Good morning, Slidell.

Covington Fire Chief Gary Blocker Jr.—who started as a teenager and served for nearly 30 years—died, leaving a deep impact on the community.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Heavy rainstorms are raising concerns of flooding, drainage problems and pump failures in New Orleans and on the Northshore — local officials monitor the situation and will act if conditions worsen.

The House Ways and Means Committee approved a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide if parishes can raise the homestead exemption from $7,500 to $12,500 in assessed value—committee vote was 9—5.

The bill now moves to the House Civil Law for review of its ballot language and must pass both houses by a two‐thirds majority to reach voters.

Louisiana DOTD warned residents that they may get scam text messages about unpaid toll charges that are not sent by the department—Rodney Mallett explained that only regular mail with a picture of the license plate confirms a valid toll notice.

He added that scammers use incorrect websites and misspellings to trick people into paying false fines.

The St. Tammany Parish Council upheld the denial of a rezoning request for nearly 350 acres of land west of Covington due to concerns the new residential density would strain the area—Jeff Vallee of H1 Associates said he is disappointed with the decision and the next steps now rest with the developer.

The Senate passed SB 154 with a 26—11 vote yesterday and the bill to ban kratom now moves to the House for further review.

St. Tammany Parish Hospital earned its 19th consecutive A grade for patient safety for spring 2025 from the Leapfrog Group—continuing a streak that has lasted nearly 10 years.

Hospital officials said the grade underscores their ongoing commitment to safe patient care.

Some Enchanted Evening Concert

5-7 p.m. — Heritage Park — Free entry — Enjoy an enchanting evening of music with the Northshore Community Orchestra in the beautiful Heritage Park.

Spades Tournament

5-7 p.m. — Roots Plants + Coffee — $20 to play, free to spectate — Experience an exciting evening of strategic card playing in a friendly competition.

Open House at 505 Hermitage Court

12-2 p.m. — 505 Hermitage Court — Free entry — Explore a stunning 4-bedroom home with spacious living areas and a beautiful garden.