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In south Louisiana autumns, many things go bump in the night

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In south Louisiana autumns, many things go bump in the night


One in all my favourite authors is Alan Lightman, a gifted author who additionally occurs to be a physicist. Lightman’s background in science inclines him to imagine there’s a solution for every little thing, although he admits a restrict to his curiosity. “I desire that at the very least some components of my being stay within the shadows of thriller,” he confesses in one in every of his essays.

I, too, like somewhat thriller in my life, which is why I haven’t tried too exhausting to determine what sorts of animals have been traipsing by means of our yard after darkish. Guessing with out clear decision is a part of the enjoyable. Autumn, I’ve discovered, is the very best time of yr in south Louisiana to ponder issues that go bump within the evening. The interval between nightfall and daybreak grows longer, and the deepening leaf litter tends to amplify the sound of out of doors guests simply past our bed room window. Tucked underneath the covers, I’m wondering what sort of critter is padding across the patio, although I’m not inquisitive sufficient to go away a heat mattress. Some issues, I suppose, are finest left to the creativeness.

These previous few weeks, dawn has introduced information of happenings whereas we slept. I’ve discovered our massive chook feeder scattered throughout the bottom in a number of items, an act of sabotage that clearly required a certain quantity of dexterity. I think raccoons, whose paws might be nearly as nimble as a human hand.

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My spouse advised that we grasp a couple of cameras exterior to catch our interlopers within the act. Anybody who’s bored can move an hour or two scanning varied on-line movies of suburban wildlife caught on safety footage after darkish: raccoons ambling by means of the carport, a fox strolling the fence line, a bear ringing a doorbell. Possibly I’ll resort to that sort of newbie documentary, however in the case of issues nocturnal, I appear to love much more the realm of pure hypothesis.

Our suet feeders — small wire cages that maintain blocks of vegetable shortening studded with seeds — are an enormous draw for woodpeckers throughout the day. However at evening, they entice different hungry diners. I’ve discovered our suet cages ripped from the bushes and carried into the shrubbery, in a lot the identical approach that burglars lug a stolen secure to their lair so it may be ransacked in secret.

The opposite day, whereas watering her cypress vine, my spouse discovered a clue about attainable suspects. A wierd pile of scat rested within the flowerbed, and I spent an excellent little bit of time scrolling a web based gallery of poop footage to make a optimistic ID. This proof additionally pointed towards a raccoon — although I did surprise, after exhausting a part of a Saturday on my investigation, if possibly I would like a extra healthful pastime.

I’ve bolstered our suet feeders with robust metallic clips to frustrate our thieves. Right here’s hoping they’re as puzzled by me as I’m by them.

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Louisiana

South Alabama plays Louisiana-Monroe in a NCAA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala.

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South Alabama plays Louisiana-Monroe in a NCAA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala.


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Mike Kittrell

Louisiana-Monroe at South Alabama basketball

Louisiana-Monroe forward Makai Willis and South Alabama guard John Broom go after a rebound in the first half of a NCAA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)

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Report: See where Louisiana ranks for mental health in 2025

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Report: See where Louisiana ranks for mental health in 2025


BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana ranks as the second-worst state in 2025 for mental health.

Soliant Health researchers ranked all 50 U.S. states in a study. It examined their mental and physical health, jobs, and access to healthy food.

The report says Louisiana has the fifth-lowest physical activity participation rate. The state has the fourth-highest average number of poor mental health days and the third-highest percentage of limited access to healthy food. Louisiana finished with a score of 23.1 out of 100.

Experts listed North Dakota as the best state for mental health, giving it a score of 82.

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The worst state, according to the report, is West Virginia, with a score of 21.9.

“A standout finding from our analysis is the clear link between a state’s disconnected youth rate and its performance in key areas like mental health and employment. Disconnected youth—those not in school or working—face greater risks of mental health struggles, including vulnerability to violence, substance abuse, and emotional challenges,” said Soliant Senior Vice President of Education Lesley Slaughter. “They’re also more likely to encounter unemployment, poverty, and long-term mental health issues later in life. This correlation underscores just how critical school-based healthcare professionals are; they don’t just support students’ emotional well-being but also lay the foundation for brighter futures, helping today’s youth grow into thriving, healthy adults.”

The 10 worst states for mental health in 2025, according to Soliant

  1. West Virginia — 21.9
  2. Louisiana — 23.1
  3. Arkansas — 26.6
  4. Nevada — 26.7
  5. Mississippi — 31.5
  6. New Mexico — 31.9
  7. Kentucky — 34.8
  8. South Carolina 38.5
  9. Oklahoma — 39.7
  10. Texas — 39.9

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Bourbon Street area designated as 'enhanced security zone' for Super Bowl • Louisiana Illuminator

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Bourbon Street area designated as 'enhanced security zone' for Super Bowl • Louisiana Illuminator


Heightened security restrictions will be in effect for the busiest section of the French Quarter starting next Wednesday through at least the day after Super Bowl LIX is played, Gov. Jeff Landry announced Wednesday. 

The additional safety measures follow a Jan. 1 terrorist attack that killed 14 people and injured 57 others. They apply to the first seven blocks of Bourbon Street and the parallel streets one block on each side. All blocks between Royal and Dauphine streets will become an “enhanced security zone,” where certain items will be prohibited and personal accessories could be searched or seized.

Ice chests and backpack coolers will not be allowed inside the zone. People are also discouraged from bringing standard backpacks, large purses, suitcases, fanny packs, large shopping bags and camera bags into the area. Any bags larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches – roughly the size of a clutch purse – will be subject to search, Landry said.  

Anyone who refuses a police search will be denied entry to the security zone. Police also have the authority to search bags within the area, and they will remove anyone who doesn’t comply.

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“We want cooperation with the public and balancing freedoms to enjoy the Quarter, with the need for these heightened security measures based upon the threat level that we saw on January 1,” the governor said during a news conference at the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.   

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Ice chests have been singled out for exclusion after Shamsud-Din Jabbar placed homemade explosive devices in two coolers and left them at separate locations in the midst of Bourbon Street revelers in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The FBI said a third bomb and a detonating device were found inside Jabbar’s rented pickup that he drove down three crowded blocks of Bourbon before crashing into a mobile lift platform. 

Police killed Jabbar, a 42-year-old IT worker and U.S. Army veteran from Houston, in a shootout. He flew an Islamic State flag from the truck and had posted videos online ahead of the attack professing his extremist beliefs.      

Landry created the security zone and provided police with enhanced powers inside of it through an executive order. It renewed the state of emergency he declared Jan. 1 for New Orleans, and its language indicates it could potentially be extended into Carnival season.

Read the governor’s order below

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“We are going to focus on the Super Bowl right now,” the governor said. “We then will pivot once we get through the Super Bowl to Mardi Gras,” implying there will be heightened safety measures in place again for the French Quarter and potentially along parade routes.

Gov. Jeff Landry addresses reporters Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, on extra security precautions in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges, left, took part in the new conference with the governor at the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

The governor’s order does not apply to the Superdome, where the NFL and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are handling security precautions for the Super Bowl.  Landry said state and city law enforcement officers will be working within their perimeters, however.

“As you move closer to the Superdome, the security restrictions are enhanced,” Landry said.

 Several streets in the vicinity of the stadium and Smoothie King Center are already closed to traffic. More will be blocked when pre-Super Bowl events take place at other downtown locations, including the Morial New Orleans Convention Center and the Saenger Theater.

The NFL championship game takes place Sunday, Feb. 9.

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In addition to local, state and federal law enforcement, there will be 350 members of the Louisiana National Guard dispatched to New Orleans to assist with traffic control and security checkpoints, according to the governor.

In addition to heightened security, the temporary homeless Landry established near the Gentilly neighborhood will be used through Mardi Gras, he said. There are currently 176 people staying at a contractor-staffed Port of New Orleans storage facility on France Road, the governor said.

Landry clashed with some city officials when directed Louisiana State Police to remove unhoused people from encampments in close proximity to the Superdome. He used his emergency powers to award a contract to operate the temporary shelter, where he said residents are receiving services that “are exponentially better than the ones they were receiving on the street.”

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