A crash in Concordia Parish early Sunday morning resulted in the deaths of two teenagers and the arrest of the driver. According to investigators, the incident occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. when 18-year-old Gregory Steele of Vidalia lost control of an SUV, drove off the roadway, and overturned the vehicle. Steele sustained minor injuries. Two passengers, 19-year-old Jacob Bodet of Vidalia and 17-year-old Michelle Beatty of Natchez, were killed. Another 18-year-old passenger suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. State Police reported that alcohol appears to have been a factor and that none of the four teens in the SUV were wearing seat belts.
Early voting data released by the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office shows that approximately 4,500 more Democrats than Republicans participated. According to JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon, redistricting hearings contributed to high Democratic turnout in the final two days of early voting. He noted that the turnout increase occurred despite significant rainfall on Friday and Saturday. Couvillon also said some Democratic voters may have been motivated by proposed constitutional amendments.
The Mississippi Insurance Department issued recommendations aimed at reducing wildfire risks as part of National Wildfire Awareness Month. Suggested precautions include retrofitting homes, clearing debris from properties, and creating defensible spaces to help prevent flames from spreading to structures.
Louisiana will implement a recreational alligator hunting season for the first time following Governor Jeff Landry’s signing of Senate Bill 244. The measure was introduced in response to the state’s alligator population exceeding 3 million. Supporters of the bill say commercial hunting alone has not been sufficient to manage the population, as not all commercial hunting tags are being used.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia measured 38.01 feet and is falling.
