The Natchez mayor cast the tie‑breaking vote to appoint Donna Sessions to the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission. Sessions, a former president of the Natchez Garden Club, fills the seat previously held by Barbara Bruce, who was one of three Black members on the six‑member commission. The commission manages spending of the city’s tourism tax revenue and oversees Visit Natchez. The mayor said Sessions is highly qualified and disagreed with aldermen who argued the seat should go to a Black candidate.
The 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has released its lineup, which includes Rod Stewart, the Eagles, Lainey Wilson, and John Foster. Additional performers include Tyler Childers, The Black Keys, Ray, and Nas. The festival will feature 5,000 musicians across 14 stages during its eight‑day run from April 23 to May 3. Tickets go on sale today, with discounted prices available for Louisiana residents.
La Niña conditions are expected to persist for another month, according to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The phenomenon, which began in October, is likely to continue through most of the winter before dissipating early next year. La Niña typically brings warmer and drier weather to the southern United States, including the Miss-Lou region.
As Operation Catahoula Crunch expands from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, concerns are being raised about its impact on immigrant communities and tourism. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser warned that the enhanced enforcement effort could deter people from visiting areas such as the French Quarter. While state officials say the operation targets what they describe as the worst criminal offenders, available records indicate that only a small portion of those detained so far have criminal histories.
The Mississippi River at Natchez–Vidalia is at 15.46 feet and falling.
