A brush fire reported on Saragossa Road A in Natchez developed into a structure fire after flames spread Saturday evening. The call to 911 came in just before 6 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and there is no information yet on injuries or the extent of the damage.
The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee is expected to debate whether the state should adopt a centralized sales tax collection system. According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana is now the only state operating without centralized collection, after Colorado and Alabama made changes to their systems. Local governments have expressed concerns that centralization could reduce their revenue, while supporters argue the current system is overly complex and may be causing both state and local governments to lose tax revenue.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has signed House Bill 1404, which holds landlords criminally accountable for unpaid utility bills when tenants have already paid them. The bill follows recent incidents in Jackson where tenants lost water service despite paying their landlords. The new law includes potential fines and jail time for landlords, depending on how overdue the utility bills are.
Louisiana Representative Michael Eccles has introduced a plan to raise teacher salaries to the southern regional average over a four‑year period. The estimated cost ranges from about $200 million to $600 million. Funding could come from public‑sector cost savings and may depend on voter approval of Constitutional Amendment 3, which would redirect money from the teacher retirement system.
The Mississippi River at Natchez is at 33.71 feet and falling.
