News

Endangered status sought for gopher tortoise in four states

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Gopher tortoises imperiled by loss of habitat largely caused by human development should be placed on the endangered species list in four southern states, environmental groups said Wednesday as they prepared to sue the federal government over the issue.

Corps of Engineers appeals ruling on spillway openings

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge’s ruling that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consult with federal fisheries experts before opening a spillway that protects New Orleans from Mississippi River flooding is being appealed.

Fed raises key rate by quarter-point despite bank turmoil

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve extended its year-long fight against high inflation Wednesday by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point despite concerns that higher borrowing rates could worsen the turmoil that has gripped the banking system.

Mississippi sets tighter restrictions on absentee ballots

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi will set tighter restrictions on who can gather other people’s absentee ballots, under a bill that Gov. Tate Reeves signed Wednesday.

Residents sue Louisiana parish to halt polluting plants

(AP) — Residents of a Louisiana parish located in the heart of a cluster of polluting petrochemical factories filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday raising allegations of civil rights, environmental justice and religious liberty violations.

Covington man charged with hiding death of Georgia visitor

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Police in Louisiana have charged a man with illegally dumping the body of a 42-year-old Georgia man found wrapped in plastic and a rug nearly two weeks after he went missing.

TikTok sends influencers to Washington as its troubles grow

WASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok is ramping up a public relations campaign to fend off the possibility of a nationwide ban by the Biden administration, and it’s bringing some unconventional advocates to help: online influencers.

Crawfish tours kick off

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Jeff Davis Parish currently has the most acres of crawfish production at an estimated 63,500 acres, which produce a little over 38 million pounds of crawfish at a value of approximately $51 million annually, according to LSU AgCenter. Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission’s seasonal crawfish tours kicked off this month, providing a chance for the public to see the process the delicious Cajun crustaceans follow from start to finish.

Special Olympics date changed

Due to the possibility of inclement weather on Friday, Jeff Davis Parish School Board (JDSB) has moved the spring Special Olympics event to today, Thursday, March 23. The games will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Lake Arthur High School, located at 4374 Tiger Ln.

Proposed design for Welsh Library released

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WELSH — The Jeff Davis Parish Library recently announced that it’s getting close to finalizing the design to expand the Welsh branch.