Serves: 7 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes

Are you looking for a quick and flavorful meal the whole family will enjoy? Try this lower-sodium ramen stir-fry recipe. Packed with vegetables, protein, and plenty of flavor, this well-balanced dish will leave you satisfied while taking less than 40 minutes to prepare. Pair it with a tangy quick pickle cucumber salad for a refreshing side. 

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil  
• 1 (20-ounce) bag frozen stir-fry vegetables  
• 1/2 medium onion, sliced  
• 1 package instant ramen (noodles only)  
• 2 cups cooked chicken  
• Red pepper flakes, to taste  
• 1 cup water  
• 2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce  
• 1 tablespoon honey  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger  
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped  

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetables, sliced onion, ramen noodles (slightly broken), chicken, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are softened.  
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, and ground ginger until well combined.  
3. Pour the sauce over the stir-fry mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.  
4. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  
5. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.  

This recipe is provided by LSU AgCenter Nutrition and Community Health Agent, Elizabeth Martin. For more information about programming happening in your community or if you have any questions, please contact your local extension office or call Elizabeth at (318) 226-6805 or by emailing emartin@agcenter.lsu.edu. 

---

April 6, 2026 / New Orleans, Louisiana — Louisiana organizations are invited to join the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by applying for a Parish America 250 Program Mini Grant.

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), the America 250 Louisiana State Commission and the Louisiana Office of the Lieutenant Governor have partnered to offer the grants to support public humanities programming that engages local audiences with Louisiana’s significant contributions to the founding and development of the United States.

“Louisiana played a unique, and often overlooked role, in this historical event,” said Miranda Restovic, LEH president and executive director. “We are excited to offer this opportunity for our communities to tell our own history in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary and to celebrate Louisiana’s important contributions to America’s independence.”

Organizations that are eligible to receive grants include parish governments, local tourism commissions, school boards, and nonprofits. Eligible projects include lectures and panel discussions, historical reenactments, theatrical productions, commemorative events and festivals, exhibits, public art, local historical marker development, school field trips and events, archival and museum collection acquisitions, and more.

“Our goal with our grant program is to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in all corners of Louisiana so it is truly a statewide celebration,” said Rep. Mike Bayham, chairman of the Louisiana America 250 Commission. “We encourage all 64 parishes to develop their own unique project for commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial.”

Applications will be accepted beginning April 8 and will be issued to qualified grantees that apply by the May 8 priority deadline. After May 8, applications will be accepted on a recurring basis through October 31, while funds are available. Grants of up to $1,500 are available.

More information and the link to apply when the application launches on April 8, can be found at leh.org/parish-america-250.

---

Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

---

First Methodist Church invites everyone to their Tenebrae Service tonight at 5:30pm.

Hickory Grove Baptist Church is having a Church Camp raffle fundraiser. Proceeds will help send kids to church camp this summer. Tickets are $2. You could win a YETI Hopper M15 ice chest, GCI Outdoor Comfort Pro Rocker Chair, 10×10 pop-up canopy and Stanley Quencher 40oz tumbler. The drawing will take place May 1. Contact the church to purchase.

Riverdale Academy Class of 2029 is hosting a fishing tournament Apr 25 at Grand Bayou Resort. Blast off 6:30am. Weigh in 3pm. Contact the school for more information.

The Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries will host its annual Father/Child Fun Camp May 1-2 at the Woodworth Education Center. This camp is open to fathers with children 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝟵–𝟭𝟯 and offers a weekend outdoors to reconnect, build memories, and sharpen outdoor skills. Meals, lodging & supplies (tents provided; bring your own sleeping bag/linens). Registration: $50/family, $25 for each additional child (max 2 kids per adult). Pre-Registration is required and space is limited. Register online: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fun-camp

NSU announced the hiring of Loyola (New Orleans) assistant coach Alan Frey as its 11th full-time women’s basketball head coach. Frey will be introduced to the university and Natchitoches communities in a 1:30 p.m. news conference Monday in the Lucille Mertz Hendrick Room in the Friedman Student Union.

Louisiana ranks as the least healthy state according to the 2025 America’s Health Rankings annual report, a position the state has held each year since 2021. The report, compiled by the United Health Foundation, analyzes 99 measures of health and well-being ranging from premature death rates to air and water quality to behavioral health.

---

Wendy Waites Culpepper
August 6, 1961 – March 30, 2026
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10am at Rockett Funeral Home Chapel in Ringgold.

---

World Autism Day, observed each year on April 2, is a time to celebrate children with autism and to recognize the parents, caregivers, teachers, and families who support them every step of the way.

For many families, autism is part of everyday life. It is seen in routines, therapies, classroom experiences, milestones, challenges, and moments of joy that may look different from one child to the next. This day is a reminder that every child has value, every child has gifts, and every child deserves to be understood, supported, and included.

It is also a day to acknowledge the families who work hard behind the scenes. Parents of children with autism often wear many hats. They are advocates, encouragers, planners, protectors, and constant sources of love and strength. They help navigate school needs, appointments, social situations, and daily routines while celebrating progress that others may not always see. Their work can be exhausting, but it is also deeply important.

World Autism Day is not just about awareness. It is about kindness, patience, acceptance, and support. Children with autism need communities that welcome them, schools that meet their needs, and people who are willing to learn and understand. Families need encouragement, resources, and the reassurance that they are not walking the journey alone.

This day is a good opportunity for communities to look beyond labels and focus on people. It is a time to celebrate the unique ways children with autism learn, communicate, and experience the world. It is also a chance to lift up the parents and families who give so much of themselves in support of their children.

On April 2, and every day, children with autism deserve to be celebrated for who they are, and families deserve to be supported with compassion, respect, and understanding.

---

Churches, community groups, and local organizations are beginning to announce their annual events, giving families several opportunities to celebrate the season with candy-filled eggs, prizes, and outdoor fun. Below is a look at the local egg hunts already planned in and around the area.

First Methodist Church Coushatta Apr 3 at 10:30am. Egg hunt open to babies through 12 years old. The Easter Bunny will be there for photos.

Martin Baptist Church Apr 3 at 1pm.

Fairview Baptist Church Apr 3 at 5pm. Birth – 4th grade will enjoy the egg hunt while 5th-6th grade will participate in the Escape Room. Fried fish will be served to all.

New Life Church in Hall Summit Apr 4 at 10am..

Gator Country in Natchitoches Apr 4 will host 2 hunts; 11am and 2pm. Age groups 1-3 years, 4-5 years and 7 years and up. Regular park admission applies.

Bossier City Farmers Market (in the south parking lot of Pierre Bossier Mall) Free Easter Egg Scramble
Apr 4 10am and 12noon for kids 10 and under. The market will also be open from 9am until 1pm..

Share you event details with the journal at redriverparishjournal@gmail.com

---

On March 21, 4-H members Trinity Williams, Alyssa Young, and Camren Barbo attended Fashion & Beyond on Tour in Alexandria.

This is a day when the State Fashion Board guides 5-12th graders in making several projects, while learning skills about sewing, etc!

These students went home with many of their projects and left one service project, stuffed bunnies, to the sheriff’s department for children.

Shared by Red River Parish 4-H

---

Wednesday:

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High around 86F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. 

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday:

Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F with South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast overnight with a low of 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

---

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises motorists that beginning on Monday, April 6, 2026, the LA 487 bridge over Brushy Bayou south of the Ajax community in Natchitoches Parish will be closed for replacement.

This bridge is located approximately 2.3 miles south of the intersection with LA 174.

The estimated completion date for this project is October 2026, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.

DOTD is sending out this notification on behalf of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction (OLHC), who is managing construction activities for non-federal aid (NFA) routes, as well as the bridge bundle projects. Inquiries regarding this project should be directed to OLHC.

Permit/Detour section
Southbound: west on LA 174, south on LA 175, east on LA 120
Northbound: west on LA 120, north on LA 175, east on LA 174

Contact Information:
Contractor: Gilchrist Construction – JJ Hickey (318) 427-1114.
OLHC Program and CE&I Lead: Larry Toups (985) 249-6180.
OLHC Coordinator: Ty Westerman (985) 447-0090.

Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information
Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region on which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at http://www.511la.org. Additionally, you can follow the Traffic Management Center on Twitter: (@Alex Traffic). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov and the DOTD Facebook page.

---

According to The Old Farmers Almanac, April’s Full Pink Moon reaches peak illumination tonight (April 1) at 9:12pm. At this moment, it will appear larger than usual due to the Moon illusion and take on a beautiful golden hue. While the moon itself will look much like any other full moon, its traditional name reflects the season — warmer days, fresh blooms, and the return of new growth across the landscape.

When people hear the term “Pink Moon,” it is easy to imagine a moon glowing rosy in the night sky. But despite the name, April’s full moon will not actually appear pink. The nickname comes from moss pink, or creeping phlox, one of the earliest spring wildflowers to bloom in North America. The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the April full moon took its name from that bright pink flower because it was a familiar sign that spring had arrived.

The Pink Moon also carries special significance on the calendar. Because it is the first full moon after the spring equinox, it is known in Christian tradition as the Paschal Moon, which is used in determining the date of Easter. In 2026, Easter falls on April 5, just a few days after the Pink Moon.

Beyond its religious connection, the Pink Moon has long been seen as a marker of renewal and seasonal change. Different cultures have given April’s full moon other names tied to springtime, planting, melting ice, and the return of fish and grass. Those names all point to the same idea: winter is fading, and a new season is taking hold.

---

 

               Language is an art—and marriage is the gallery where half the paintings are hung upside down. Words have two lives: denotation (the dictionary version) and connotation (the emotional baggage they bring to the party). The trouble starts when two people bring different baggage handlers.

“Five minutes.”
               In the male dictionary, that phrase is a stopwatch: exactly 300 seconds. In the female dictionary, it’s a flexible time zone that expands to accommodate eyeliner, the perfect earrings, and a last-minute dishwasher triage. So when the husband asks, “When will you be ready?” and the wife says, “Five minutes,” the husband hears a sprint; the wife hears a scenic detour. Either way, the car ride will include an argument about whether “on time” is a suggestion or a felony.

“Nothing.”
               When a man says he’s thinking “nothing,” he’s not being evasive—he’s blissfully blank. His mental whiteboard is clean; life is a hammock and the brain is on vacation. When a woman says “nothing,” it’s a covert operations briefing: plans, feelings, timelines, and a five-year contingency plan all wrapped in two syllables. If your wife says “nothing,” consider it a red flag, a smoke signal, and a call to the nearest counselor—preferably one who accepts emergency margaritas.

The sigh.
               A man’s sigh is a victory horn: lawn mowed, fish filleted, deer rack admired—mission accomplished. A woman’s sigh is a forensic report: it catalogs your idiocy, timestamps it, and files it under “Do Not Repeat.” Keep making her sigh and you’ll graduate from “nothing” to “we need to talk” faster than you can say “remote control.”

“Go ahead.”
               For men, “go ahead” is a green light, a verbal thumbs-up. For women, it’s a dare wrapped in sarcasm: “Go ahead—explain why buying that thing is a brilliant idea.” If she says “go ahead” about the expensive purchase, treat it like a landmine: do not, under any circumstances, step on it.

               Words trip us up because we’re using the same language with different subtitles. That’s why marriage counselors get paid—either that or they’re masochists who enjoy listening to couples argue about the semantics of socks.

               And then there’s the one place where subtitles aren’t needed: the message of love and forgiveness. The Bible puts it simply: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Even in the messiest gallery of human communication, that message hangs in plain view—no translation required.

---

The Louisiana Department of Health has officially ended its contract with UnitedHealthcare and reassigned Medicaid members who were enrolled in that plan to other participating managed care organizations.

State health officials said the change was made with an emphasis on keeping care uninterrupted for members across Louisiana. Over the past three months, LDH staff worked to move members into new plans while trying to avoid disruptions in medical services and provider access.

During a Special Enrollment Period held from Jan. 15 through Feb. 15, UnitedHealthcare members were given the opportunity to choose a new managed care plan. Out of nearly 280,000 members previously enrolled with UnitedHealthcare, more than 36,000 selected a new plan during that window.

Members who did not make a selection by the deadline were automatically reassigned using a process designed to keep families together under the same plan when possible and to help members remain connected to providers already in their network.

LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein said the department remained focused on protecting continuity of care throughout the transition and reducing any disruption to the services Medicaid members depend on.

To help carry out the change, LDH held daily calls with UnitedHealthcare and the remaining managed care organizations. Officials said those conversations helped make sure the necessary member information, approvals, and authorizations were transferred so care could continue as smoothly as possible.

The department also said managed care organizations will be required to honor all current authorizations of care for newly reassigned members for the next 60 days.

UnitedHealthcare members have already been sent their new insurance cards. However, members who are not satisfied with the plan they were assigned still have the option to change plans without cause.

LDH said it will continue monitoring the transition in the coming weeks and will work to address any concerns or issues that arise for members during the process.

---

Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

---

LifeShare will be at First Baptist Church Coushatta Fri Apr 3 from 11am until 3pm. Stop by to donate!

Red River 4-H is hosting camps during Easter Break for grades 2-4 and 4-6. The Italian Cooking Camp is Apr 7 from 9am until 1pm for ages 9-12 with the enrollment free of $10. The LEGO Robotics Day Camp is Apr 9 from 9am – 2pm at the 4-H office. Cost is $5 to attend.  Call the 4-H Office for info or to reserve a spot at 318.932.4342.

The Red River Parish Library will host April Showers BINGO Wed Apr 8 at 1pm. Great fun and great prizes!

Clara Springs Baptist Camp is hiring 2026 Sumner Camp staff. Must be 15 years old by June 1 to apply. 

Brother Bill Collins is retiring after 37 years as director of Northwestern State University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Bill and his wife Phyllis, his partner in ministry, will be honored with a reception from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, April 11. The retirement coincides with the BCM’s 100th anniversary at Northwestern with a celebration planned for later this year. 

Grand Cane Spring Market is happening Apr 18 from 9a,-2pm. 12×12 vendor spaces are available, call 318.560.4868 to reserve a space. Check out what is ‘blooming’ in the Village. 

Social Springs Cemetery Memorial will be held on May 2. Cemetery visits will take place from 10-11am with church service beginning at 11am. Bring a covered dish for lunch after the church service.

---

NONE

---