He died after sleeping in a dumpster, police say. Questions gnaw at his family.

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning. Here are some of our best recent reads.

How did Jermaine Watts die?

Police say Jermaine Watts died last week when the dumpster he was in was emptied into a trash compactor in a garbage truck. They say he was sleeping there to ward off the icy weather that night.

But questions gnaw at his family: They wonder why Watts, who liked trying to stay clean, would get in the dumpster even though his home was blocks away. Here's what we know — and what remains unanswered — about the case.

Local judge passes away

Christopher Dassau, a District Court judge and well-known public servant from Baker, died this weekend. Police found him dead when they conducted a welfare check at the request of a concerned family member.

This story explains what we know, as well as memorials to him from several local leaders.

Revolutionizing rice

If you ever shop at Rouses, you could soon find a special brand of rice that is high-protein and specifically safe for people with diabetes to eat. That rice is a Louisiana success story.

Here's the story of a farmer who learned his trade from his father and has built a thriving business out of innovative agriculture.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day.