Louisiana breaks record for new COVID cases, hospitals cancel non-emergency procedures

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! It was a busy news day yesterday, and we've got it all covered. Let's get you caught up:

COVID cases soar

Louisiana reported 6,225 news cases of COVID Monday — the largest single-day increase so far. Hospitalizations are also climbing rapidly, and hospitals throughout the state are again starting to cut back on non-emergency services to deal with the influx of patients.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins said he and his wife are battling COVID, spurring other members of Louisiana's Congressional vaccination to urge people to get vaccinated. "We’re in a war with a silent killer," said Rep. Julia Letlow, whose husband, Luke Letlow, died of COVID complications just before taking the office she now holds.

Who's building solar farms?

You may have noticed a bunch of new fields full of solar power generators sprouting up all over South Louisiana. Our business desk started looking into who's behind all those projects, and some of the answers are surprising: For example, almost half are controlled by a big New York City hedge fund.

Check out this story to see why these firms are building in Louisiana and what it could mean for our energy economy.

New developments in deadly Baton Rouge rap feud

After being arrested and accused of attempted murder — again — Baton Rouge rapper Lit Yoshi is being held without bond on a judge's orders. Read this story to see what this most recent arrest means for the rapper's future, and how it all fits into the deadly battle feud Yoshi's rap group and another group, which includes rapper NBA YoungBoy.