SUMMARY: On Thursday, May 16, 2024, severe thunderstorms struck southeastern Texas, particularly Houston, resulting in at least four fatalities and affecting over 850,000 homes and businesses with power outages. Authorities advised residents to stay off the roads and avoid traveling unless essential. Houston Mayor John Whitmire reported that the deaths were caused by falling trees and a collapsing crane, as winds reached 100 mph. The storm caused extensive damage in downtown Houston, breaking hundreds of windows and prompting security measures. First responders were handling a backlog of 911 calls, and power restoration efforts faced “catastrophic” challenges, with extended outages expected. All schools were closed on Friday, and the area still faced flood watches and warnings.

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SUMMARY: The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury has released the names of 16 applicants for the parish administrator role after initially declining requests from the American Press and KPLC-TV due to concerns over applicants' current jobs and family welfare. The decision was reversed following legal advice and the threat of legal action. Applicants' professional backgrounds were shared with media, though personal details were withheld. The position was widely advertised and attracted a diverse range of candidates. Notable applicants include professionals from various fields such as healthcare, education, hospitality, finance, marketing, law, and government.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Senator John Kennedy introduced the Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act to help Louisiana farmers cope with crop loss by enhancing the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation's (FCIC) discount-setting capacity for affected farmers. The bill aims to grant the FCIC more authority to revise its discount determination methods, involve stakeholders in the process, and require reports post-review. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency (RMA) would also be able to consider regional disaster impacts. The legislation, supported by the Louisiana Farm Bureau, also has a companion bill in the House introduced by Rep. Julia Letlow, reflecting their commitment to Louisiana's agricultural community.

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