The Mississippi Legislature has designated $1 million for infrastructure projects in Natchez, including the replacement of the Canal Street Bridge. The funding is part of a broader local projects bill approved by both the House and Senate and now awaiting the signature of Governor Tate Reeves. The city previously received $2 million from the U.S. Congress in February for the bridge project. According to Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, an additional $4 million is still needed to complete the replacement.
Crawfish prices in Louisiana have remained steady during the week leading up to Easter, which is typically the busiest weekend of the year for crawfish sales. Live crawfish are averaging about $3.50 per pound, while boiled crawfish are a little over $6 per pound. These prices are similar to last Easter but remain 75 cents to $1 per pound higher than what is typical for the holiday period. The timing of Easter may be contributing to the trend, as later Easters often see lower prices, though last year’s late-April Easter saw similar costs.
Officials with the Mississippi State University Extension Service report that the state’s blueberry industry continues to face challenges, including reduced acreage and losses from a mid-March freeze. Grower Jeremy Edwards of Great Southern Farms in Richton estimates that up to 20% of the fruit on his 160 acres of southern highbush shrubs in Perry County was lost. Despite this, he expects an average production year, with harvest beginning in late April and ending around July 4.
Electricity costs are rising, and a report from the Pelican Institute for Public Policy suggests changes to Louisiana’s regulatory framework to help limit rate increases. Between 2024 and 2025, power costs for Louisiana customers increased by 14%, with March bills averaging $10 more than the previous year. The report highlights several possible approaches to address the trend, including allowing large factories and data centers to build or purchase their own power sources.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is measuring 26.99 feet and falling.
