A social media post from a frightened mother has sparked a wave of similar accounts from drivers who say their vehicles were struck by unknown projectiles along a short stretch of Highway 71 South in Fairview.

According to the initial post, at about 8:30 p.m. on December 26, 2025, the passenger window of her daughter’s vehicle suddenly shattered. Photos shared online show a small entry point surrounded by a web of broken glass. A police report has been filed, and an investigation is underway.

The incident occurred on a roughly half‑mile section of Hwy. 71 South between Key’s Grocery and Coulee Loop Road — the exact location where several other drivers say they’ve experienced similar damage in recent months.

One woman responding to the post said her family encountered the same issue two months earlier. “This happened to my mom, who lives across from Key’s. A BB went into her arm,” she wrote.

Another driver described a frightening encounter while returning home from Natchitoches. “It was like someone shot rocks from the left-hand side of the road toward our vehicle, and it hit our windshield and front end really hard,” the commenter said. “I thought it was giant chunks of glass or white rocks, the way they hit and sounded. I saw the pieces fly across right before they hit. It scared the crap out of us.”

A third driver reported that her windshield was struck in the same area around the same time period. “No cars were in sight when I was about to pass Key’s. Something hit my windshield — the sound was awful when it hit. It scared us so badly when it busted,” she wrote.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for information regarding the reports. The Journal will provide updates as more details become available.

Red River native Bennie Logan has been hired as the defensive line coach at Southern University, continuing the rapid build of a high-profile coaching staff under new head coach Marshall Faulk ahead of the 2026 season.

Logan’s football journey began at Red River High School, where he laid the foundation for a standout career. He went on to become a key contributor on the defensive line at LSU from 2009–2012, earning the Tigers’ highly respected No. 18 jersey during his final season—an honor reserved for players who exemplify leadership and excellence on and off the field.

Following college, Logan spent six seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans, where he built a reputation as a reliable, physical presence in the trenches.

Most recently, Logan served as the defensive line coach at Catholic High School, helping guide the program to the Division I Select State Championship—a testament to his coaching impact and ability to develop talent.

The hiring was first reported on social media by the Southern University Quarterback Club. With Logan’s deep ties to Louisiana football and championship experience as both a player and coach, his addition further signals Faulk’s intent to assemble a staff with credibility, energy, and a winning pedigree as Southern looks ahead to 2026.

Photo: Southern University Quarterback Club social media post

After days of record-setting warmth, Red River Parish is getting a sharp reminder that winter isn’t finished yet. A strong cooldown moves in to start the week, bringing temperatures back to true winter levels.

Monday will feel dramatically different from last week’s heat, with a daytime high around 50°F and temperatures dropping to a chilly 29°F overnight. The colder air will be noticeable from morning through evening, making coats and layers a must. The day will be quite windy with 10 to 15mph.

Tuesday stays firmly on the cold side, with a high near 48°F and another freezing night expected, as lows dip to around 27°F. While skies should remain relatively calm and sunny, the cold will linger, keeping the winter feel locked in.

The sudden shift serves as a classic Louisiana weather reminder — it doesn’t take long for Red River Parish to go from spring-like warmth straight back into winter. Residents are encouraged to bundle up, protect pets and plants, and stay weather-aware as the cold stretch settles in.

Governor Jeff Landry announced that Louisiana will observe a four-day period of mourning beginning January 1 in honor of the victims of the recent tragedy in the French Quarter.

The governor said the period of mourning is intended to honor the lives lost, support grieving families, and allow the state time to reflect collectively on the impact of the incident. Flags will be flown at half-staff each of the four days. Churches, public buildings and other institutions are asked to ring their bells 14 times on January 4 at 3:15pm in honor of the 14 innocent lives lost.

In a statement, Landry emphasized the importance of standing together as a state during moments of heartbreak, noting that Louisiana’s strength has always been rooted in its sense of community and compassion.

The tragedy shook residents across the state and prompted an outpouring of support for victims and first responders. Officials say the mourning period is meant not only to remember those lost, but also to acknowledge the pain felt throughout Louisiana.

State leaders are encouraging residents to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts as the new year begins under solemn circumstances.

This story first published July 11, 2025. RRPJ is running it again to remind readers fines will begin January 1, 2026 following the grace period for the new hands-free law (HB 519) while driving.

Starting August 1, 2025, Louisiana drivers will be prohibited from using handheld mobile devices while driving—except to make voice calls via hands‑free systems like Bluetooth headsets, smartwatches, or for navigation displays.

The legislation, House Bill 519, was sponsored by Rep. Brian Glorioso (R‑Slidell) and signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, who described it as a key step in reducing distracted driving and curbing high insurance rates in the state. The law extends restrictions that were previously limited to school and construction zones to all public roadways.

What’s Prohibited

• Holding or operating a phone while driving—no calling, texting, browsing, or using social media.

• Allowed only via hands‑free systems for voice calls or navigation.

• Exception: Stationary vehicles and emergency communications—such as reporting crashes—are permitted.

Enforcement & Penalties

• Aug­ust 1 – Jan­uary 1, 2026: Law enforcement will issue warnings only—a grace period for public adjustment.

• Jan­uary 2, 2026 and onward: Fines begin—$100 outside restricted zones; $250 in school or highway construction zones. Violations during a crash may double the penalty.

• Drivers cannot be pulled over solely for handheld phone use outside restricted zones—unless they commit another traffic violation.

Distracted driving remains a leading cause of accidents. Lawmakers cite studies from other states where similar laws resulted in fewer fatalities, serious crashes, and lower insurance rates.

Louisiana Tech will play Coastal Carolina in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Tues Dec 30 at 2pm at Independence Stadium. The events leading up to the game begin today including a Mardi Gras Preview Parade rolling at 6:30pm at the Louisiana Boardwalk followed by Battle of the Bands (7:15pm at East Bank Plaza), fireworks (7:45pm, Hurricane Alley) and Concert with Parish County Line at 8pm. On Tuesday, the day gets started with the Coca-Cola Fan Fest at the State Fair Grounds from 9:30am til 12:30pm.

Louisiana is rolling into the Rose Parade on Jan 1 at 10am with a float that celebrates one of our most iconic dishes, Gumbo. “Gulf to Gumbo” features a shrimp boat, fresh Louisiana seafood and a larger-than-life pelican chef bringing it all together. Providing the mid-parade entertainment will be rising country singer and “American Idol” runner-up John Foster, a Louisiana native.

Bossier Mardi Gras Night Market Sat Jan 31 3-8pm. Parade rolls at 7:30pm. Free admission, Free parking and Free throws! 200+ Vendors & 15+ food trucks.

Study finds link between phone use after age 50 and a lower risk of cognitive decline.

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As Christmas approaches, the Red River Parish Journal would like to extend our warmest wishes to each of our readers. This season reminds us of the joy of community, the comfort of tradition, and the importance of taking time to appreciate the people who make life meaningful. We are truly grateful for your support and for the privilege of sharing Red River Parish’s stories throughout the year.

To allow our staff time to enjoy the holiday with family and friends, RRPJ will take Friday, December 26 off. We’ll return on Monday, refreshed and ready to bring you more of the news and updates that matter to our parish.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas, and may your holiday be filled with peace, warmth, and all the things that make this season bright.

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas… you may want to swap that snow globe for sunglasses.

Christmas Eve is shaping up to be record-breaking warm, with temperatures climbing to a high near 76°F. It’s the kind of evening that makes Santa ditch the coat and cruise with the windows down. Perfect weather for last-minute errands, outdoor gatherings, or a casual stroll before settling in for the night.

Christmas Day keeps the warm streak alive, with highs reaching around 77°F — far from traditional winter weather, but very much Louisiana-style Christmas cheer. Whether you’re opening presents, firing up the grill, or spending time outside with family, the weather will feel more like spring than December.

The warmth doesn’t stop there.

Friday keeps things hot with temperatures soaring to about 79°F, making it one of the warmest days of the stretch. Shorts, T-shirts, and sunshine may still be in play.

Saturday cranks it up another notch, topping out near 80°F — a temperature more fitting for May than December. Outdoor plans should have no problem staying comfortable.

Sunday cools off just a touch, with highs near 76°F, but comes with a chance of afternoon and evening showers. Rain could briefly interrupt outdoor plans late in the day, so it’s a good idea to keep an umbrella handy. Chance of rain 50%.

All in all, it’s a record-warm Christmas week and weekend, reminding everyone that winter in Red River Parish doesn’t always follow the calendar. Snow may be missing, but sunshine, warmth, and a little rain are more than making up for it — and that’s holiday weather with a Louisiana twist.

By Brad Dison
Sending text messages has become an integral part of life for most of us. It has become such a common activity that we instinctively reach for our phones and begin tapping out a message rather than placing a voice call. The most common text messages today are, “I love you,” “when will you be home,” and “where are you,” respectively. The birth of our modern text messaging system can be traced back to December 3, 1992.

In 1992, 22-year-old Neil Papworth was working as a software engineer for the now-defunct Anglo-French information technology company Sema Group Telecoms. For about a year and a half, Neil was part of a team that was searching for a way to transmit short text messages for Vodafone, a British telecommunications company. At the time, the only function cell phones could perform consisted of making and receiving telephone calls. Telecommunication companies knew that cell phones had the potential to do more, and they knew adding functions would lead to huge profits. Vodafone wanted to add a pager feature (remember pagers?) into cell phones. Neil and his team spent months testing and troubleshooting the one-way messaging system. The main problem was that they had to create a text messaging system that would interact flawlessly with any cell phone on the market.

Vodafone had invested a lot of money in the system and wanted to show the world that it worked. On December 3, 1992, Neil sat in his office in Newbury, England, hoping that the text messaging system he and his team created would function as expected. After checking and rechecking the team’s programming, Neil typed in the cell number of Richard Jarvis, the director of Vodafone, who was hosting a Christmas party on the other side of town at the time. He typed in a short message and, as he later explained, had two thoughts: “God, I hope this works,” and “what am I going to have for dinner?” Neil explained, “for me, it was just another day at work.” This was far from a random test; Vodafone had planned to reveal their technology to the world at this party if it worked. Vodafone had numerous members of the press present to be sure the word got out. The company had planned every detail of the reveal except for what the text message would say. Without much thought, Neil typed a two-word message and sent it. Because it was a one-way text messaging system and Richard could not send a reply, Neil had to call Richard to ensure that the test was successful. Neil said, “there was a lot of relief when it worked.” By the end of 2000, cell phone users sent an average of 35 text messages per month. Today, users send an average of 52 text messages per day. Neil had no idea that text messaging would make such an impact on our daily lives.

Neil Papworth, the 22-year-old software engineer who helped change the way the world sends and receives information, who is credited with sending the first commercial text message, did not own a cell phone. He bought his first cell phone three or four years later. Although it’s been said many times, many ways, I want to share the same message with you that Neil sent the director of Vodafone. The first commercial text message in history consisted of just two words, “Merry Christmas.”

Sources:

1. The Daily Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa), June 30, 2006, p.57.

2. Ivan Blagojevic, “23+ Texting Statistics on Modern Messaging Habits,” 99firms, August 11, 2025, https://99firms.com/research/texting-statistics/#gref.

3. “The History of SMS – Neil Papworth w/ Bonin Bough | Messaging Summit 2019,” Bonin Bough, YouTube.com, July 9, 2019, https://youtu.be/odvj7CDGHys?si=cApKpHu6tnQyuTd9.

4. “Meet the Legend Behind the first ‘Merry Christmas’ SMS,” MoreThan160, YouTube.com, December 4, 2023, https://youtu.be/1EQffh6-Y2Y?si=DpndYabbyoLNtHhl.

A major philanthropic contribution of $6.25 billion from Michael and Susan Dell has become the largest private gift yet to support President Donald Trump’s “Accounts for America’s Children” initiative — a national effort aimed at expanding financial security and long-term savings opportunities for young Americans.

The Dells, known for their extensive charitable work in education, child welfare, and economic mobility, announced a landmark donation that will help jump-start the early rollout of the program. While the exact amount has not been publicly disclosed, officials described it as a “historic and transformative gift” that will accelerate the development of savings accounts intended to give every child a stronger financial foundation for the future.

The initiative seeks to create federally backed accounts for children, allowing families to build long-term savings dedicated to education, home ownership, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building. Supporters say the plan could help millions of families — particularly low- and middle-income households — begin investing in their children’s futures earlier and more effectively.

In a statement, the Dells said their donation reflects their commitment to expanding opportunity for children nationwide. “We believe every child should have the tools and financial footing to pursue their dreams,” they said, calling the initiative a rare chance to make generational change.

The contribution marks one of the first major private investments in the program and signals growing interest from philanthropic groups and business leaders. The Trump Administration praised the couple’s generosity, saying the support will help ensure the program reaches families more quickly and sustainably.

As implementation begins, officials plan to work with states, financial institutions, and child-advocacy groups to design account access, parental controls, and matching-fund opportunities. More details are expected in the coming months.

For now, the Dells’ gift stands as a defining early moment for the initiative — a sign that some of the country’s most influential philanthropic leaders see long-term value in investing in America’s children.

Much of my Christmas nostalgia is wrapped in the glow of those big, old-fashioned colored bulbs—the ones that could heat a small apartment—and the shimmering glory of an aluminum Christmas tree spinning under a color wheel. I was a child of the 60s, after all. Only in that decade could a tree made of tinsel, decorated with blue ornaments, and illuminated by absolutely no lights of its own be considered the height of holiday sophistication. And you know what? I loved it. Those memories still shine for me, even if a few of them come with some spiritual scar tissue.

I grew up in a sprawling extended family. My dad was an only child, but he came from a clan that reproduced cousins the way Louisiana reproduces mosquitoes—by the thousands and without apology. Every Christmas we gathered at my great-grandmother’s house for the annual cousin gift exchange.

Names were drawn at Thanksgiving, rules were followed, and gifts were opened with military precision.

It was Christmas 1968—easy to remember, because I’d been up half the night watching Apollo 8 circle the moon. Humanity was reaching for the heavens… and meanwhile, down on Earth, my cousin Wally was plotting a lunar landing of his own. On my gift.

I opened that widget—my widget, given to me by my great-grandmother herself. I can still point to the exact spot on the floor where I sat when I unwrapped it. But somewhere between that moment of joy and the time we loaded up the car, the widget vanished. Gone. Disappeared. Beamed up, perhaps, by Cousin Wally, who boldly claimed it was his. It was not. I knew it then, and I know it now. Wally took it. That rat.

And ever since that fateful day, I have developed a Christmas quirk. If you give me a gift, I will—without hesitation, without shame, without regard for weather conditions—march it straight to my car. I have been known to sprint through a downpour like a shepherd chasing a runaway sheep, all to protect a tin of cookies or a festive mug. My family knows this about me. My church knows this about me. I know this about me. And honestly, it makes me laugh every time I do it, because I can still see Wally’s face in 1968, claiming my widget like he was planting a flag on the moon.

Have you ever had something stolen? It’s funny how one small childhood moment can linger in the corners of your heart. Part of me still fears losing a gift, even though I know that fear is completely out of step with what Christmas is really about.

Christmas isn’t about the presents under the tree—or the ones your cousin swipes when you’re not looking. Christmas is about a relationship with Jesus.

God sent His Son into the world so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Jesus is the gift that cannot be misplaced, stolen, regifted, or claimed by Cousin Wally. He is yours, forever.

My prayer is that you experience the love of Jesus every day of your life.

Merry Christmas!

There’s something magical about experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child who still believes in Saint Nick. It brings excitement and anticipation of what he’ll leave under the tree on Christmas morning. But no matter how old you are, there’s still something magical about Christmas morning.

With the Christmas season comes family traditions — traditions that may be a little silly, while others bring emotions out that remind us of a particular Christmas or maybe a loved one that is no longer with us.

For me, Christmas brings back memories of a time that seemed so simple, a time when my biggest worry as a kid was if Santa was going to accidentally pass my house without stopping. I always wondered after our visit at the Sears and Roebuck store, “Did Santa understand exactly what I wanted for Christmas?” The man never took notes, so how was he going to remember what I asked for?

After all, I could not have been any clearer on what gift I wanted! I can only think of maybe two times that he forgot. You know, he does have a long list with a lot of names which makes his job awfully difficult.

When it comes to traditions, there are a few that my wife and I have passed on to our children. First, we never miss our Christmas Eve service at the First United Methodist Church with great music, an inspiring message, and the lighting of the candles.

My wife’s side of the family includes six brothers and sisters who all have children and grandchildren of their own. Everyone has done their part to add to the family tree, which means we now have a lot of youngsters running around.

Each year after the Christmas Eve church service, we gather as a family of 40-plus at one house for food and the passing out of matching Christmas pajamas. The pajama crusade has been a long-standing tradition that can be difficult for one person to handle on their own with the gathering of sizes and placing the order.

But one thing that has stood the test of time is the annual building of the human pyramid, everybody donning their new pajamas. The only thing that has changed over the years with the pyramid is who is on the bottom, as people change due to fluctuation in sizes! (Hopefully I’m not offending any family reading this!)

Another tradition for us takes place on Christmas morning as we bake cinnamon rolls, place a candle in one, and sing happy birthday to Jesus. This tradition has gone on for 44 years!

After everyone has celebrated and opened gifts Christmas morning at their own homes, all will gather at the grandparents for round two of more food, fun and games along with the exchange of gifts.

While throughout the years we have joyfully welcomed new members into the family, we have sadly lost others and miss them dearly. But this is all a part of life itself. Nothing ever stays the same.

With age comes growing appreciation for the blessings of getting to be a part of such a loving family. People you can lean and count on in time of need. People who know who you are and what you’ve been through.

So, this Christmas, become a kid again and take the time to count your blessings and enjoy your family! Because you never know when it might be the last time you get to spend a Christmas together. Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

For children with developmental challenges or medical conditions, a traditional playground can limit their access to play, while adaptive playgrounds break down barriers and allow these children to foster social skills and a sense of belonging.

In September, CHRISTUS Health received a generous donation from the Ace Hardware Foundation to fund the installation of a new outdoor adaptive playground at CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta. “This donation was the seed that allowed this new space to grow and flourish by purchasing the playground equipment totaling $25,000,” said Amy Heron, executive director of philanthropy at CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier. “Then our dedicated Children’s Miracle Network partners Walmart, Dairy Queen, Love’s Travel Stops, Valvoline and Ace Hardware stepped in with their fundraising efforts, along with committed individual donors and CHRISTUS Associate donors to provide an additional $100,000 to bring the playground to life. Safety and security were top of mind with the fence and enhanced ground surface to allow for play and mobility for children with all types of exceptionalities.”

The playground features adaptive swings and slides, sensory-friendly musical elements and equipment that promotes mobility, balance and coordination, creating an inclusive space where therapy and play come together.

Open five days a week, CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta offers specialized pediatric therapies for children from birth to age 21, helping them reach developmental milestones and build essential life skills through movement, communication, feeding and play. The clinic supports children with developmental challenges or medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular disorders, autism, language delays, Down syndrome and hearing impairments, providing high-quality care tailored to each child’s specific needs. “This adaptive playground is something truly special for our patients, their families and our Associates,” said Lisa Hooper, outpatient rehabilitation manager, CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. “Each piece of equipment was thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of our children, ensuring every child we serve has access to play, the true work of childhood.”

For the parents of children who benefit from this unique playground, the joy it brings is unimaginable. “CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta has blessed our family in more ways than I can say, and the new addition of the outdoor therapy play area is one of those blessings,” said Hannah Long, whose son Marc is a patient. “Marc has lost so many abilities because of Battens disease, and a simple outing to a ‘normal’ playground isn’t an option for him. He can’t slide, can’t swing, can’t run in the sun like other children can. The new outdoor therapy play area has created that space for children like Marc. He can swing, climb the stairs and slide, can stand in the sun and play the drums again like he used to. It’s such a blessing and has brought so much joy and many smiles to not only Marc, but me as his mother.”

Lindsay and Dan Dupree share, “Play is an essential part of childhood, whether that be indoors or outdoors. Children with special needs are often left out of typical play because they don’t fit the mold. At CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta they went above and beyond not only indoors but outdoors to provide an inclusive playground where kids like our son Cole can be himself. The playground allows our children to play and experience laughter and fun without worrying.”

Beyond the clinic walls, this space represents a meaningful investment in the community. Now, CHRISTUS invites the community to support the next phase of this project by contributing to the

purchase of a shade structure and fans for the new playground, creating a safer, more comfortable space for children and families to enjoy year-round.

“Creating this outdoor adaptive playground has been exciting and meaningful and has only been possible because of philanthropy,” said Heron. “The final phase will allow us to maximize the use of the playground, year-round by adding sunshades and fans to help protect the children and therapists from the beaming Louisiana heat and sun. Many of our patients have medical conditions that affect their ability to regulate their body temperature, making the shades not just a luxury, but a medical necessity. We need to raise $25,000 to fund this necessary playground coverage. Your gift to help the kids will make a meaningful impact and ensure they have the best and safest experience.”

Donations can be made online at christus.io/SPBCMN or by mail to CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier, 1400 East Bert Kouns, Suite 104, Shreveport, LA  71105. Please notate on your check that you would like your donation to fund Kids Clinic Coushatta.

(The Center Square) −By Nolan Mckendry 

Energy Transfer LP said it is suspending development of its proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwest Louisiana as it reallocates capital toward a backlog of natural gas pipeline infrastructure projects expected to offer better risk-adjusted returns.

In a news release, the company said the continued development of its Lake Charles terminal “is not warranted” at this time. It remains open to discussions with third parties that may be interested in developing the project, the news release said. The company did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.The Dallas-based midstream operator owns and operates roughly 140,000 miles of pipelines across 44 states and holds ownership interests in Sunoco LP and USA Compression Partners.

The Lake Charles LNG suspension could affect customers including Chevron, which signed a five-year deal with Hungary’s state-owned MVM Group to provide 400 million cubic meters of LNG annually. The gas had been expected to be sourced from the Lake Charles facility under long-term agreements for 3 million tons per year as Hungary seeks to diversify from its primary supplier, Russia.

The terminal, designed to export up to 2.33 billion cubic feet per day once fully built, had been granted additional time to begin exporting LNG to non-free-trade-agreement countries.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the extension was intended to ensure projects are positioned to meet rising global demand for American LNG

Royal Alexander

We are likely in the crush of the Christmas season. Perhaps things are just as, if not more, busy and hectic than they’ve been all year. We feel pressed into a dizzying pace to address the countless things to be done for work, for our families, and the additional requirement of gifts and activities for Christmas Day itself. It is easy to become wrapped up in the commercial side of Christmas. On the heels of what may have already been a demanding year, it is easy to feel stressed out and maxed out.

Here’s to hoping we won’t! Here’s to hoping that we find a sense of peace, even if it’s only in our own hearts and minds.

We are all aware of the profound reason for Christmas—the celebration of the birth of Christ. Billions across the world cling to the belief that the birth of Christ marked the introduction into the world of forgiveness, salvation, love, and hope. And, while there are many traditions attached to Christmas, at its core it is about Christ’s birth—the promised Messiah, born to redeem humanity from sin, with the promise of everlasting life. As President Trump declared, ‘the birth of Jesus turned human history from night to day.”

For this reason, Christianity at large traditionally observes the Christmas season with spiritual reflection, great gratitude, charity, and the intentional spreading of kindness. All of this is critically important and necessary in a fallen world.

But I think there is another equally important aspect of His birth. The peace of Christ. His message of peace was and remains one of the foundational aspects of His ministry on this earth.

Christ defined peace not just as the absence of civil or military conflict but as a deep sense of calm, wholeness, and renewal that can only derive from a real relationship with Him. It is this relationship that deeply restores us because we know that flowing from the right relationship with Him are reconciliation and eternal life. That is the knowledge that produces in us the calm and sense of peace we so fervently seek. His promise to His disciples of the “peace I leave you” is one of the clearest examples of the renewal He intended his personal suffering and sacrifice on earth to provide us.

Philippians speaks of a peace that surpasses all understanding—”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is interpreted as a deep, supernatural calm found in faith, even during chaos, which shields us from worry and anxiety. It’s a divine peace, beyond logic or human comprehension, offering spiritual protection through a relationship with Jesus.

However, this requires some introspection, prayer, and meditation on our part. That requires a bit of quiet, undistracted time which is often hard for us to find. When we do, though, I think we can unload our greatest stresses and burdens because we, through our prayer and reflection, are acknowledging that we, in fact, are not ultimately in control of most aspects of our lives and neither are we supposed to individually bear all of its difficulties. I find that thought powerfully encouraging and reassuring.

Let me close with this.

There are many hardships that we face in our lives and in our country and I don’t know what will be necessary for us to begin to heal, but I am certain that it is going to require a power much greater than our own. I hope that for a time we can all slow our hectic paces and reflect on the most profound birth, and gift, the world has ever known. From there may we, relying on what Lincoln referred to as the “better angels” of our nature, prayerfully and hopefully find a way to that peace that surpasses all understanding.

Merry Christmas!

Northwestern State and LCU football programs to meet for the first time since 1968.

SNAP won’t allow soft drinks, energy drinks and candy as of Feb 2026.

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic Learning and Global Education will offer a Notary Public Exam Prep Course starting Tuesday, Jan. 27. The early bird fee is $499 until Jan. 7 and $519 after that date. In partnership with Louisiana State University-Shreveport, this 52-hour course is an introduction to notary public fundamentals. The instructor, attorney and notary Jennifer Brown, will distribute significant course study guides and materials to assist in preparation for the exam. This course will be delivered via online video conferencing. Participants must have broadband access, a camera and sound. The test is based on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s newest edition of “The Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice,” only available at http://www.sos.la.gov. For more information call (225) 922-0507. Participants must have this book before the end of the course. Those in the class will also need the “Louisiana Notary Exam Sidepiece” to the 2026 Study Guide by Steven Alan Childress which will be available on Amazon in early February 2026. Please visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Notary and Certifications website for qualifications to take the notary exam at http://www.sos.la.gov or call (225) 922-0507.
For more information or to register for classes, go to checkout.nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355. Stay up to date with course offerings by following NSU Electronic Learning and Global Education on Facebook at facebook.com/NSULA.ece.

The Kansas City Chiefs are officially moving across the state line, marking a historic gain for Kansas.

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Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – The Red River boys basketball team is on a quest to return to its third straight Top 28 this season.

To prepare for that journey, the Bulldogs are testing themselves with top-notch competition in its non-district slate.

Red River (5-3) will get one more tough test Monday when they welcome in Natchitoches Central (8-2) to Coushatta.

The Bulldogs have recently suffered close losses to Wossman (89-87 in triple OT) and Captain Shreve (55-48).

All three losses (including a Bossier loss) have come to larger classification teams and six of the games in total fit that category.

In the latest matchup with Shreve, the Bulldogs fell into a 23-point halftime deficit only to battle back in a seven-point deficit.

RIVERDALE BOYS
The Riverdale boys logged their second win of the season when the Rebels opened district play by beating Union Christian on Tuesday.

Riverdale (2-6) lost both of their games in the Winter Warrior Tipoff at West Side Christian, falling to Smackover and Bradley, the latter coming Thursday.

The Rebels aren’t scheduled to play again until Dec. 30 when they head to Shreveport Home School, who scored a 73-51 victory earlier this season.

RIVERDALE GIRLS
Riverdale pieced together a nine-game winning streak that included a district-opening win and a win the first round of the Winter Warrior Tipoff at West Side Christian.

But all good things must come to an end, and Riverdale fell in the second round of the tournament Thursday in a 55-48 loss to Class 1A Bradley (Ark.).

Riverdale started district off on the right foot with a 74-5 win against Union Christian on Tuesday. It’s the second time Riverdale has held an opponent to single-digit points as Word of God scored just nine points in a game earlier this season.

The week started off with a 65-30 demolition of Class 3A Smackover in the first round of the Winter Warrior Tipoff.

Dating back to last weekend, Riverdale pulled off an important 35-33 win against Class 2A Riverfield Academy.

The Lady Rebels are slated to return to the court Dec. 29 against Kirk Academy.

RED RIVER GIRLS
The Red River girls (7-6) are fighting a bit of a slide heading into the holidays after losing three of their last four games.

The Lady Bulldogs fell 52-51 to Arcadia after losses to Pitkin (65-30) and Fairview (73-28).

Red River does own a win over Homer (48-25) in that stretch.

The Lady Bulldogs will try their hand at Pleasant Hill on Tuesday before catching Southwood on Jan. 3.