Your Local Source for Heavy Duty Truck Parts

For years, businesses throughout Red River Parish have traveled to Shreveport, Natchitoches, Alexandria, and beyond for the heavy-duty truck and equipment parts they need.

Those days are coming to an end.

Beard’s Heavy Duty Truck Parts is proud to bring quality parts, dependable service, and hometown expertise to Coushatta and the surrounding communities.

Proudly Serving

• Owner-Operators
• Commercial Fleets
• Farmers & Agricultural Operations
• Logging Companies
• Construction Contractors
• Municipal & Government Fleets
• Anyone who depends on heavy-duty trucks and equipment to get the job done

Now Stocking

• Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings
• Oil, Fuel, Air & Hydraulic Filters
• Brake Components
• Suspension Parts
• Bearings & Seals
• Belts
• Commercial & LED Lighting
• Air Brake Components
• Batteries
• Shop Supplies
• And Much More!

Need a Part We Don’t Have?

Send us your parts list today!

Our commitment is simple: stock the parts our local customers use every day and help keep your trucks and equipment working while saving you the time and expense of traveling out of town.

GRAND OPENING

Monday, October 5, 2026

 1512 Ringgold Avenue
Coushatta, Louisiana

Jennifer Beard
jennifer@beardshdtp.com

Dana Beard
dana@beardshdtp.com

Phone Number Coming Soon

BEARD’S HEAVY DUTY TRUCK PARTS
Built for Heavy Duty. Backed by Local Service.

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NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is welcoming its largest entering freshman class in three years this fall, with 1,120 first-time freshmen choosing NSU for fall 2026. The class represents a 6 percent increase over last year and continues a trend of growth in Northwestern State’s traditional student population.

The fall 2026 entering class also arrives with one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years, posting an average ACT score of 21.7 and an average high school GPA of 3.4. The class’s average ACT score is well above Louisiana’s average, reflecting the continued strength and academic quality of Northwestern’s incoming students.

The academic strength of the class is further reflected in the 114 high school valedictorians and 22 salutatorians who selected Northwestern State.

“This is the type of growth we want to see at Northwestern,” said NSU President James T. Genovese. “We are attracting talented students who want the complete college experience, and they are choosing a university where they can receive an outstanding education while developing the relationships and experiences that prepare them for life after graduation. The strength of this freshman class is a testament to the work taking place across our university.”

NSU’s reach continues to extend well beyond Natchitoches. Members of the entering class represent 10 states, 25 countries and six continents, creating an increasingly diverse student body while the university simultaneously strengthens its connection to its home community.

A record 112 members of the entering class are from Natchitoches Parish, the largest number in the last decade. NSU also continues to draw students from throughout northwest and central Louisiana. Some of the largest feeder schools include Tioga High School with 28, Airline High School with 27, Parkway High School with 26 and Pineville High School with 24.

Demand for the residential Northwestern experience remains strong. Campus housing is again at 100 percent occupancy, filling University Place I and II, University Columns and Varnado Hall. The second consecutive year of full housing reflects continued demand for the traditional, face-to-face college experience on the Natchitoches campus.

“The numbers within this freshman class tell an exciting story about where NSU is headed,” said Vanner Erikson, director of enrollment at Northwestern State. “We have more first-time freshmen, a strong academic profile, record participation from Natchitoches Parish and students coming to NSU from around the world. When you combine that with full housing, we are seeing important indicators that our focus on the traditional student experience is working.”

Student success is another significant component of the fall 2026 enrollment picture. Northwestern’s first-to-third-semester retention rate reached 70 percent, exceeding the Louisiana average of 64 percent and placing NSU among the strongest-performing institutions in the region.

The retention rate reflects a university-wide emphasis on helping students successfully transition from their first year into their second.

“Recruiting a student is only the beginning,” Erikson said. “Our responsibility is to help that student persist, graduate and ultimately accomplish what brought them to Northwestern in the first place. Seeing 70 percent of our freshmen continue into their second year tells us that the work being done by our faculty and staff is making a difference.”

At the 14-day count, overall fall 2026 enrollment was 8,245 students, compared with 8,402 in fall 2025. The decline was attributable largely to increased degree completion, including students progressing more quickly through accelerated programs.

Graduate enrollment increased to 904 students, and NSU enrolled more dual enrollment students than in fall 2025. These gains reflect continued efforts to expand graduate education, strengthen partnerships with Louisiana high schools and provide flexible pathways for students seeking college credit and advanced credentials.

“Our goal has never been simply to chase a headcount,” Genovese said. “We are focused on sustainable enrollment, attracting students who are prepared to succeed and creating an environment that makes them want to remain at Northwestern through graduation. Growth in our freshman class, strong retention and full residence halls are important signs of progress toward that goal.”

Northwestern continues to serve students throughout Louisiana through its Natchitoches campus, instructional sites and eNSU online programs while expanding recruitment efforts in Louisiana, Texas and other markets. With a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Northwestern offers students the personalized attention of a private education at a public university.

The university has also continued to invest in the student experience, academic programs and facilities, including the $45 million Robert Alost Hall, which opened in fall 2025 as a new academic hub on the Natchitoches campus.

With a larger freshman class, a strong academic profile, record enrollment from its home parish, full residence halls and retention above the state average, Northwestern officials say the fall 2026 enrollment picture provides important evidence that the university’s focus on recruitment, student success and the traditional campus experience is producing results.

“Students and families are recognizing what makes Northwestern special,” Genovese said. “They find outstanding academic programs, faculty and staff who know them personally and a campus community where they can belong. We are proud to welcome this exceptional class to the Demon family.”

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NATCHITOCHES – As James T. Genovese completes his second year as president of Northwestern State University, the institution is reporting gains in student persistence, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs, private support and athletics while continuing to address enrollment and graduation challenges.

Since taking office in 2024, Genovese has organized the university’s work around five strategic focus areas: the Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Market Responsiveness, Community Enrichment and Athletic Prominence. University officials said those priorities have guided efforts in recruitment, retention, academic programming, capital projects, technology and external partnerships.

“Our first two years have been about strengthening the foundation of Northwestern while keeping our attention fixed on the future,” Genovese said. “We have made significant progress because our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and partners believe deeply in this University and in the role Northwestern plays in Louisiana.”

Student recruitment and retention have remained central to that work.

Overall enrollment declined from 8,523 in Fall 2024 to 8,402 in Fall 2025, but entering freshman enrollment increased to 1,065. Preliminary Fall 2026 figures provided by the university show approximately 1,120 entering freshmen, which will represent the university’s largest freshman class in three years when the official 14-day enrollment count is finalized.

The Fall 2026 entering class arrived with one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years, posting an average ACT score of 21.7 and an average high school GPA of 3.4. The class’s average ACT score is well above Louisiana’s average, reflecting the continued strength and academic quality of Northwestern’s incoming students.

Northwestern’s first-to-third semester retention rate reached 70 percent, exceeding the Louisiana average of approximately 64 percent and placing NSU among the strongest-performing institutions in the region. NSU has responded to retention and graduation challenges by strengthening early intervention, proactive financial-aid communication, academic mapping, stop-out recovery and support beyond the first year.

Student satisfaction provided another measure of progress. In the first year of Genovese’s presidency, 70 percent of students reported overall satisfaction, compared with 52 percent nationally, according to university survey data. Seventy-four percent said they intended to re-enroll, compared with 60 percent nationally.

The survey data showed gains in campus services, student-centeredness, registration and recruitment, financial aid, counseling, safety and campus conditions. Northwestern exceeded University of Louisiana System and national norms across most measures included in the survey.

Student involvement also increased. Membership in recognized student organizations grew from 823 to 1,292, while participation in living-learning communities increased from 68 to 168 students. The university also expanded or improved spaces supporting accessibility services, collegiate recovery and eSports.

Career preparation grew through Handshake, which connected a network of more than 30,000 students, alumni and employers. NSU approved 1,610 new employers during 2025-26. Among graduates responding to the university’s First Destination Survey, 93.3 percent reported employment, continued education or military service.

“Students should feel that Northwestern knows them, supports them and is preparing them for a meaningful life and career,” Genovese said. “The gains in satisfaction and persistence are encouraging, but we know our work must continue until more students who begin at Northwestern complete their degrees.”

Academic programs also expanded in areas tied to workforce demand.

The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, which serves nearly 2,500 students across Alexandria, Leesville and Fort Polk, Natchitoches, Shreveport and online, added new nursing pathways and launched the Master of Science in Allied Health.

Allied Health enrollment increased 19 percent, from 412 to 491 students. Radiography enrollment rose from 100 to 182, while Diagnostic Medical Sonography increased from 86 to 115.

Student outcomes included nursing graduates exceeding state and national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, a 96 percent certification pass rate for Radiography graduates and 100 percent pass rates on the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination for the 2025 and 2026 Diagnostic Medical Sonography classes. Radiography also received the maximum eight-year accreditation term from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

External awards are supporting additional healthcare education and workforce development. A $4 million Louisiana Department of Health award and a $2.597 million federal Health Resources and Services Administration award are supporting rural healthcare education, clinical training, student assistance and workforce expansion. More than $1.3 million in scholarships, stipends and traineeships assisted 239 students during 2025-26.

Other academic areas reported growth as well.

The Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development received nearly $8 million in grants during fiscal year 2025-26 supporting education, behavioral health, child welfare, early childhood development, workforce preparation and student success.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, new Computer Science and Sport Analytics concentrations within the Mathematics degree program helped increase Mathematics enrollment by more than 400 percent since 2024, according to university data. The college also engaged more than 5,600 K-12 students through School of STEM outreach events, camps, festivals and recruitment activities.

The College of Business and Technology expanded opportunities in applied technology, cybersecurity and workforce preparation. The School of Business received an extension of its accreditation from AACSB International, while Hospitality Management and Tourism maintained its status as Louisiana’s only four-year hospitality program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

The college also opened the Sandbox Application Development Lab and established the Cyber Demons Tech Club. A Computer Information Systems team competed for the first time in program history in the International Collegiate Programming Contest North America South Central Regional.

Across the university, 78.1 percent of academic programs have been created or updated within the past five years. NSU also offers 37 certificate programs in areas ranging from healthcare and education to strategic communication, leadership and professional ethics.

Programs launched or advanced during Genovese’s first two years include the Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Allied Health, new Mathematics concentrations, an online Master of Music in Music Education and redesigned pathways in nursing and criminal justice. The university also expanded options in event management, hospitality, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

Industry engagement accompanied those academic changes. In 2025-26, students participated in 416 documented interactions with business and industry through career fairs, guest speakers, field experiences, interviews and service-learning projects. University administrators completed 56 additional engagements with industry partners.

Technology investments included creation of a continuously monitored Security Operations Center in partnership with the Louisiana Optical Network Infrastructure and other state agencies, increased internet capacity at the Alexandria and Leesville sites and modernization of the university’s network, data center and disaster-recovery systems.

Major facility investments also changed the learning environment. The $45 million Alost Hall opened with classrooms, laboratories, simulation spaces, a cafe and faculty offices. Iberville Dining Hall underwent a $2 million renovation, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium received improvements, and classrooms, laboratories and instructional technology were upgraded across campuses.

Eligible faculty and staff received a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment on Jan. 1, 2026, following a 2.5 percent adjustment in January 2025.

State support in the 2026 legislative session included approximately $2.54 million in additional operating funding. Capital outlay legislation included $6.9 million in Priority 1 funding for Innovation Park and $7 million in Priority 1 funding for Warrington Hall in Shreveport.

Private support also increased. The NSU Foundation reported $8.04 million in fiscal year 2026 revenue, up 6.9 percent, while restricted endowment assets grew to $87.26 million university wide. Major gifts supported scholarships, professorships, academic programs and facilities, including a $1.5 million private gift supporting the David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center, which is scheduled to open on October 23.

Community engagement remained another focus. NSU reported at least 228,378 hours of professionally based service with 194 campus and community partners in 2025-26. That work supported healthcare, education, public safety, economic development, the arts and environmental stewardship.

Athletics posted gains in academics, competition and facilities.

Student-athletes maintained an overall GPA above 3.2 in both reporting years. In 2025-26, 211 earned Dean’s List or President’s List recognition, 216 were named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and the department’s multiyear Academic Progress Rate rose for the third consecutive year to 970.

Seven teams earned perfect single-year Academic Progress Rate scores of 1,000. Women’s track and field won a third consecutive Southland Conference outdoor championship, soccer captured the conference regular-season championship, as did tennis, and six varsity teams finished in the upper third of the league.

Athletic facility improvements included approximately $1.9 million for artificial turf at the baseball and softball facilities, $593,000 in scoreboard upgrades and $1.7 million for a new track surface and lighting.

Looking ahead, Genovese said NSU will continue focusing on enrollment growth and degree completion, high-demand and flexible credentials, faculty investment, emerging technology, experiential learning, private support and partnerships. Work also will continue on Innovation Park, Warrington Hall and projects intended to support the student experience.

“These accomplishments belong to the entire Northwestern family,” Genovese said. “We have built momentum, but we are not finished. Our responsibility is to honor Northwestern’s history, respond to the needs of the present and prepare Louisiana for the future.”

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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!

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“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

As a child, I loved looking at illustrated maps of the world. You probably remember them, too—cartoonish maps featuring the pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in France, Big Ben in Great Britain, the Colosseum and Leanin0g Tower of Pisa in Italy, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Those maps sparked my imagination. I daydreamed about riding a camel in Cairo, floating through the canals of Venice in a gondola, and seeing all the incredible places that seemed so impossibly far away.

And then there was The Brady Bunch.

In the unforgettable three-episode “Hawaii” adventure, the Brady family flew to Honolulu, hula danced, attended a luau, went surfing, stayed at the Sheraton-Waikiki, and explored mysterious tiki caves. I was by no means deprived as a child, but I desperately wanted to hear my parents say those magical words: “We’re going to Hawaii!”

Eventually, I realized that my family probably wasn’t going to visit Hawaii—or many of the faraway places I dreamed about.

Life, however, has a funny way of bringing some childhood dreams full circle.

As an adult, I have been blessed with some amazing experiences and adventures around the world. I have traveled with large groups, with friends and companions, and often by myself. I have visited Hawaii and many of the places I once studied on those childhood maps.

And while I still love exploring the world, one of my greatest joys is watching someone experience a new place, culture, or adventure for the very first time.

That is one reason I am especially excited about an opportunity coming to Riverdale Academy.

Expanding the Classroom

Riverdale Academy has partnered with Education First Tours to give our students the opportunity to experience the world beyond the classroom.

In the spring of 2028, Riverdale students and alumni will have the opportunity to travel to London, Paris, Milan, Florence, and Rome.

Several activities are already planned, including a walking food tour, a scavenger hunt, and cooking classes. Students will also have the opportunity to earn educational credits as part of the experience.

For me, this is about much more than checking destinations off a list.

Travel teaches things that are difficult to learn from a textbook alone. It puts history under your feet. It introduces you to people whose lives may look different from your own. It gives you the chance to taste foods you’ve never tried, hear languages you’ve never spoken, navigate unfamiliar streets, and discover that the world is both wonderfully different and surprisingly connected.

Hopefully, this will be the first of many Riverdale trips. Students have already expressed interest in destinations including Japan, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland.

Who knows? Maybe someday a Riverdale student will look back and realize that one of these trips was the beginning of a lifelong love of exploring the world.

Growing Minds—and People

At Riverdale Academy, we are striving to give our students the best education possible while also giving them the greatest opportunities and experiences we can.

When our students show an interest in something, we want to nurture that interest.

That philosophy has led to an ever-growing list of opportunities at Riverdale, including chess club, quiz bowl, robotics, fishing, 4-H, educational travel, the Sea Perch Program, Junior Beta and Senior Beta Clubs, and a wide variety of sports.

These activities may look different from one another, but they have something important in common: they give students opportunities to discover what they can do.

Sometimes, that discovery happens in a classroom. Sometimes it happens on a playing field, at a robotics competition, while fishing, solving a difficult chess problem, or traveling halfway around the world.

We believe all of those experiences matter.

Sometimes, Small Is Better

One of the advantages of Riverdale Academy is that most of our classes are small.

That allows our teachers to provide focused instruction and give students the extra help, attention, or time they need. We have seen students who might have been considered behind make tremendous progress through determination and hard work, combined with the commitment of their teachers and parents.

We have students who are now reading on level—or above level—because people refused to give up on them.

Those success stories mean a great deal to us.

Education isn’t simply about where a student starts. It’s about helping them discover where they can go.

Welcome to the Riverdale Family

This year, we have welcomed many new students and their parents into our Riverdale family. 

Our current students have, in many cases, gone out of their way to make those new students feel accepted and included. The new students and their parents tell us they are loving their experience at Riverdale.

And we love having them here.

That sense of belonging is just as important to us as academics and extracurricular activities. We want our students to be challenged, encouraged, supported, and successful.

Perhaps most importantly, we want them to believe that their possibilities are bigger than they may have imagined.

What childhood dream is waiting for your child?

Maybe it isn’t a trip to Europe.

Maybe it’s becoming a scientist, an athlete, an engineer, an artist, a leader—or simply becoming more confident in who they are.

At Riverdale Academy, we’re working to create an environment where students can explore those possibilities, stretch their minds, discover new interests, and become well-rounded young people.

If you are looking for a school that will challenge your children academically while giving them opportunities to experience new things and discover their potential, we have a place for your family.

Even though the new school year has begun, we continue to hear from families interested in Riverdale Academy, and we will accept new students for as long as we are able. Over the years, Riverdale has hosted students from Red River, Natchitoches, DeSoto, Bienville, Caddo, and Bossier Parishes.

To learn more about what is happening at Riverdale Academy, check out our Facebook page or visit riverdaleacademy.org.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a tour, contact sgreer@riverdaleacademy.org, hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org, or call 318-471-5155.

Because sometimes the experiences we give our children today become the stories—and dreams—they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

And who knows?

Maybe one day, when they see an old map of the world, they’ll be able to point to a place and say, “I’ve been there.”

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

— Psalm 126:3

Riverdale Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.

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“…The fewer men, the greater share of honor… 

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother…”  -from Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt by William Shakespeare

Riverdale Academy experienced many victories last week, one of the biggest being the formation of the 2026 RA Rebels football team! They started with a small group, but their numbers have continued to grow. For this, we are truly grateful.

Riverdale’s 4-H students competed in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational in West Virginia, where their team placed fourth in the nation. Individually, our students earned 9th-, 10th-, and 12th-place national finishes. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments!

Our Rebels and Lady Rebels basketball teams had a great time at their summer basketball camps, where they gained valuable experience. They have been putting in the work, and we are excited to see what this season holds for them.

We also hosted cheer camps for everyone from our Mini Cheer squad to our varsity cheerleaders. We are thankful for their enthusiasm and school spirit.

Riverdale has held two workdays this summer—one in July with 34 participants and another in August with 44 participants. We greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone who volunteered.

The Lady Rebels’ softball season has just begun and we are looking forward to their growth as a young team.

Great things continue to happen at Riverdale Academy. We are excited to welcome many new families, and there is still room for more. We invite you to join us! We are still offering campus tours.

For more information, please contact hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org or call 318-471-5155.

You can also visit riverdaleacademy.org or follow the Riverdale Academy Facebook page to stay up to date on all the exciting things happening at RA.

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Good stewardship requires the discipline to save, but also the courage to invest in the future.

That philosophy guided Northwestern State University throughout the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

During the year, Northwestern strategically invested $4.5 million of accumulated reserves in campus improvements. Those investments included replacing aging technology infrastructure that had reached the end of its useful life; enhancing nursing instructional resources and biology laboratories; replacing fire alarm systems; completing painting, plaster and restroom renovations; improving HVAC systems; and upgrading athletic facilities.

Athletic improvements included a new NCAA Division I track surface, upgraded scoreboards in Prather Coliseum and instant-replay technology that meets Southland Conference standards.

These projects represent far more than expenditures. They are investments in Northwestern’s students, employees and future.

“When President Genovese arrived at Northwestern in August 2024, I had already been here about eight months and was developing a thorough understanding of the University’s finances,” Chief Financial Officer Rodney Wilson said. “We were fortunate to inherit healthy reserves that gave us the flexibility to invest in our campus. Good stewardship requires balance. We cannot spend every dollar we have, but we also cannot allow resources to sit unused while our facilities and infrastructure decline.”

The impact of those investments is already visible. Nursing students in Alost Hall will train with modern instructional resources designed for today’s healthcare environment. Biology laboratories serving more than 520 undergraduate students have been transformed with new flooring, refreshed instructional spaces and improved accessibility. The renovations provide current students with a modern learning environment while allowing the University to welcome hundreds of prospective students each year into facilities that reflect the quality of the education taking place inside them.

The University’s investments extended beyond facilities. Through Northwestern’s Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, new enrollment specialist positions will strengthen retention and student success by helping more students successfully progress from their freshman to sophomore years.

The University’s year-end financial results reflect these measured investments. Northwestern began the fiscal year with a $64.7 million fund balance and closed with $59.8 million. Of the $4.9 million reduction, $4.5 million (92%) was deliberately invested in the campus.

Even after making those investments, Northwestern finishes the fiscal year with one of the strongest liquidity and reserve positions among its peer institutions in Louisiana. These final results alleviate concerns raised by an earlier news report that pointed to a preliminary projection of a deficit rather than the University’s completed fiscal year.

Northwestern also made a deliberate investment in its employees by providing a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment during the fiscal year. The adjustment was not an extraordinary salary increase. It was intended to help employees keep pace with inflation while partially offsetting a 7.75 percent increase in state employee health insurance premiums. Without it, many faculty and staff members would have experienced a reduction in take-home pay.

Looking Ahead

Northwestern began the 2026–2027 fiscal year with a balanced budget. A budget is an estimate of anticipated revenues and expenditures. From this point forward, the University has the opportunity to maintain that balance, improve upon it and finish the year with a surplus, or make strategic investments from reserves to address emerging priorities and unforeseen needs.

Higher education continues to face significant challenges, and Northwestern has not been immune. Enrollment drives nearly every major source of university funding, making it the single most important factor in Northwestern’s long-term financial health.

Between fall 2021 and fall 2024, Northwestern’s enrollment declined by 2,212 students—an average loss of approximately 737 students per year. Losses of that magnitude cannot be reversed overnight. After two years of focused effort, however, the decline has begun to stabilize.

Recovery does not begin with growth. It begins by stopping the decline, and stabilization is the first important measure leading into progress.

“When an airplane loses altitude, the first step is to pull the nose up and level the aircraft before it can begin to climb,” President James T. Genovese said. “That is where Northwestern is today. We have worked hard to address a significant enrollment decline, and the indicators are beginning to move in the right direction. We are not yet at our destination, but we are level, gaining momentum and preparing to rise.”

Spring 2026 enrollment was essentially flat compared with spring 2025, providing encouraging confirmation that the years-long downward trend has begun to level. During summer 2026, student credit-hour production increased by 3 percent over the previous year, meaning students enrolled in fuller academic course loads. First-year retention continues to improve, the average ACT score of incoming students has increased, and on-campus housing is at or near full occupancy.

Together, these indicators point to a student body that is increasingly engaged, better prepared for college and committed to earning a degree. Stabilization is not the destination, but it is the necessary foundation for renewed enrollment growth.

Another important component of Northwestern’s enrollment strategy is the continuing expansion of dual enrollment, through which high school students earn college credit.

Dual enrollment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Although Northwestern receives less tuition revenue from a dual-enrollment student than from a traditional undergraduate, each participating high school student is also a prospective Demon. Introducing students to Northwestern while they are still in high school creates an opportunity to welcome them back after graduation to complete their undergraduate degrees. That transition is critical to the University’s long-term enrollment strategy. If Northwestern is not serving those students, another university will.

Classes for the fall semester will begin Aug. 17. The University’s official fall enrollment will be determined on the 14th class day.

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Things Got Heated at Riverdale Academy… But Not for the Reason You Think

Things got a little heated at a recent meeting at Riverdale Academy between current administrator Dr. Hunter Brown and former administrator Mr. Danny Rester, along with his wife, retired Caddo Parish school teacher Mrs. Valinda Rester.

But what would you expect? It was nearly 100 degrees outside, and no one had turned on the air conditioner in the teachers’ lounge before the meeting!

The good news? Once the room cooled down, everyone was all smiles.

In fact, we’re excited to announce that the Resters have officially joined the Riverdale Academy family for the upcoming school year. Mr. Rester will serve as our high school science and fine arts teacher, while Mrs. Rester will teach middle school English Language Arts, social studies, and health.

With their welcome addition, every Riverdale Academy faculty position has been filled, and we are looking forward to an outstanding school year.

Riverdale Academy is proud to be accredited by the Louisiana Department of Education, the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, and Cognia, reflecting our commitment to providing a quality education in a nurturing environment.

For more than 50 years, Riverdale Academy has welcomed students from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. Our student body has included Vietnamese Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Indian Americans, Caucasian Americans, and families representing Christian, Muslim, and Hindu faiths.

But here’s what matters most:

Our teachers don’t teach labels. They teach people.

Every student who walks through our doors is valued, encouraged, and challenged to reach his or her full potential.

As a small school, we believe one of our greatest strengths is the ability to know our students personally while continually expanding opportunities for them to grow. Along with a strong traditional academic program, students have opportunities to participate in:

• Basketball
• Softball
• Football
• Baseball
• Golf
• Track and field
• Tennis
• Fishing
• Cross-country

Students can also become involved in:

• Quiz Bowl
• Chess
• Robotics
• 4-H
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
• Beta Club

And we’re not finished yet. We are continually exploring new programs, activities, and opportunities to help our students discover their interests, develop their talents, and prepare for the future.

If you’re looking for a school where students are known by name, challenged academically, encouraged spiritually, and supported every step of the way, we’d love to meet you.

For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact Dr. Hunter Brown at hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org or Mrs. Stacy Greer at sgreer@riverdaleacademy.org.

You can also visit www.riverdaleacademy.org or follow Riverdale Academy on Facebook to learn more about what makes our school a special place to learn, grow, and belong.

At Riverdale Academy, we don’t just educate students—we invest in people.

Riverdale Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.

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Well, well, well, you just never know what life will throw at you until it does. In early June of this year, after going through a few cardio tests like an EKG, ultrasound and a stress test, we (Dr. Chris Ingram and I) felt like everything was going to be okay. 

Nothing really showed up during the tests that was alarming. Then a few days later, Dr. Ingram looked at my imaging and saw a shadow that got his attention. During my consultation, I could tell by his reaction while going over the imaging with my wife and I that he was very concerned.

Now my first reaction, like anyone else who thinks there’s nothing wrong, was that it can’t be that bad. I mean I’m only 65 years old and fit as a racing horse that’s been put out to pasture.

But then reality set in and after a heart Cath two days later, doctors discovered that there were seven blockages! That’s right, seven! Two in the back that had almost 100% blockage and 5 frontal arteries with partial blockage. 

Finally, they had my attention and no longer could I deny that there was an issue. I then knew that this was something that would require extensive surgery to fix. My summer plans were now going to be altered dramatically. 

It also explained why I was having the issues I had been experiencing during my last two bass tournaments. During and after both event’s, exhaustion does not describe how bad I felt. 

I had major muscle fatigue and tightness across the shoulders. Leaning over to pick up a rod on the deck of the boat resulted in almost total black out, especially once the heat of the day set in from noon till 3:00. At first, I chalked it up to maybe being dehydrated or just getting too hot. 

But at the end of my last tournament on the Red River with thirty minutes left before weigh-in, the rod I was holding in my left hand felt like it weighed 20 pounds. No chest pain, no arm pain, just extreme muscle fatigue. 

But the worst part was when I had to beach my boat at the weigh-in and walk up the long 50 yard boat ramp to retrieve my truck and boat trailer. It felt like the walk of shame as I glanced around hoping no one was watching me. It was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other. 

As I got in my truck, I just sat there for ten minutes trying to recover. Then once I got my boat on trailer, I had to climb into the back of my boat and get my fish out of the live well and into my weigh-bag. Then tote the bag of fish to the scales, which really pulled my energy level down to zero. 

Once again, I got back in the truck to head home but sat there for at least fifteen minutes trying to catch my breath and recover. I knew something was wrong as I’ve never experienced this kind of fatigue even during my worst two-a-day football workouts from my high school or college days. 

It got worse, as I arrived back home and parked the boat, I basically rolled out of the truck and walked into the house where I literally collapsed on the floor. My wife walked in and asked if I was ok to which I responded, “No!” 

She then realized I was not good and got me a cold towel for my face. I laid on the floor for about forty minutes just so I could get enough energy to take a shower.   

My thoughts and reasoning were, “It’s just hot (95 degrees). Maybe I didn’t drink enough water and just got too hot.” But as it turned out, there were some major issues going on internally. Problems that could not be fixed with medication or more exercise. 

I owe a huge thank you to Dr. Chris Ingram and my personal physician Dr. Anil Matta for their persistence and due diligence in putting me through tests that, at the time, I thought were unnecessary.

After all, based on MY many years of medical experience and watching You Tube videos on heart related issues, I just knew nothing was wrong! Yeah right! Ha, a typical man who thinks he knows more than any doctor. 

So, here’s the moral of this story. First, listen and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Understand your symptoms and what they mean. Second, trust your doctor and follow the directions he or she gives you on what needs to be done because it will probably save your life. 

Update: It’s been over a week (June 29^th) since my quadruple bypass surgery and I’m doing much better. Still a long way to go but making progress every day. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this tough time.  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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There are several moments in America’s 250-year history that bring me to tears or stir my soul. To name a few: anything related to the American Revolution—documentaries, films like Young Washington, the writings of Thomas Paine, and Patrick Henry’s speeches; World War II documentaries and Band of Brothers; the events of 9/11, including the extraordinary displays of patriotism, our shared grief, and the brief but powerful unity that followed; hearing U.S. veterans share their stories; any time The Star-Spangled Banner or Taps is played; visiting the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. (every American who is able should experience them at least once); the 1980 and 2026 U.S. Olympic hockey teams; and, most recently, the Naturalization Ceremony I had the honor of attending at The Strand Theatre in Shreveport on July 2, where 35 people from 23 different countries took the Oath of Allegiance and became our fellow American citizens.

It was a beautiful sight to behold. I had the privilege of shaking hands with several of our nation’s newest citizens. If any of you happen to be reading this in one of The Journals, please allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations and a warm welcome to the United States of America.

And if you have school-age children, I would like to extend another invitation.

As principal of Riverdale Academy, I invite you to come see what makes our school so special. If you are looking for a place where your children will be known, challenged, encouraged, and prepared for lives of purpose, I believe you’ll find it here. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Hunter Brown at hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org.

Riverdale Academy is a small, private school located in Red River Parish. While we may be small in size, we have made—and continue to make—a remarkable impact on our communities, our nation, and even beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Our graduates have built lives of service, leadership, and excellence in countless professions. Riverdale alumni include doctors and surgeons serving everywhere from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to CHRISTUS Coushatta in Louisiana. Others have become nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, occupational therapists, radiologic technologists, dental hygienists, chiropractors, and veterinarians.

Our alumni have become lawyers, judges, sheriffs, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs. They serve as ministers and pastors, have honorably served our nation in the armed forces at home and abroad, and have taken to the skies as pilots. Many have become foresters, farmers, and landowners. Others have become engineers, executives, entrepreneurs, teachers, college professors, actors, and musicians.

Riverdale graduates also help build and maintain America’s infrastructure as electricians, plumbers, HVAC and refrigeration technicians, mechanics, machinists, and professionals throughout the oil and gas industry.

One alumnus, Jason Nelson (Class of 2011), designed and/or manufactured an entire valve assembly and ten individual parts used on NASA’s Artemis rocket. Think about that for a moment. A graduate from our small school in Red River Parish helped build the spacecraft carrying humanity back to the Moon.

And that is only one story.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. We are proud of every Riverdale Academy graduate who lives with integrity, serves others, and contributes positively to society. Success is measured in more than titles or accomplishments. It is measured in character.

One of Riverdale Academy’s greatest strengths is the enduring loyalty of its alumni. We are deeply grateful for those who continue to invest their time, talents, financial resources, and prayers in the life of our school.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with members of the Riverdale Academy Class of 1976. They asked me two simple questions:

“How can we help?”

“How can we pray for you?”

Those questions meant more to me than they probably realized. They reflect the heart of Riverdale Academy—a community that believes in serving others, investing in the next generation, and remaining faithful to the place that helped shape them.

That spirit has endured for generations, and I believe it will continue for generations to come.

If you’re searching for more than just a school—if you’re looking for a family, a community, and a place where your children will be challenged academically, grounded in strong values, encouraged to discover their God-given gifts, and prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world—I invite you to come visit Riverdale Academy.

We would be honored to welcome your family into ours.

We want to watch your children grow, thrive, graduate, go forth, and make a difference. One day, we hope they, too, will become another Riverdale success story.

riverdaleacademy.org

hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org

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The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present “A Visit with the Bagpipe” at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.  The event will be free and open to the general public. 

Attendees at this interactive workshop will learn the basics of traditional Celtic bagpipe playing and drumming, as well as Highland dance.  The origins and history of the Great Highland bagpipe will be discussed.  Practice chanters will be provided so that participants can try their hand at playing a Great Highland bagpipe in a hygienic manner.  In addition to the scales, participants will learn to play an iconic bagpipe tune.  Also featured will be the Bouzouki guitar and the Irish Bodhrán drum.  The workshop will also include a Celtic music and dance performance by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers.  Workshop instructors Susan Hyams and L. Collier Hyams will share their long experience and cultural knowledge of Celtic music and dance. 

“This musical workshop will provide attendees a rare opportunity to learn firsthand the basics of playing the Highland bagpipe,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University.  “We are grateful to tradition bearers like the Hyams who so generously offer the priceless gift of sharing their cultural knowledge.” 

Susan Hyams has been playing bagpipes for over 35 years and started Scottish Highland dancing at age five.  After competing and performing in both piping and dancing throughout the Northeastern states she decided to pursue her dream of having a Celtic school and formed the Thistle Dancers and Pipers in Virginia.  The school became one of the largest highland dance schools on the East coast and in the early 2000’s had over 70 dancers and 15 piping students.  She met Collier Hyams in 2002 at the Savannah Scottish Games. Collier was playing guitar and percussion with a Celtic rock band. In 2005 they were married in Laggan, Scotland.  She has been a member of the City of Alexandria (Virginia) Pipes and Drums, the St. Andrews College Pipe Band, the Chesapeake Caledonians and the St. Andrews Ladies’ Pipe Band and has played pipes with the famous Celtic band The Chieftains, opened for the Tannahill Weavers, played for then President Clinton at the Presidential Golf Cup and for the Republic of Ireland National Soccer team at the U.S. Cup at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts.  The Hyams moved to Natchitoches in 2016 and in 2019 the Thistle Dancers and Pipers was reformed, debuting with two dances at the Natchitoches Folklife Festival.  Since 2019, the group has grown to 15 dancers and 3 pipes and has performed all over Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.  This past spring the group’s three teen dancers auditioned and were invited to travel to New York City to perform during National Tartan Week.  Susan is a certified Highland Dance Teacher through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing and was a member of the Eastern United States Piping Association for many years.  She currently teaches highland dance and bagpipes in her private studio in Natchitoches.

L. Collier Hyams grew up as a foreign service dependent in culturally rich places such as Thailand, Germany and Louisiana with stints in Ghana, Jamaica and Scotland.  He has toured and recorded with world, reggae, rock, future music, and Celtic groups in North America, Europe, and bits of West Africa, Southeast Asia and South America.  His primary creative outlet is as frontman and writer for the CMJ charting 50 Man Machine.  Collier has spent the better part of a decade touring with Highland Bagpipers Neil Anderson (Seven Nations, Rathkeltair), EJ Jones (Clandestine, Teribus, Brizeus) and others.  While based in NYC he worked with Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Jaron Lanier, Sussan Deyhim, Shirin Neshat, Laurie Anderson, Richard Horowitz, Peter Scherer, Julia Duka Duka Heyward, Big Twin, Sean Lennon and currently Scott Ambush of Spyro Gyra.  

The Thistle Dancers and Pipers will participate in the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival on July 18.  In honor of the 2026 Festival theme, “America the Beautiful,” the Festival will feature the traditional music of the nation – blues, gospel, Cajun, Celtic, country, bluegrass and zydeco on three stages of music as well as in the Magale Recital Hall.  Over 70 traditional crafts persons from throughout the state will display their crafts, handcrafting their work during the festival. 

Held in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum, the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival features three stages of live music, Louisiana cuisine food vendors, the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, dance lessons, music informances, narrative sessions, on-site demonstrations and more.  Admission to this family friendly event is $10 for an all-day all event pass, with children 12 and under admitted free all day. 

For more information on the bagpipe workshop or the festival, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to https://www.nsula.edu/folklife/.  Questions about the workshop can also be directed to instructor Susan Hyams at (571) 217-7705 or thistledancersandpipers@gmail.com.

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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Robert W. Bethea, DVM, died at his home Thursday, July 2, 2026. He was 80.

Bethea was born Jan. 13, 1946, in Baton Rouge, where he was raised. Following high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He later attended LSU, graduating with a degree in animal science.

In his 20s, driven by a lifelong desire to visit Australia, Bethea spent four years traveling across that country. During his time there, he worked a variety of jobs, including surveying and working on cattle stations. After returning to the United States, he worked as a bartender, carpenter and general contractor.

An avid animal lover, particularly of dogs, Bethea returned to LSU at age 43 to attend veterinary school, finding his true calling as a veterinarian.

He was buried in a family cemetery he established at his camp in Vernon Parish. His quiet passing and burial reflected the private, unassuming way he lived.

Bethea is survived by his wife, Lisa Prichard Bethea; a son, Jed Bethea; two sisters, Kay Bethea and Jan Kindred; and a cousin, Kitti Rester.

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For more than 25 years, Beard’s Automotive Parts & Supply has proudly served the drivers, businesses, and families of Red River Parish and surrounding communities. Built on a foundation of customer service, reliability, and community commitment, Beard’s has become a trusted name for automotive parts throughout North Louisiana.

Today, we are excited to announce the next chapter in that story.

This fall, we will launch Beard’s Heavy Duty Truck Parts, a new division focused on serving the needs of trucking companies, logging operations, construction contractors, agricultural producers, municipalities, diesel repair facilities, and commercial fleets throughout Red River Parish and the surrounding region.

As local business owners, we understand the challenges many companies face when critical equipment is down and replacement parts are not readily available. Too often, businesses are forced to travel outside the area or wait days for the parts needed to get back to work. Our vision is simple: provide local access to the heavy-duty parts and support services that help keep North Louisiana moving.

Before opening our doors, we want to hear directly from the people we plan to serve.

Rather than guessing what products our customers need, we are taking a different approach. Throughout the coming months, we will be gathering feedback from local businesses to better understand the equipment they operate, the parts they purchase most often, and the challenges they face when sourcing heavy-duty products.

The information gathered will help us build an inventory tailored specifically to the needs of our local industries and ensure we are
investing in the products that matter most to our customers.

We invite trucking companies, owner-operators, logging contractors, farmers, construction companies, municipalities, and repair shops to participate in our brief customer assessment.

**Take the Assessment Here:**
https://forms.gle/AR86wT2eDz4FKhaF7

Your feedback will directly influence the products and services offered by Beard’s Heavy Duty Truck Parts.

This expansion represents more than a new business venture. It is an investment in our community, our local economy, and the hardworking men and women who keep our region operating every day.

We are grateful for the support our customers have shown Beard’s Automotive Parts & Supply over the years and look forward to building the same trusted relationships within the heavy-duty market.

The road ahead is exciting, and we are proud to travel it together.

**Beard’s Heavy Duty Truck Parts**
Locally Owned. Heavy Duty Focused. Built to Keep North Louisiana Moving.

Customer Assessment:
https://forms.gle/AR86wT2eDz4FKhaF7

Grand Opening: October 2026

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Discover a Place Where Children Are Known, Valued, and Inspired

At Riverdale Academy, education is about more than academics—it’s about helping children grow into confident, capable, compassionate individuals who love learning and believe in their own potential.

From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll notice something special. You’ll see caring teachers who know their students by name, classrooms filled with curiosity and creativity, and a community that feels more like family than a school. Here, every child matters. Every achievement is celebrated. Every dream is encouraged.

We understand that choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. You want a place where your child feels safe, supported, challenged, and excited to learn each day. At Riverdale Academy, we are committed to creating that environment.

Our dedicated educators work closely with students to build strong academic foundations while nurturing critical thinking, character development, leadership skills, and a lifelong love of discovery. Whether your child is taking their first steps in education or preparing for the next stage of their academic journey, Riverdale Academy provides the guidance, encouragement, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Beyond the classroom, students are empowered to explore their interests, build meaningful friendships, and develop the confidence to reach for their goals. We believe that every child possesses unique gifts, and our mission is to help those gifts shine.For example, we partner heavily with Bossier Parish Community College and Red River 4-H to offer STEM opportunities such as SeaPerch and First Robotics to our students. This year, students in 2nd-4th grades will have the opportunity to be involved in First Explore, an introduction to robotics. Students in grades 4th-12th are offered First Challenge and a chance to compete in robotics competitions. Grades 7th-12th can also participate in SeaPerch where they learn the skills to build a remote operated vehicle that will be used in competitions to complete themed missions. 

Families choose Riverdale Academy because they want more than a school—they want a community that partners with them in raising successful, well-rounded young people. They want teachers who care, programs that inspire, and an environment where children can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

Your child’s future begins with the choices you make today.

Give them the opportunity to learn in a place where they are encouraged to dream boldly, achieve confidently, and grow with purpose.

Enrollment is now open.

Schedule a visit, meet our exceptional faculty, and experience the Riverdale Academy difference for yourself. We invite you to become part of a community where children are nurtured, challenged, and celebrated every step of the way.

For inquiries, contact sgreer@riverdaleacademy.org or hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org or check out riverdaleacademy.org or our Facebook page.

Spaces are limited. Enroll today and give your child the gift of an education that inspires a lifetime of success.

Riverdale Academy
Where every child belongs, every voice matters, and every future shines.

Riverdale Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.

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It’s time to celebrate: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame festivities begin Thursday

Three days of festivities unfold beginning Thursday through Saturday for the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2026 will be enshrined Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 67^th Induction Celebration.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. No need to dress up, just come enjoy appetizers, entertainment and the first look at the new items the 2026 inductees have provided for display.

The Friday schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Lunch is served at 11:30 with a festive warmup session for the bowlers before celebrity introductions and the competition begins about 12:45. Tickets are available at LaSportsHall.com.

The 2026 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event, with an array of Louisiana dishes and specialty drinks at Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room overlooking the Rue Beauport riverbank venue.

The slate on Saturday kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening. A few seats are still available.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

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 Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.  

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By Republican U.S. Senate Candidate John Fleming, M.D.

Now that the incumbent, Dr. Bill Cassidy, has been eliminated from the Republican Party’s runoff election, Louisiana voters need to decide who is the best candidate to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

All voters hear from my opponent, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, is that she “earned the endorsement of President Trump.” However, the endorsement was totally engineered by Governor Jeff Landry through the political back door.

What did Julia Letlow do to earn the endorsement? Was it her lifetime commitment as a liberal academic to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), policies that President Trump strenuously opposes? Was it her liberal voting record in Congress that was in direct opposition to the President’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) and America First agenda?

Was it her vote to fund the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during the Biden administration that allocated taxpayer money toward abortions and gender reassignment surgeries overseas?

Was it her staunch support for Biden’s Green Energy and Climate Change agenda, including carbon sequestration?

Was it her record of incompetence, passing no bills into law during her five years in Congress?

In contrast to her history of liberalism and ineffectiveness, I offer Louisiana voters a record of achievement and honest service. I am a physician, military veteran, small business owner, and job creator. I served as a Louisiana Congressman, Deputy Chief of Staff to President Trump, and was Co-Founder of the House Freedom Caucus. Presently, I am honored to serve as your Louisiana State Treasurer.

My voting record is unabashedly conservative, staunchly supporting MAGA and America First policies. I totally oppose the Green Energy and Carbon Sequestration scams.

Unlike my opponent, whose campaign has been referred to both the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice for investigation and who admitted to late filings of 210 stock trades, there is no blemish on my record. In fact, as a Congressman, I did not engage in stock trading.

As Julia Letlow’s liberal views are being exposed, her poll numbers are falling. In recent days, her own pollster announced that I am leading in the polls.

The more she drops in the polls, the more desperate and unhinged her attacks become. Her campaign is panicking and issuing shrill statements to confuse and intimidate voters.

Fortunately, Louisiana voters are smart. They know Julia Letlow will not debate me because she cannot defend her record. They know that Governor Landry and his allies are pumping millions of dollars of dark money into this race to support her. These insiders oppose me because they know I cannot be bought, bullied, or bossed.

I am running for the United States Senate because Louisiana needs a senator who will challenge the political establishment, both in our home state and in our Nation’s Capital, not accommodate it.

Louisiana voters face a clear choice in this Senate runoff. You can continue sending politicians like Julia Letlow to Washington who only talk about conservative values, or you can elect me, a proven conservative fighter who has spent a lifetime defending them.

Throughout my career, I have stood unapologetically for limited government, fiscal responsibility, secure borders, energy independence, and the sanctity of life. I have consistently placed principles above political convenience.

Friends, as the only genuine MAGA conservative in the runoff, I am asking for your vote to become Louisiana’s next U.S. Senator.

Early voting continues through June 20, and Election Day is June 27.

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Friday night is just right for some midsummer magic under the moonlight, free for all, during next weekend’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

Specifically, it’s going to happen next Friday evening into night, June 26, on the Rue Beauport stage bordering Cane River Lake smack dab in the middle of the City of Lights’ historic and beautiful downtown district. It’s the free Rockin’ Riverfest party presented by Rapides Regional Medical Center and Louisiana Propane Dealers.

The showcase act is Blue Crab Redemption, a Louisiana bred and fed alt blues/rock band whose major influences include Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder and The Eagles.  Their sound is a raw, classic vibe from ghosts of legends past blended with the soulful influences of the modern rock era.

The opener is Connor Martin, a country artist passionate about creating music that inspires and connects. Recently, Martin has opened for Easton Corbin, Tyler Farr, Parker McCollum, and Keith Urban.

Good times will abound during the riverfront concert, which runs from 6 p.m. to 10:30. One of the highlights: at 9:15, the Hall’s impressive Class of 2026 will be introduced on stage, and celebrated with a 10-minute fireworks show set to sports-themed music over Cane River Lake. Then the music cranks up again for another hour of festivities.

And yes, you read correctly. It’s free to attend.

There will be food and beverage vendors – Girlines Home Cooking, Soulful Wings, Summer Snow To Go and for the grown-ups, Maggio’s, on the riverfront, and of course, Front Street’s always fun watering holes/restaurants are just a few steps away.

MOVE Sport and Spine will set up their sharp-looking apparel line for sale, and Hall of Fame gear will also be available.

It’s family friendly. A free interactive kids zone presented by the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans will include basketball, football, baseball games and inflatables for all ages to enjoy. NSU athletes will be on hand to help the kids have all the fun, and give away some basketballs.

If you want to beat the summer heat and enjoy a tasty collection of Louisiana foods and specialty refreshments, hurry and visit LaSportsHall.com to snap up some of the fast-disappearing $100 tickets to the VIP Taste of Tailgating presented by Hancock Whitney.

That party runs from 7-10 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room that will provide exclusive access to the 12-member 2026 Induction Class.

Join the fun and celebrate some of Louisiana’s sports greats, for free, on Friday evening, June 26, in downtown Natchitoches.

Rockin’ River Fest is one of three free events during the Induction Celebration, starting with the free Welcome Reception Thursday evening, June 25, from 5-7 in the Hall of Fame museum. It’s not a dress-up event, just a come eat and meet the inductees and check out the world-class museum at no charge. The other free event is the Saturday morning June 27 Saints & Pelicans LSHOF Junior Training Camp for kids. Advance registration is necessary at LaSportsHall.com.

For information on all seven events during the June 25-27 Class of 2026 Induction Celebration, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

Paid Content

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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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Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – can get signed up for the free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning, June 27 on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department.

The clinic registration can be done quickly on the LaSportsHall.com website under the “events’ button. Or parents can call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255 for registration help. The camp fills to its 300-kid capacity almost every summer.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration June 25-27. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night, June 26 Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2026 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium on the NSU campus. It’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home two free T-shirts, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

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The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office continued to be busy recording new leases as it filed 76 more oil and gas leases during the month of May 2026.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk David Stamey confirmed that activity remains steady in the area described as from Interstate 49 at Highway 6, along La. Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line and approximately 10 miles north into the Spanish Lake bottoms. However, leasing has now occurred south of La. Highway 6 and across I-49 on the east side of the interstate. There was one lease in the far northeastern portion of the parish near the Red River Parish and Bienville Parish lines, indicating activity is also occurring in neighboring parishes.

“This is wonderful economic news for our area,” Stamey said, “but it will be even better with every gas well that is drilled. Drilling has mostly been in the northwest portion of Natchitoches Parish, but indications are that production companies have been pleased.”

Stamey mentioned that his office has been busy with both in-person abstracting and online access for conveyances dating back to 1905. “We have been lucky to meet abstractors from companies new to the Robeline field,” Stamey said. “We thank them all for their business.”

The geographic expansion of leasing activity represents a significant shift, with operators now securing acreage beyond the traditional Robeline Field concentration and into previously untapped areas across parish boundaries. Activity across I-49 and into the northeastern portion of the parish suggests operators are assessing broader geological targets within the Haynesville Shale formation.

The seismic 3D graphing project, active across a 310-square-mile area mostly in Natchitoches Parish, supports this expanded exploration strategy. This extensive subsurface mapping work indicates operators are preparing detailed geological models across a much larger footprint than the initial Robeline Field concentration.

Landowners approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests should understand the complexity and long-term consequences of these agreements. If you are not an expert in oil and gas matters, strongly consider contacting a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing any documents. Mineral leases can have significant implications for mineral rights, royalty structures, surface rights and future property use. Professional legal guidance is essential to ensure fair terms and protect your interests.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 76 leases filed in May 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026: 279

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Partner Rodney Harrington says that with the proliferation of leasing going on in Natchitoches and surrounding parishes, many land owners are at a loss of what they should do and whether or not they are making the right move to lease their property. 

Harrington said he worked many years as a petroleum land man meeting with landowners on behalf of oil and gas leasing companies to try and convince them to lease their property.  

“It’s usually a good idea to lease your land as opposed to leaving it unleased,” said Harrington, “But you want to make certain you are making the best deal possible and that the terms of the lease are the most favorable to you.”

“You need to remember that the agents working for the leasing companies, or ‘lease hounds,’ as they are sometimes called.”  Harrington continued, “They are trying to get the best deal possible for their company and lease your property under the terms most favorable to them.  That’s their job.”  Harrington also said that his previous employment as a petroleum land man gives him a unique prospective.

“I know how these guys think,” he said.  “It’s not that they’re trying to take advantage of landowners for the most part, it’s just that, as I said, their job is to make the best deal possible for their employer.”  He did say there are also some “bad actors” out there.

Harrington said that he has recently represented several clients in Natchitoches Parish in lease negotiations and has been able to obtain significant increases in the bonus payments they were offered and significant improvements to their lease terms.  He also worked extensively in the field during the first Haynesville Shale Boom several years ago. 

The Harrington Law Firm is an AU Rated firm by Martindale-Hubble, ranking it in the top 10% of all law firms in the nation.            

The attorneys also represent clients in the areas of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, Wills and Successions.

You can reach Rodney Harrington at the Harrington Law Firm at 352-5900 or call that number for a free consultation. 

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Celebrate the Louisiana Peach Festival’s 76th year with free admission, a wide range of entertainment and activities, and plenty of peachy events to enjoy leading up to the festival. Browse our guide below and start planning your trip to Downtown Ruston for the weekend of Saturday, June 6.

EAT:
From June 1-6, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach cocktails and desserts, there’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available on the Peach Fest website.

SEE:
Get a preview of all the arts of the festival with the 39th Annual NCLAC Peach Art Exhibit. Check out the display of local artist of all ages in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center happening all through July.

– Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, take the quick drive to explore downtown Ruston, scope out the festival grounds, and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

EXPERIENCE: There’s plenty to enjoy Friday before the festival:

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 3-6.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Find your perfect festival outfit during the sidewalk sale!
• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will roll down W. Alabama Ave. and N. Monroe St. on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the North Louisiana Expo Center for the 37th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family fun entertainment, trick riders, and more.

Saturday June 6: Festival Day!

Festival activities start at 9:00 AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

EAT:

Festival Eats

• This year, enjoy bites from 15 food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks.
• You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi
  – Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival

Local Eats
Feeling like a sit-down meal? Check out these local restaurants that are walkable from the festival:

• The Local: morning pick-me-up coffee, pastries, and breakfast bites.
• Uptown Downtown or Heard Freighthouse Food Park: perfect for lunch and plenty of options! For sandwiches, wraps, and a sweet treat, go to Uptown Downtown. For BBQ, Burgers, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine, head over to the Food Park.
• Sundown Tavern or Ponchatoulas: both are beloved Ruston staples with that classic dive bar charm. Be sure to try the fried green beans at Sundown or the stuffed catfish at Ponchatoulas.
• Roma or Utility Brewing: For classic Italian-style pizza, pasta, and fresh salads, take a stroll to Roma’s Italian Bistro. Want to try something different? Utility Brewing serves up creative wood fire-baked pizzas paired with craft beer in a cozy setting.

SEE:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover Plein Air artists painting the scenes and capturing the action of the festival in real time. At Kids Alley, there will be interactive displays and activities for the kiddos to participate in the arts themselves!
• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Fireworks Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s Firework show at 8:45 PM! This dazzling sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.
• Go to www.lapeachfest.com/schedule to see all festival events!

EXPERIENCE:

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 consecutive hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Chee-Weez, taking the stage at 9:00 PM.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Bring a lawn chair or blanket in case seating runs out!
• Kids Alley: Make fun memories in this family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated Market: Browse the booths of more than 90 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op.
  – Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering.

SUNDAY:

After a busy Saturday, sleep in, take Sunday slow and enjoy Ruston’s cozy charm:

EAT:

• Trios: Enjoy their signature brunch menu in a trendy atmosphere.
• The Local: Order specialty brunch cocktails and bites in the heart of Downtown.
• Beau Vines Steakhouse: Not a brunch fan? Dive into a hearty lunch and bottomless mimosas.

SEE:
While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

EXPERIENCE:
Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats and live music to charming shops and peaceful parks, the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 76 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories!

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

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MANSFIELD, La. — Sharpco Hotels Group has officially broken ground on a new 67‑room Comfort Inn & Suites in Mansfield, marking the company’s return to a community where its roots run deep.

The hotel will be built at the Interstate 49 and Highway 175 interchange, next to the LOVES Travel Center. When completed, it will become the first hotel at the exit, bringing new lodging options to travelers and supporting continued growth in DeSoto Parish.

The project will feature the Comfort brand’s Rise & Shine prototype, which includes a modern lobby, flexible seating areas, refreshed guestroom layouts, and amenities designed for both business and leisure guests. Plans call for complimentary hot breakfast, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, a fitness center, and meeting space.

For Sharpco Hotels Group, the project represents both progress and a homecoming.

“We are thrilled to return to the Mansfield market. I spent several summers living and working in our former Best Western here during my college years, so this community holds a special place in my story. Opening the first hotel at the Interstate 49 exit, right beside the LOVES Travel Center, is an exciting milestone for Sharpco Hotels Group,” said Jay Sharplin, President of Sharpco Hotels Group.

Sharpco previously owned and operated the Best Western in Mansfield throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, and the company says the new Comfort Inn & Suites will build on that legacy by bringing investment, jobs, and modern accommodations to the area.

Construction is now underway, with the hotel expected to open once development is completed.

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