Louisiana lots are running low on Christmas trees, bar patrons brave scrapes and falls to cross closed bridge

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good afternoon! Here's a rundown of some of our top stories today.

Tree shortage

Some of the same pandemic-prompted shipping delays, hiring difficulties and supply costs that plague other parts of the retail industry are taking their toll on the Christmas tree market, too. Thus, purveyors of holiday pines in Louisiana can't keep up with demand. Missy Wilkinson wrote about the shortfall, which also has roots, so to speak, in other issues that predate the pandemic.

A bridge too far

Tigerland bar patrons are going to great lengths to get across the partly demolished Bob Pettit Boulevard Bridge — and taking some tumbles along the way. The owner of Fred's Bar & Grill said he saw a young woman climb to the top and fall on her back in her attempted trek to the other side. "It's hard to watch," he told our reporter Paul Cobler. Hard as it is, you can watch some of the bungled bridge-crossings documented on social media and compiled in our story here.

Little-known rule

With convicted serial killer Kenneth Gleason dead from apparent suicide, a state court is using an obscure legal doctrine to posthumously toss his conviction, as Joe Gyan Jr. explains in this story.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!