The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point last week, marking its first increase in more than three years. The move brings the federal funds target range to 3.75% to 4%, as policymakers continue their efforts to bring elevated inflation under control.

The decision was unanimous, with all 12 voting members supporting the increase. Federal Reserve officials said economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace, while inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The increase comes despite President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for lower interest rates. Federal Reserve policymakers also indicated that additional increases could come before the end of the year if economic conditions warrant.

Higher interest rates can eventually affect consumers through borrowing costs, including credit cards, auto loans, home equity lines and some mortgages, while savers may benefit from higher returns on some savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

The Federal Reserve’s next scheduled policy meeting will be held October 27-28.

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The Red River Parish Journal wants to thank American Bank for once again being the title sponsor for this year’s Football Pick’em contest. Tyler Insurance Agency is the anchor sponsorship for the third year in a row.  These two businesses love football and love to see you win.   

We also want to thank BOM, Red River Parish Library, 4B Garage, Bethard & Bethard, Red River Land Specialties, Jimmy Keel-Greg Tilley’s and Tray Murray-State Farm for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $100.00 in cash each week?

The Red River Parish Journal and American Bank are proud to bring you the 2026 Football Pick’em Contest anchored by Tyler Insurance.

Anyone is eligible to participate for FREE, and each week’s winner will go home with a $100.00 prize.  Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected college and high school football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The American Bank and Tyler Insurance Agency Football Pick’em Contest will be conducted over 10 regular-season weeks of the season, starting with Week 1 games (September 4-5) and running through early November.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Red River Parish Journal.

All contest decisions by Red River Parish Journal (RRPJ) management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run that week in the RRPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the RRPJ if you’re not already signed up for the easily navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could be our first winner!

Week 1: Ken Mangham
Week 2: Elizabeth Perkins

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Matt Vines

VICKSBURG – The Riverdale Academy football team fell too far behind in the first half Friday at Porter’s Chapel in a 44-22 loss.

But the Rebels (0-6) won a half for the first time this season, outscoring PCA 16-8 in the second half.

It’s another step in the right direction for a program who celebrated a junior varsity win this week.

The Eagles have had a history of falling behind early in games this season.

PCA broke a four-game losing streak with a quick start Friday as Myles Randle scored three first-half touchdowns – two rushing and one via interception return.

PCA led 36-6 at halftime.

While the Rebels have improved on offense and defense, limiting turnovers and points directly off those turnovers will be a big step in their final three games of the regular season.

Limiting big plays, and generating their own big plays, is another area of focus.

PCA scored touchdowns on runs of 30, 40, 41, and 55 yards as part of their scoring suite.

Riverdale’s 22 points scored is a season-high and is the second time in the last three games that the Rebels have reached double digits.

Riverdale will stay in state this coming week as they attempt to build off that momentum in a rivalry game at Claiborne Academy.

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Matt Vines

BOSSIER CITY – The Red River football team put together another strong start as the Bulldogs scored the first two touchdowns Friday at Class 5A Parkway.

But the Panthers poured on 56 straight points in a 56-12 win.

The Bulldogs (0-3) have taken an early lead for the third straight game, but Red River hasn’t been able to withstand the opponent response in its three losses.

“We started out with a strong game plan, and our guys executed,” said Red River coach Travis Gary. “We were also able to run the football.

“We’re just learning to continue to fight as if it’s 0-0. We have to remain focused and not get too excited.”

Red River took an early lead with rushing touchdowns from Ashton Johnson and Ethan Lopez to build a 12-0 late in the first quarter.

A Johnson swing pass to Lathyn Lewis covered about 50 yards set up Johnson’s first touchdown.

Johnson has improved under center after taking over for an injured Landon Wilson, who prepared this offseason at the position.  

Parkway managed two touchdowns in the second quarter to grab a 15-12 halftime lead. A 52-yard run by Damian Decaldecal and a plunge by Braxxton Black put the Panthers up for good.

The Panthers created separation with three touchdowns each in the third and fourth quarters, including one punt return for a touchdown.

“They made some big plays out of halftime, and they sped up the game to wear our guys down,” Gary said of Parkway’s second-half surge.

The Bulldogs (0-3) come back home this week to welcome in an undefeated Green Oaks squad.

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Louisiana voters will head to the polls this fall, and now is a good time to make sure voter registration information is current and take note of several important deadlines ahead of Election Day.

Red River Parish voters will have several contested races on the ballot for the November. 3 election, along with a number of local offices that were decided without opposition during qualifying.

The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail or at an Office of Motor Vehicles is October 5. Those registering through the GeauxVote online system have until October 13.

Early voting will be held October 20-27, excluding Sunday, October 25. Early voting locations will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

For voters eligible to vote absentee, the deadline to request a ballot is October 30 at 4:30 p.m. The Registrar of Voters must receive completed absentee ballots by 4:30 p.m. November 2, except for military and overseas voters. Polls will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

At the federal level, voters will choose between Jamie Davis and Julia Letlow for U.S. Senate. Red River Parish is also part of Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, where five candidates qualified for the U.S. House seat: Conrad Cable, Matt Gromlich, Gordon Heslop, Mike Johnson and Mike Nichols.

Red River Parish voters will also see the Public Service Commission District 5 race between John Atkins and James Edward Green.

Several Red River Parish School Board seats are contested. In District 3, the candidates are Jacob Caldwell, Stephen Giddens and Rachal Henry. In District 4, voters will choose among Alvester Barfield, Sharon Jenkins and Alan Miller. The District 5 race includes Kenneth Bradley and Monique McDuffy-Jones.

One additional contested local race is for Constable, Justice of the Peace District A, where Tangela Maxwell and Cherlonda Raymond qualified.

A number of local candidates qualified without opposition and therefore will not face an opponent. Those include Luke Mitchell for 39th Judicial District Judge; Julie Jones for District Attorney; School Board members Melinda Hardy, District 1; Renee Hester, District 2; Reginald Prealow, District 6; and Joey Miller, District 7; Justices of the Peace Jerry Clark, District A; Randy Thomas Jr., District B; and Michael Perkins, District C; and Matthew Thomas for Constable, Justice of the Peace District B.

Municipal candidates qualifying without opposition include Jason Briggs for mayor of Hall Summit; Kawndria Demery for Edgefield alderman; and Amelia Dyer, Willie Jiles Jr. and Barbara Moore Perrin for Hall Summit alderman. No candidate qualified for Constable, Justice of the Peace District C.

Voters can use GeauxVote to check their registration status, find their polling location and view their sample ballot when it becomes available.

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LSU dropped to No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 following a 32-24 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday. The Tigers entered the weekend ranked No. 7 but slipped three spots after the defeat, while Ole Miss climbed from No. 8 to No. 4. LSU remains one of 10 SEC teams ranked in this week’s poll.

Northwestern State University will welcome students’ families to campus Sept. 25-26 for Family Day 2026, a weekend of activities that will give families an opportunity to experience campus, Natchitoches and NSU gameday traditions with their students. Family Day check-in will begin at 2pm. Saturday at Family Day Headquarters on the east side of the NSU Tailgate Field behind Turpin Stadium. Families can pick up tailgate picnic tickets, game tickets and T-shirts at check-in. The NSU Family Tailgate Party will begin at 2:30pm with music, games, contests and other activities. A tailgate picnic will be served from 2:30-4:30pm Individual meal tickets are $10. A pregame pep rally will begin at 5 p.m. at the Tailgate Field with performances by NSU Cheerleading, Purple Pizazz Pom Line, Demon Dazzlers and the Spirit of Northwestern pep band. The pregame show will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by kickoff between NSU and Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will celebrate “Dolly Day” on Sept. 25 at Friends in Low Places in Nashville, with the day’s proceeds supporting children’s literacy in honor of Dolly Parton. The date, written as 9/25, is a nod to Parton’s famous song “9 to 5.” Proceeds from the event will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Nashville Public Libraries, continuing Parton’s longtime commitment to putting books in the hands of children. Brooks and Yearwood have also said they hope to make Dolly Day an annual tradition.

The Corn Maze in Shreveport will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8540 Highway 71. The fall attraction will feature the corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, barrel train rides, slides, swings, games and other family activities, along with food trucks, retail vendors and live music.

Scientists have identified a new wild cat species in Bolivia known as the tilcayo tiger cat. Smaller than a typical house cat, the spotted feline was first mistaken for a domestic kitten before being taken to a wildlife sanctuary, where researchers later determined it was a previously unrecognized species. The discovery marks the first new living cat species formally identified in more than 100 years.

A new Charters of Freedom display will soon be unveiled outside the Capitol Park Museum in downtown Baton Rouge. The exhibit will feature replica copies of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and will be open to the public free of charge, 24 hours a day. According to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, the installation will be the first of its kind in Louisiana and is being created with support from Foundation Forward founders Vance and Mary Jo Patterson. The Capitol Park Museum is part of the Louisiana State Museum system and highlights the state’s history and culture.

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William Lary Wimberly
August 8, 1937 — August 27, 2026
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10am at New Life Church in Hall Summit.

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Pictured is Dylan Van Matre of Natchitoches with the 10.4 lb largemouth bass he caught on Grand Bayou Reservoir in Coushatta on August 25, 2026. Dylan plans to have a replica made of his fish.

Grand Bayou Resort and Grand Bayou Reservoir District will pay for replicas of any bass caught at the lake that is over 10 pounds. If the fisherman wants a replica, the fish must first be officially weighed by resort personnel, then returned to the lake alive and in good condition.

Photo credit Grand Bayou Resort staff

Faerie L. Sledge
Secretary, Grand Bayou Reservoir Commission

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Red River High School is inviting former students to return to campus during Homecoming for a special Alumni Reception on Friday, September 25, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the RRJH Gymnasium foyer.

This year’s reception will recognize alumni from the Classes of 1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016 and 2026, bringing together graduates representing generations of Red River school history.

The reception will give alumni an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, visit with friends and celebrate the traditions and memories that continue to connect the Red River community. Each alumnus attending the reception will also receive a free ticket to the Homecoming football game.

Following the reception, alumni are encouraged to continue the celebration and cheer on the Bulldogs during the Homecoming game. The event is part of a week of activities centered around honoring Red River’s past while celebrating its students, alumni and school community today.

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Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Winning is contagious.

And Riverdale Academy coach Denver Williams hopes a junior varsity win can provide a little boost to the varsity squad as they cross the “Mighty Mississippi” to play Porter’s Chapel in Vicksburg.

The junior varsity Rebels, which feature a number of players who earn playing time at the varsity level, outlasted Lafayette County (Ark.) in a 22-20 on Tuesday.

Morgan Moseley scored two touchdowns and converted a pair of two-point conversions to lead the way offensively behind a young offensive line that includes Branson Williamson, Trevor Bell and Eli Hinson.

That trio typically sees significantly playing time on Fridays, something Williams hopes will build confidence as Riverdale (0-5) tries to end a losing streak that dates back to the beginning of the 2025 season.

“I think the JV guys getting a win motivates the varsity players to strive for a win,” Williams said. “PCA is a team fielded with mostly juniors while I have mostly freshman.

“But these guys have a lot of heart, and I think this one will come down to the wire.”

Riverdale junior varsity knows about going down to the wire.

After the Rebels pulled ahead late, Lafayette County scored on the game’s final play to pull within 22-20. But the Rebels stoned Lafayette County on the two-point conversion attempt, preserving the win.

Leading tacklers for the game included Moseley, Bell, Hinson, Ayres Williamson and Trey Crowder, whom also recorded an interception.

“My JV players have shown up every day to practice not knowing if they’d even get to play a JV game, mostly seventh graders, because eight and ninth graders play up.

“It’s not easy showing up and continuing to work in practice knowing you may not be able to hit the field, but they did and it paid off. I’m proud of these young men, and I believe the future of Riverdale is bright.”

Riverdale wants to translate that experience into varsity success tonight against a PCA (1-4) squad that is on a four-game losing skid of their own.

Two of those losses have come by 10 points or fewer, including a 32-22 loss to Louisiana power Briarfield Academy.

Porter’s Chapel has won the last three in the Riverdale series, including 46-6 this past season and a 2023 overtime victory as part of a 12-1 campaign.

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Police Jury President says fiber will lower costs and provide choice.

For Red River Parish Police Jury President Tray Murray, the biggest benefit of Pelican
Broadband’s ongoing fiber expansion project in Red River Parish is the most obvious: giving
more households in the parish the opportunity to connect faster and more reliably with the
wider world.

“Having fiber to every house in Red River Parish is the goal,” Murray said.

Pelican is in the midst of a major fiber-optic network expansion across the parish, a project
expected to continue into 2028. Phase 1 began this summer, with construction and installation
continuing in Coushatta, and is scheduled for completion in June 2027. Phase 2, bringing fiber
internet service to Provencal and Hagewood, is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and
continue through March 2028.

Pelican’s broadband fiber installations will begin on September 25. Service will be scheduled
on a first-come, first-served basis. Neighbors who are interested in checking availability for
their neighborhood and signing up for an installation can visit: pelicanbroadband.com/gumbo2.
The project is already delivering something parish residents have rarely had when it comes to
internet service: options. Murray said that prior to the fiber expansion, service providers were
very limited.

“It wasn’t good,” Murray said. “As a business owner, we didn’t have any choice.”
Murray, a local State Farm insurance agent, said dependable high-speed internet is important
for modern business, especially as customers and services have moved online. “[Fiber]
internet opens the door to us having customers all over the state,” he said. “I mean, nobody
wants to come into the office anymore.”

Like some other business owners in the area, Murray currently uses Starlink satellite internet.
He said he pays about $140 a month, but anticipates the new fiber service to be half that or
less. Murray said he plans to switch to Pelican Broadband fiber as soon as service is
available.

“They just now laid fiber on my road,” Murray said. “I won’t be able to sign up until November,
but I will sign up for sure.”

Fiber-optic internet service uses light to transmit large amounts of data quickly and reliably.

For users, that can mean smoother streaming and video calls, while also supporting remote
work, online education, telehealth, better home security and other services. Murray believes
bringing those capabilities to more residents of Red River Parish will help position the parish
for economic opportunity.

“We’re a small parish, but we do have good industry here,” he said. “We’ve got great local
businesses, and we’re right in the middle of the Haynesville Shale. This fiber project can’t do
anything but help.”

Red River Parish residents can learn more, check availability in their neighborhood and sign
up for updates at pelicanbroadband.com/gumbo2.

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Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Football is an emotional game, and the Week 3 matchup between Red River and Parkway features teams who experienced different sides of that coin in Week 2.

The Bulldogs (0-2) lost a heartbreaker to St. Mary’s, storming back from a two-score deficit to take the lead only to have the Tigers score in the final minutes of a 26-20 St. Mary’s win.

Parkway trailed for nearly the entire fourth quarter against Loyola, but a late score plus an interception in the end zone with four seconds remaining sealed the win for the Panthers in what’s being billed as Shreveport-Bossier’s Game of the Year. Parkway won 42-41.

Now the Bulldogs must heal their own wounds and head to a Class 5A Parkway squad that’s riding high.

Red River is familiar with Class 5A opponents in its recent history as Parkway and Haughton used to be yearly staples.

The Bulldogs played Haughton and Parkway consecutively to open the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Red River nearly knocked off Haughton 2021, falling 55-49 in a thriller.

The Bulldogs will need to overcome more than just Parkway’s larger roster size and momentum. A versatile Parkway offense consists of LSU commit Gary Burney Jr. at receiver, one of many ways the Panthers can attack an opponent.

But Red River does have one nugget in its back pocket – its scored first in both of their games this season.

While the Bulldogs’ foes Tioga and St. Mary’s responded with runs to build leads in those games, if Red River can strike first and better navigate their opponents’ response, they could extend the game and put pressure on Parkway.

Forcing turnovers and cashing those in for points will be key to staying close.

Red River forced a St. Mary’s fumble that sparked a two-touchdown turnaround that allowed them to tie the game.

The Tigers did score in the final minutes to seal the win.

Now the Bulldogs want to put themselves in a similar position this week but with a different ending.

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In the 1880s, getting mail in remote parts of the United States was exciting.  In the era before electricity, mail and newspapers were the only connection between rural communities and the outside world.  Dorsey was one of the many rural mail carriers for the U.S. Postal Service.  Rural in an understatement in his case.  You see, for several years in the 1880s, Dorsey was the only mail carrier between Barstow and Calico in California’s rugged Mojave Desert because no one else wanted the job.  Dorsey lived in the silver mining town of Calico, about 10 miles as the crow flies northeast of Barstow.  Ten miles may not seem like a great distance by our modern standards, but between Calico and Barstow stands the 2641-foot elevation Lead Mountain.  Going around Lead Mountain would have added another four miles each way to Dorsey’s trek, so Dorsey went up and over the mountain.  Dorsey did not ride in a wagon or on a horse.  He walked.        

Each day, Dorsey donned his satchel and began walking through the heat, dust, and over rugged terrain to Barstow.  He knew what time the train from the California Southern Railroad was scheduled to arrive in Barstow and so he left in plenty of time to meet it.  If Dorsey was ahead of the train, which he normally was, he rested and relaxed in town.  As soon as the train arrived, Dorsey met the postman at the train’s mail car, loaded his satchel with mail destined for Calico, and began the return trip.  On a good day, Dorsey could make the whole trip in about seven or eight hours.          

Half a century later, the people of Barstow began searching for a photograph of the local legendary mail carrier so they could honor him with his own U.S. Postage stamp.  Unfortunately, Dorsey’s likeness was never used on a postage stamp.  To the people of Barstow and the few inhabitants of Calico, Dorsey remains a local hero.  They still talk about his daily walks between their towns… on his four legs.  You see, Dorsey, the rural mail carrier, was a black and white collie.

 Sources:

1.     The Astorian (Astoria, Oregon), November 21, 1885, p.1.

2.     Desert Dispatch (Barstow, California), September 2, 1948, p.3.

3.     Desert Dispatch, August 27, 1973, p.10.    

 © 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.

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The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, marking its first increase in more than three years. The move brings the federal funds target range to 3.75% to 4% as policymakers continue efforts to bring elevated inflation under control.

The decision was unanimous, with all 12 voting members supporting the increase. Federal Reserve officials said economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace, while inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The increase comes despite President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for lower interest rates. Federal Reserve policymakers also indicated that additional increases could come before the end of the year if economic conditions warrant.

Higher interest rates can eventually affect consumers through borrowing costs, including credit cards, auto loans, home equity lines and some mortgages, while savers may benefit from higher returns on some savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

The Federal Reserve’s next scheduled policy meeting will be held Oct. 27-28.

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            Ellen Gaddis Howell was born and raised in Coushatta, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Gaddis.  Her mother, Joy, was a teacher and supervisor employed by the Red River Parish School Board, and her father was a local businessman and ran The Coushatta Citizen for several years.  Ellen graduated from Coushatta High School.  She received a degree in Art and Design from the Royal College of Dean in England before studying Fine Arts at the University of Wales in Cardiff.  Her illustrated works include three children’s books, two written by George Rhymes and another entitled “I’m Something, Too!” written by herself, and all of which are included in our library.  Ellen has two grown daughters, one son-in-law, and two teen-aged grandchildren.  After working with teachers of four-year-olds for ten years, Ellen now lives on the Cane River in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she paints and kayaks.

            Ellen explains that “connections with people, the natural world, and the past are all important to me and are subjects of my artwork. From an early age my family supplied me with pencils, paper, and time to draw. An elderly cousin once asked to see my hands. She examined them and said, “You have an artist’s hands like your great-grandmother Edith.” Her words have lived in my heart ever since.  As a child I was entranced by the shrine-like hush of a pine thicket in the woods, the slipperiness of mud oozing between my toes, the dizzying perspective observed when perching on a tree limb high above the ground. I paint to show gratitude for growing up with nature’s arms around me.  I want to paint the beauty of what I experience so that when others feel the awe and wonder that inspired my painting, that mutual feeling will create a connection between us.  Finally, painting is a way that I integrate my place, my people, and my past.”

Ellen’s first book, Poor Jack, written by George Rhymes and illustrated by Ellen,  is the true account of the antics of a big, black Labrador Retriever, who dreads the frenzy and festivities surrounding the world-famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival.  At the sound of the fireworks Jack runs for cover, finding safety in his family’s closet.

The second book also written by George Rhymes and illustrated by Ellen is entitled The Outcasts.  This book tells the touching story of a man who rescues a litter of stray puppies, and in so doing fills a gap in his boyhood, as one special put turns out to the puppy he never had.  This story will tug at the hearts of animal lovers both old and young.  Proceeds from the sale of this book went to Natchitoches Hope for Paws, a local animal rescue organization.

Ellen’s third book is I’m Something, Too!  Ellen wrote this book herself and illustrated it as well.  When her grandmother comes to visit, the last thing four-year-old Louise wants to talk about is her new baby brother, Henry.  Mahmee uses Louise’s expression of frustration as an opportunity to show her that she is important and loved even amid the changes that this addition to the family has brought. 

The fourth book written and illustrated by Ellen is Come Back, Jack!  Jack leads several people on a chase of yellow cat through the town of Natchitoches.  Everyone calls for him to come back, but he continues the chase.  In the end, Jack makes a new friend.       

Anyone interested in learning more about Ellen and her painting can find her information on her website https://ellenhowell.com.

Shared by Red River Parish Library

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Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer to help Natchitoches celebrate its 100th Christmas Festival ahead of LSU-NSU matchup

Natchitoches Christmas is pleased to announce that LSU Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kim Mulkey will serve as Celebrity Captain of the 2026 Natchitoches Christmas “Festival of Lights” Parade on Saturday, December 5, in downtown Natchitoches.

Mulkey will help lead the 1 p.m. parade as Natchitoches celebrates the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival, marking a century of one of Louisiana’s most beloved holiday traditions.

Her appearance comes during a special weekend for women’s basketball in Natchitoches. The LSU Tigers will face the Northwestern State Lady Demons on Sunday, December 6, at Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Mulkey and the LSU Women’s Basketball team to Natchitoches during such a historic year for our Christmas Festival,” said Sandra Dickens, Natchitoches Christmas Board Chair. “When we learned LSU would be in Natchitoches for the game against Northwestern State, we knew this was a unique opportunity. Coach Mulkey is one of the most recognizable figures in Louisiana sports, and having her help lead our parade as we celebrate 100 years of Christmas makes an already special weekend even more memorable.”

Mulkey also shares a special connection with Natchitoches through the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, where she was inducted in 1990 following her standout playing career at Louisiana Tech. The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame is housed at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in downtown Natchitoches.

A native of Tickfaw, Louisiana, Mulkey has built one of the most accomplished careers in college basketball. She is the only person in college basketball history, men’s or women’s, to win national championships as a player, assistant coach and head coach. As a player at Louisiana Tech, Mulkey helped the Lady Techsters capture national championships in 1981 and 1982 and later helped the program win another national title as an assistant coach in 1988. As a head coach, she won three NCAA national championships at Baylor before returning to Louisiana to lead LSU, where she guided the Tigers to the program’s first NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship in 2023.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the historic Natchitoches Christmas ‘Festival of Lights’ parade as the state of Louisiana celebrates this great tradition for the 100th time,” Mulkey said. “I’m always looking to give back to the state I love whenever I can. The opportunity presented itself, and I accepted. I look forward to seeing everyone on December 5 and, once more, at Prather Coliseum on December 6. We are excited to make our time in Natchitoches a memorable one.”

The December 6 matchup will bring LSU Women’s Basketball to Northwestern State’s Prather Coliseum, adding another major event to Natchitoches’ centennial Christmas weekend. Natchitoches Christmas also extends its appreciation to Northwestern State Head Coach Alan Frey, who helped make Coach Mulkey’s participation possible by personally extending the invitation for her to serve as Celebrity Captain.

“Bringing an elite program here to play us is exciting enough, but having Coach Mulkey agree to be the Celebrity Captain in Saturday’s parade makes this an unforgettable weekend for Natchitoches basketball fans,” Frey said. “I want to thank Kim for saying yes to the ask and giving our community a great show on the parade route before our historic matchup on Sunday.”

The 2026 Natchitoches Christmas “Festival of Lights” Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 5, traveling from the Northwestern State University campus through the Natchitoches Historic District.

The parade is part of the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival, which will feature a full day of activities in downtown Natchitoches, including entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and the festival’s signature fireworks celebration over Cane River Lake.

For additional information about the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival, visit NatchitochesChristmas.com.

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Five Guys is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day with a special buy-one, get-one-free deal through today.

Northwestern State University’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will host NSU STEM Day from 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 25 at the main campus in Natchitoches. Registration is currently open and ends Sept. 20.

Louisiana Christian University will hold its annual fall revival Sept. 22-24 at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. The Rev. Jordy McKaskle, executive pastor at North Monroe Baptist Church in Monroe, will be the speaker. The revival is open to the public.

Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will present Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” Oct. 1-4 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1-3 each with a 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 3-4. Tickets are $15. NSU, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and NSU@BPCC students are admitted free with a current student I.D. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/as-you-like-it-tickets-1999541995936?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

LSU Shreveport set a second straight summer graduation record with more than 1,622 college degrees conferred, besting its previous mark by about 70 graduates.The University will ceremoniously award those degrees today at two summer graduation ceremonies at Brookshire Groce

The TSA has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a new program that allows eligible TSA PreCheck members to go through airport security without a plane ticket to meet or see off family and friends at the gate, visit someone during a layover, or access restaurants and shops beyond the security checkpoint. Participants must request a free Gateside pass in advance and still undergo security screening. Among airports within driving distance of Coushatta, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock are participating in the initial rollout. Shreveport Regional, Alexandria International and Monroe Regional are not currently included. TSA plans to expand Gateside to additional airports in the coming months, but no Louisiana airports have been announced for the program at this time.

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The Red River Parish Fire Protection District is reminding residents that the parish-wide burn ban remains in effect, despite prescribed burns being conducted in the parish.

The clarification comes after residents saw controlled fires taking place while the burn ban was still in place.

According to the Fire District, the prescribed burns conducted Thursday, as well as future prescribed burns, are authorized burns being conducted under requirements established by Louisiana law and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).

Louisiana law specifically provides an exception for prescribed burning. Under R.S. 40:1602(C), the burn-ban restrictions in that statute do not apply to prescribed burning as defined under R.S. 3:17.

Prescribed burning is a controlled use of fire for specific land-management purposes, including forestry, agriculture and wildlife habitat management. LDAF requires prescribed burns to follow applicable requirements, including a written burn plan, smoke-management guidelines and notification requirements. Certified prescribed burners must also meet state certification requirements.

That exception does not mean the general public can burn outdoors.

The Fire District stressed that residents should not assume an outdoor fire is legal simply because they see a prescribed burn taking place.

For most residents, the burn ban continues to prohibit outdoor burning. Anyone who is unsure whether a planned burn qualifies as a permitted prescribed burn should contact the appropriate authority before starting a fire.

LDAF also advises residents to check local requirements before conducting any outdoor burning because local restrictions may be stricter than state rules.

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Red River Parish Public School Leaders are sending a special invitation to all parents and community members. This invitation is providing the opportunity to become a Schoolwide Plan Team Member of the school of their choice. Anyone may participate in the Schoolwide Plan Team meetings as a visitor rather than a formal Team Member. The place, date and time for each meeting includes:

Red River Elementary September 25, 2026 8:30am – 9:45am

Red River Jr. High September 25, 2026 9:45am-10:45 am

Red River High School September 25,2026 11:00am-12:00am

Schoolwide Team Members will review the comprehensive reform strategies selected by the schools to improve academic achievement for all students. Plans for this school year will be a continuation of plans already in place but updated to reflect changes required based on student progress during the previous year. Parents and family members are encouraged to provide input and comments.

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William Lary Wimberly
August 8, 1937 — August 27, 2026
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10am at New Life Church in Hall Summit.

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