As of the 2:00 a.m. advisory, the National Weather Service reports that a broad area of low pressure over the northern Gulf of Mexico remains disorganized, with most thunderstorm activity located west of its center. While some development is still possible in the next 12–24 hours, the system is becoming less likely to form into a tropical depression before reaching the Louisiana coast later today. Regardless of development, heavy rain may cause localized flash flooding along the north-central Gulf Coast through Friday. The chance of formation remains low at 30% over both the next 48 hours and 7 days.
–The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch through late Friday night for much of southeastern Louisiana and parts of southern Mississippi, warning of possible flooding due to excessive rainfall. A tropical disturbance in the northern Gulf is expected to bring heavy and prolonged rain, with 3 to 6 inches likely and isolated totals up to 10 inches, especially near and south of the I-10 corridor. Flooding may affect rivers, creeks, and low-lying urban areas with poor drainage.
— The Slidell Workshop originally scheduled for July 17 has been canceled due to forecasted severe weather. The Comprehensive Pedestrian & Bicycle Plan is moving forward with new maps and drafts now available for review! Community feedback is essential to help improve safe access for cyclists and pedestrians. For more details on the plan, visit: https://norpcstcpbmp.mysocialpinpoint.com/.
–Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor recently alerted residents to expect another increase in tax bills this year. The rise stems not just from higher property assessments—spurred by a rapid ~40% value bump over recent years following the end of homestead discounts from the 2016 flood and COVID-era relief—but more significantly from taxing districts choosing not to cut millage rates when property values rose, meaning local millage “roll-ups” pushed tax burdens higher. Taylor emphasized that reassessments are meant to maintain equity, not raise revenue, but when taxing bodies opt to keep or increase their millage, homeowners feel the impact. He encouraged residents to attend millage hearings and challenge assessments where appropriate. On the growth front, Livingston Parish is officially the fastest‑growing parish in Louisiana, with an 8.04% annualized increase, jumping from about 142,800 to 154,300 residents—outpacing second‑place St. Tammany (5.76%) by a wide margin. This boom has spurred new zoning ordinances, infrastructure and planning efforts: in March the parish adopted a unified zoning code after 20 years without one, aiming to guide development near Denham Springs, Watson, and other areas. The parish council and Economic Development Council are also investing in roads, broadband, 5G, and smart-city tech to support businesses, reduce congestion, and manage growth sustainably.
–The Southeastern Louisiana University Office of Marketing and Communications earned two prestigious Communicator Awards from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, receiving an Award of Excellence in the General – Education Website category and an Award of Distinction for the university’s Centennial logo in the Design Features – Overall Design category. The Award of Excellence, the competition’s highest honor, recognizes the best in the field, while the Award of Distinction honors work that exceeds industry standards. The Communicator Awards, one of the largest global programs recognizing outstanding marketing and creative work, drew thousands of entries this year, with top honorees including Netflix, NASA, Apple, and The Walt Disney Company.
— The Hammond Branch Library will host a free Health & Wellness Workshop on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 6 p.m., led by Kathy Hayden, a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach with Butterfly Wellness. This group coaching session will focus on the 7 Dimensions of Wellness and how a holistic approach to body, mind, and spirit can help individuals thrive. Open to the public, the event encourages attendees to bring a friend and begin their wellness journey. Registration is available at www.Tangilibrary.com.
–AN 17 writes that the Tangipahoa Parish Economic Development Foundation hosted its annual Business and Industry Leadership Brunch on Wednesday at the Oaks in Ponchatoula, sponsored by data company Rev Business. The event gathered business, economic, and political leaders from across the parish, with Hammond businessman Ed Hoover among those honored by the foundation.
–Claire Barker of Hammond Square/Stirling presented a check to Hammond Mayor Pete Panepinto and City Court Judge C. Britain Sledge in support of the 2025 Back to School Bash, an annual event providing free backpacks and school supplies to Pre-K through 8th grade students. Hosted by City Court in partnership with the City of Hammond, this year’s event will take place on Friday, August 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at Hammond Westside Montessori School.
— The ACLU of Louisiana announced it successfully pressured the Trump administration to release two Iranian LSU students, Pouria Pourhosseinhenbdad and Parisa Firouzabadi, who were unlawfully detained by ICE. According to the organization’s Facebook page, the students were freed following advocacy efforts. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed called the release “a powerful affirmation of immigrants’ rights and the fundamental guarantee of due process and equal protection in our legal system.”
–St. Tammany Parish is closely monitoring the tropical system approaching the Gulf, which could bring heavy rainfall later this week, and has opened self-service sandbag locations starting in Slidell, Pearl River, Lacombe, Mandeville, and Covington. Residents can pick up sandbags at the Airport Road Public Works Barn, Fritchie Barn, Keller Barn, the Parish Government Complex, and Covington Public Works Barn—bringing their own shovels is required. Parish President Mike Cooper said crews are pumping down ponds, clearing ditches, and standing by for response, urging residents to prepare by checking generators, stocking essentials, and staying alert in case the storm’s impact intensifies. Assistance is available at (985) 898-2557.
–On August 29, the Slidell Cultural Center’s George Dunbar Gallery will open the “Katrina Then and Now” art exhibition, showcasing powerful before-and-after photos of Hurricane Katrina’s impact alongside artifacts and community-contributed stories, culminating in a time capsule for the Slidell Museum. Presented by the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition and the City of Slidell, the exhibit runs through September 26 and complements the “Spirit of Louisiana” events on August 30, which begin at 4 p.m. with a community gathering, a Second Line parade honoring Katrina recovery efforts, and a free concert featuring The Bucktown All-Stars and Vince Vance at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. Free tickets are available at www.KreweOfBlackAndGold.com.
–In preparation for its annual tax sale on July 29, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will publish an updated list of approximately 1,300 delinquent properties in the July 23 edition of The St. Tammany Farmer and online at www.STPSO.com under “Public Notices.” The list includes properties with unpaid 2024 taxes and related fees across the parish and municipalities including Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Pearl River, Abita Springs, and Madisonville. This marks the second public notice under Louisiana law, following a first notice on June 25. Property owners are urged to pay outstanding amounts by noon on July 28 to avoid inclusion in the tax sale, which involves the sale of tax titles—not the property itself—placing liens that buyers can later redeem if owners settle their debts within a three-year window.
–The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s Coastal Master Plan Team is inviting the public to participate in upcoming workshops to help develop project ideas for the 2029 Coastal Master Plan. Attendees will learn about the state’s plan, discuss challenges like coastal land loss and flood risks over the next 50 years, and receive expert feedback on their proposals. Public input is crucial in shaping strategies to address storm surge flooding and protect Louisiana’s coastline. Alongside these workshops, a New Project Public Solicitation Kickoff Webinar will be held on July 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more details and registration, visit https://coastal.la.gov/our-plan/2029-coastal-master-plan/ and register for the webinar at http://bit.ly/45ZyUln.
–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.
–Comedy returns to the Northshore with a bang as Comedy Night 15 takes over the 30 by Ninety Theatre on Friday, July 25 at 7:30 PM. Headlining the one-night-only event is comedy veteran Andy Huggins, known for his appearances on America’s Got Talent and streaming platforms like Apple TV and Prime Video. Joining him are rising stars Allison Hotard and Mike Peterson, bringing fresh humor and high-energy sets, with fan-favorite Gina G hosting the evening. Tickets are $30 and available at www.30byNinety.com, with limited seating and advance purchase strongly encouraged.
–The Tangipahoa Chamber’s highly anticipated Chillin’ with the Chamber $10,000 Raffle Party is back and set for Saturday, August 9, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Chappapeela Sports Park Gymnasium. This exciting annual fundraiser plays a crucial role in helping the Chamber maintain the historic Hammond Train Depot and support a wide range of member programs and services that strengthen the local business community. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with lively entertainment, featuring live music by 3rd Street, delicious food and drinks from participating Chamber member vendors, a silent auction with more than 30 fantastic items up for bid, and a liquor pull where every participant takes home a bottle valued at $20 or more. Each $125 ticket admits two people and includes a chance to win either the $10,000 grand prize or a Large Big Green Egg in a Nest, generously donated by Gabriel Building Supply. Attendees do not have to be present to win. A special thank you goes to First Guaranty Bank for returning as this year’s Title Sponsor and helping make this signature Chamber event possible.
–STartUP Northshore has launched THE LAUNCHPAD, a new series of live pitch competitions designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs across the Northshore. Building on the success of the NSpire Startup Slam, this new mini-pitch format offers founders coaching, visibility, and access to startup resources. Each event will feature three finalists pitching to expert judges for a $5,000 prize pool—$3,000 for the winner and $1,500 for each runner-up. The debut event will take place Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in partnership with Gulf South Angels, and will include a presentation on investor expectations for early-stage startups. Open to the public, the event aims to foster community engagement and highlight local innovation. THE LAUNCHPAD complements STartUP Northshore’s broader programming, including the IDEAinstitute Northshore accelerator, and underscores its commitment to providing frequent, high-impact opportunities for regional startups. Applications are open through July 31 at www.startupnorthshore.com/the-launchpad.
–The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce has announced a lineup of upcoming events aimed at fostering business connections and community engagement. On Thursday, July 17, members can participate in the Business-to-Business Networking event from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Chamber’s Covington office, where participants will give brief sales pitches and connect with fellow professionals (registration required). On Friday, July 18, the Chamber will host its signature Southern Nights Soiree from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Greystone in Mandeville, featuring casino games, premium cocktails, restaurant tastings, and live and silent auctions in a sophisticated Southern setting; tickets are $150. On Wednesday, July 23, the Chamber invites the public to a Slidell Mayoral Candidates Forum from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium, offering voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates (doors open at 5:30 p.m., registration appreciated but not required). On Tuesday, August 19, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will speak at the Tourism’s Economic Impact Luncheon at The Southern Hotel in Covington, highlighting the importance of tourism to Louisiana’s economy; tickets are $63 for members, $75 for non-members, and $700 for a table of eight. Finally, football fans won’t want to miss the Fan-Up Luncheon on Wednesday, August 27, at The Sadie Jane in Slidell, where guest speaker Mike Detillier will preview the upcoming season; tickets are priced the same as the August 19 luncheon, and registration is required for all events at www.sttammanychamber.org/events.
–The next Keep Hammond Beautiful public meeting will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 312 E. Charles Street in downtown Hammond. Community members are invited to attend and learn more about ongoing beautification efforts, upcoming projects, and opportunities to get involved in making Hammond a cleaner, greener, and more attractive place to live and work. The meeting will include updates from organizers, open discussion on new initiatives, and ways residents and local businesses can support the program’s mission. Keep Hammond Beautiful encourages all those interested in enhancing the city’s appearance and environmental health to participate.
