The dispute between Natchez city aldermen and Mayor Dan Gibson over appointing a new police chief continued this week. The latest disagreement came one day after a four-to-three vote in which Gibson broke a tie to appoint Lee Best as the new chief of the Natchez Police Department. On Tuesday, Gibson broke another tie when three aldermen attempted to appoint longtime NPD commander Justin Jones as assistant police chief. Those aldermen have argued that Best lacks sufficient experience within the department to serve as chief.
Gibson voted against creating the assistant chief position for Jones, stating that aldermen did not have enough discussion about adding a role that does not currently exist within the department’s organizational structure. Best, who joined the NPD in 2024, has served as the chief enforcement officer for city regulations related to maintaining private properties.
The Louisiana Legislature is considering a bill addressing online harassment of college athletes by sports bettors. Senator Mike Reese of Leesville has proposed legislation that would give the Louisiana Gaming Control Board the authority to ban individuals from placing bets in the state if they are found to have harassed a college athlete. Reese noted that female athletes receive a disproportionate amount of threats, with women’s basketball players receiving about three times more threats than men’s basketball players. The bill is advancing to the Senate floor for further discussion.
Ole Miss has announced the creation of a new center focused on collegiate gambling, which researchers describe as the first of its kind in the country. Approved in February by the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, the center will cost about $700,000 per year to operate. It was established to study the growing risks faced by college students and student-athletes due to the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting and online gambling. Researchers say hiring for the center will begin soon.
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has declined an invitation to debate two of his major challengers on Moon Griffon’s statewide radio program. Cassidy told KEEL Radio in Shreveport that he believes a televised debate is a more suitable format for discussing issues with candidates Julia Letlow and John Fleming. He said such a venue ensures voters can hear each candidate explain their positions and respond to criticisms. Cassidy has criticized Letlow for not agreeing to a televised debate. He also addressed questions about why he did not debate Democratic candidate Adrian Perkins during his 2020 re-election campaign, saying he already held a significant lead in the polls at the time.
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 38.7 feet and falling.
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