Winter illnesses are increasing in the Miss Lou, with local health officials reporting higher cases of flu, RSV, and pneumonia. They attribute the rise to fluctuating temperatures and increased indoor gatherings during the holiday season.
New Orleans enters 2026 following three consecutive years of reduced violent crime. According to data analyzed for the Real-Time Crime Index, major offenses such as auto theft, vehicle burglary, carjacking, shootings, and robbery have dropped between 60 and 80 percent compared to 2022. Including the 14 people killed in the January 1, 2025 terror attack on Bourbon Street, the city recorded 120 murders in 2025, down from 265 in 2022.
A new analysis from CarInsurance.com examined fatal New Year’s crashes nationwide from 2014 through 2023. Forty Mississippians died in New Year’s crashes during that period. While the total number of deaths was lower than in 29 other states, Mississippi had the second-highest per capita death rate, indicating especially dangerous holiday road conditions. Eight of the ten most dangerous states for New Year’s driving were in the South. The riskiest time to be on the road was found to be the hours just before and after midnight…