Tangipahoa Parish District Judge Jeff Johnson has approved a fourth round of settlement payments in the long-running class action case Boudreaux v. Louisiana Department of Transportation, brought by victims of the 1983 Tangipahoa Parish flood. The lawsuit, filed over 40 years ago, claimed that construction of the Interstate 12 bridge altered the Tangipahoa River’s flood plain and caused widespread devastation to more than 1,200 residents, 400 families, and nearly 100 businesses. Attorney Greg Murphy called the latest distribution “exceptionally rare” in class action cases, noting that each of the 1,340 eligible claimants will receive an additional $599 thanks to interest accrued on the original $95 million settlement fund approved by lawmakers in 2022. Murphy praised the court’s careful management and commitment to fairness, saying Judge Johnson’s decision “ensures the fullest possible recovery for victims of the 1983 flood.”
–On November 15, Tangipahoa Parish voters will decide whether to approve a three-quarter cent sales tax to fund operations at the Sheriff’s Office, a proposal Sheriff Gerald Sticker says is critical to public safety. The revised measure, featuring a 10-year sunset clause, comes after voters rejected a similar tax in March, and Sticker emphasizes it would provide roughly $16 million in new revenue while phasing out a 10-mill property tax, saving homeowners up to $100 annually. Sticker cites low pay for deputies, understaffing, and high call volumes—often leaving officers handling multiple incidents at once—as threats to community safety, and says the funds would allow for raises, new hires, updated equipment, and better training. He is actively educating voters through his “Funding the Future” campaign, highlighting staffing shortfalls compared with national standards and salaries lagging behind neighboring parishes, while stressing that additional deputies and resources would improve response times, deter crime, and enhance overall safety across all 130,000 parish residents.
–The Louisiana Department of Health has announced a schedule for state-funded emergency SNAP assistance for households with elderly, disabled, or child members amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, while also implementing furloughs for 786 SNAP employees starting November 3. Eligible households will automatically receive 25% of their benefit on their regular issuance date starting November 1, with an additional 25% distributed weekly throughout November, though able-bodied adult-only households will not receive this emergency aid. Recipients must continue to meet SNAP requirements and report household changes or submit verification paperwork as needed, while those not receiving emergency assistance are encouraged to seek support from local food banks. LDH emphasized that furloughs exclude 298 essential staff and will remain in effect until the federal shutdown ends, and the agency is closely monitoring developments to keep beneficiaries and retailers informed.
–A Good Samaritan helped Slidell Police apprehend two shoplifting suspects at Dillard’s on Saturday, November 1, after a chase in the store parking lot. When 34-year-old Kelsey Baird of Navarre, Florida, attempted to flee on foot with stolen items, she was joined by 43-year-old Eric Boudreaux of Biloxi, Mississippi, who drove in the parking lot to assist her escape. Sgt. Jeff Kahrs pursued Baird, and a bystander offered him a ride to safely follow the suspects while he coordinated with responding officers. Backup arrived moments later, and both Boudreaux and Baird were taken into custody. Boudreaux faces charges of theft and resisting an officer by flight, while Baird faces the same charges plus possession of a Schedule II narcotic (methamphetamine).
–Investigators are probing a weekend fire at Lewis Stables in Slidell that killed nine horses and left caretakers heartbroken. Early Saturday, nearly 30 horses were rescued, but several, including three belonging to longtime horseman Gregory Lewis, perished in the blaze. Only one horse, a Tennessee Walker named Lotto, survived, thanks in part to the quick actions of a tenant who risked her life to save the animals. Property owner Bob Lewis emphasized that while buildings were lost, the safety of the horses was paramount. As caretakers mourn and begin rebuilding, Gregory Lewis said the tragedy has left him uncertain if he will ever form attachments to horses again, while authorities continue investigating the fire’s cause.
–Seafood taken from the Tangipahoa River last month showed harmful levels of arsenic in five of 13 samples, according to new test results released by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The findings mark the latest update in the state’s response to the Aug. 22 explosion and fire at Smitty’s Supply Inc. in Roseland, which spilled petroleum products into the river and nearby ponds. Officials said that, aside from arsenic, no other contaminants were found at levels posing a public health risk. However, the analysis did not distinguish between organic arsenic, which is generally harmless, and the more toxic inorganic form linked to cancer and nerve damage. Cleanup efforts have so far recovered 11 million gallons of liquid waste, and while parts of the river have reopened to boat traffic, a longstanding health advisory against eating Tangipahoa River fish due to mercury contamination remains in effect.
–The Tangipahoa Parish School System is celebrating major progress toward its goal of having every student reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Superintendent Melissa Stilley says the district’s focus on literacy is paying off, with new DIBELS data showing significant growth across grades K-3 — and for the first time, half of all third graders are now reading on or above grade level. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Fussell called the milestone “a fantastic achievement” and proof that the district’s literacy efforts are moving in the right direction. Officials credit the success to targeted, research-based interventions such as the Once early reading program for kindergarteners, Lexia Core 5, the AI-powered Amira reading assistant, and Amplify Boost, all of which provide personalized instruction based on each student’s needs. Stilley says this momentum reflects the hard work of teachers and students alike and underscores TPSS’s belief that “every child can and will learn to read.”
–The Covington Business Association will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Seiler Bar Patio, located at 434 North Columbia Street in Covington. A social will take place from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:00 p.m. sharp. The event is open to CBA members and first-time guests only. Attendees are encouraged to bring a door prize donation if they wish to contribute.
–The third annual NOLA Coffee Festival wrapped up its 2025 event with the debut of the NOLA Cup competition, honoring standout roasters and brewers from across the Gulf Coast. Designed to celebrate coffee excellence and inspire local exploration, the new awards program highlighted more than a dozen winners. The Vintage, with locations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, claimed triple gold medals for Roaster’s Select, Single-Origin, and Dark Roast categories, while Orleans Coffee earned top honors for Chicory and Decaf and a silver for Cold Brew. Other winners included MS Coffee/Thunderhead, Haven/Northshore Specialty Roasters, Fig Brew, Reve Coffee, CC’s Coffee House, and Bush Hill Coffee. Event co-founder Jim Currie said the goal is to guide consumers toward exceptional local coffees now labeled with the official NOLA Cup winner’s mark—“a signal,” he said, “that these coffees are truly worthy to try.”
–U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has honored St. Bernard Parish firefighter Andrew Nixon in his October Local Spotlight for saving a woman’s life moments before her car was engulfed in flames following a collision with an 18-wheeler. Nixon, 23, was off duty and driving home from a wedding with his fiancée when he stopped to help, breaking the car’s windshield and carrying the woman to safety just seconds before the vehicle caught fire. Senator Cassidy praised Nixon’s bravery and selflessness, calling him “a local hero” and noting that his courage is inspired in part by the memory of his late 5-year-old niece, Everleigh, whose passing continues to motivate his commitment to protecting others.
–A Facebook group called Northshore Riverwatch has issued a Bad Sewerage Discharge Alert warning residents to avoid the Little Tchefuncte River downstream from the Highway 21 Bridge near the hospital in Covington. The alert follows videos posted Friday, Oct. 31, showing sewage solids floating in the river, with additional footage taken Sunday, Nov. 2, confirming the discharge and contamination persist downstream of the bridge, though no issues were found upstream. The group urges the public to stay out of the water until officials identify and stop the source of the pollution.
–Josh Descant, CEO of Gonzales-based REV, has been elected Chair of USTelecom’s Leadership Committee, representing local and regional broadband providers serving rural communities nationwide. Under Descant’s leadership, REV has expanded high-speed fiber access across multiple Louisiana parishes, including Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipahoa, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge, connecting homes, schools, and businesses. In his new national role, Descant will help guide the committee’s efforts on network investment, permitting reform, cybersecurity, and rural broadband access, bringing a strong Louisiana perspective to U.S. broadband policy. “I’m honored to represent local providers like REV on the national stage,” Descant said, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in empowering families, businesses, and communities.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has arrested 44-year-old Michael Helton of Kentwood on seven counts of pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13. The arrest follows an August investigation into the uploading of child sexual assault material on a social media app, where detectives identified Helton as the individual responsible and obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody this week, and investigators say additional charges may follow after analysis of multiple seized devices. The operation was conducted in partnership with Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Office and the ICAC Task Force, which includes collaboration with several local law enforcement agencies.
–Over the weekend the Advocate wrote that after more than a year in dry dock for extensive hull repairs, the USS Kidd will be lowered back into the water on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, marking a major milestone in the ship’s restoration. The World War II destroyer has spent the past 14 months at the Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors shipyard in Houma, where its deteriorated steel hull was replaced. The USS Kidd Veterans Museum says the vessel is expected to return to its home on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge next spring during the river’s high-water season. Commissioned in 1943, the Fletcher-class destroyer served in both World War II and the Korean War and is the only remaining destroyer in its original WWII configuration. The museum called the ship’s relaunch on Veterans Day “especially fitting,” adding that the repairs will preserve the Kidd’s legacy as one of Louisiana’s most treasured historic attractions for decades to come.
–Northshore Technical Community College is inviting the public to its Super Skills Saturday on November 15, 2025, at the Hammond Area Campus, 111 Pride Drive. The event offers a variety of hands-on courses including CPR, Forklift Operation, Crisis Prevention Intervention, and Generative AI. Participants can earn industry-recognized certifications while gaining valuable skills for career advancement or personal growth. Classes range from four to eight hours with fees between $65 and $99. Those interested can register by emailing ntccworkforce@northshorecollege.edu.
