From tomorrow, Louisiana state law will prohibit retailers and other businesses from charging a fee when customers pay with a debit card. The legislation was authored by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, who said businesses should not charge an additional fee for debit-card payments. The report also said that federal law has been in effect since 2010 regarding this issue. If a customer is charged a debit-card fee, the report directed them to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection hotline, and stated that the Attorney General’s office will have a portal to take calls related to the matter. Businesses that ignored the law can face a $500 fine. Debit card users can also pursue legal action.
Attorney Ben Crump announced he now has access to audio from a phone call made to CETO by people who were on the boat that found the body of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. Crump said experts are being brought in to examine the audio, including tide experts, to determine whether conditions at the time Wells was found match what others said. A preliminary independent autopsy reportedly found the manner and cause of death for Wells are undetermined pending investigation. Crump said he plans to conduct his own investigation related to the circumstances of Wells’ disappearance. The report said Wells, a Black teenager, disappeared after a July 4 boat trip with friends to Horn Island off the coast of Mississippi, and did not return to the mainland with his friends. His body was found floating off the island’s coast two days later.
For weekend plans, Paracon is taking place in New Orleans from today through Sunday. The report said the event includes day workshops covering voodoo practices, ghost-hunting practices, and developing psychic abilities, and nighttime paranormal investigations for attendees. The report said day passes are still on sale.
The Mississippi River at Natchez is reported at 25.92 feet and falling.
