| By JERRY DICOLO | Staff writer |
On this scorching Sunday, check out our stories on a radical new plan for a major 'leak' in the Mississippi River, the rising cost of owning a home in St. Tammany and the latest insight into what the federal indictment of Jeffrey Vappie does, or doesn't tell us about whether Mayor LaToya Cantrell might be next. Try to stay cool, everyone, milder weather is (hopefully) ahead.FIXING THE PASS: The new gap in the Mississippi River levee known as Neptune Pass has captured roughly a fifth of the river's water as it rushes towards the Gulf of Mexico and is forming new land. After the Army Corps of Engineers said they'd need to plug the widening crevasse, now, they've come up with an innovative way to use the natural opening to build land while also ensuring shipping isn't disrupted. Mike Smith has the story. A FEDERAL CASE?: The federal indictment last month of Jeffrey Vappie, Mayor LaToya Cantrell's former bodyguard and alleged paramour, put a renewed focus on the two-year federal investigation into Cantrell herself. But as James Finn and Gordon Russell report, a few possible deadlines for federal prosecutors to seek an indictment have come and gone, raising speculation about the status of the case. FIRST DAY PRAYER: A New Orleans finalist for Louisiana's Principal of the Year was preparing to welcome back students and open her doors for the upcoming school year. One the first day of school, Patrick Wall reports, Glenda Baylis says she has a steady routine. “I walk the halls," she says, "and I pray.” Check back for more news, entertainment and sports from The Times-Picayune here. JD | 