News Articles
EARLY VOTING
June 27, 2026
2nd CLOSED PARTY PRIMARY ELECTION
Friday, June 12, 2026 through Saturday, June 20, 2026
Closed on: Sunday, June 13th and
Friday, June 19th for the Juneteenth Holiday
8:30 am to 6:00 pm
To be held in the
Registrar of Voter’s Office New Location
at 1906 Front Street across from Bearing Service
Red River Paish 4-H has been very busy in April and May in the parish and the state.
The Squish Kabobs cooking team competed in the 4-H State Food Challenge. They did not place in the top three, but we couldn’t be prouder of them as they worked hard preparing for the competition. It was an accomplishment to make it to the State Round. Team members are: Dusty Halbmaier, Colt Dulaney, Maura Dupree, and Lucien Jordan.
The 4-H pet show only had one contestant, but Vivian Palmisano was the star of the show with her dog Toby! It was clear how much he loved her and how good she is with him.
Next up, Katelynn Albright, one of our Northwest Ag Ambassadors, learned all kinds of new things on her trip with the Ambassadors to the College of Ag in South Louisiana.
Lots of fun and good sportsmanship was had at the Northwest Regional 4-H Esports tournament. Two Red River teams came home with 1st place wins. Thanks so much to Mrs. Jennifer Breedlove for volunteering your time to work with these kids.
A day at RRES was had by two of our Junior Leaders Tye Weems and Fa’Dasia Demery. They enjoyed seeing all the kids at the bulldog store and helping the ladies and the kids.
4-H Cloverbuds from Red River Elementary, Arayah Mitchell, Jamari Thomas, and Zaden Williams participated in the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Robotics Festival at Artbreak in Shreveport. They did a great job and were awarded best model.
The State Shooting sports competition began with our Archery team, who all work so hard and do so well! Aaron Hester and Levi Edwards were first year shooters, and we are so proud of their accomplishments all the way to State! Morgan Moseley, competing for the first time in the Senior division, placed 16 in Senior Nationals Division, Joseph Shaver placed 2nd in Senior Field and 3rd in Senior FITA. Colt Dulaney placed 6th in FITA. Ben Moseley competed in the state CMP Rifle event and placed 5th, shooting
586/600 with 23 x’s. Shotgun Team Remington Dabbs, Gabe Dabbs, Gavin Franks, and Hunter Guice competed
with Gavin placing 2nd and Hunter placing 8th.
The last two months have been busy but worth it all for our 4-Her’s. The Parish has had a great year and many things are happening during the summer in the parish and a cross the state for our 4-Hers.
Shared by Red River Parish 4-H
Wednesday:
Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late in the day. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Overcast overnight with a low around 75F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday:
Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 92F. Winds light and variable.
Mostly clear skies overnight. Low 78F. Winds light and variable.
Students and families planning to borrow for college should be aware of major changes coming to the federal student loan system beginning July 1, 2026.
The changes stem from federal regulations finalized by the U.S. Department of Education on May 1, 2026, implementing provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was signed into law in 2025. Federal officials say the goal is to simplify repayment, limit excessive borrowing, and reduce long-term student debt.
One of the biggest changes is the elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan program for new borrowers. Graduate and professional students who begin borrowing after July 1 will no longer have access to Graduate PLUS loans, although some current borrowers may be grandfathered under transition provisions.
The new rules also place stricter limits on how much students and parents can borrow. Graduate students will generally be limited to $20,500 annually with a lifetime borrowing cap of $100,000, while certain professional degree programs such as medicine and law will have higher limits. Parent PLUS loans will also face new annual and lifetime borrowing caps.
Repayment options will be simplified as well. Many existing income-driven repayment plans will be phased out for new borrowers and replaced with a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), along with a standard repayment option. Federal officials say the changes are intended to make repayment easier to understand while helping borrowers avoid taking on debt levels that may be difficult to repay.
The regulations also give colleges and universities greater authority to establish loan limits that better reflect the cost and value of specific academic programs. Supporters say the changes will help reduce excessive borrowing, while critics have expressed concerns that some students may need to rely more heavily on private loans or other sources of financial aid.
Current borrowers will generally retain access to many existing repayment options, but students entering college or graduate school after July 1, 2026, will be subject to the new rules. Families planning for college are encouraged to review the changes carefully as they make decisions about future borrowing.
Autism Pride Day, observed each year on June 18, is a day to recognize, support and celebrate individuals on the autism spectrum.
For many families, autism is not just a word or a diagnosis. It is part of daily life. It may look like learning new ways to communicate, celebrating small milestones that feel huge, finding comfort in routines, or seeing the world through a different and beautiful lens.
Autism Pride Day is not only about awareness. It is about acceptance. It reminds us that autistic children and adults are not defined by challenges alone. They have personalities, strengths, talents, preferences and voices that deserve to be seen and respected.
In our schools and communities, this day is a good reminder to slow down, listen and make room for differences. A child may communicate differently, play differently or need support in ways others do not always understand. That does not make them less capable or less valuable. It simply means they may experience the world in their own way.
Autism Pride Day encourages families, educators and community members to focus on inclusion and kindness. Sometimes support looks like patience. Sometimes it looks like understanding sensory needs, using clear communication or celebrating progress that others may overlook.
On June 18, we are reminded that every child deserves to feel accepted, supported and proud of who they are. Autism Pride Day is a chance to honor those differences and recognize the important place autistic individuals have in our families, classrooms and communities.
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.
Notice is hereby given that Red River Parish Schools intend to destroy the records of all students that exited the special education program either by moving, graduating, or being dismissed from the program. This notice pertains to students born between the dates of January 1, 2000-December 31, 2000. These records are no longer needed for educational purposes.
Previous students may claim their record by notifying Red River Parish School Board Office in writing at Special Education Department, 100 Bulldog Dr., Coushatta, LA. 71019.
Request must be received by August 3, 2026 and will be available for pick up from Red River Parish School Board within 1 week. You must present a valid ID to pick up records.
If you have any questions, please call Red River Parish Special Education Department at (318) 271-3138.
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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
Northwestern State University announces the names of Honor List students for the Spring 2026 semester. Students on the Honor List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.0 and 3.49.
For questions regarding the Honor Roll, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.
Students from Red River Parish:
Adrianna Bradford
Sarah Cormier
Latoya Gray
Carlena Henry
LaFrances Jones
Lillye Pardue
Rozalyn Taylor
You ever notice that God seems to run the universe like He’s driving in reverse? If any of us tried to run things the way He does, the DMV would take away our license and make us sit through that video about safe following distances. But God specializes in doing things backwards—not wrong, not confused, but gloriously, intentionally, redemptively backwards.
Take Abraham and Sarah. By all accounts, they should’ve been great grandparents sitting on the porch comparing prescription prices and arguing about who hid the remote. Instead, God hands them a diaper bag and says, “Surprise!” That’s backwards. And once you start looking for it, you see it everywhere.
God picks Moses the Mumbler to speak for Him. He chooses David the Kid to fight a giant. He calls Gideon the Scaredy Cat to lead an army. He uses Rahab—with the résumé no one expected—to help secure the Promised Land. That’s backwards.
Then Jesus arrives and takes the whole thing to another level. He says the first will be last. He says you win by losing. He says you gain by giving. He says love your enemies—which is so backwards we still haven’t gotten used to it.
And the biggest backwards moment of all? The King of Kings shows up born in a barn, rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and defeats death by dying. That’s not just backwards—that’s resurrection logic.
Maybe that’s why so many of us feel disoriented when life doesn’t go the way we planned. We assume something must be wrong. But what if the backwards places are exactly where God does His best work? What if the moments that feel upside down are actually the moments when God is turning things right side up?
So if your life feels a little backwards right now, take heart. You might be closer to God’s will than you think. After all, He’s been steering in reverse since the beginning—and somehow, He always gets us where we need to go.
More than 50 years ago, a break-in at a Washington, D.C., office building set off one of the most significant political scandals in American history.
On June 17, 1972, five men were arrested after breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, located in the Watergate office complex. At first, the incident appeared to be a simple burglary. However, investigators soon uncovered connections between the burglars and President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign.
As reporters, federal investigators, and congressional committees dug deeper, evidence began to reveal a much larger story. The break-in was only part of a broader effort involving political espionage and attempts to gather information on opponents. Even more damaging were efforts by members of the Nixon administration to conceal what had happened.
Over the next two years, the scandal dominated headlines across the nation. Congressional hearings were televised, witnesses testified under oath, and Americans closely followed new developments. The investigation eventually revealed that conversations in the Oval Office had been secretly recorded. When those recordings were subpoenaed, a lengthy legal battle followed.
One of the most famous moments of the scandal came when the Supreme Court ruled that President Nixon had to release the tapes. The recordings provided evidence that Nixon had participated in efforts to cover up the break-in and obstruct the investigation.
Facing almost certain impeachment by the House of Representatives and growing pressure from members of his own party, Nixon announced his resignation on August 8, 1974. The following day, he became the first and only president in American history to resign from office.
Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as president and later granted Nixon a full pardon for any federal crimes he may have committed while in office.
The Watergate scandal left a lasting impact on American politics. It led to increased scrutiny of government actions, reforms aimed at improving transparency, and a renewed emphasis on the role of a free press in holding public officials accountable.
More than five decades later, Watergate remains one of the most studied political events in American history and serves as a reminder that no public official is above the law.
Headline: Louisiana Folk Fiddling Celebrated at Baton Rouge Event
BATON ROUGE – Attendees at the Louisiana Folklife Center program “Fiddlin’ with the Finest! A Celebration of Louisiana Folk Fiddling” on June 13 at the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge were treated to a performance of fiddle musical artistry.
Several musicians participated, including two Louisiana State Fiddle Champions — Clancey Stewart (2018) and Joe Suchanek (2017 and 2024) — as well as accomplished fiddler Gina Forsyth. Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and professor of English at Northwestern State University, coordinated the event, which included a discussion of various aspects of the tradition and a Q&A with the audience. Live music throughout the program included examples of fiddle styles as well as a demonstration of triple fiddling. Stewart also displayed her skill at traditional clogging or flat foot dancing and Forsyth played fiddle sticks on Stewart’s fiddle while Stewart played.
The well-attended program was a prelude to the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, which will be part of the 46th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held on the Northwestern State University campus on July 18. The Fiddle Championship will be held at 1 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Fiddlers may compete in the championship or non-championship, as well as in the twin fiddle category. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the main stage in Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m.
“The music performed at events like this one remind us how vital and vibrant Louisiana’s folk music can be,” said Rasmussen. “The Louisiana State Fiddle Championship provides important opportunities for fiddlers young and old to have fun while at the same time meet with peers, make new friends and showcase their talent. When folklife is alive and well people are happier, because our traditions give meaning to our lives as individuals and as a community.”
The event was hosted by the LSU Rural Life Museum and sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern. 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 Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, 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 the program did not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
For information on pre-registering to compete in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu or go to https://www.nsula.edu/
Anderson’s Produce & Plant Farm, 110 Anderson Lane, has lineup of food trucks serving visitors throughout the summer. Woody’s Smoke-N-Que will be there on June 20. The farm’s 27th Anniversary Celebration will be held June 27 and will feature Joe’s 2 Geaux and The Sugar Cube. Visitors can also enjoy food from Petersen’s Pit Stop on July 18. The farm is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering fresh produce, local products, and family-friendly fun all season long.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is advising parents, caregivers, and health care providers that Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula is recalling its infant formula because it may be contaminated with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can make infants sick. No cases of infant botulism have been identified in Louisiana.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic Learning and Global Education will offer a 38-hour driver education course beginning July 6. Students must be 15 years old on or before Oct. 6 to take the class. The deadline to register for is Friday, June 26. A mandatory parents meeting will be held on Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. For more information, go to checkout.nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355.
Cam Jordan is back in black & gold after signing a one-year deal with the Saints.
Families Helping Families Region 7 invites families in Red River Parish to an informative and supportive meeting Aug 13 at 5pm in the Red River Parish School Board Room. Info will be provided about IEPs, 504 Plans, related services and special education supports available to children and families.
Serena and Venus Williams will compete in the Ladies’ Doubles at The Championships at Wimbeldon.
Oversight of Special Education and Civil Rights is no longer part of the US Education Department. SpEd has transferred to the US Dept of Health and Human Services. Civil Rights is now under the US Dept of Justice.
Reports are speculating that gas prices could be below $3 by the end of summer.
Willie Banks
July 23, 1950 – June 13, 2026
Funeral Services will be held Saturday June 20, 2026 at 11am at Deliverance Temple B.C. in Coushatta.
Iris Robin Marky Almond
February 15, 1953 – June 7, 2026
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 5pm at the home of Brad and Dorrie Dean in Haughton.
Two young golfers with bright futures added another impressive accomplishment to their growing résumés last weekend at Texarkana Country Club.
Philip Guidry, who is the local Junior Champ at Coushatta Country Club, teamed up with Bossier City’s Broox Brotherton to win the 12-13 age division at an Ark-La-Tex Junior Tour scramble event held at the prestigious Texarkana Country Club in Texarkana, Arkansas. The prestigious course is also known as Little Augusta based on the pro players like Bryson Dechambeau who make stops there for practice rounds preparing for the Masters.
The tournament attracted many of the top junior golfers from four different states, creating a highly competitive field. Despite their youth, Guidry and Brotherton played with the poise and confidence of seasoned competitors.
Brotherton’s consistent driving gave the team an advantage throughout the day, repeatedly finding fairways and setting up scoring opportunities. With ideal positions off the tee, Guidry and Brotherton attacked pins aggressively and delivered a steady stream of quality approach shots.
The duo’s teamwork was on full display over the 18-hole round. Guidry was especially sharp on the greens, draining a pair of putts from beyond 20 feet to keep momentum on their side. By day’s end, the pair had carded six birdies and posted a 4-under-par 68, securing the tournament championship.
What makes the victory even more impressive is the age of the champions. Brotherton is only 9 years old, while Guidry recently turned 11, meaning both players were competing against older golfers in their division.
Their performance offered a glimpse into what could be a very bright future for two of the region’s most promising young golfers.
When asked about their championship round, the usually competitive and playful friends remained humble.
“We’re just happy to get to play golf and do it with each other,” they said.
-Jennifer Partain
Families with children 18 years of age and younger will have the opportunity to receive free Summer Food Boxes through a USDA-funded program this summer.
Food boxes will be distributed at Red River High School from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution dates are scheduled for June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, and July 22.
Guardians picking up boxes for children who are not present should enter through the high school’s horseshoe drive, follow posted signs, and complete a form providing identification along with the child’s name and date of birth. Families arriving with children present may simply drive through and receive their boxes.
All children ages 18 and under are eligible to participate in the program. Organizers encourage families to arrive early, as supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Summer Food Box program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is an equal opportunity provider. The program helps ensure that children continue to have access to nutritious food during the summer months when school meals are not available.
Summer Distribution Dates
Wednesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 24
Wednesday, July 1
Wednesday, July 8
Wednesday, July 15
Wednesday, July 22
All distributions will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at RRHS.
Attached is the parent pick up form and menu information about the boxes.
Representatives from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will be at the library on Tuesday, June 16, at 10:00 am. The WIOA youth program assists young adults of ages 14 to 24 years old in Red River Parish and other parishes to gain the skills necessary to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. Participants enrolled in this program can take advantage of an array of services including GED completion, education and training after high school, occupational skills training, financial literacy education, vocational training programs, and other services. There are financial incentives available, such as class attendance incentive, testing basic skills proficient, obtaining a high school diploma, or obtaining an occupational skills credential, and more. Those who meet the qualifications can earn money by participating in the services designed to improve job and career options. Those who are not sure if they meet the qualifications for these services can go on online to cdconline.org/wioa-pre-app for assistance.
Those who are 21 years of age or older may also be eligible for a CDL training program. The basic driver training program covers classroom training including traffic laws, back and maneuvering the vehicle, pre-trip inspection, and how to be a safe driver on the road. To learn if you qualify for a WIOA scholarship, contact your local American Job Center at (318) 871-2391. If approved, WIOA will cover all your training expenses. If you want to get your Commercial Driver’s License and become a professional truck driver, you can be ready for a new career in just a few weeks.
Our library is committed to supporting our community in any way that we can. None of our programs, from bingo to computer workshops, come with a charge. In other words, these programs are free! We encourage you to take part in these and other programs we offer each month. If you are interested in any of these programs, you can learn more by going to our website at redriverparishlibrary.org and check out the calendar, or call the library at 318-932-5614.
Shared by Red River Parish Library
Monday:
Thunderstorms–some locally heavy downpours are possible, especially in the afternoon. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Cloudy skies early followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the night. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Tuesday:
Thunderstorms likely in the morning then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Partly cloudy overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and varible.
Northwestern State University announces the names of Dean’s List students for the Spring 2026 semester. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99.
For questions regarding the Dean’s List, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.
Students from Red River Parish:
Emily Arledge
Madison Chamberlin
Taylor Clark
Brett Danzy
Bryn Danzy
Adrian Davis
Tammra Eason
Hayden Hillman
Anna Grace Mabile
Matthew Shaffer
Haylee Smith
Rafe Suggs
(SHREVEPORT, Louisiana) – For many men, doctor visits are too often delayed –pushed to tomorrow, next week or even next month. Men’s Health Month is a reminder that postponing routine care can allow preventable conditions to go undetected, making early screenings and regular checkups more important than ever.
Studies from the National Institute of Health indicate that men are 33% less likely than women to seek medical care.
“Men frequently delay seeking medical care until symptoms become noticeable, yet many serious conditions can progress without obvious signs,” said Edward Johnson, a family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. “Regular checkups allow us to catch issues sooner, when they’re easier to treat and outcomes are better.”
Johnson recommends annual wellness exams beginning at age 45, or earlier for men with a family history of chronic or serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, prostate or colon cancer and high blood pressure.
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among men. In addition, updated screening recommendations highlight a concerning increase in cancer diagnoses among younger adults, making routine cancer screenings especially important for men 45 and older.
The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 44% of the projected 618,120 cancer deaths in 2025 will be associated with preventable risk factors. Many of these risks can be addressed through early detection and appropriate screenings, including noninvasive testing and colonoscopies based on individual risk.
Taking charge of your health is a proactive step toward longevity. Prioritizing preventative care helps support a healthier, more active life.
To learn more about men’s health or to find a primary care provider, visit our website.
There has been, and will be, much commentary as we approach July 4th. However, it will never be enough to capture or express the significance of that date.
July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. Other than the Bible itself, no document has had a more profound effect on the country and the world. As a young boy, I vaguely recall in 1976 the 200th anniversary and the warmth and sense of patriotism that surrounded that day.
This July 4th feels different. That is likely because as an adult I am much more aware of how fraught and fragile our form of government, and life itself, are. That awareness only underscores the magnitude of the Declaration.
As I have written before, Progressivism holds that our rights flow from an “enlightened” and “benevolent” government which serves as a replacement for God who, in the secular view of Progressivism, does not exist.
The Declaration directly contradicts that premise, declaring that our natural, unalienable rights flow not from man or government but from God. That is why the values enshrined in the Declaration are directly antithetical to Progressivism and reflect a diametrically opposed world view and concept of ‘Nature and Nature’s God,’ to employ Thomas Jefferson’s eternal phrase.
There has simply never been a founding document like our Declaration of Independence, enshrining as it does one of the most profound principles in history:
“We hold these Truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…”
Jefferson was a brilliant man and, as he sat there in the candlelight, dipped his quill pen in ink, and began his beautiful cursive, he fully understood that this principle of God-given equality he was laying down certainly did not exist in the colonies at the time he authored the document, or likely would during his lifetime. We know that this principle of equality would, in fact, not be fully realized for another 150 years in this country.
But that is what makes so astounding his inclusion of such a principle in the founding document of our fledgling nation, a principle that was later embedded in our Constitution, and our Supreme Court jurisprudence.
That Jefferson would have the wisdom, foresight, and courage to boldly include the principle that—no matter when it may be fully achieved—equality was the fundamental and surpassing ideal. No nation in world history had ever included as part of the very blueprint of its government the belief that all its citizens were created by God and all of them were created equal.
Jefferson also wrote that “we hold these truths to be self evident…” which means he intended to place the truths forming the foundation of this principle of equality beyond debate. They were settled; Were so clear anyone could recognize and understand them.
The Declaration also declares that governments “are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.”
WOW. Those two sentences say alot!
It means that government is only legitimate when it functions with the “consent of the governed” (do we feel that government today operates with our “consent”?) and that when government fails to do so it may be “altered or abolished.”
Jefferson knew full well what the words “alter” and “abolish” meant. He understood that he was justifying rebellion and revolution against an illegitimate and oppressive government. (Much as Americans would rise up against the tyrannical government of King George).
Nevertheless, all of these efforts would have amounted to nothing without the 1.2 million Americans who sacrificed their lives since the Revolutionary War up until Operation Epic Fury, and the millions of service members who suffered terrible injuries in all of America’s military engagements, to give value, meaning and life to Jefferson’s beautiful words.
There has never been a document like the American Declaration of Independence. I still marvel at its strength and simplicity. The intrinsic God-given rights and equality it recognizes and protects, and the demand that government only exists to serve the people, are unprecedented. I hope we will reflect upon that, this glorious 4th!
Happy 250th America! Here is hoping and praying for 250 more!
Royal Alexander
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