Group of Players Granted Restraining Order Enter Transfer Portal The NCAA transfer portal has reopened for eight former college football players who were granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) earlier this week, allowing them to return to college for a fifth year of eligibility. The decision comes after a court case in Louisiana, where the plaintiffs—former athletes who had previously sued the NCAA—secured the TRO on Wednesday. The order permits these players to enter their names in the transfer portal during a one-week window outside the regular portal period, which typically runs from January 2 to January 16. The eight players who have officially entered the portal include running back TJ Harden (SMU), tight end Dae'Quan Wright (Ole Miss), offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho (BYU), defensive lineman Zxavian Harris (Ole Miss), linebacker Trent Hendrick (James Madison), cornerback Ethan Johnson (App State), cornerback Blake Cotton (Utah), and kicker Luke Drzewiecki (New Mexico). Among them, Wright is currently on the Cleveland Browns' roster, while Harden played in the Seattle Seahawks' preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys before being cut on Monday. Harris was waived by the New Orleans Saints on August 8. The TRO, issued by a Louisiana court, also addresses broader NCAA rules. It temporarily halts the enforcement of the "ghost transfer rule," which previously penalized programs for adding transfers after the January portal window. Under the NCAA’s prior regulations, such violations could result in a head coach being suspended for 50% of the season and a fine equal to 20% of the program’s football budget. The TRO also blocks the NCAA’s restitution rule, which required players who signed professional contracts or worked with agents to repay any money received before returning to college.#ncaa #texas #tampa_bay_buccaneers #arizona_cardinals #louisiana
Five Dead, Four Hospitalized from Flesh-Eating Bacteria Outbreak, Health Officials Report Louisiana health officials have confirmed five deaths in 2026 linked to Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly bacteria known as "flesh-eating" due to its ability to cause severe tissue damage. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reported that four additional individuals were hospitalized with infections tied to the bacteria, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. Over the past decade, Louisiana averaged seven total cases and one death annually, but this year’s outbreak has raised concerns about rising incidence rates. The LDH attributed the surge in cases to environmental factors and human behavior. All reported infections this year involved individuals with open wounds exposed to seawater, and every patient had underlying health conditions that heightened their vulnerability. Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm coastal waters, becoming more prevalent from May to October as water temperatures rise. Health officials emphasized that the bacteria can enter the body through contact with brackish or saltwater, particularly when skin is compromised, or via consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. The severity of Vibrio infections varies, but they can lead to life-threatening complications. LDH noted that approximately one in five people infected with Vibrio vulnificus dies, often within days of symptom onset. The bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, wound infections, or bloodstream infections, with some cases requiring intensive care, amputation, or prolonged hospitalization.#louisiana #vibrio_vulnificus #louisiana_department_of_health #flesh_eating_bacteria #coastal_water
Life-threatening flash flood emergencies issued as Arthur's remnants slam South The remnants of former Tropical Storm Arthur unleashed tropical moisture across the Gulf Coast and Deep South, triggering widespread flash flooding and rainfall totals exceeding 20 inches in parts of Louisiana. Over the past 24 hours, storm reports flooded in from the Gulf Coast, with flooding submerging communities along Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coasts, as well as inland areas. Rainfall data from FOX Weather through Thursday showed Plaucheville, Louisiana, recorded 22.71 inches of rain since Wednesday, while Simmesport, Louisiana, measured 17.66 inches. In Mississippi, Perkinston received 12.38 inches, Whites Crossing collected 10.51 inches, and Kiln reported nearly 10 inches. The extreme rainfall led to dangerous flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi, where roads were submerged, neighborhoods were inundated, and emergency crews conducted multiple water rescues. The FOX Forecast Center tracked another potentially dangerous day of excessive rainfall on Friday as deep tropical moisture continued streaming across the Southeast. The Weather Prediction Center issued a Level 3 of 4 Moderate Risk for excessive rainfall, signaling the potential for widespread flash flooding and locally catastrophic impacts. Over 2.4 million people were included in the higher-end flood threat zone, stretching from Louisiana and Mississippi eastward into Alabama and Georgia. Cities within the risk area included Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Montgomery, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Slidell, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. Emergency management officials urged residents to monitor conditions and stay prepared as flooding concerns persisted.#alabama #louisiana #fox_weather #mississippi #tropical_storm_arthur
Supreme Court Allows Telehealth and Mail Access to Mifepristone for Now The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily upheld the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone through telehealth visits, preserving access for women while Louisiana’s legal challenge to its distribution continues in lower courts. The decision, issued nearly an hour after an earlier administrative stay on the drug’s access expired, paused a May 1 ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had mandated in-person visits for the medication. The high court’s order did not specify its reasoning or disclose the vote count, though Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito issued dissents. The ruling comes amid a contentious legal battle over mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions, which has become central to abortion rights debates since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Louisiana, a conservative state with a strict abortion ban, filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its 2023 policy allowing telehealth access to mifepristone. The state argued the regulation undermined its laws and posed risks to public health. A federal district court in April partially supported Louisiana’s claim, ruling the FDA’s policy arbitrary due to insufficient safety data, but blocked its immediate enforcement to allow the agency time to review the drug. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals then issued an emergency stay in late April, requiring in-person visits for mifepristone, which triggered widespread chaos among medical providers and patients. The Supreme Court’s intervention halted that order, returning the case to the 5th Circuit for further review.#fda #supreme_court #louisiana #5th_circuit_court_of_appeals #mifepristone
Airport Security Lines Are Long. Here's What to Know if You're Flying Travelers are facing long waits at airport security checkpoints as the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, leading to staffing shortages and delays. With spring break in full swing, major airports in Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans are reporting wait times of up to two hours, with some advising passengers to arrive three hours before their flights. In Philadelphia, three security checkpoints were closed entirely due to a lack of staff. The shutdown has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers without pay, as the agency is not funded by Congress. Over 50,000 TSA employees have been working without a full paycheck, and more than 300 officers have quit since the shutdown began on February 14. In Houston, nearly half of TSA staff called in sick, while a third did the same in Atlanta and New Orleans. These staffing issues are compounded by severe weather and school closures, which have further disrupted travel. President Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports if Congress does not fund the Department of Homeland Security. He promised to use ICE agents to enhance security and make arrests of undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators is working with the White House to resolve the shutdown and address immigration enforcement reforms. Transportation officials warn that the situation could worsen if the shutdown is not resolved. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that a second missed paycheck could lead to more staff resigning, potentially forcing some smaller airports to close. Billionaire Elon Musk has offered to personally pay TSA staff during the funding impasse, though U.S.#georgia #texas #louisiana #department_of_homeland_security #transportation_security_administration
Another earthquake rattles Edgefield, Louisiana after second-largest in state history recorded last week A series of earthquakes struck northwest Louisiana on the morning of March 9, 2026, with four tremors occurring within a 10-minute window. The most significant of these events was confirmed to have a magnitude of 4.4, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was recorded 4.9 miles northwest of Edgefield, at a depth of approximately 3.1 miles. Initial reports had listed the magnitude as 4.0, but further analysis upgraded the measurement. This latest earthquake followed the second-largest recorded in Louisiana’s history, which occurred on March 5 around 5:30 a.m. The previous event, though less intense than the March 9 tremors, had already raised concerns among residents about the region’s seismic activity. The recent quakes have added to a growing pattern of small earthquakes in the area, prompting questions about potential causes and long-term implications. Residents in Edgefield and surrounding communities reported feeling the tremors, with some describing the shaking as mild but noticeable. The USGS encourages anyone who experienced the earthquake to report their observations through its official channels. Such data helps scientists better understand the frequency and distribution of seismic events in the region. The area has seen an increase in seismic activity in recent months, with multiple small quakes recorded. While none of these events have reached the magnitude of the March 5 incident, the cumulative effect has led to heightened awareness and concern. Local authorities and geologists are monitoring the situation closely, though no immediate threats to infrastructure or safety have been identified.#earthquake #usgs #louisiana #edgefield #arklatex
Louisiana experiences four earthquakes with magnitudes up to 4.0 | Fox Weather Four earthquakes, measuring between 3.1 and 4.0 on the Richter scale, shook Louisiana early Monday morning, March 9. The tremors occurred within a 10-minute window, starting at 4:33 a.m. Central Time and continuing through 4:41 a.m. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the first quake struck 2.5 miles northwest of Edgefield, Louisiana, at a depth of 3.1 miles. A second magnitude 3.1 earthquake followed shortly after, approximately 1.9 miles north-northeast of Edgefield at the same depth. A third tremor, measuring 3.9, hit around 4:40 a.m., occurring nearly at the same location as the previous quakes, 1.9 miles northeast of Edgefield. The final earthquake of the sequence reached a magnitude of 4.0 at 4:41 a.m., striking 5 miles west-northwest of Edgefield. Residents as far south as Coushatta and as far north as Minden reported feeling the shaking. This event follows a magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck the same area in Red River Parish just four days earlier, marking the strongest recorded earthquake in Louisiana’s history. Two of the Monday morning quakes are now among the four most significant in the state’s seismic record. The USGS noted no immediate reports of damage, injuries, or fatalities. The Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office stated they are monitoring the situation and will provide updates if new information arises. The incident remains under observation, with Fox Weather advising readers to stay tuned for further developments. The occurrence highlights the potential for seismic activity in Louisiana, a region not typically associated with frequent earthquakes. While the U.S.#usgs #louisiana #edgefield #red_river_parish #fox_weather
Lockdown Lifted at Fort Polk After No Active Threat Confirmed A lockdown at Fort Polk was officially lifted this afternoon, with officials confirming there is no active threat to the public. The military installation, located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, had its gates locked down earlier in the day as a precautionary measure. According to Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft, who spoke with KALB in Alexandria, there was no danger on the base, and reports of a shooting were not credible. Craft emphasized that the base is now resuming normal operations. All entrances have been reopened and are functioning as usual. Authorities did not release further details about the incident or the investigation into the initial lockdown. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The situation is currently under review by local law enforcement and military officials. The decision to lift the lockdown came after a thorough assessment of the circumstances, with no evidence of an ongoing threat. Residents in the surrounding area were advised to remain vigilant but are no longer under any immediate risk. The military installation continues to monitor the situation closely.#fort_polk #vernon_parish #kalb #louisiana #sheriff_sam_craft
