support for allowing communities to decide for themselves.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 39.60 feet and falling.
