County supervisors have approved diverting county funds to the Adams County Youth Court after state‑authorized spending was not released. Judge Walt Brown informed the Adams County Board of Supervisors on Monday that Mississippi lawmakers did not extend a law set to expire July 1 that allows youth courts to use about $2.5 million previously allocated by the state. Because the authorization lapsed, the funds cannot currently be spent. Governor Tate Reeves has been asked to call a special legislative session to address the issue, but it is unclear whether he will do so. At Brown’s request, the board voted to transfer about $10,000 from the Adams County Youth Detention Center to help pay youth court personnel.
In Louisiana, the legislative auditor says most public school systems have enough available funding to cover teacher and staff stipends without taking a financial hit. Auditor Mike Wagaspac reported that all but four or five school systems could absorb a loss of public school funding and still pay a $2,000 stipend for teachers and a $1,000 stipend for support workers. Legislators must still approve the governor’s plan to use public school funding for the stipends, and supporters believe the proposal is more likely to pass if lawmakers are assured the $168 million reduction will not severely impact schools.
A Mississippi police officer has been placed on administrative leave following an officer‑involved shooting at a Walmart in Senatobia that resulted in the death of a one‑year‑old child. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation says officers responded Sunday afternoon to a shoplifting report and attempted to stop two women and a child who left the store and entered a vehicle. According to the MBI, officers reported that the driver accelerated toward them and nearly struck them, prompting at least one officer to fire at the vehicle. The child, identified as Koen Wiley, was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The officer involved has not been publicly identified.
In Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry has signed the Behind the Counter Protection Act, which increases penalties for assaulting retail and service employees. The bill was authored by Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin. Supporters say the measure is intended to improve safety for workers in restaurants and other customer‑facing jobs.
The Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia stands at 34.14 feet and is rising.
