The Natchez mayor and aldermen discussed ongoing complaints about loud speeding cars on city thoroughfares Tuesday, saying the issue has become widespread but acknowledging enforcement challenges due to limited staffing. The mayor and aldermen met after an inquiry from Jackie Wilde, who said drag racing has been occurring by her home on Homachito Street.
During the discussion, the mayor urged residents to call E911 if they witness high-speed vehicles so police can respond and attempt to identify the drivers.
Louisiana job growth ranked second in the nation for the third quarter, according to a new report. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Adam Knapp said the organization’s economic update found Louisiana employers added 35,000 jobs over the year ending in September, with about half of the new jobs in the construction sector. The report also states job growth occurred statewide, with nine of Louisiana’s 10 metro areas showing increases over the last year.
In Mississippi, Democratic nominee Scott Colom defeated Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in a closely contested U.S. Senate race after extended vote counting. The Associated Press called the race in Colom’s favor after local officials processed absentee and provisional ballots, including affidavit ballots. Hyde-Smith conceded to Colom Wednesday evening. The result would give Mississippi its first Black U.S. senator since post-Civil War Reconstruction.
In Louisiana politics, Senator Bill Cassidy lost his re-election bid after Louisiana moved to closed-party primaries. Cassidy said he has filed a bill that would require states to hold open primaries for federal offices. He argued that independents in some states make up a large share of the electorate and should be able to participate in choosing candidates. Cassidy also said that if open primaries had been used in other states, the outcomes in certain Senate races could have differed.
In local river information, the Mississippi River at the Natchez-Vidalia gauge is 14.30 feet and rising.
