Monterey firefighter and Concordia Parish School Board member Matt Taunton has died at the age of 47. Taunton had served on the school board since 2022 and previously held positions including battalion chief with the Vidalia Fire Department and chief of Monterey Fire District No. 1. He had been battling cancer in recent years.
Faith leaders and community organizers gathered in Baton Rouge to call for an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch. Speakers described the operation as harmful to communities and disputed federal claims that it targets serious criminal offenders. They said many people detained under the operation have not committed crimes and that the effort has created fear within affected communities.
The Mississippi Board of Animal Health approved a certificate of veterinary inspection for Santa Claus, allowing his reindeer to enter Mississippi on Christmas Eve. The state veterinarian examined all nine reindeer and confirmed they are healthy and fit for travel.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry posted a video on social media discussing a request he said came from President Trump to speak with Greenland officials about the island becoming part of the United States. Landry said he was asked due to his belief that few governors have the ability to travel there for such discussions. Denmark, which governs Greenland, has stated that the island is not for sale. Landry said the request would not interfere with his duties as governor.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 11.85 feet and falling.
