Natchez city officials are seeking demolition contractors to tear down the Frye Building as plans advance to convert the site into a parking lot for the adjacent, yet-to-be-renovated Eola Hotel. The long-delayed project has involved numerous complexities, including asbestos contamination in the former office building. More than one million dollars in state and federal cleanup funds are being used to support the demolition. The city has been working toward tearing down the 1950s-era structure since it was donated to Natchez in 2021.
For the second consecutive year, Louisiana voters rejected all proposed constitutional amendments. None of the five measures on the ballot came close to passing, with margins of defeat ranging from 16 to 56 points. Representatives from the Public Affairs Research Council noted that voters may have opposed the amendments for a wide range of reasons, including dissatisfaction with the proposals themselves and the complexity of the measures.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the launch of Operation Hope, a statewide effort to locate missing foster children. Officials report that 13 children have been found, provided with support services, and brought to safety. A similar federal initiative, Project Hope, was implemented during the previous presidential administration in Kansas and Missouri, where authorities located 42 missing youth.
Louisiana continues to grow as a major hub for film production, supported by the state’s film incentive program. Film Louisiana reports that programs aimed at early engagement, such as the Filmmaker’s Junior festival for middle and high school students, are helping develop a future workforce. The state now ranks fourth nationally in film production. Industry representatives say legislative support will be important in sustaining workforce development efforts that link education, economic growth, and job creation.
The Mississippi River at Natchez–Vidalia measured 31.71 feet and is falling.
