William “Clifford” Newman May 26, 1941 ~ January 21, 2026 The celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1pm in the sanctuary of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Coushatta.
Brenda Blake Choate April 30, 1956 – January 30, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3pm at Rockett Funeral Home Chapel in Ringgold.
Sheila Rowell Owens October 3, 1959 – February 2, 2026 Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3pm at Jamestown Baptist Church in Jamestown.
SUPERINTENDENT’S LIST MABREY BEARD BRAYLON BRADBERRY JAYLON BRADBERRY EBONY BROWN IVORY BROWN KYLIEE CATO DANIEL COFFEY JEREMIAH DIAL JUDY DIAL AARON HESTER EVERETT LOVELL MARISSA LUNA JAMASON MORSE REXTON MORSE A`BRIELLE SARPY JACEION SMITH RILEE TAYLOR DKARRI WARREN JERIMIAH WASHINGTON BRAXTON WIGGINS NAHLA WIGGINS JAXON WILLIAMS VALENCIA WILLIAMS TEONA WILSON RAINNA WOOD
PRINCIPAL`S HONOR ROLL MANAR AL-EDRESI CARSON ALLEN CARTER ALLEN KAMERIN ALLEN KAYDEN BAMBURG EMMETT BERLY BRAELYN BONNER MADDOX BROWN MAJESTEE CALHOUN KHIY`REN CARTER BRAYDEN CASTELLO A`LIAH CLARK SKYLAR CRAYTON JAVEN DEMERY SAGE DEMERY JACE DEWITT LELAN DRAKES NOAH EASON AVIRELLE FRAZIER NOAH FREDERICK JIANNA GEROW CAMERI GREEN ZYANA GRIFFIN MAKENNA HAYS HARDIN HOGAN ABRYELLE JACKSON KEYEON JENKINS JR AVA JONES AVA-MARIE JONES RAYLEINE KNOTTS EMILY LANGLEY CONNER LEWIS LOCKLYN LOWRING LILLIAN MARTIN MICHAEL MARTIN JR HANSELL MAS VICENTE VELVIAH MCDONALD MCKINLEY OWENS MARGOT PALMER NOLAN POTTAIN IRELYNN REED KHYLIE SARPY KORTNEE SMITH JESSIE SOLTON III DREDEN SPEED ELLAFAITH TONG LAVEAH WASHINGTON AVA WOOD
HONOR ROLL RYLAN BEAVERS ASHTON BRISKER ZY`LYNN BRISKER KYREE CHRISTOR LANDON COX DE`ARIA CRAIG DYLA DAVIS ZORA DEMERY ZURIE DIXON KYMBERLI DREW EVERLEIGH GARBERT BRANTLEE GRIFFITH ARIA HARRIS CARTER JOHNSON MIA JONES CALEB KELLOGG TOBIAS KENNEDY JASE KIJANSKI CHANCE LATSON TREMAINE LEVI JR MILLEY MCCRORY DAMIAN MCDANIEL BENTLEY NEESE EDEN NEWTON SARAH PETERSEN CAIDEN PUEBLO EASTON REED ANGEL REYNA BRAYLON SIBLEY ZORIAH SMITH LUCAS SNEAD DAMIAN TAYLOR MARCUS WEBB CHACE WHITE KAITLYN WILLIAMS TAYLA WILLIAMS EMERY WOOD
On January 21st, students participated in AHEC Day with the Docs at LSU Health Shreveport, gaining an exciting, hands-on look into the world of healthcare and medical careers. The experience provided students with an up-close opportunity to explore clinical environments, practice essential skills, and connect with professionals currently working and training in the medical field.
Throughout the day, students rotated through several engaging stations designed to introduce them to real-life medical procedures and techniques. One of the most memorable experiences included hands-on suturing, where students learned the basics of wound closure and practiced proper technique using medical tools. Students also took part in clinical skills training, allowing them to build confidence while learning foundational healthcare procedures.
In addition, students toured the anatomy lab, where they explored human anatomy in a way that brought classroom learning to life. Another highlight was learning about intubation, where students were introduced to airway management and the critical role it plays in emergency and surgical settings. Students also practiced orthopedic splinting, gaining insight into injury stabilization and trauma care.
Beyond the skills stations, students had the opportunity to speak with medical students and LSU Health Shreveport staff, asking questions about education pathways, career options, and what it takes to succeed in healthcare. These conversations helped students better understand the dedication, training, and teamwork involved in the medical profession.
AHEC Day with the Docs was an unforgettable experience that encouraged students to think bigger about their futures, explore healthcare careers, and gain hands-on knowledge in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Students were Jazmin Thomas, JaNyla Caldwell, Tamia Lavallais, Emmanuel Scott, Rihanna Washington, MiYunia Nelson. They were accompanied by Yashica Turner, RN. Health Occupations Instructor.
Residents interested in learning the art and science of beekeeping will soon have an opportunity to get started through a new Beginning Beekeeping educational series hosted by the Red River Parish Extension Office in partnership with the LSU AgCenter.
The four-part series will kick off on Monday, February 9, at 10 a.m., and is designed for beginners as well as those curious about raising honeybees. The program will guide participants through the fundamentals of beekeeping, from getting started to maintaining healthy hives.
Topics covered throughout the series include beekeeping basics, essential equipment, hive health and management, and the life cycle of honeybees, along with information on forages and honey production. Organizers say the sessions are structured to provide practical, easy-to-understand instruction for those new to the hobby.
The classes will be held at the Red River Parish Extension Office, located at 1919 Alonzo Street in Coushatta. Participants will learn how to properly place hives, care for bees, and manage colonies throughout the year.
Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP. For more information or to register, contact Randall Mallette at 318-932-4342.
Organizers say the series offers a great starting point for anyone interested in supporting pollinators, producing local honey, or exploring a rewarding agricultural hobby right here in Red River Parish.
A special Crappie Fishing Tournament honoring veterans is set for Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Grand Bayou Resort. Sponsored by the Coushatta-Red River Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Cover 6 Outdoors, the event promises a full day of fishing, friendly competition, and prizes.
The tournament will run from safe light until 2 p.m., with all fish required to be weighed in by 2 p.m. sharp. Entry is $100 per boat, with an optional $20 Big Fish pot and a $10 Trash Fish pot available for those looking to up the stakes.
Organizers will weigh five live fish, and payouts will go to the top 30 percent of contestants. The tournament features a 14-boat minimum, ensuring competitive payouts and an exciting day on the water.
Fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to register early and review tournament rules ahead of time. For more information or to sign up, participants can contact Brandon Baxley at 318-332-4159.
POLICY ON PROCEDURES FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION TO PERSONS WITH SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS
Bayou Pierre Water System will take such steps as are necessary to insure that qualified handicapped persons, including those with impaired sensory skills, receive effective notice. All aids needed to provide this notice, e.g., sign-language interpreters, readers, etc., are provided without cost to the person being served.
FOR PERSONS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS 1. Qualified sign-language interpreter For persons who are hearing-impaired and who use sign-language as their primary means of communication, the following procedure has been developed and resources identified for obtaining the services of a qualified sign language interpreter to communicate both verbal and written information: Bayou Pierre Water System will provide qualified sign language interpreters on an as needed basis. Such an interpreter will be used at job interviews, large meeting, explanations of policies and procedures, etc. A minimum advance notice for such use is seven days unless circumstances or conditions dictate lesser time. In that case, the minimum time will be that required to notify the organization furnishing the interpreter as well as the time required for that organization to act. When time permits the request is to be in writing. If request is made orally, written documentation must be prepared and placed in the appropriate file. The following person(s) is authorized to obtain an interpreter: Alisa Carpenter, Board President.
The following organization will be contacted when an interpreter is needed: Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Registry of State-Certified Interpreters Mary Burns SO David Burns Road Boyce, LA 71409 (318) 793-8184 (318) 308-2042 (cell) terpmb@suddenlink.net
OR
Mary H. Young 146 Davenport Lane Pineville, LA 71360-7302 (318) 640-4082 (318) 201-0660 maryhyoung214@gmail.com
Page 2 1. Policy on Procedures Information to be furnished when requesting an interpreter: 1. Reason for using interpreter services. 2. Date and time services are needed. 3. Place where interpreter is to report and directions if needed. 4. Name and title of person requesting services. 5. Name, address and telephone number of Bayou Pierre Water System.
6. How is cost for services to be billed. Understanding of cost (cost per hour, travel cost, etc.).
7. How is interpreter to be notified in case of cancelation or change in time or place. 8. How the Bayou Pierre Water System will be notified if services cannot be furnished as agreed to.
2. Written materials All program information will be provided to hearing impaired persons in writing. Printed materials and writing materials are available 3. The Bayou Pierre Water System utilizes the Louisiana Hearing Impaired Relay System for communicating with hearing impaired persons. The relay numbers are: Information 1-800-333- 0605; TDD Users 1-800-846-5277; and Voice Users 1-800-947-5277. 4. Any other auxiliary aids should be discussed.
FOR PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS 1. Reader Staff will communicate the content of written materials by reading them out loud to visually impaired persons. 2. Large print, taped, and Braille materials 3. Any other available aids should be discussed. FOR PERSONS WITH MANUAL IMPAIRMENTS 1. Personal assistance with completing forms and other writing. 2. Typewriters 3. Other adaptive self-help devices.
I think spending a week inside avoiding the dangers of sleetmageddon put me in a reflective mood. Shouts of “Throw me something, Mister!” are echoing across our state again. Krewes are loading up their floats, folks are dusting off tuxes and gowns for the Balls, and everybody’s loosening up their throwing arms like they’re training for the Saints’ draft. In Louisiana, this can only mean one thing: Lent is sneaking up on us.
Most places prepare for Lent with quiet reflection. Down here, we crank up the brass band. When you see purple, green, and gold beads hanging from the power lines like Spanish moss, you know the season of repentance is right around the corner. Only in Louisiana do we get ready for fasting by throwing a month long party.
Lent, of course, is tied to the ancient discipline of fasting. Ever tried it? That’s where all those fish on Friday stories come from. McDonald’s once even tried a pineapple sandwich to help the Friday fasters. They won’t do that again—but somehow the McRib keeps coming back like a stray cat that knows you’re a soft touch.
But fasting isn’t about food so much as it’s about reality. It’s the spiritual posture of remembering just how dependent we are on God—choosing hunger so we can feel our deeper hunger. The truth is, we are always desperate for God; it’s just that our comforts and routines do a pretty good job of hiding it. Fasting cuts through the camouflage.
Fasting is a bold declaration that our stomachs don’t get the final say, that our bodies don’t get to boss our spirits around. In a culture that worships indulgence, fasting is downright rebellious. Yet Jesus fasted. He expected His disciples to fast. Scripture mentions fasting more often than baptism. It’s not a fringe practice—it’s a foundational one.
In the Bible, people fasted for guidance, for grief, for deliverance, for clarity, for dedication, for worship. And Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, told His followers to fast quietly—not with ashes smeared on their heads but with clean faces and anointed hair. In other words: don’t look miserable. Look like someone who knows God sees what no one else does.
The early church took this seriously. Clement of Alexandria tells us believers fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. By 340 AD, Athanasius tied fasting to remembering Jesus’ wilderness journey. John Wesley even refused to ordain Methodist leaders who didn’t fast weekly. (Yes, I know. I’m preaching to myself here.) Jesus fasted. The early church fasted. Christians throughout history have fasted. So why do so few of us do it now? Maybe some are fasting quietly and we simply don’t know. Or maybe we’ve let the noise of our culture drown out a practice that once shaped the saints.
So as the parades roll, the beads fly, and the king cakes multiply, remember this: the reason for the revelry is that Lent is coming. The party is the prelude.
And it makes me wonder—how different would our faith look if we took the fast of Lent as seriously as we take the fun of Mardi Gras?
A family’s guide to navigating the biggest decision of a young adult’s life, and why a single Saturday in Natchitoches might hold the answer.
By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University
The kitchen table is often where the panic sets in. It starts with a stack of glossy mailers, each promising the best four years of a student’s life. Then come the spreadsheets, the deadlines, and the quiet, gnawing questions that keep parents awake at 3 a.m. Can we afford this? Will they be safe? Is this the place where my child becomes the person they are meant to be?
For high school seniors, the pressure is immediate. They are standing on the cliff of adulthood, trying to discern their future from a website or a brochure. For families, the challenge is different. You bring the weight of experience. You understand the long-term implications of student loans and the reality of living away from home. You want to protect them, yet you know you must let them lead. This tension between parental wisdom and student autonomy is natural, but it does not have to be stunned by anxiety. The remedy is not found in more paperwork. It is found in experience. It is found in stepping onto a campus, walking the grounds, and feeling the texture of the community.
That is the philosophy behind Northwestern State University’s N-Side View Day.
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, NSU opens its doors for an event designed to cut through the noise of the college search. It is an invitation to move beyond the statistics and step into the reality of life in Natchitoches.
“Your future is calling and it begins here,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting. “We want students and families to see not just what Northwestern offers, but how it feels to be part of our community.”
Finding the right college is about finding a value match. It is about aligning a student’s ambition with an institution’s culture. This is difficult to do from a distance. You need to see the residence halls. You need to sit in the classrooms. You need to look a professor in the eye and ask them how they will mentor your student.
N-Side View Day provides that access. It transforms the abstract idea of “going to college” into a tangible plan.
The day is structured to address the specific anxieties that families face. Financial stability is often the largest hurdle. Many students, and honestly, many parents, are inexperienced in managing large-scale finances. During the event, financial aid experts break down the process, comparing packages and explaining scholarships in simple terms. It turns a conversation about debt into a strategy for investment.
Academically, the event allows students to explore over 100 degree programs. This is where the student takes the lead. While parents look for security, students look for inspiration. They can connect directly with faculty, asking the questions that matter to them.
“We have designed N-Side View Day to go beyond information. It’s an experience that inspires,” Miller explains. “Families leave with clarity, confidence, and excitement about the future.”
There is also the undeniable influence of place. Natchitoches is Louisiana’s oldest city, a place where history and progress coexist. The campus reflects that balance. It feels grounded. It feels like home. When families visit, they often find that their preconceived notions shift. A parent might have envisioned a different path but seeing their student light up while walking through Alost Hall changes the conversation. It validates that the student knows themselves better than anyone else.
NSU President James T. Genovese views this day as a critical first step in a lifelong relationship. “We are committed to preparing students not just for jobs, but for meaningful lives of impact,” Genovese says. “N-Side View Day is a chance to experience that mission firsthand.”
The event acknowledges that this transition is emotional. Having family support provides a safety net that fosters confidence. By visiting together, you are not making the decision for them; you are standing beside them as they make it.
The day concludes with a classic collegiate experience: a Demon Baseball game. Every attendee receives a free ticket. It is a chance to sit in the stands, eat a hot dog, and watch the B-Stro Boys compete on the diamond. It is a moment to stop worrying about the application process and start enjoying the atmosphere.
“NSU is Louisiana’s best-kept secret,” Miller says. “Once students step on campus, they feel it. They know this is where they belong.”
The labyrinth of college admissions is navigable. It requires patience, honest conversation, and a willingness to explore. It requires a trip to Natchitoches.
What: N-Side View Day Where: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA When: Saturday, February 28, 2026 Includes: Campus tours, academic sessions, financial aid guidance, and Demon Baseball. Register:www.nsu.la/nsideviewday
The Hall Summit Hometown Festival BBQ Cook-Off will be held Feb 28. The competition is open to everyone. It is a non-traditional 2-meat competition featuring half chicken and ribs. Contact Jason Briggs at 318.304.8078. All proceeds benefit Pilots for Patients.
Before Thurgood Marshall ascended to the U.S. Supreme Court, he served as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s counsel and eventual director, planning the decades-long legal strategizing that resulted in landmark world-changing decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education. On February 10, at 5:30 p.m., Northwestern State University will host a free, public screening of “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect,” beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, followed by a panel discussion, in the NSU Student Union Ballroom.
ESPN’s College GameDay show is coming to Baton Rouge for the LSU-South Carolina women’s game Feb 14.
Lindsey Vonn will compete at the Winter Olympics with a ruptured ACL.
Mr. William “Clifford” Newman May 26, 1941 ~ January 21, 2026 The celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1pm in the sanctuary of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Coushatta.
Brenda Blake Choate April 30, 1956 – January 30, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3pm at Rockett Funeral Home Chapel in Ringgold.
Beginning February 1, 2026, passengers at all airports across the United State will face a $45 fee at security checkpoints if they do not present a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or a valid passport.
The fee applies to travelers 18 years and older and covers the cost of identity verification using the Transportation Security Administration’s ConfirmID system. The alternative screening process is used when passengers arrive at the checkpoint without an acceptable form of identification.
Airport and TSA officials are encouraging travelers to prepare ahead of time to avoid delays and added costs. A REAL ID–compliant license is typically marked with a star in the upper corner and can be obtained through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. A valid U.S. passport is also accepted in place of a REAL ID.
Passengers without a compliant ID or passport may still be allowed to fly after identity verification, but the process can take longer and now includes the additional fee. Officials stress that having proper identification remains the fastest and easiest way through airport security.
Travelers planning trips this year—especially during busy travel periods—are urged to check their identification now and upgrade if needed before arriving at the airport.
For more information about REAL ID requirements, travelers can visit the TSA’s official website.
That’s how the Riverdale Academy girls basketball team is approaching their final home games this week as the hosts of the Class 1A South Regional Tournament.
The Lady Rebels (23-5) are the top seed in the tournament and won’t play until the quarterfinals Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Riverdale will face the winner of No. 2 Wilkinson County Christian Academy and No. 3 Humphreys Academy on Monday at 5:15 p.m.
“This senior group is special,” said Riverdale coach Trey Pittman of his five-member class. “I tell them every game to enjoy the moments because they will soon be only memories.
“They are laser-focused on winning blue trophies in February.”
Riverdale is on a 10-game winning streak in January with eight wins by at least 30 points, but that doesn’t mean the Lady Rebels didn’t face adversity.
Star point guard Mary Claire Jones, who surpassed the 2,000-point career scoring mark earlier this season, missed three games with an injured ankle.
Riverdale fended off Claiborne Academy 65-43 in the game in which Jones was injured, and then the Lady Rebels handled Central (77-20), West Side Christian (43-30) and Union Christian (71-9) without Jones. Jones is fully healthy and returned for Riverdale’s last two wins.
“In her absence, sophomore Madelyn Chamberlin really stepped up and filled her spot,” Pittman said. “The other guards Kaleigh Pickett and Hanna Huddleston also raised their game during MC’s absence, and those minutes will help us in this upcoming playoff run.”
Riverdale is the favorites as the host but will face competition from other No. 1 seeds Briarfield Academy and Woodlawn Prep as well as a No. 2 seed Claiborne Academy.
Riverdale is a regular tournament host, and Pittman said hosting isn’t possible without administrative and volunteer support.
“Our assistant coaches and athletics director Katie Williamson do a great job with the logistics, and it’s a huge chore as far as facilities, cleaning, food, and hosting teams and officials,” Pittman said. “Volunteers are huge, and we need all we can get.
“I’ve noticed the same group of people do everything, and we need some new blood to step up and help us out.”
Matt Vines EAST POINT – “Revenge” might be too strong of a word, but last year’s playoff loss to Mt. Salus Christian will be on the minds of the Riverdale boys basketball team when the two squads square off Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A South Regional Tournament.
No. 2 Riverdale and No. 3 Mt. Salus each earned byes in the tournament’s first round, which begins Monday at Riverdale.
“Mt. Salus is actually the team that ended our season last year in the regional tournament, so being given the opportunity to get some revenge is pretty exciting for me and the guys,” Jones said. “Obviously you don’t want to make it too personal and get away from staying level headed, but it does give you that little extra motivation to know these are the same guys that sent you home last year.
“Taking care of the basketball and rebounding against their size will be of the utmost importance. I think if we do those two things, we give ourselves a great chance at being successful.”
The Rebels picked up key district wins late in the season against Union Christian and Franklin Academy to put themselves into the quarterfinals.
Senior Tanner Carlisle leads an incredibly young roster that includes seventh- and eighth-graders, a squad that’s matured greatly as the season progressed.
“It’s been great building some momentum going into this part of the year,” Jones said. “I knew with us having a lot of young guys, we were always going to get better as the year went on, but it feels like we are starting to peak at the right time.”
Carlisle passed the 1,000-point scoring mark earlier this season, and Jones said he’s been extremely patient in the maturation process of the younger players.
“Tanner leads the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks – but outside of those things, he’s also been an incredible leader,” Jones said. “It’s hard being the one older guy on a team full of young players because you don’t have time to wait for guys to reach their potential – it’s now or never for a senior like him.
“He’s done a great job of bringing the younger group along with him and staying patient while they figure things out at the varsity level. That patience is paying off. It’s sad that these are Tanner’s last home games and we’ll miss him when he’s gone, but it’s also thrilling to head into the postseason with him one last time.”
The players aren’t the only youngins on the team – Jones is nearing the end of just his second full season as a varsity head coach.
“I believe I have learned a lot in Year 2,” Jones said. “I think every team you coach will be different, and it’s been cool to learn what works best for these guys and their personalities.
“I hope as a coach I never stop learning and growing because no one ever has it 100 percent figured out.”
Sunny along with a few afternoon clouds. High 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10mph.
Cloudy overnight with a slight chance of a shower late. Low around 50F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday:
Rain showers in the morning will evolve into a more steady rain in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Rain showers in the evening with clear skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low around 40F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10mph. Chance of rain 40%.
PUBLICATION OF THE ANNUAL PRESS RELEASE RELATIVE TO NON-DISCRIMINATION COMMITMENT
DeSoto Parish Police Jury/Office of Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. No client or employee shall, based on race, sex, age, color, or any factor, be denied the benefits of, or be excluded from, participation in or otherwise subject to discrimination under any program or service for which this CSBG funded agency operates. For additional information contact: Equal Opportunity Officer Ashley VanZant, 404 Polk Street Ste. B, Mansfield, LA 71052 318-872-0880. La Relay TDD: 711 “An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program” “Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”
For adult learners, Northwestern State University’s online programs offer structure, credibility, and a way forward without stepping away from work or family.
By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University
On a weekday night in Louisiana, after the kids are asleep and the dishes are stacked, the decision sneaks back in.
Is this the right time to go back to school?
For adult learners, college rarely arrives with a clean slate. It arrives between work shifts, caregiving, aging parents, and financial pressure. The question is not whether education matters. The question is whether it can fit a life already full.
That tension sits at the center of online education, and it explains why adult learners scrutinize programs with a reporter’s eye. They look for proof. They want outcomes. They want to know if the promise of flexibility holds up once the semester begins.
At Northwestern State University of Louisiana, the answer has taken shape over years of listening to working adults who could not afford guesswork.
Adult learners often return to school during moments of transition, a stalled career, a promotion just out of reach, or the need to reskill in a changing economy. These students carry urgency with them. They also carry risk.
Online programs can widen access, but they can also magnify isolation if support is thin or expectations are unclear. Many adults have learned this the hard way.
That context matters when national rankings catch attention.
In 2026, OnlineU placed Northwestern State University among the Best Reviewed Online Colleges and Universities, ranking the institution No. 5 nationally, based on verified student reviews. Learners rated the experience 4.04 out of 5, with 91 percent saying they would recommend NSU.
These numbers reflect trust built over time.
“I earned my bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State, and it was a great experience,” said Liz, an online student. “The instructors were professional, the tuition was affordable, and the admissions staff and advisors guided me through every step of the process. I’d recommend the program to anyone looking for a school that truly supports its students.”
NSU’s online campus, known as eNSU, did not emerge as a side project. It grew from a recognition that Louisiana’s workforce includes thousands of capable adults whose lives do not allow traditional schedules.
Today, the university offers more than 40 fully online degree programs, spanning associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Courses are structured to allow students to log in on their own time while still moving through a clear academic sequence.
Flexibility, however, is only part of the equation. Adult learners consistently point to advising access, faculty responsiveness, and transparent degree pathways as reasons they persist.
Graduation outcomes reinforce that story. NSU’s online programs show steady completion rates among adult learners who attend part time, a population that historically faces the steepest climb. For many, the ability to progress without stopping work changes the math entirely.
Students note courses are connected to practical application. Employers recognize the credential. Tuition remains competitive within the region, reducing long-term debt concerns that weigh heavily on adult households.
There is also a sense of place that carries through the screen. NSU’s roots in Natchitoches, the state’s oldest settlement, shape an institutional culture grounded in access and service. That identity translates into an online environment where adult learners are treated as partners, not transactions.
The shift often arrives quietly. A promotion application that once felt premature gets submitted. A parent becomes a college graduate alongside their child. Confidence returns, earned through progress measured in completed credits and hard deadlines met after long days.
Online learning at NSU does not remove effort from the equation. It removes unnecessary friction.
For prospective adult learners weighing their next step, the choice is rarely abstract. It is practical, financial, and deeply personal.
NSU’s online programs offer a clear proposition. Accredited degrees. Flexible delivery. Documented outcomes. National recognition shaped by student voices.
The decision still takes courage. The support is already in place. Online learning at Northwestern fits the life you have, and the future you are working toward.
Beginning February 18, new food purchase restrictions will go into effect for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients in Louisiana, changing what items can be bought using SNAP benefits.
State officials say the updated policy is aimed at encouraging healthier food choices while ensuring the program continues to support families’ basic nutritional needs. Under the changes, certain items will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Eligible foods will continue to include staples such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, bread, and other essential grocery items.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has emphasized that the restrictions apply only to SNAP benefits, not to personal funds, and that recipients will still have broad access to nutritious food options. Retailers participating in SNAP are being notified and given time to update point-of-sale systems ahead of the February rollout.
Advocates and community organizations are encouraging SNAP households to review the changes in advance so they can plan grocery purchases accordingly. State officials say outreach efforts will continue over the coming weeks to help recipients understand how the new rules will work in practice.
Residents with questions about the updated SNAP food restrictions are encouraged to contact their local SNAP office or visit the state’s benefits information portal for details before the policy takes effect.
Celebrate Recovery (CR) Coushatta is relocating from Open Door Fellowship to Amazing Grace Church effective Feb. 1, 2026. The address is 7387 US 371, Coushatta. A meal is served at 5:30 pm, large group at 6:00, small group at7:00. CR is a Christ centered Recovery program for all hurts, hangups and habits including addictions and life issues. Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Frank Rose 318-422-1923, Virgie Rose 318-218-5853, or Pastor R. Joseph Carey 318-521-5665.
The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries announced the hiring of Dr. David Jeffreys as the new President & CEO, effective Feb 16.
Northwestern State University’s Department of Music is hosting a fundraiser at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub at 108 Mill St. in Natchitoches on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the event, Flying Heart will be donating 10 percent of sales to the NSU Department of Music. There will be performances by jazz combos, string quartets, trombone choir, vocalists, steel drums and more. A “split the pot” raffle will also be held. Donations can be made at https://northwesternstatealumni.com/music-fund/
Carolyn “Sally” J. Hudson September 23, 1946 – January 28, 2026 Visitation will be held Monday, February 2, 2026 from 6-8pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta. Funeral services will be held at Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 2pm at Beulah Methodist Church in Columbus, Mississippi.
Brenda Blake Choate April 30, 1956 – January 30, 2026 Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3pm at Rockett Funeral Home Chapel in Ringgold.
You must be logged in to post a comment.