The Department of Children and Family Services is under fire again after news of another infant fentanyl overdose death.  Days before one-year-old J’ahrei Paul of Baton Rouge’s Halloween death, the agency received an anonymous report he was in possible danger. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says a manpower shortage plus a sharp spike in child welfare cases is the reason stuff is slipping through crack. She says she’s assigning point person to oversee all such cases…:

CUT 07(06)      “…of response.”

DCFS is also seeking to hire a lot more new case workers.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.9-Billion for tonight’s drawing. A lump-sum payment would net a single winner over $929-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says excitement is building over the chance to become an instant millionaire…:

CUT 13(10)      “…exciting times.”

Tickets will be on sale until 9 tonight.

Last week we told you the low levels of the Mississippi River were affecting commerce. No, here’s solid evidence. The USDA says the number of grain barges ofload3ed at the Port of New Orleans is down 20-to-30-percent. This is because of shallow water limiting draft depth and the number of barges that can be connected. This can lead to a reduction of 10-to-15-thousand barrels per barge.

It’s getting dark earlier now that we are back on Central Standard Time, and that can make driving home in the evening a little tricky. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says the drive home will be happening during twilight hours, when visibility is lessened. He says motorists can help avoid accidents with just a few simple steps…:

CUT 10(11)      “…when it’s dark.”

Lambert says there is a statistical increase in traffic accidents on the Monday after a time change; especially when “falling back” to Standard Time.