The National Weather Service has increased the odds to a medium 40% chance for tropical development in the northern Gulf of Mexico over the next seven days. Regardless of whether a system forms, forecasters warn that heavy rainfall is likely from Wednesday through Sunday across the region. Residents are urged to stay alert, monitor weather updates closely, and review their emergency plans in preparation for potential impacts.
–The Hammond Downtown Development District (DDD) is inviting local businesses, artists, vendors, musicians, and volunteers to take part in one of the city’s most anticipated summer events—the Hot August Stroll—happening Saturday, August 23 in downtown Hammond. Downtown businesses can register to host in-store activities, offer event specials, or become a stop on the popular Wine & Cheese Stroll, and are encouraged to partner with local artists to showcase their work. Artists and vendors selling handmade goods, artwork, or food—along with registered food trucks—are welcome to apply. Musicians can apply to perform on the Listening Local Stage at Railroad Park, with sound provided and payment for selected acts. Volunteers of all ages are also needed, offering a great opportunity to earn community service hours or get involved with local events. The deadline to register is Friday, August 1. For details and applications, visit www.downtownhammond.org.
–St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s detectives have arrested Gerad Yates, a former law enforcement officer, on charges of misdemeanor sexual battery, simple battery, and obscenity following an incident reported on June 12 in Mandeville, Louisiana. A woman told deputies Yates, whom she did not initially recognize, repeatedly drove past her home before stopping and engaging her in conversation. She reported that he inappropriately touched her in her garage, made lewd comments, and attempted to restrain her before she escaped. Yates, who was recently employed as a correctional officer with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and previously terminated from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, was arrested after an investigation and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.
–A new trial date has been set in Livingston Parish for Melanie Curtin, whose 2021 conviction for raping an adult woman in 2014—an incident involving former deputy Dennis Perkins—was overturned by a state appellate court. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office appealed that decision, but on April 23, 2024, the Louisiana Supreme Court declined to hear the case, effectively upholding the reversal of Curtin’s conviction. Now a free woman, Curtin is scheduled to face a new trial on November 17, 2025, after the retrial was continued from its original August 4 date. The Attorney General’s Office must now decide whether to retry the case or drop it entirely.
–The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) is inviting the public, agencies, and organizations to submit project ideas for inclusion in the state’s 2029 Coastal Master Plan, a vital roadmap for addressing coastal land loss and flood risk. Updated every six years, the plan will build on decades of science and engineering to prioritize projects that protect communities and ecosystems amid challenges like sea level rise and subsidence. CPRA seeks innovative ideas that restore habitats, reduce flood risks, and support long-term sustainability. To support participation, CPRA will host a webinar on July 18 and regional public workshops across coastal parishes.
–The City of Hammond is offering adult swim lessons from July 15–18 at the Zemurray Pool, giving residents the chance to learn or improve their swimming skills in a supportive environment. The evening sessions run from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and cost $80 for the full session. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your technique, it’s never too late to dive in and gain confidence in the water.
–The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a reimbursement grant to purchase three litter enforcement surveillance cameras as part of the State of Louisiana’s Keep Louisiana Beautiful initiative, administered through the Office of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Sheriff Jason Smith announced that the hidden, mobile cameras will be strategically placed and monitored 24/7 to identify litter hotspots and hold violators accountable for illegal dumping along the parish’s highways and public spaces. The initiative supports Sheriff Smith’s broader effort to combat the growing litter problem in Washington Parish and promote a cleaner, safer environment for residents. Citizens and local businesses interested in joining the cleanup effort are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
–Fox 8 writes that New Orleans is experiencing historically low crime levels in 2025, with just 55 murders recorded as of July 14—marking one of the lowest midyear counts since the 1960s. Crime data analyst Jeff Asher, co-founder of local firm AH Datalytics, says the city has seen a steady decline in violence since February 2023, when murders peaked at 266 over a 12-month span. Today, that number stands at 102. Other violent crimes, including carjackings, auto thefts, and burglaries, are also down more than 30% compared to last year. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the drop, Asher notes the downward trend began before the appointment of NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick and before the creation of Troop NOLA. He adds that the national crime dip may be partly linked to municipalities investing federal COVID relief funds into their communities. The current murder count even includes the 14 victims of the tragic New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street.
–Nunez Community College’s Workforce division is offering several upcoming short-term courses that provide students with certifications in heavy machinery operation, including forklift, powered industrial trucking (PIT), and heavy equipment. The programs range from a one-day forklift class for $100 to a comprehensive six-week heavy equipment course for $5,500, with training on machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and scissor lifts. Financial aid may be available through the MJ Foster Promise Program. Interested individuals can begin registration by submitting a Workforce Inquiry Form at Nunez.edu/Workforce.
