Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson thanked residents for their support as he pledged to continue his campaign for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District. Wilson trails Ron Eller in the Republican primary by 442 votes. The primary winner will face Democrat Bennie Thompson, who has held the seat since 1993.
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain reported that crawfish processors are facing a severe shortage of labor due to a halt in H-2B visa application processing by the Department of Homeland Security. Farmers have been unable to bring in guest workers to peel crawfish, and 15 of the state’s 20 major processors have not received any workers. Strain said the job is one that Americans will not perform, even at wages above $18 per hour, and that guest workers can only be requested when no American applicants are available. He estimated the shortage is costing crawfish farmers more than $120 million and the broader economy more than $300 million.
Severe storms caused one death and three injuries in Lawrence County. According to the county coroner, a man died at the scene on Highway 27 south of Monticello after a vehicle struck a tree. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported storm damage in six counties: Amite, Lawrence, Lincoln, Smith, Pike, and Walthall.
The National Weather Service reported that up to six tornadoes moved through southeast Louisiana on Wednesday night, affecting St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, and St. Tammany parishes. In Tangipahoa Parish, a suspected tornado brought down trees and power lines in areas around Roseland, Folsom, and Kentwood. Parish President Robbie Miller said there were no major property damages, deaths, or injuries, though numerous trees and some outbuildings were affected.
The storms left thousands without power across Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 29.32 feet and rising.
