A man accused of killing and dismembering his mother in Natchez will undergo a court‑ordered mental evaluation. Zachary Jackson Jr. is charged in the death of retired teacher Lana Brown Bradley, who was killed just over a month ago. Authorities say he attempted to dispose of her remains by flushing them down a toilet. He is currently being held at the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility.
LSU has surpassed $600 million in research activity, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. Chancellor Jim Dalton said the milestone reflects the quality and efforts of the university’s faculty. He noted that despite slowing federal funding, LSU continues to grow research across fields including coastal restoration, agriculture, cancer research, and metabolic disease. Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge has contributed to the development of all GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs currently on the market.
Mississippi lawmakers are examining ways to reform the state court system to ensure uninterrupted access for residents. The House Select Committee on Judicial Operations, one of six committees formed by House Speaker Jason White ahead of the 2027 legislative session, heard input from several groups. These included the Administrative Office of Courts, the Capital Complex Improvement District Court, the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office, and a deputy attorney general.
The Louisiana House has approved a congressional redistricting map that removes one of the state’s two Black‑majority districts. The proposed map would likely result in Republicans representing five of Louisiana’s six congressional seats. Supporters of the bill said the map is designed to strengthen Republican influence, while several Black lawmakers opposed the measure, arguing it diminishes political power for residents who are not Republican. The map must return to the Senate for approval before moving to the governor’s desk.
The Mississippi River in Natchez is measured at 31.73 feet and rising.
