Red River Parish Schools are back in session today, Monday, October 19, following fall break. Students and staff are returning to their regular schedules as the district resumes classes and begins the second grading period.

The LSU Tigers delivered a dominant defensive performance, shutting out Mississippi State 31-0. The victory marked LSU’s first shutout against an SEC opponent since 2007, ending a nearly 19-year stretch without a conference shutout. The Tigers’ defense kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard throughout the game, highlighting an impressive performance in conference play.

United Way of Northwest Louisiana will host its first Get Banked Day on Thursday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverview Hall in Shreveport, a free community event designed to connect residents with financial resources and opportunities that can support greater financial security. The event welcomes community members at all stages of life and at all points in their financial journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about traditional banking and financial institutions, credit management, homeownership, and other financial resources. For students and adults 18 and older, participating financial institutions will be available to provide information about banking options and, where appropriate, opportunities to explore opening a bank account. While account opening will depend on individual circumstances and each institution’s requirements, the event is designed to help attendees better understand their options and connect directly with financial professionals. Participating financial partners currently include local banks and credit unions, along with additional community partners participating in the event. In addition to banking resources, Get Banked Day will provide information and education related to important areas of financial well-being, including credit management, homeownership, and more. The event will also address the differences between financial apps and traditional banking options, helping attendees better understand the choices available to them. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the A.L.I.C.E. Reality Simulator, an interactive, role-playing exercise created by the United Way network to demonstrate the daily financial pressures and difficult budget choices faced by hardworking households.

Historic Grand Cane is gearing up for a festive October with the Grand Cane Spooktacular Fall Fair Market on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature arts, crafts, various vendors, and family-friendly fall fun. Vendors of all types are welcome to participate. For vendor information, contact Jan at 903-343-9917.

Mansfield State Historic Site will host “Ghosts of the Battlefield” on Saturday, October 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. Visitors will take an evening walk through the historic Civil War battlefield, exploring what happened after the fighting ended. The experience will highlight the confusion, loss, medical emergencies and personal stories of soldiers following the Battle of Mansfield. Admission is $6 per person, $4 for seniors, and free for children ages 6 and under. The historic site is located at 15149 Highway 175 in Mansfield.

The Bayou Cruisers will host a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the residence of Mike and Jacqueline Martin. Families are invited to bring their children for an evening of Halloween fun, candy and a display of antique, vintage and classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, Jeeps and more. Community members are also encouraged to bring their vehicles, decorate them and hand out candy. Children are welcome to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes for this family-friendly event.

Northwestern State University Technical Services has received a $1.5 million grant from the National Park Foundation to support work with the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, or NCPTT. NSU will conduct the project in partnership with NCPTT, which is located on the university’s Natchitoches campus and works to advance the preservation of historic buildings, landscapes and other cultural resources. Through the two-year project, NSU and NCPTT will develop a risk assessment tool for historic sites in the National Park Service’s Southeast Region.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara joined an exclusive group in NFL history Sunday, becoming just the sixth player to record at least 5,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. Kamara reached the milestone during the Saints’ victory over the New York Giants, highlighting his versatility as one of the league’s most productive dual-threat running backs. The achievement adds another impressive accomplishment to his career and strengthens his case for future Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Water Ski Team has captured its seventh consecutive national championship at the National Collegiate Water Ski Association championships. The victory marks the program’s 13th national title overall and extends its remarkable streak to 41 consecutive wins.

College football fans witnessed a historic Saturday as five of the nation’s top seven teams in the AP Poll suffered defeats on the same day for the first time in the poll’s history. No. 1 Georgia fell to Auburn 27–24, No. 2 Notre Dame lost to BYU 28–24, No. 5 Indiana was defeated by Ohio State 19–15, No. 6 Alabama fell to Tennessee 26–10, and No. 7 Texas lost to Florida 27–24. The stunning results shook up the national rankings and could have major implications for the College Football Playoff race.

According to Jacob Hester, it has been 763 days since the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints have won on the same weekend!

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