Red River Parish Schools Superintendent Alison Strong has been named the Region 7 Superintendent of the Year, an honor recognizing exceptional educational leadership across a nine-parish region that includes Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster parishes.

A graduate of Red River Parish Schools and one of Louisiana’s longest-serving superintendents, Strong has spent more than a decade leading efforts to improve educational opportunities for local students. Her leadership has been defined by a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, workforce development, facility improvements, and support for teachers and staff.

Under Strong’s leadership, Red River Parish Schools became the first district in Louisiana to implement a districtwide balanced calendar. During this time, the district’s performance score has improved from a D rating to a B, graduation rates have climbed above 95 percent, dual enrollment participation has increased by 20 percent, and discipline rates have declined significantly. The district has also expanded career and technical education opportunities while investing in modern facilities and innovative programs designed to prepare students for success after graduation.

Known for her strong relationships and collaborative leadership style, Strong has worked closely with educators, families, business leaders, and community partners to create a culture focused on continuous improvement and high expectations for all students.

Strong shared the following statement after receiving the honor:

“I am truly honored and humbled to be named Region 7 Superintendent of the Year. To be recognized by my fellow educators and colleagues is especially meaningful, and I am deeply grateful for this distinction. Serving as Superintendent of Red River Parish Schools has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and this recognition reflects the incredible people I have the opportunity to work alongside every day in support of our students.

As a lifelong educator, I have always believed that education has the power to change lives. Every day, I am inspired by our students, encouraged by our dedicated teachers and staff, and supported by a community that genuinely cares about the success of its children.

This award is not about one person. It reflects the hard work, commitment, and teamwork of everyone in Red River Parish. From our school board members and administrators to our teachers, support staff, parents, and community partners, we all share a common goal of providing the best possible opportunities for our students.

I am proud of what we have accomplished together and excited about what lies ahead. While I am honored to receive this recognition, I accept it on behalf of the entire Red River Parish family. Thank you for believing in our students, supporting our schools, and allowing me the privilege of serving this wonderful community.

I remain committed to ensuring that every child in Red River Parish has the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their fullest potential. Together, we will continue building on our successes and creating even greater opportunities for the students and families we serve.”

The Region 7 Superintendent of the Year honor recognizes not only Strong’s leadership but also the remarkable progress achieved throughout Red River Parish Schools. As the district continues to build on years of academic growth and innovation, the award serves as a testament to the dedication of an entire community working together to provide excellence in education.

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COUSHATTA, La. — C&C Forest Products is moving forward with plans to rebuild its Coushatta sawmill after a 2025 fire, announcing a more than $21 million investment that will transform the facility into a more efficient specialty lumber and timber operation.

According to Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the project will create 77 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of $65,260 — about 34% higher than the average wage in Red River Parish. The company will also retain 27 existing positions. LED estimates the expansion could generate an additional 256 indirect jobs, creating a potential total of 333 new and supported jobs across the Northwest Louisiana region.

The rebuilt facility, located at 306 Wilkinson St. in Coushatta, will feature updated equipment and a redesigned site layout aimed at improving production efficiency and competitiveness. Once completed, the sawmill will specialize in producing lumber and timber products and will have the capacity to produce up to 90 million board feet annually.

C&C Forest Products, which operates sawmills in Louisiana and Arkansas, expects construction to begin during the first half of 2026. The company anticipates the rebuilt facility will begin sales in the first quarter of 2027.

Louisiana Economic Development worked with the company to secure the project in Coushatta through a package of incentives, including workforce development support from LED FastStart and a $1 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements.

The company is also expected to participate in Louisiana’s Quality Jobs Program and Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

The investment represents a significant step in restoring the sawmill’s operations while positioning the facility for future growth in regional and national timber markets.

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Vacation Bible School season is here, and churches across our community are welcoming children for a week of faith, fun, and fellowship. Kids will enjoy a variety of activities throughout the week, including interactive Bible lessons, music, games, and hands-on crafts in a fun and welcoming environment. Families are encouraged to take part as local churches open their doors for VBS programs across the area.

Red River Cowboy Church M3 Kids Summer Buckle Series offers a unique twist on Vacation Bible School. Described as “not your ordinary VBS,” the program takes place in the arena and combines fun, western-style activities with lessons about Jesus. Kids who attend three of the four events will earn a buckle. Dates are June 14, July 5, & August 2.

Open Door Fellowship will host Illumination Station June 14-18 from 5:30-8:30pm. Fun for Pre-K through 6th grade. Enjoy Bible time, crafts, music, games and friendships. Come as you are. Leave Shining!

Fairview Baptist Church will host VBS June 22-25 from 6-8:30pm for children in grades PK-3 through 6th grade with Family Night on Friday.

New Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Castor, will host Vacation Bible School, Illumination Station, June 22–26 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each evening. Children in Pre-K through 6th grade are welcome to attend and enjoy a week of VBS fun.

East Point Mt Zion BC is hosting VBS Hooked! Reeled in to serve God June 23-26 at 6pm. Transportation will be provided.

New Life Church in Hall Summit will host a one-day VBS July 11. Registration is at 8am. VBS is from 8:30am until 1pm. There will be a water slide from 1-2pm.

All area churches may share their VBS dates/info with RRPJ at the following email redriverparishjournal@gmail.com

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By Nolan Mckendry | Jun 9, 2026

(The Center Square) — Louisiana education officials say Gov. Jeff Landry’s order to cut $168 million from the state’s public school funding formula will reduce school district aid by an average of about 5%, though the money is intended to return to teachers and support workers through one-time stipends.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education addressed the order during a meeting on Tuesday only for informational purposes. Whether or not Landry’s order is implemented will be decided by the legislature on June 23. A two-thirds vote in favor is needed for the order to be approved.

Tony Ligi, executive counsel for the Department of Education, said ballots had gone out to House and Senate members and that there would be a 15-day period for them to come back.

The stipends would not cover every school employee who has historically been included in state pay raises or stipends. Therapy specialists, counselors, principals, assistant principals, other school administrators, central office certificated administrators, school nurses and employees on sabbatical are not included in the executive order.

The Minimum Foundation Program is the state’s main public school funding formula and helps pay for school district operations across Louisiana. Landry’s executive order seeks to reduce the fiscal year 2026-27 MFP appropriation in House Bill 1 by $168 million from “non-instructional dollars.”

The money would be used to fund $2,000 stipends for classroom teachers and $1,000 stipends for support staff, plus employer retirement contributions.

The order directs the Department of Education, in consultation with BESE, to identify the allocations from which the reduction would be made. Security, transportation and food service are considered non-instructional costs, but the executive order specifically requires them to remain intact.

Instead, school systems should use unassigned fund balances to replace reduced allocations, Beth Scioneaux, the department’s financial lead, told the board. She described an unassigned fund balance as money that has not been formally committed to a specific expense.

“It is a good thing to have a fund balance,” Scioneaux said. She added that districts need money available for hurricanes, disaster recovery and unexpected equipment needs, and that the department considers a fund balance of about 7.5% of a district’s total budget a best practice.

If lawmakers approve the reduction, the state treasurer would move the $168 million out of the program’s appropriation and into the overcollections fund. At that point, the Department of Education would lose direct access to the money and would have to seek spending authority through the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

The committee’s first scheduled meeting for the year is Aug. 13, though officials said it is not yet clear whether that would be the meeting where the department seeks authority to access the stipend money.

Some allocations would not be affected by the reduction, including International Associate Teacher stipends, the Career Development Fund, High Cost Services and mentor stipends, which are paid separately under their own schedules.

Education officials also noted that the current program resolution does not define “non-instructional” for purposes of the formula.

Areas to be reviewed include general administration, such as school board and superintendent costs; school administration, business services, warehousing, procurement, reporting, and operation and maintenance.

School systems will ultimately have to make budget adjustments based on the reduced MFP payments if the Legislature approves the governor’s order.

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Friday:

Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. A stray thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 74F. Winds light and variable.

Saturday:

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times early. High 94F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Clear skies with a few passing clouds overnight. Low near 75F. Winds light and variable.

Sunday:

Mostly cloudy early with thunderstorms developing later in the day. Cooler and less humid. High 88F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.

Thunderstorms likely overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.

Each year on June 14, Americans pause to recognize one of the nation’s most familiar and meaningful symbols: the United States flag.

The date goes back to June 14, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, when the Continental Congress adopted a resolution establishing an official flag for the new nation. The resolution called for thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field, representing the original thirteen colonies.

Although the flag’s design has changed as new states joined the Union, the original meaning remains part of its identity. Today, the flag has 50 stars for the 50 states, while the 13 stripes still honor the colonies that declared independence.

Flag Day did not become widely recognized right away. In the late 1800s, schools and patriotic groups began holding programs to teach the history of the flag and encourage respect for it. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation recognizing June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. Congress later made the observance official in 1949.

For many Americans, the flag represents freedom, sacrifice, unity and service. It has flown over schools, homes, government buildings, military posts and battlefields. It is raised in celebration, lowered in mourning and displayed during moments that bring communities together.

As June 14 approaches, residents are encouraged to display the flag and take a moment to reflect on the history behind it. More than two centuries after the first flag resolution was adopted, the Stars and Stripes remains a powerful symbol of the United States and the ideals Americans continue to value.

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If you have ever experienced a summer bass tournament, then you understand the downside of one of these events. IT’S HOT! As a kid, I loved summertime, but as an adult I probably dread this time of year more than any other.  

I’ve always said that I would rather fish on a 30-degree day than a 95-degree day. Why? Because I can put enough clothes on to stay warm in the winter, but I can’t take enough clothes off to cool down in the summer.

Early mornings are usually not as bad, as temperatures will range from 75 to 80 degrees. As the morning warms up, by 10 o’clock you’re starting into the hot zone of 88 to 90 degrees. Then around noon, you’re looking at 90 to 95 degrees and starting to fry like a Natchitoches Meat Pie!

Sweat is now running down your back and into places we won’t mention. It’s dripping off your nose every time you bend over to lip a fish or change a bait. You have now entered the “miserable zone” of summertime fishing.

The problem is there’s no shade to retreat to unless you’re lucky enough to find a bridge somewhere on the lake. But the problem with bridges is that’s where all the crappie fishermen are, as they too are retreating to shade.

But there are ways to help you stay cool, or should I say cooler, depending on how you dress. First, a good wide brim hat is a must to help keep the sun and its intense UV rays off your head and neck region. 

Pull on a long-sleeve hooded shirt with built in UV protection like the ones I wear produced by Columbia Sportwear. They offer a variety of great UV protection shirts. There’s one I wear that it is truly unique; it’s made from plastic water bottles and is called the Columbia Omni Shade.

This shirt is like wearing an air conditioner, especially when you crank the big engine and run across the lake. It has a way of cooling you down quickly and giving you muchneeded relief from the heat while protecting you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Even when you’re not running across the lake, just a slight breeze will help to cool you down wearing these shirts.

I wear long lightweight pants from both HUK Apparel and Columbia that also have built-in UV protection. The key to staying cooler on those upper 90-degree days is keeping the direct sunlight off the skin.

Now most people can’t comprehend or even imagine wearing long sleeves or long pants on a hot summer day. I used to be one of those guys. But ever since my Melanoma diagnosis in 2023, I have come to realize that long sleeves and long pants not only help me to stay cooler but also protect me from the sun’s UV rays

While I still hate fishing a tournament on hot summer days, I have found ways to cope with those high temperatures from June through August.

 I’ve also found that I maintain a better concentration level throughout the day by wearing clothes to help keep me cool. Nothing is worse when fishing than being too cold, too wet or too hot, as it can make for a long miserable day. 

‘Til next time, good luck and good fishing!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present “A Life Spent Singing the Blues: A Music Informance with the Wayne ‘Blue’ Burns Band” on Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front St. in Natchitoches. The event is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State, will interview the band about the cultural significance of blues music in Louisiana. Their discussion will include songs performed by the band which will also perform at the 46th annual Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival, to be held July 18 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus. 

Burns has been playing music all his life. He is a world-famous bassist, but the blues guitar is his thing. A native of Lafayette, Burns credits Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller as two of his favorite musical influences. He has performed with many artists but is most famous for nearly 20 years as bassist for Clifton Chenier, the King of Zydeco. He has also performed with Ernie K-Doe, The Larks, Betty Wright, Buckwheat and the Hitchhikers, Lil Buck Senegal, Jude Taylor, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Walter Junior, The RoadDoctor and a decade with C.J. Chenier, Clifton Chenier’s son. In his life-long career, Burns has performed in all 50 United States and around the world, including in South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is one of the first African Americans to perform in East Berlin after the Wall came down. Burns’ proudest moment came in 1982 when he played bass on Clifton Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band’s Grammy-winning album, “I’m Here!”  

For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to www.nsula.edu/folklife/. 

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest History Museum and is in partnership with the City of Natchitoches. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana. 

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. 

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By Misty Castile | Jun 9, 2026

(The Center Square) – As of May, more than 200,000 Louisianans had left the state’s Medicaid rolls over the previous year, while participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, declined by about 168,000 people as of April after federal policy changes took effect last summer.

The enrollment declines come as state lawmakers approved several measures during the 2026 legislative session aimed at increasing oversight, verification and coordination within public assistance programs. Supporters say the changes will improve program integrity and help ensure benefits go only to eligible recipients. Critics say the new requirements could create additional hurdles for families seeking assistance.

One of the most closely watched measures was Senate Bill 194, which establishes new eligibility verification requirements for applicants seeking Medicaid and food assistance benefits.

Lawmakers amended the legislation to preserve Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage for certain lawfully residing immigrant children.

Another bill approved this session, Senate Bill 52, requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify the Louisiana Department of Health when a child is removed from or returned to a parent’s custody. The goal is to ensure benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, the Women, Infants and Children program, and cash assistance are adjusted to reflect changes in household composition.

Bill author Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, said the measure is intended to improve oversight of public assistance programs when children enter state custody.

“This bill is about honesty, accountability and respect for the taxpayers who fund these programs,” Cathey said in a February statement. “When a child leaves a household, benefits tied to that child should stop immediately. Anything else is a failure of government.”

The legislation requires notification within 72 hours when a child enters state custody and directs the state to review and adjust SNAP, WIC, FITAP and Medicaid benefits accordingly. It also requires referrals to fraud investigators when individuals knowingly fail to report household changes and authorizes recovery of improperly received benefits.

The bill further requires benefits to be restored promptly when a child is reunified with a parent.

“Public assistance exists to help children – not to subsidize dishonesty or bureaucratic inertia,” Cathey said. “This bill restores integrity to the system.”

Lawmakers also passed House Bill 181, which grants the Louisiana Legislative Auditor access to individual state income tax return information for the purpose of reviewing Medicaid and SNAP eligibility determinations and identifying potential fraud.

Another measure, House Bill 335, requires some private and nonprofit organizations administering public benefits to verify citizenship status and report cases where citizenship cannot be confirmed. The bill was amended during the legislative process to exempt organizations involved in food distribution, disaster response, Medicaid services, domestic violence assistance, homelessness services and pregnancy support programs.

While much of the session focused on eligibility verification and program oversight, lawmakers also approved legislation addressing food insecurity. House Bill 218 requires public schools to ask families about food insecurity through school questionnaires, potentially providing educators and policymakers with additional information about student needs.

Invest in Louisiana, a Baton Rouge-based nonprofit think tank that advocates for inclusive public policies and equitable state budgets, called the session “a step backward for people who rely on safety net programs, especially immigrants and children.”

In a report wrapping up the session, the organization said, “It shows the state is far more invested in policing, verifying, and privatizing the safety net than in expanding it. The bills that passed tightened immigrant families’ access, automated benefit cuts around child custody, and stood up a donor-funded parallel food system.”

A separate proposal, House Bill 269, which would have required public schools to provide free breakfast to all students, did not advance during the session.

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Several hospitals in North Louisiana are among more than 500 hospitals nationwide that have received warning letters from the Trump Administration for allegedly failing to comply with federal hospital price transparency requirements. The administration has indicated that continued noncompliance could result in penalties of up to $2 million annually.

The federal effort is aimed at enforcing hospital price transparency rules that require hospitals to publicly post pricing information for medical services in formats that are accessible to consumers. The rules were originally established following a 2019 executive order and have been in effect since 2021. Federal officials say greater transparency helps patients, employers, and insurers better understand healthcare costs before receiving treatment.

Among the North Louisiana hospitals reported to have received warning notices are Bienville Medical Center, Behavioral Health Shreveport, Minden Medical Center, Northern Louisiana Medical Center, and Sabine Medical Center. The hospitals were included on a list of Louisiana facilities that federal officials say may not be meeting current transparency requirements.

Federal officials have stated that warning letters are intended to encourage compliance rather than immediately impose fines. Hospitals receiving notices are generally given an opportunity to correct deficiencies and demonstrate compliance before additional enforcement actions are considered.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires hospitals to make pricing information available online through both comprehensive machine-readable files and consumer-friendly displays of common “shoppable” services. CMS says the goal is to allow patients to compare costs and make more informed healthcare decisions.

The recent enforcement effort comes as healthcare affordability remains a major concern for families nationwide. Administration officials have indicated that additional hospitals could receive warning notices as federal audits and reviews continue.

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On Christmas Eve in 1870, a group of people, including about 16 prominent citizens of Hamilton, Ohio, gathered in a gambling room on the second floor of “the American Saloon,” an “aristocratic” drinking saloon on High Street directly opposite the Butler County courthouse.  Some of the men were playing casino at one table and others, including Thomas “Tom” Myers, were playing a game called faro at another table.  Suddenly, a gunshot rang out.  With the exception of E.D. Banister and Peter Schwab who were in the fervor of the game of casino and Tom who was seated at the faro table, the men began running from the room.  Tom stood up, leaned against the wall, and fired his pistol.  The bullet from Tom’s pistol struck the ceiling just above the faro table.  Mr. Bannister fled from the room and Mr. Schwab slunk to the floor for his own protection.  Tom fired another shot which struck the opposite wall.  Once sure that Tom was unable to fire his pistol again, Peter approached him and realized Tom had been shot in the abdomen.  Peter tried only briefly to get Tom to tell him who had shot him before he ran to get help.  Peter soon returned with Dr. Huber, who had been in the room but had fled when he heard gunshots.  Dr. Huber also tried to get Tom to explain who had shot him, but Tom was unable to speak.  Dr. Huber located a gunshot wound on Tom’s upper abdomen which had severed a main artery.  Within moments, 29-year-old Tom died.  

Immediately following the affray, all of the witnesses said that Tom “must have either did it himself or had it done.”  Based on the testimony of a young boy, Tom’s brother Joseph swore out a warrant for five men including Deputy Marshal Ich Sheely and Thomas McGehan.  Before the coroner’s jury, none of the witnesses could identify who shot Tom, but all said that Thomas McGehan had not been in the room before the shooting began.  When the accused men learned of the warrant, they turned themselves in.  In January 1871, the five men were indicted on the charge of first-degree murder.  Clement Vallandigham was one of the four defense attorneys in the trial which began on June 6, 1871.  The trial was long because over 120 witnesses had been called to testify.      

At about 9 p.m. on June 15, 1871, Clement Vallandigham and fellow defense attorney Andrew McBurney were in their hotel room discussing the case.  Clement was sure that Tom had shot himself and decided to show Andrew how Tom could have done it.  Clement pulled a pistol from his pocket, turned it towards himself, and pulled the trigger.  To his surprise, the pistol discharged.  The bullet struck Clement in almost exactly the same place Tom’s bullet had struck him.  The wound was fatal.  In trying to defend Thomas McGehan by explaining how Tom Myers had killed himself, Clement Vallandigham accidently killed himself too.  Based at least in part on Clement’s unfortunate accident, the jury found Thomas McGehan not guilty.    

Sources:

1.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 27, 1870, p.8.

2.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, January 31, 1871, p.8.

3.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, February 15, 1871, p.8.

4.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 6, 1871, p.8.

5.     The Evening Post (Cleveland, Ohio), June 17, 1871, p.2.

6.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 19, 1871, p.1.

7.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 28, 1871, p.8.

8.     “Thomas S. Myers,” Find A Grave, accessed May 25, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106977757/thomas-s-myers.

9.     “Clement Laird Vallandigham,” Find A Grave, accessed May 25, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2526/clement-laird-vallandigham.

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By Brett Rowland | Jun 9, 2026

(The Center Square) – Social Security’s retirement trust fund will be depleted in 2032, triggering an automatic 22% reduction in benefits for about 70 million Americans unless Congress acts, federal trustees warned Tuesday.

Social Security paid $1.6 trillion in benefits to 70 million Americans in 2025. The program provides a majority of income for 43% of older Americans, more than 25 million families, according to AARP, an advocacy organization representing older Americans. Any reduction would apply across the board to all beneficiaries.

The combined Social Security retirement and disability trust funds are projected to be depleted in 2034. At that point, payroll tax revenue and other income would be sufficient to pay about 83% of scheduled benefits, according to the 2026 annual report of the Social Security Board of Trustees.

The program’s financial outlook worsened over the past year. Trustees said Social Security’s 75-year funding shortfall increased to $29.3 trillion, while the long-range actuarial deficit grew from 3.82% to 4.42% of taxable payroll.

The projected depletion date for the retirement trust fund moved one year earlier than last year’s estimate. The $29.3 trillion shortfall is about equivalent to three-quarters of the current national debt of $39.2 trillion, according to Treasury Department data, and about 15 times the $1.9 trillion federal deficit projected for this year by the Congressional Budget Office.

The trustees attributed the deterioration to three factors: lower long-range fertility assumptions, reduced projected immigration levels and provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a Republican-passed tax and spending law signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. Lower projected immigration translates into a smaller future workforce and less payroll tax revenue.

The trustees also said changes affecting the taxation of benefits reduced projected income to the trust funds. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projected in June 2025 that the legislation would reduce revenue from the taxation of Social Security benefits by roughly $30 billion annually, enough to accelerate depletion of the retirement trust fund by one year.

Commissioner of Social Security Frank Bisignano said improving service and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse remain priorities for the agency.

“To protect the promise of Social Security, it is important for lawmakers and the Social Security Administration to work together to ensure the trust funds continue to provide financial stability now and for future generations,” Bisignano said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the board’s managing trustee, said the reports “reinforce the need for lawmakers to take action to support the long-term viability of these programs.”

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a radio interview Monday that mandatory spending programs must be addressed.

“That’s your entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and then things like Social Security – they have to be adjusted and fixed,” Johnson said on “The Moon Griffon Show.” “We have a plan to do that next year.”

Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, said the administration’s focus on fraud does not address the program’s underlying financial challenges.

“Social Security’s long-term shortfall is driven by demographics and benefit promises that outpace dedicated revenues – not by widespread fraud,” Boccia told The Center Square. “Focusing on waste, fraud, and abuse is good governance, but it should not distract from the structural reforms needed.”

She added that “delaying reform only makes the eventual adjustments more difficult” and that “every year of delay means fewer choices, steeper adjustments, and a larger burden on younger workers and future taxpayers.”

Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said policymakers continue to underestimate the urgency of the situation.

“In just six years – during the next Senate class’s term – Social Security’s retirement fund will run out of money,” she said. “Yet our leaders have no plan to prevent the abrupt 22% benefit cut that would ensue.”

Michael Peterson, CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, echoed the concern.

“The senators we elect this year will be in office when Social Security becomes unable to pay out full benefits,” he said.

House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal, D-Mass., and two Democratic colleagues said in a joint statement that the report “demonstrates the urgent need for Congress to act to protect Social Security and Medicare.”

“This crisis is both highly predictable and fully avoidable, as there are many well-known solutions available,” Peterson said. “Now is the time for responsible, bipartisan leadership to strengthen Social Security and Medicare.”

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The City of Minden is hosting a patriotic celebration “America’s 250th & Minden’s 190th” June 12-13. The event will feature live music, family activities, food vendors, competitions, fireworks and community events honoring both America’s 250th birthday and the City of Minden’s 190th anniversary. Highlights include Run Minden on Main 5K, a duck derby, block parties, parades and a fireworks finale. June 12 activities are from 6-9pm and June 13 the run begins at 8am followed by multiple events throughout the day with the fireworks display at 9pm.Organizers invite families and visitors from across the area to come enjoy the celebration and community spirit throughout the weekend.

First Methodist Church Coushatta is inviting the community to a Spiritual Gifts Workshop on Tues June 16 at 5:30pm. The event will be held at the church, located at 2018 Front Street in Coushatta. Participants will learn about spiritual gifts found in Scripture, receive guidance in identifying their own gifts, and enjoy fellowship with others. Organizers say the workshop is designed to help believers better understand how God equips each person to serve and encourage others. A red beans and rice dinner will also be provided. The event is open to all, and additional information is available by contacting Pastor Trevor Blair at (318) 780-0433.

Fairview Baptist Church is hosting a fun-filled Build & Create Night June 19 from 5:30-8:00pm. Kids will have the chance to build, paint, craft, and explore through hands-on activities and woodworking stations.

New Life Church will host a Kids & Youth Night on July 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at New Life Church, located at 5047 Duke Avenue in Hall Summit. The event is open to children and youth ages 4 years old through 12th grade and will feature fellowship, Bible lessons, activities, and opportunities for spiritual growth. At the same time, adults are invited to attend a Bible study led by Bro. Collin in the sanctuary. Families are encouraged to attend together and bring friends for an evening of faith, learning, and fellowship.

Martin Baptist Church will host its 5th Annual Basketball Camp July 12-14 for students who have completed Pre-K4 through 7th grade. The camp will be held each evening from 5:30 to 7:30pm, with drop-off beginning at 5:15pm. Participants will have the opportunity to develop basketball fundamentals, build teamwork skills, and enjoy a positive environment. Free snacks and drinks will be provided each day. All children must have a completed waiver on file to attend. For additional information, contact Dan Dupree at (318) 464-5303.

Area educators are invited to take advantage of a special Teacher Resource Day at Mansfield State Historic Site on July 15 and July 22 at 10am. The program is designed to help teachers discover ways to incorporate local history, social studies, and science resources into their classrooms. Participants will learn about available educational materials, lesson opportunities, tours, and hands-on activities that can enhance student learning. Admission fees will be waived for teachers who present a current school identification badge. Organizers encourage educators to attend and explore resources that can bring classroom lessons to life while connecting students to local history and science.

Louisiana Carrot Initiative is now available at Walmart stores statewide. SNAP recipients can earn bonus benefits for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market locations across Louisiana.

Southern Baptists vote to remove and ban churches that have women pastors.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill shared that the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX rule is no longer moving forward after legal challenges from Louisiana and other states. Murrill said Louisiana was the first state to challenge the rule, arguing it would change Title IX protections for schools. She called the outcome a victory for women and girls, stating that Louisiana fought to preserve the protections originally guaranteed under Title IX.

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Ricky Chatman
December 1, 1971 ~ June 1, 2026
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11am at Springville Baptist Church in Coushatta.

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Louisiana will have a new U.S. senator next year to succeed Sen. Bill Cassidy, who finished third in the May Republican primary. Both the Republicans and the Democrats will have a runoff.

U.S. Senator (DEM)
• Gary Crockett
• “Jamie” Davis
Davis was the top vote-getter in May, with 47% of the vote compared to 26% for Crockett.

U.S. Senator (REP)
• State Treasurer John Fleming
• Congresswoman Julia Letlow

Rep. Letlow recieved 45% of the vote compared to 28% for Fleming. Cassidy finished 3rd with 25%.

Voters will have to vote in the party primary that they are registered in or the party they voted with in May. Voters who did not vote in the May election can vote in the June party runoff for U.S. senator. Those who are “no party” will have to declare which party they want to vote for if they want to vote for a U.S. Senator. You do not need to be registered with a party or declare a party to vote for other races or propositions.

The June 27 sample ballots for Red River Parish are now published

Early voting runs from June 12 to June 20 at the Registrar of Voters’ office.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.

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Wednesday:

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. Hot. High 93F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Mostly clear skies overnight. Low near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday:

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Hot. High 94F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

A few clouds from time to time overnight. Low near 75F. Winds light and variable.

Louisiana’s youngest students are continuing to make significant progress in reading, according to new literacy screener results released by the Louisiana Department of Education.

State data from the 2025-2026 school year shows that 66.2 percent of students in kindergarten through third grade finished the year reading on or above grade level. That represents a 16.5 percentage-point increase from the beginning of the school year, when just under half of K-3 students were reading at grade level.

Kindergarten students posted the largest gains. At the start of the school year, 29.1 percent of kindergarten students were reading on or above grade level. By the end of the year, that number had climbed to 69 percent, an increase of nearly 40 percentage points.

Students in first, second and third grades also showed improvement. First grade students increased from 51.4 percent to 67.5 percent reading on grade level, while second grade students improved from 58 percent to 64.4 percent. Third grade students rose from 59 percent to 64 percent.

Students with disabilities also demonstrated growth during the school year, improving by more than 10 percentage points.

State education leaders credited the gains to Louisiana’s continued focus on early literacy instruction and the science of reading. Schools across the state have implemented literacy screeners, high-quality instructional materials, tutoring opportunities, coaching support and targeted intervention plans designed to help struggling readers receive assistance early.

The latest results continue a trend of improvement seen over the past several years. Louisiana has earned national recognition for its reading growth, including leading the nation in reading growth on multiple national assessments and ranking among the top states for early literacy policies.

Literacy screeners are administered to all Louisiana public school students in grades K-3 and are designed to help teachers identify reading strengths and areas where additional support may be needed. The assessments provide educators with information throughout the year so instruction can be tailored to meet students’ individual needs.

With two-thirds of Louisiana’s youngest students now reading on or above grade level, state leaders say the focus remains on building early literacy skills and helping even more students become successful readers in the years ahead.

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SHREVEPORT – For the third straight season, the LSU Shreveport Fishing Team can call itself one of the best in the nation.

The Pilots finished the campaign ranked No. 9 in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year Standings following the Association of Collegiate Anglers national championships in May.

The No. 9 ranking comes on the heels of a No. 6 finish in 2024 and No. 7 in 2025 in a sport that has no divisions based on college size.

The biggest difference from previous top finishes is that the program has undergone a changing of the guard, shifting from experienced anglers as part of coach Charles Thompson’s early recruiting classes to the younger but extremely talented later recruiting classes.

“To have three top-10 finishes in the first (six years), that sends the message that we are performing the way we need to perform,” Thompson said. “I can’t be happier for these guys.

“Even through the tough times in the middle of the year, they stood up at the end of the year and fought back.”

LSUS anglers typically put together strong finishes as late spring fishing tends to match the styles of fishermen who grew up on shallow water with plenty of grass and other cover.

The team rallied to score a host of points late in the season, which included a 13th-place finish from junior Mason McCormick and freshman Colton Caskey at the ACA national championships on Pickwick Lake in northern Alabama.

The pair sat in fourth place after a huge first day, and the high ranking helped the program fend off other teams trying to crack the top-10 in the season standings.

Caskey is one of eight freshmen on this season’s roster, part of a youth movement on a roster that does have a few experienced hands, including Caskey’s partner McCormick.

“The freshmen had to adjust to so many things,” Thompson said. “I can’t imagine the tough times having to adjust to school, adjust to the high caliber of college fishing, and for some, adjusting away from home.

“Then the thought process of having to hold up to the tradition of being a top-10 team in the country as a freshman. It’s a lot, but I’m really excited about our future.”

All six of LSUS’s boats finished in the top 100 of a 197-boat championship field, including No. 28 (Johnny Hudson and Triston Richardson) and four total in the top 65.

Richardson is a junior and Hudson a sophomore. Top finishers also included a freshmen pair in Carsen Adcock and Will Powell (No. 57).

These anglers were attracted to LSUS because of the initial surge of success, which included a 20th-place finish in 2022 and 15th-place standing in 2023 before the three top-10 showings.

While Thompson would say the leadership transition from the old guard who built the foundation hasn’t been flawless, he saw a resilience this season that will help LSUS push further toward a top-five standing.

“They responded, and they never quit,” said Thompson, who referenced a slow start to the spring season. “They stayed resilient and they closed strong.

“Even our four boats who weren’t in the championships, they were asking to go just to watch and support. They wanted to be there, and that’s the type of team they wanted to build.”

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Hall of Fame’s Round Table Luncheon will provide up-close, memorable moments

The “youngest” event during this month’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is the most exclusive, yet casual, opportunity for the public to enjoy hearing from the Class of 2026 inductees.

It’s the Round Table Luncheon Saturday, June 27, at noon at Riverside Reserve, 104 Mill Street, in Natchitoches. There are still seats available for the eighth annual Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Registration is available for the luncheon can be made by visiting LaSportsHall.com, or by calling 318-238-4255. It is a ticketed event.

Festivities begin Thursday evening, June 25 with the free of charge Welcome Reception from 5-7 open to all, no registration necessary, at the Hall of Fame museum facing the traffic circle at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.

The BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash is at midday Friday, June 26 at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Friday evening brings the free Rockin’ River Fest concert on Cane River Lake in downtown Natchitoches, from 6-10:30, with the Class of 2026 introduced at 9:15 right before a sports-themed fireworks show over the water.

Events Saturday, June 27 include the free Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp for kids, the Round Table Luncheon, and the Induction Reception and Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center.

The Round Table Luncheon starts with tremendous Louisiana cuisine and quickly kicks into gear with Fox Sports announcer (and 2020 LSHOF inductee) Tim Brando interviewing small groups of inductees on stage in a very informal and fast-moving setting.

A poignant scene at the 2019 luncheon unfolded before the program when Peyton Manning, being inducted later that day, stopped by to greet LSU legend Johnny Robinson, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame two months later.

Scenes like that, up-close access and the fun-filled dialog between Brando and the 2026 inductees combine to provide a memorable 90 minutes.

The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group:  Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.

Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.

LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

The Hall of Fame Round Table Luncheon shapes up as a highly entertaining opportunity for guests to have a up-close-and-personal experience and be entertained and well fed in a casual setting, with a touch of elegance at the Riverside Reserve on the banks of Cane River Lake just a mile from downtown Natchitoches.

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This week I’m celebrating fifty two years as a licensed driver. Like most men, I naturally assume I’m a superior driver. The truth is I’m just competent enough not to injure myself or innocent pedestrians. I also spend far too much time reading bumper stickers and watching what other drivers are doing while they’re supposed to be driving. Once upon a time I could read a bumper sticker from a safe distance. Now, if I want to read your bumper, I have to tailgate you. I won’t comment on the silly things you’re doing behind the wheel, but I am working on a book.

Recently I was driving a loaner while my car was being serviced—a luxury model from a certain company that apparently believes drivers need more buttons than a NASA vehicle. It was keyless, of course. To start it, you put your foot on the brake and push a button. I’m used to that with my hybrid. But this wasn’t a hybrid. This was an old-fashioned internal combustion engine, the kind that used to require a little finesse and a lot of prayer.

My grandfather turned me loose behind the wheel about three years before the State of Alabama thought it was a good idea. I learned on what we called the “lonesome road”—a gravel stretch with only one real hazard: the creek running alongside it. Where I grew up, a bayou was a creek, and a creek was something you didn’t want to drive into. The only traffic on that road consisted of grandparents giving driving lessons and children learning how to scare them.

Most of my self-taught Drivers-Ed happened in a 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe. You didn’t so much drive that car as point it in the general direction you hoped to go. Its only luxury was an AM radio. It had a starter button too—but starting that car on a cold morning was a full-body athletic event. You turned the key, depressed the clutch, pushed the starter button, and pumped the gas pedal like you were trying to churn butter. Getting that engine to fire was one of the early rites of male competency.

So imagine my amusement when I started the loaner car with a gentle tap of a button. No pumping the gas. No choke. No carburetor to flood. No vapor lock. If automakers are going to bring back push-button starters, they could at least bring back some of the drama. Cars have changed a lot in fifty-two years. Sometimes I feel like I’m not keeping up. When the service manager asked if I wanted a tutorial on all the features, I said, “I would rather not.”

And that’s when it hit me.

There are times I feel like I’m not keeping up with Jesus either. He asks me to go and do, and I would rather not. He asks me to love and forgive, and I would rather not. He asks me to look honestly at my life, and I would rather not. Sometimes the hardest thing to face is the mirror, and I would rather not.

Preachers feel it too. Some Sundays we leap out of bed ready to preach the love of God. Other Sundays we pull the covers over our head and think about calling in sick to ourselves. On those mornings, “I would rather not” feels like a full liturgy.

And you know what? Jesus understands. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the cross, He prayed a prayer that sounds an awful lot like “I would rather not.” But He went anyway. For you. For me.

So this Sunday, when you wake up and think about church and feel that tug of “I would rather not,” know this: you’re in good company. Preachers feel it. Jesus felt it. But blessings live on the other side of pushing past it.

How about it.

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The Red River Parish School Board will receive bids for price quotations on the following:

Milk, Bread, and Meat and Select Spices for a period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.

And Request for Proposals for Food Products for a period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.  

Invitation to bid and proposals, general instructions, and specifications can be obtained at the Red River Parish School Board Office, School Food Service Department, 100 Bulldog Drive, Coushatta, Louisiana 71019, Telephone Number (318) 271-3144 or e-mail Katie Bethard at kbethard@rrbulldogs.com.  Deadline for submission and opening of the bids will be held at 10:00 a.m., Moday, June 15, 2026 at the Red River Parish School Board Office, School Food Service Department located at 100 Bulldog Drive.  Bidding vendors do not need to be present at the opening in order to qualify.  Formal awarding of Milk and Juice Products, Bread and Bread Products, and Pest Control bids will be done at the next regular Red River Parish School Board Meeting in the Red River Parish School Board Meeting Room, 100 Bulldog Drive, Coushatta, Louisiana 71019.

The public is invited to attend bid openings.

The Red River Parish School Board, School Food Service Program is funded with 98% federal funds for a total of approximately $990,000.00

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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