Natchez-Adams School District officials and educators, along with school districts in Franklin and Jefferson counties, received a C grade in newly released Mississippi Department of Education accountability results. Instant Impact Global Prep Charter School and Wilkinson County received F grades.
The state said this year’s results are based on new, higher standards, and that comparisons to last year’s grades would not match up due to the updated expectations.
In higher education, the Xavier University Ochsner College of Medicine received preliminary accreditation, following approval by the liaison committee on medical education. School officials said the accreditation allows the program to begin recruiting students for its inaugural class. University president Dr. Randall Verrett said the program is intended to address shortages of physicians and shortages of physicians of color. The school plans to admit 50 students in its first class, with classes scheduled to begin in summer 2027.
Meanwhile, Mississippi lawmakers continued work on questions about whether inmates are receiving adequate health care. VitalCore, the company that provides health care to inmates at correctional facilities, attended a meeting with legislators. Burl Cain, the commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, did not attend and did not send a representative to appear in his place. State Rep. Sam Creekmoor said the hearing showed gaps in coverage, and that preventative care could address some problems.
Weather updates for Monday indicated improving fall-like conditions. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim said a front moving through the state today is expected to bring cooler conditions, with guidance that shorts and a T-shirt may not be suitable for Friday night high school football games due to cooler temperatures and a north wind. Keim also noted wildfire-related concerns tied to wind gusts and low humidity.
Finally, river conditions in Natchez-Vidalia: the Mississippi River was reported at 24.69 feet and rising.
