The Mississippi Highway Patrol has identified the Natchez man killed in a head‑on wrong‑way crash on I‑55 near Wesson Friday night. Sixty‑five‑year‑old Michael Hawkins died at the scene. Hawkins was a patient in an ambulance that was struck by a pickup traveling the wrong way. Three others were injured: 48‑year‑old Joe Cason and 23‑year‑old Jonathan Harveston, both EMS workers aboard the ambulance, and 38‑year‑old Retzel Powell, the driver of the pickup. All three were transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment. Charges are expected to be filed against Powell.
A Louisiana law passed last year requiring cameras in special education classrooms is now in effect. The law, authored by Livingston Representative Shane Mack, aims to improve the quality of care during incidents in special education settings. It also mandates crisis intervention training for staff. According to Mack, nearly all public and charter school special education classrooms now have cameras installed, with only one or two still completing the process.
The Mississippi House has unanimously passed a bill that would amend a state retirement law approved during the 2025 legislative session. The proposed changes would reduce the number of years new state employees, hired on or after March 1, must work before becoming eligible for retirement benefits. Under the bill, first responders would become eligible to retire after 25 years of service instead of the current 35. Other state employees would be eligible after 30 years of service at any age, or they could work until age 60 and receive benefits based on their years worked. The bill has been sent to the Mississippi Senate.
Following Mardi Gras, horses used in the parades are once again being placed for adoption. The Humane Society of Louisiana began taking in the horses after learning that some were being sold at low‑end auctions or sent to slaughter. Executive Director Jeff Dorsen said the adoption program has successfully placed every unowned parade horse since it began in 2017, totaling about 100 horses. Applicants go through a screening process that includes contacting their veterinarian and stable manager. The organization aims to have all horses adopted by March 4.
The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia is at 18.86 feet and falling.
