MS coalition files suit vs USACE

In a federal lawsuit filed Jan. 22, organizations affiliated with the Mississippi Sound Association is asking the U.S. District Court in Gulfport to declare the Army Corps of Engineers failed to get a permit from NOAA before the 2019 openings of the Bonnet Carre Spillway that allowed an "incidental take" - killing, injuring or harassing of marine life - as required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

The USACE failed to protect bottlenose dolphins and other marine life in the Mississippi Sound and Lake Borgne by opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway in 2019 without obtaining proper permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the lawsuit. 

The suit was filed by the cities of Biloxi, D'Iberville, and Pass Christian, along with Harrison County, the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association and Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United Inc. 

The local governments and other organizations are all members of the Mississippi Sound Coalition. (NOLA.com 01/23/24) Corps didn't protect dolphins in LA spillway openings: suit | Courts | nola.com 

Lumpkin appointed judge of 15th Circuit Court

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Jan. 22 the appointment of Judge Richelle Lumpkin as 15th Circuit Judge for Place 3 following the death of Judge Claiborne "Buddy" McDonald IV on Jan. 1. 

Lumpkin is believed to be the first woman to serve as a judge in the 15th District, which serves Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Jefferson Davis and Lawrence counties.

She has served as a youth court trial judge for Pearl River County since 2011. Lumpkin was the first and only person to hold the position created by the Legislature in 2010 "to relieve a crowded Circuit Court and Youth Court docket." 

She also served as a youth court master and referee, municipal judge for the city of Picayune and a Pearl River County prosecuting attorney for 18 years. 

Lumpkin earned a juris doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law in 1990 and a bachelor's degree in political science in 1987 from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Her term will begin Feb 19 and will serve until a new judge is sworn in January 2025. Reeves set a special election for the position for Nov. 5. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of McDonald's four-year term. (Hattiesburg American 01/23/24)