In an effort to contend with the rising waters of the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers announces that the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will be opened on Monday. The spillway is expected to be fully operational on January 13. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says opening the Morganza diverts water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin…:
CUT 6 (08) “down the river”
He says the spillway will operate until approximately January 21st, depending on how the Mississippi flows in the next week or two.

The man accused of stabbing an LSU football player at a Baton Rouge bar early Tuesday has been apprehended by the Baton Rouge Police Department. BRPD arrested 20-year-old Jamal Joseph Vaugn on charges of aggravated second-degree battery for allegedly stabbing LSU tight end Dillon Gordon at Reggie’s bar near campus.

The National Guard has been mobilized to assist communities throughout the state who face possible threats of flooding. Record crests are expected along the Mississippi and Col Pete Schneider says The Guard is performing a number of operations…:
CUT 4 (09) “the spillways”
He says on Friday guardsmen will begin 24-hour levee inspections in Concordia, East Carroll, Madison, and Tensas Parishes.

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin had his 2014 corruption charges appeal rejected in federal court. Nagin argued the judge gave the jury faulty instructions when he was convicted on charges including wire fraud, bribery and money laundering. The 5th Circuit US Court of Appeals said they found no errors were made.