Subscribe to Daily Recap MDJ feed
1 month ago
Residents who plan to vote in the May 16 election must be registered by April 15, 2026, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Louisiana citizens may register to vote if they are at least 18 years old by Election Day, are U.S. citizens and meet residency requirements. Individuals who are 16 or 17 may pre-register and will be eligible to vote once they turn 18.
By Journal Staff - Madison Journal on
1 month 1 week ago
A man was arrested Feb. 18 after a woman reported that her former boyfriend was stalking her and was outside her residence with a rifle, according to the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said it received a call from a woman who stated that her former boyfriend was stalking her and that she believed he was outside her residence with a rifle.
Deputy Smith responded and saw a Black male wearing camouflage clothing jump a fence and run on foot, authorities said. Rodney Mitchell, Black male, date of birth May 26, 1999, was taken into custody.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
An equipment failure at the Tallulah water plant left customers across the city without water pressure Friday and prompted a systemwide boil water advisory.
Magnolia Water reported that one of the plant’s two aerators failed Feb. 20, disrupting operations at the production site and causing low to no water pressure for all customers served by the Tallulah water system, WSID LA1065003. The outage affects the entire 71282 ZIP code.
Crews began repairs on the failed aerator as the outage continued.
Published on
1 month 1 week ago
New data about the economic costs of excessive civil litigation in Louisiana shows consumers in the state bearing an increasing burden, with lawsuit abuse causing an annual “tort tax” of $1,180 per person and yearly job losses exceeding 45,000.
By Michael Carroll - The Center Square on
1 month 1 week ago
Louisiana has received a major federal disaster declaration following a severe winter storm that battered the northern part of the state with ice, extreme cold and widespread utility outages in January.
The declaration approves federal assistance for nine parishes – Bienville, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas and West Carroll – allowing state and local governments to seek reimbursement for debris removal, emergency response costs and infrastructure repairs.
By Nolan McKendry - The Center Square on
1 month 1 week ago
Louisiana residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can no longer use their benefits to buy soft drinks, energy drinks or candy starting Wednesday, as the state launches a two-year pilot it says is aimed at nudging families toward healthier groceries.
By Nolan McKendry - The Center Square on
1 month 1 week ago
Dana A. Williams, who grew up in Tallulah, has been nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award for her book, “Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship.”
The book is nominated in the Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography category for the 2026 NAACP Image Awards.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
The Madison Parish Police Jury approved multiple items and heard updates on infrastructure and youth programs during its Feb. 9 meeting at the Madison Parish Courthouse. All jurors were present for the meeting.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
The Tallulah City Council approved a contract for a new city attorney, a renovation proposal for the Madison Community Center and a resolution supporting a $50,000 police equipment grant during its Feb. 12 meeting at City Hall.
Councilwoman Carla Turner-Harris was absent due to a family illness. All other members were present.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
Jackson Mayor John Horhn has selected Dr. RaShall Brackney to be the new police chief of Jackson.
Most of Brackney’s career, 30 years, was in the Pittsburgh Police Bureau. She later served as chief of campus police at George Washington University and, most recently, police chief in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Brackney takes over from interim chief Tyree Jones, also serving as Hinds County Sheriff. This week she visited Jackson where she spoke to various groups and was shown around town by Mayor Horhn.
By Wyatt Emmerich on
1 month 1 week ago
A Tallulah man was arrested on a warrant in connection with a shots-fired incident that occurred in October at Brooklyn Heights Apartments, according to Tallulah Police Chief Buster McCoy.
McCoy said that on Oct. 11, 2025, at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to a shots-fired call at Brooklyn Heights Apartments, 701 North Chestnut Street in Tallulah. Officers made contact with the victim, Deontae Washington.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
Wetlands with USDA recently announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.
Administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this new Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application.
By Madison Parish USDA Service Center on
1 month 1 week ago
FARMER Bridge Assistance ProgramUSDA announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. In 2026, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments.
Eligible Row Crop Commodities and Payment Rates: Below are the payment rates for the FBA eligible commodities that triggered a payment.
Commodity, Per Acre Payment Rates:
By Madison Parish USDA Service Center - Madison Journal on
1 month 1 week ago
By Journal Staff - Madison Journal on
1 month 1 week ago
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, passes the battalion colors to Lt. Col. Steven Belford, incoming commander of the 769th Brigade Engineer Battalion, during a change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Feb. 8, 2026. (Louisiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Danny Hough)
By CPT Peter A. Drasutis on
1 month 1 week ago
District IX of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association will hold its Spring District Meeting on March 9, 2026 at Big John’s Steak and Seafood.
Meeting details:
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026. Time: 10 AM. Location: Big John’s Steak and Seafood, 112 Cotton Road, Rayville, LA 71269
By Journal Staff - Madison Journal on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Qualifying has ended for municipal offices in Tallulah and for Justice of the Peace in Madison Parish, setting the ballot for the May 16 election.
District 5 Councilman Toriano Wells was re-elected after qualifying as the only candidate for the District 5 seat. Jonathan Mark Federick was also elected without opposition after qualifying as the only candidate for Justice of the Peace for Districts 1 and 3.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Delta Community Action Association, Inc. will accept applications Friday for the 2026 Heating Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Madison Parish residents
Applications will be taken from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Tallulah Community Center, 800 N. Beech St., Tallulah
The program assists families and senior citizens with heating-related energy costs. Funds may be used for electricity, gas or propane
Officials said applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis with limited slots available per day
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) has announced an unprecedented collaboration with the Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) to increase awareness of and access to assistive technologies throughout Northeast Louisiana. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer and LATAN President and CEO Yakima Black.
By NEDHSA on
1 month 2 weeks ago
A few years ago, 6th grade teachers asked their students how they defined love. Here are a few responses:
“Love is when grownups put their faces together in a yucky way.”
“Love is when mommy leaves daddy his favorite chicken piece for him to eat.”
“Love is when grandpa cuts grandma’s toenails because she can’t do it by herself.”
By Andrew Rice - The Center Square on