Adams County supervisors agreed to support Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson’s request for the state legislature to name the Sergeant Prentiss Bridge on Liberty Road in honor of former Mayor Butch Brown. Brown, who died in 2023, served three terms as mayor. Because the bridge is owned by the state, the name change requires legislative approval.
Supervisors also backed efforts to pursue state and federal funding to replace the city’s aging Canal Street Bridge. According to Gibson, the bridge’s condition is deteriorating and could become impassable by 2030 without replacement.
A recent WalletHub report ranks Louisiana as the third best state for doctors. Analyst Chip Lupo says the ranking is based on 19 metrics that include the average annual wage of physicians, the number of hospitals per capita, and the quality of public hospital systems. Louisiana ranks 10th in average salaries for doctors, with specialist salaries strengthening that position. Lupo also notes that the state’s low cost of living benefits young physicians managing significant student loan debt.
In Mississippi, legislation aimed at speeding up recovery from January’s winter storm is heading to Governor Tate Reeves. The bill creates the 2026 Local Government Disaster Recovery Emergency Loan Program, which would be administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The program would provide loans to cities and counties to cover cleanup costs while they await potential FEMA reimbursement.
Louisiana Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter-Reed told lawmakers that many public colleges and universities are facing financial strain. She said the state’s higher education system is underfunded by $869 million and noted that current funding levels match those from 2012 without adjustment for inflation. Reed said regional institutions are most affected because tuition revenue makes up 60 percent of the state’s higher education budget, meaning small enrollment changes can have a significant impact. She also cited rising athletic expenses, including NIL, revenue sharing, and transfer portal costs. Reed is requesting an additional $119 million in funding for the next fiscal year.
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 13.39 feet and rising.
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