Voters across southeast Louisiana made key decisions Saturday, electing Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal as the city’s next mayor and Helena Moreno as New Orleans’ new mayor. Fandal won the Slidell special election with 71% of the vote, defeating Interim Mayor Bill Borchert to complete the term of former Mayor Greg Cromer, who resigned earlier this year for a state position. “My plan is to move the city forward, and I’m going to start Monday,” Fandal said, emphasizing transparency and public trust. Turnout was listed at 26%. A parcel fee renewal for St Tammany Fire Protection District 1 passed with 66% of the vote. In New Orleans, Moreno secured 55% of the vote, defeating State Senator Royce Duplessis and City Councilmember Oliver Thomas to become only the second woman elected to the city’s top job. She pledged to focus her first 100 days on improving city services, infrastructure, and public safety, noting that her current role on the City Council will help ease her transition into office. Michelle Woodfork, the former interim chief of the New Orleans Police Department, was elected as the next sheriff of Orleans Parish. In Washington Parish voters overwhelmingly approved the renewal of taxes for parish government.
–Southeastern Louisiana University is set to celebrate Homecoming Week with a full lineup of events leading up to Saturday’s big game against Northwestern State. The festivities begin Monday with the Homecoming Kickoff at the Student Union Breezeway, followed by “Lion Up Tuesday,” encouraging everyone to wear green. Wednesday brings the beloved Gumbo Ya Ya celebration at the Student Union at 11 a.m., while Thursday’s Throwback Thursday takes the fun downtown to Hammond restaurants starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday will feature the dedication of the Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center at 10 a.m. before Saturday’s jam-packed schedule, including the “Under the Hood” show on Tangi 96.5 from 9–11 a.m., the Homecoming Parade at 11:30 a.m., and the Supreme Toyota/Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Lion Up Tailgate Party from 12:30–3:30 p.m. at Dyson Hall. The Chee Weez will perform at 1 p.m. in Friendship Circle, followed by the Lion Walk at the same time, and pregame coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. on Kajun 107, The Highway 104.7, and The Boss 97.7/1400 AM WFPR. Kickoff for Southeastern’s Homecoming game is at 4 p.m.
–With Phase I construction projects nearly complete—except for the Loranger High girls’ locker room—the Tangipahoa Parish School System is moving full speed ahead into Phase II of its ambitious facilities improvement plan. Superintendent Melissa Stilley said the first phase delivered major upgrades across the parish, including classroom additions at schools in Robert, Ponchatoula, and Hammond; hurricane repairs; and renovations to the alternative program and Hammond Eastside Upper campuses. Phase II, nearly twice as large, will focus on replacing portable buildings with permanent classrooms, featuring major additions at Loranger and Ponchatoula high schools, new classroom wings and libraries at Woodland Park Magnet and several elementary campuses, and expanded cafeteria space. The district is also installing air-conditioning systems in gyms parishwide, with multiple schools already completed and more underway. Stilley said the construction reflects the district’s commitment to modernize facilities and meet the needs of growing student populations across Tangipahoa.
–The Keep Hammond Beautiful committee and the City of Hammond invite residents to their next public meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. at the Hammond Recreation Center, 601 W. Coleman Avenue. Community members are also encouraged to take part in the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, October 25, from 8 to 10 a.m., meeting at the Clarke Park Pavilion at 801 S. Holly Street. Volunteers will be provided with pick-up sticks, vests, gloves, and trash bags to assist in cleaning up the community. The cleanup event qualifies for students seeking service hours or fulfilling community service requirements. For more information, call (985) 277-5955.
–Southeastern Louisiana University is inviting fans to join President William S. Wainwright and new women’s basketball head coach Jeff Dow for “Hoops & Hors d’Oeuvres,” a fundraising event supporting the Lady Lions. After capturing the Southland Conference regular season title last year, the team faces a major rebuild under Coach Dow, who brings nearly 350 career wins and seven NCAA tournament appearances. The event aims to help the program recruit and retain top talent amid NIL challenges, with Dow already landing standout recruits, including a player from Israel with professional and military experience. Tickets can be obtained by contacting the SLU Athletics Ticket Office at 985-549-5466, emailing sluticketoffice@southeastern.edu.
–The Tangipahoa Parish School System has once again earned national recognition for its excellence in financial reporting, receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International for its FY 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This marks the 36th time the district has received the honor, highlighting its long-standing commitment to transparency and accountability. Superintendent Melissa Stilley praised the Business Services team for ensuring responsible resource management and community trust, while Director of Business Services Deborah Anderson noted the staff’s dedication to meeting stringent audit standards. The district was also recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for the 37th consecutive year, a distinction shared by only a handful of Louisiana school systems.
–The St. Tammany Parish Public School System will host its annual SWE Softball Games at the Miracle League Field at Coquille Parks and Recreation during the week of October 13. The event brings together students with and without exceptionalities to play on inclusive teams, promoting friendship, teamwork, and fun. Each participating school will attend one day for an hour, featuring an opening ceremony, a two-inning game, and an awards presentation. Games will be held daily from Monday through Friday, with matchups including Lancaster Elementary, Little Oak Middle, Fontainebleau Junior, and several other schools from across the parish. Families and community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes throughout the week.
–St. Tammany Parish officials are inviting the public to an open house meeting on Wednesday, October 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Parish Council Chambers to discuss the proposed LA 434–Airport Road Connector Road project. The event will give residents a chance to provide input and help shape the future of infrastructure in east St. Tammany. Parish President Mike Cooper and the Parish Council say the proposed connector road is part of their continued efforts to address traffic congestion and improve transportation safety across the parish.
–Old Farmer’s Day returns October 18–19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with gates opening at 9 a.m., offering a nostalgic look at how early farmers lived, worked, and celebrated life. The annual event serves as a re-enactment of traditional farming methods and sustainable practices that laid the foundation for modern agriculture. Held each October to coincide with the end of the harvest season, Old Farmer’s Day honors the wisdom and hard work of past generations while giving visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the roots of rural life and community celebration.
–The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 30-year-old Jamar Tyler, a convicted felon, after a proactive patrol by the Narcotics Division led to the discovery of guns and drugs during a traffic stop on Whiskey Lane near Highway 1064. Deputies say Tyler was found with a loaded firearm and illegal prescription pills in his pocket, and a K-9 search uncovered methamphetamine, another gun, and drug distribution materials inside the vehicle. Tyler faces multiple charges, including possession of firearms by a convicted felon, operation of a clandestine lab, and possession with intent to distribute narcotics. Sheriff Gerald Sticker thanked the public for helping report suspicious activity and urged anyone with information about criminal activity to contact TPSO or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245 or tangicrimestoppers.com.
–The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting involving two juveniles that occurred over the weekend near Highway 439 in Bogalusa. According to WPSO, deputies and Bogalusa Police officers responded to the scene, where one juvenile was found critically injured and later died at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. The second juvenile involved has been identified, and authorities say the case remains under active investigation. Additional details will be released as the investigation continues.
–St. Tammany Health System has partnered with healthcare organizations across Louisiana to launch the nation’s first statewide rollout of MyChart Central, a unified digital platform that allows patients to securely access their medical records, communicate with care teams, and manage their healthcare from a single account. The initiative connects major systems including Ochsner Health, North Oaks Health System, Baton Rouge General, and others, providing one Epic ID for all MyChart logins across the state. “Streamlining our patients’ care improves that care,” said STHS Chief Information Officer Craig Doyle, calling the project a major step toward enhancing both innovation and patient experience. Supported by the Louisiana Department of Health, the system aims to simplify how over 2.5 million MyChart users statewide manage appointments, view test results, and share health data. Patients can now enroll at Central.MyChart.org.
–Deer hunting season in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area has been temporarily closed due to flooding, in accordance with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission regulations. The closure is automatically triggered when the water gauge reaches 2.25 feet and will remain in effect until levels drop below 1.75 feet. The Maurepas Swamp WMA covers 112,615 acres across Ascension, Livingston, St. John the Baptist, and St. James parishes, roughly 25 miles west of New Orleans. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds visitors aged 18 and older that a valid WMA Access Permit or appropriate hunting and fishing license is required to enter the area. Current water levels can be monitored online through LDWF’s official site.
