A judge upheld the Adams County Board of Supervisors’ decision not to reappoint Verna Johnson as justice court clerk. The board made the decision early last year. It followed a prior move to review Johnson’s job performance and place her on a performance improvement plan.
Johnson appealed the non-reappointment decision. The position later went to Chrisetta Thomas on an interim basis and then on a permanent basis.
In Louisiana, attention is shifting toward next year’s governor’s race following last week’s midterm elections. JMC Analytics and Polling reported that Democrats’ baseline is not expected to remain at 40%, suggesting it could be closer to 45%, with increased Democratic enthusiasm cited as a factor. The analysis pointed to national Democratic performance and to Jamie Davis’ near miss against Julia Letlow in the Louisiana Senate race. Davis is expected to be among the Democrats considering a challenge to incumbent Governor Jeff Landry in his re-election bid.
Ole Miss said it is investigating a video circulating online that depicts students making racist gestures toward other students. The video, posted on Facebook, shows two girls making monkey sounds and gestures as they pass a ring camera on an apartment door. The person who posted the video said it was recorded by the ring camera of her daughter, who is a freshman at Ole Miss and has two Black roommates. The poster said the girls in the video live upstairs from them. Ole Miss stated that university offices and processes are investigating the incident.
In St. Tammany Parish, a 44-year-old priest, Reverend Daniel Okafor, is facing theft charges after he allegedly stole money from an Abita Springs church. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office said its investigation began after the New Orleans Archdiocese raised financial discrepancy concerns involving St. Jane de Chantal Parish. Investigators said at least 30 checks payable to the church parish were deposited into Okafor’s personal account. The sheriff’s office said investigators believe Okafor diverted about $21,000 for personal use over more than two and a half years. Okafor was arrested yesterday morning.
In weather-related updates, the Mississippi River in Natchez-Vidalia was reported at 14.12 feet and rising.
