January 2020

Two popes – one retired, one reigning – cause a furor

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Ever since Benedict XVI announced he would become the first pope in 600 years to resign, Catholic theologians, canon lawyers and others warned of the potential confusion in having two popes living side by side in the Vatican, one reigning, the other retired but calling himself “emeritus pope” and still wearing the white cassock of the papacy.

Their worst fears came true this week.

US stocks rise after signing of ‘Phase 1’ trade deal

(AP) - Stocks rose in afternoon trading on Wall Street Wednesday after the signing of an initial trade deal between the U.S. and China.

President Donald Trump and China’s chief negotiator, Liu He, signed the “Phase 1” deal before a group of corporate executives and press at the White House. The pact eases some sanctions on China.

In return, Beijing has agreed to step up its purchases of U.S. farm products and other goods. The initial agreement is a key step toward de-escalating an 18-month long trade conflict between the world’s largest economies.

Fever chart: Earth had its hottest decade on record in 2010s

WASHINGTON (AP) — The decade that just ended was by far the hottest ever measured on Earth, capped off by the secondwarmest year on record, two U.S. agencies reported Wednesday. And scientists said they see no end to the way man-made climate change keeps shattering records.

“This is real. This is happening,” Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said at the close of a decade plagued by raging wildfires, melting ice and extreme weather that researchers have repeatedly tied to human activity.

Business as usual? How Europe’s royals mix work and duties

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — As the British royal family wrestles with the future roles of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, it could look to Europe for examples of how princes and princesses have tried, with varying degrees of success, to carve out careers away from the pomp and ceremony of their families’ traditional duties.

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City declares two projects complete

The Jennings City Council declared two major projects complete at Tuesday’s meeting.

The facelift of the police and fire departments, as well as a major upgrade to the city’s water system, were both deemed substantially complete.

Last year the city set aside $360,000 for the remodel of the exterior of the public safety building that houses the police and fire departments. The funds came from leftover bonds from the City Hall project completed several years ago.

DATE WITH A GATOR

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Ellen Jayne Ardoin, 19 months, stopped by the Gator Chateau Wednesday with her aunt and grandmother. Handler Kate Hebert introduced her to a baby gator during the visit. So far this year, the city’s newest tourist destination has seen over 1,000 visitors according to staff members.

JDSO launches new website

The Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office (JDSO) launched their new website this week with new features for both the public and the department.

According to I.T. Deputy Brett Perrin, the new website has all the same information as before, but adds a few new features.  

Job title incorrectly ID’d

CORRECTION

In the Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, edition of Jennings Daily News, an article on the case below repeatedly identified a former suspect as a clerk.

However, it should be noted that this information did not pertain to Jeff Davis Parish Clerk of Court Rick Arceneaux, who was not accused of any wrongdoing. Managing Editor Sheila Smith, who wrote the article, sincerely apologizes for this error and any negative impact resulting from lack of clarification.

LSP: Suspicions unfounded, no courthouse employee alerted suspect

State police told Jennings Daily News that suspicions concerning an employee working within the parish courthouse were determined to be unfounded.

The newspaper reported this week that several sources said an individual who worked within the 31st Judicial District Courthouse had been suspected of tipping off someone facing a federal arrest warrant.