The Adams County Board of Supervisors has extended a consultant contract to help address issues with county records dating back about three years. The county has reported a high turnover rate of chief financial officers. Chuck Lambert will be retained for an additional six months. County Administrator Tawana Williams requested the extension, saying the county budget is broken.
In Louisiana, early voting for the November 3 election begins today. Voters have seven opportunities to cast their ballots early. Secretary of State Nancy Landry said early voting will not take place on Sunday. She noted the ballot will include the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and 10 constitutional amendments, along with local races statewide. Landry also reminded voters that a government-issued ID is required to cast a ballot.
In Mississippi, there is no early voting period as described in other states, but in-person absentee voting is allowed and is currently underway.
The Mississippi Attorney General’s office announced that the use of force was justified in an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of one-year-old Cohen Wiley. The office said it completed its review of the incident involving an officer with the Senatobia Police Department. The shooting occurred in June after officers responded to a shoplifting call. The driver of an SUV was alleged to have driven at officers, and one officer fired at the vehicle, striking Wiley. Another passenger was critically injured.
Weather updates indicate a first taste of fall over the past weekend with cool and dry conditions. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim said El Niño is expected to be a significant factor. He said a strong El Niño can strengthen the southerly jet stream, increasing storm activity in the Gulf Coast region. The outlook described is for normal temperatures, with above-normal precipitation. Keim said this could help because about two-thirds of Louisiana is experiencing severe drought, with several northern parishes facing extreme or exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
In the local area, the Mississippi River in Natchez Valley is at 23.19 feet and falling.
