The state health department now reports 125 cases of gastrointestinal illness from a chicken and sausage jambalya at a softball team’s fundraiser in Caldwell Parish. Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized. Health officials are still trying to determine if a death that was reported is associated with the salmonella outbreak. Also, health investigators have found a second bacteria associated with raw meat and poultry in stool samples from those who became ill.

The Caddo Parish Commission is facing a federal lawsuit after voting to approve the removal of a Confederate monument on the grounds of the parish courthouse. Rex Dukes has been a vocal supporter of keeping the monument where it currently stands…
cit 8 (07) “….and intergrity”
A Shreveport TV station reports a majority of the public present for Thursday’s vote were in support of the monument’s removal.

Jefferson Parish authorities have recovered the body of a Texas man who was killed Sunday in an explosion on an oil rig in Lake Pontchartrain. Interim Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 44-year-old Timothy Morrison’s body was found on the shoreline, about three miles or so from the damaged platform. The cause of the blast is still under investigation. Seven others were injured, three critically.

Robert Myer has resigned as the mayor of New Roads. Myer just reached a plea deal with prosecutors on allegations that he misused city-issued credit cards. Myer pleaded no contest to one count of malfeasance in office and must pay back the city for any outstanding balances owed for personal charges made with the city credit cards. He will avoid a year in jail.

There’s a marginal risk for severe weather in northwest Louisiana today. A strong cold front is heading towards Louisiana. Rain chances are high today and tomorrow and on Monday we’ll see high temperatures in the 70s.