The U.S. National Weather Service New Orleans reports that NOAA’s latest update for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season continues to call for “above normal” activity, though the projected numbers have been adjusted slightly downward from earlier forecasts. Forecasters say conditions in the Atlantic Basin remain favorable for storm development, with warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures and other atmospheric factors still in place to support tropical systems. While the seasonal outlook offers an overall picture, meteorologists stress that even a single hurricane making landfall can cause significant and lasting impacts to a community. Residents across southeast Louisiana are urged to take the remainder of the season seriously by reviewing their hurricane plans, securing important documents, and stocking essential supplies such as food, water, medications, and backup power sources. Preparedness now, officials emphasize, is key to weathering whatever the season may bring.
–State Representative Brian Glorioso has provided an update on two major transportation projects aimed at restoring and improving key routes in St. Tammany Parish. For Highway 90, Louisiana will apply for a federal infrastructure grant to replace the aging West Pearl River Bridge, along with three smaller bridges between it and the East Pearl River Bridge. Based on discussions with federal officials, the state is optimistic about securing the grant, and Mississippi is partnering on plans to repair the East Pearl River Bridge within the same construction timeline—ensuring the entire corridor is restored in one coordinated effort. On Highway 11, a $10 million federal earmark obtained through Congressman Steve Scalise will accelerate the final design, engineering, and right-of-way acquisition for a complete replacement of the two-lane bridge over the railroad tracks with a new four-lane span. The project will also include widening and upgrades from the bridge to the interstate. Glorioso credited close cooperation among state and federal leaders, including Governor Jeff Landry, for making these projects a priority and for working to complete them much faster than previously scheduled.
–Southeastern Louisiana University’s Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies and College of Education, in partnership with the America 250 Commission, will host a Teacher’s Training Symposium on Friday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Teacher’s Education Center “Kiva” in Hammond, highlighting Louisiana’s unique ties to the American Revolution and the founding of the U.S. government. Designed for fourth through 12th grade educators, the program will share engaging anecdotes, classroom techniques, and creative project ideas—ranging from theater to film—aimed at making history lessons both entertaining and educational. Registration is limited to the first 150 teachers, each of whom will receive a $75 honorarium, with coffee and snacks provided. Registration is available online at this link, and more information is available by emailing selahistory@southeastern.edu or calling 985-549-2151.
–An anonymous tip about drug activity at a home in the 50000 block of Lillian Road in Slidell led St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics detectives to execute a search warrant on July 29, resulting in the seizure of cocaine, 11 pounds of marijuana, THC edibles, prescription pills, a semi-automatic handgun, more than $3,300 in cash, and drug paraphernalia consistent with street-level distribution. Three residents—Charles Garcia, 65; Dawn Frey, 53; and Isabella Evans, 18; were arrested on various drug- and firearm-related charges. Authorities credited the tip from a concerned citizen for the bust and encouraged the public to continue reporting suspicious activity through the sheriff’s office website, www.STPSO.com, or by calling 1-888-GO-2-JAIL.
–Edward Paul Louque, 71, of Walker, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2023 murder of Barry Roussel of Ponchatoula, 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux announced. On Aug. 4, Judge Brenda Bedsole Ricks handed down the sentence following Louque’s conviction last month, when a Livingston Parish jury deliberated just 40 minutes before finding him guilty of second-degree murder. The case stemmed from a domestic-related shooting at the Livingston Parish Tourist Information Center near Albany, where surveillance footage showed Louque blocking Roussel’s vehicle, confronting him with a pistol, and ultimately firing eight fatal shots. Prosecutors presented evidence of months of threatening messages sent to the victim, and two bystanders, along with law enforcement, testified to the events. Perrilloux praised the teamwork of his office, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Albany Police, while Assistant District Attorney Greg Stahlnecker called it “a senseless killing of a good, kindhearted man.”
–Action News 17 reports that Tangipahoa Parish School Board Member Trent Anthony told the Ponchatoula Rotary Club that the resolution of the long-running desegregation case will save the district $2 to $3 million annually in attorney fees. While current minority-to-majority transfer students will be grandfathered in, no new transfers of this type will be permitted once the case is closed, though some exceptions may apply. This change also means the district will no longer cover transportation costs for students traveling from Kentwood to Ponchatoula. Additionally, school officials report a 60% decrease in student fighting, marking positive progress in campus safety.
–Motorists in Amite should expect intermittent road closures Friday, Aug. 8, as Barriere Construction begins paving West MLK Street between US 51 and SW Central Avenue and resumes work on North Duncan Avenue from LA 16 to about 300 feet north of Ogden Lane, Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller announced. Portions of the roads may be closed during construction, and drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes and use caution in work zones. All work is weather-permitting, and updates are available at Tangipahoa.org and on the parish’s social media channels.
–In May, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office publicized the case of Christopher “Do Man” Brewer, who has been missing and unheard from for five years, prompting a surge of public support and fresh leads for the cold case detectives. Since then, investigators have meticulously followed every tip, regardless of where it led, in an ongoing effort to locate Brewer and provide answers to his family. Despite the extensive search, Christopher’s whereabouts remain unknown, and his family is now offering a $10,000 reward for information that could help solve the case and bring them peace. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward and assist the investigation by contacting Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245 or by submitting anonymous tips through the website www.tangicrimestoppers.com via the P3 Tips icon. The family and law enforcement hope that the public’s continued involvement will lead to new breakthroughs in this long-standing mystery.
–Christopher Lee Johnson, 41, of Satsuma, was sentenced Aug. 5 to 15 years in the Department of Corrections after being found guilty of six counts of video voyeurism, 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux announced. Johnson was convicted July 10 following a Livingston Parish trial in which jurors deliberated less than two hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict. The case began in August 2022 when a victim discovered a memory card with more than 300 hidden-camera videos taken inside a bathroom, leading investigators to identify two victims. A search of Johnson’s seized cell phone uncovered a concealed app containing images of four additional victims, including one juvenile. Perrilloux praised the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office for meticulously gathering the digital evidence, and Assistant District Attorney Brett Sommer prosecuted the case before Judge Erika Sledge.
–The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of vehicle burglaries that occurred between Aug. 4 and Aug. 7 in the Meadow Crossing subdivision and near Ball Park Road in Walker, leading to the arrest of two male juveniles, ages 12 and 14. Detectives say search warrants at the suspects’ homes uncovered a firearm and property belonging to multiple victims. Both juveniles were booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on 10 counts of vehicle burglary and one count of possession of a firearm by a juvenile, with additional charges possible. Authorities believe more victims may be unidentified and are urging residents to contact LPSO at 225-686-2241 ext. 1 or submit tips through the LPSO app. Walker Police Department assisted in the investigation.
–James “Jimmy” Wood has been missing for over a month and a half, with ongoing efforts by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office to follow every lead. The last confirmed sighting was on June 19th at the LA 22 Mart in Ponchatoula, where surveillance footage shows Wood dressed in black leaving the store and heading down Lee’s Landing away from Highway 22. His car, keys, and personal belongings were later found at his home on River Road in Ponchatoula, where he lives alone. Family last spoke with him on June 21st, and he was officially reported missing on June 25th. Sheriff Gerald Sticker urges anyone with information to contact the Investigations Division at 985-902-2045 and encourages the public to continue sharing Wood’s story to help bring him home.
–A new Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has opened in Washington Parish along approximately 6.5 miles of riverfront on the Bogue Chitto River, featuring extensive bottomland forests and rugged hills. The Bogue Chitto WMA provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including popular game species such as deer, wild turkey, and squirrel, as well as numerous non-game animals. The area’s bottomlands include several small lakes and the river itself, which is favored for fishing, paddling, and swimming. Recreational fishing offers opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and crawfish, while hunting and trapping seasons and species will be announced soon. Visitors can also enjoy berry-picking, birding, boating, canoeing, photography, and wildlife viewing, though camping is not available on-site; nearby Bogue Chitto State Park offers camping options.
–Nunez Community College’s Welding program has partnered with the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice to offer industry-recognized training and American Welding Society credentials to justice-involved youth, providing weekly, on-campus instruction since fall 2024. Developed with the St. Bernard Parish School Board, the program also offers an eight-week summer internship where participants gain hands-on experience; this year, students fabricated benches, bike racks, storage units, and bleachers for public parks and trails. The initiative blends workforce development with second-chance opportunities, already producing 13 AWS welding certifications and 12 heavy equipment operation credentials, with several students continuing their training after release. With welders in high demand in Louisiana—earning $41,000 to $83,000 annually—the program aims to equip participants for sustainable careers while fostering community reintegration, with plans to expand offerings to more OJJ students in the future. Fall classes, including Welding, begin Aug. 19; details are available at www.Nunez.edu.
