A Natchez police officer has been charged with domestic assault and placed on administrative leave. According to Natchez Police Chief Lee Bess, Officer Brandon O’Neal, 34, was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute with his companion on Friday. He was identified as the alleged primary aggressor, arrested, and charged with simple assault domestic. O’Neal has been with the department for one year and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Louisiana Legislature is considering a pilot program that would allow veterans and others dealing with PTSD, chronic depression, or substance abuse to access psychedelic-assisted therapy. Senator Patrick McMath of Mandeville is proposing the use of opioid settlement funds so economic health centers can conduct clinical studies on the effectiveness of psilocybin and ibogaine for mental health treatment. During a committee hearing, a veteran who suffered two head injuries during service described significant improvement after receiving treatments in Mexico. The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting discussion in the House.
Mississippi has received about half its normal rainfall so far in 2026, making this year the 10th driest in state history. MSU Extension irrigation specialist Drew Golson said drought conditions shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor map are a growing concern. Justin Calhoun, soybean specialist with the MSU Extension Service, reported that the drought has nearly stopped soybean planting. He said irrigating to germinate planted seed is a last-resort measure, and mid-April is much earlier than the typical start of irrigation for crops. The optimal soybean planting window in Mississippi is April 10th through 20th.
With the Louisiana House sending the state budget to the Senate, debate is increasing over funding for the Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program. The House supported Governor Jeff Landry’s proposal to double funding for the voucher program to $87 million. Landry has advocated for directing more state tax dollars to families for educational expenses, including private school tuition. Senate President Cameron Henry noted that this is the first year of the program and said it is important to determine whether participating students are showing academic improvement.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 32.98 feet and falling.
