Red River Parish Public Schools will be closed Mon Jan 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday. Classes will resume Tue Jan 20.

For a limited time, Sonic has 99 cents on Tuesdays.

Mattel Inc. introduced an autistic Barbie as part of its Fashionistas line, featuring sensory-friendly accessories like noise-canceling headphones and a fidget spinner, plus articulated wrists and elbows to support stimming, developed with input from the autistic community to promote inclusion and representation.

President Donald Trump to deliver the State of the Union on Feb 24.

Digital news network’s no-paywall model drives advertising reach in underserved markets

By Frank Johnson
Special Report

The Parish Journals of Louisiana generated 17.6 million articles read in 2025 across 17 parishes in northwest and central Louisiana, according to site analytics data, establishing the digital network as a significant advertising platform in markets traditional media increasingly abandons.  While many social media platforms get their “counts” by you simply scrolling across their article or post, the 17.6 million Parish Journals analytics are specifically from articles opened and read – a huge difference for those who understand the value of that! 

The network, operated by Journal Services LLC, maintains individual publications serving Avoyelles, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Webster and Winn parishes, plus the Shreveport-Bossier Journal covering Caddo and Bossier parishes.

Unlike legacy newspapers implementing paywalls while reducing rural coverage, Parish Journals publications remain entirely FREE to readers — a model creating distinct advantages for advertisers seeking reach beyond metropolitan markets.

Geographic footprint addresses news deserts

The network spans Louisiana’s northern border through central parishes, delivering hyperlocal coverage to both population centers and agricultural communities where traditional news operations have contracted or closed entirely.

Each publication focuses on municipal government proceedings, school board operations, high school athletics and regional business developments — content that generates sustained reader engagement and repeat traffic.

Site analytics show consistent readership across rural parishes that major media outlets typically serve only through regional editions or wire service content, if at all.

Paywall-free access multiplies advertising reach

The network’s most significant competitive advantage centers on unrestricted content access and its impact on advertising distribution.

When readers share Parish Journals articles through social media, email or messaging platforms, recipients access full content immediately without subscription barriers. Advertisements within shared articles reach expanded audiences at no additional cost to advertisers.

Paywalled competitors face structural limitations: subscribers may share content, but non-subscribers cannot access articles or view advertisements without subscriptions. This restricts organic distribution and caps advertising reach at existing subscriber counts regardless of content popularity.

Parish Journals articles continue generating traffic and advertising impressions weeks or months after publication as readers discover and share content without access restrictions. High school sports coverage particularly demonstrates this sustained engagement as families share game stories and season recaps long after initial publication.

Learn more about advertising opportunities with the Parish Journals network.

Digital infrastructure enables targeting flexibility

The network’s digital-first operations provide capabilities traditional print cannot match: real-time campaign deployment, performance analytics, geographic targeting across multiple parish markets, and mobile accessibility.

Advertisers can execute both broad regional campaigns and parish-specific initiatives through a single media partner while maintaining unlimited organic reach through social sharing.

Contact Journal Services LLC to discuss your advertising strategy.

Market positioning amid industry consolidation

As consolidation reshapes Louisiana media markets and legacy publications reduce rural coverage while implementing subscription barriers, Parish Journals has systematically expanded into underserved communities.

The result: comprehensive regional reach combined with genuine local focus across individual parish markets, without subscription barriers limiting advertising effectiveness.

The network’s 2025 performance — 17.6 million articles read across 17 parishes — demonstrates sustained audience engagement in markets where traditional news operations struggle to maintain profitability.

For businesses seeking connections with audiences across northwest and central Louisiana’s diverse communities, the platform provides documented reach and engagement with the structural advantage of unrestricted content access multiplying advertising distribution.

Contact Journal Services LLC regarding advertising rates and partnership opportunities.

Dorothy Ann Hester
February 11, 1956 — January 8, 2026
Funeral services will be held  Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta.

Carolyn Brown
January 22, 1968 — December 31, 2025
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11am at Springville Baptist Church in Coushatta.

The US National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana, reported that the first confirmed tornado of 2026 touched down just after midnight, late Friday Night/early Saturday Morning, in Red River Parish near Coushatta, Louisiana. This was an EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds near 90 mph.

Mr. and Ms. Riverdale- Ashton Almond and Mary Claire Jones
Best All Around- Ashton Almond and Mary Claire Jones
Most Likely to Succeed- Ben Moseley and Makayla Pickett
Senior Hall of Fame- Ben Moseley and Julia Grace Riggs
Most Scholastic- Ben Moseley and Makayla Pickett
Most Athletic- Tanner Carlisle and Mary Claire Jones
Most Entertaining- Cannon Breedlove and Julia Grace Riggs
Friendliest- Mason Wilhite and Ayla Knotts
Best Smile- Ashton Almond and Ayla Knotts
Most Fashionable- Ashton Almond and Emma Giddings
Most Dependable- Ben Moseley and Julia Grace Riggs
Most School Spirit- Layken Gates and Julia Grace Riggs
Most Beautiful- Hanna Huddleston
Most Beautiful Runner-up- Ayla Knotts
Beauties- Mary Claire Jones, Julia Grace Riggs, Makayla Pickett, Ava Procell,
Most Handsome- Tanner Carlisle
Most Handsome Runner-up- Ashton Almond
Beaus- Mason Wilhite, Ben Moseley, Tyler Wilhite, Remington Dabbs

Commemorative seal marks nation’s 250th anniversary and supports Louisiana’s commitment
to civics education

Governor Jeff Landry and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley announced, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, that diplomas awarded to the Class of 2026 will feature a commemorative America 250 seal. Watch the video here.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, our Founding Fathers declared America’s independence and launched the greatest nation the world has ever known,” said Governor Landry. “We want to ensure Louisiana students not only learn that history, but see themselves as part of it. This seal is a meaningful reminder of their role in preserving our freedoms and strengthening our nation.”

The America 250 seal will appear on the diplomas of Louisiana public high school graduates in the Class of 2026. The commemorative emblem honors both the nation’s founding and the importance of preparing students to be informed, engaged citizens.

“The Class of 2026 will graduate high school at a uniquely historic moment for our country,” said Dr. Brumley. “By placing the America 250 seal on every diploma, we are both celebrating our students and reinforcing Louisiana’s deep commitment to civics education.”

About America 250
America 250 is a national initiative created by Congress to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. Each state, including Louisiana, has established its own commission to plan meaningful programs, recognitions, and events that honor America’s past and inspire its future.

Members of the Louisiana America 250 Commission include Dr. Brumley, LDOE Assistant Superintendent Trey Folse, and BESE member Sandy Holloway.

Elevating Civics Education
The America 250 seal complements ongoing efforts by Louisiana to elevate civics instruction in K-12 classrooms.

Freedom Framework

In 2022, Louisiana became one of the first states to adopt a new set of social studies standards that tell the story of American exceptionalism as well as the nation’s continuous journey towards becoming a more perfect union. Known as the Freedom Framework, Louisiana has since advised other states in developing similarly rigorous civics-focused standards.

Civics Diploma Endorsement

The 2025–2026 school year marks the first time students are eligible to earn the Freedom Framework Diploma Endorsement, a new recognition for high school students who demonstrate excellence in civics education. The endorsement is awarded to students who score Mastery or above on the LEAP 2025 civics assessment. Recipients will receive an additional seal on their diploma and wear a red, white, and blue honor cord during graduation ceremonies.

Celebrate Freedom Week

Held annually to coincide with Constitution Day and Constitution Week, Celebrate Freedom Week is a statewide observance that promotes civic understanding and constitutional literacy among Louisiana students. Louisiana has partnered with the Reagan Foundation and The National WWII Museum on statewide events.

Students from Riverdale Academy recently delivered an impressive showing at the MAIS District Spelling Bee, held at Riverfield Academy, with two students earning top placements.

Seventh grader Jentry Bounds finished in third place, demonstrating strong spelling skills and composure throughout the competition. Eighth grader Brylee Halbmaier captured first place, outperforming a field of talented spellers from across the district.

With her victory, Brylee advances to the Overall Spelling Bee to be held in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 30. She will represent Riverdale Academy at the next level of competition.

School officials commended the students for their preparation, dedication, and academic achievement, noting that their success reflects hard work in and out of the classroom.

Riverdale Academy wishes Brylee the best of luck as she moves on to compete in Jackson.

Students who participated: Brylee Halbmaier, Ava Grace Waters, Jentry Bounds, Grant Halbmaier, and Caysen Gates

Monday:
Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 57F. Winds light and variable.

A few clouds overnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.

Tuesday:
Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 61F. Winds light and variable.

A few clouds from time to time overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.

Atlas Van Lines’ 2025 Migration Patterns Study, which tracked customer moves from Nov. 1, 2024, through Oct. 31, 2025, ranked Louisiana as the country’s most “outbound” state. The company said 66% of its shipments in Louisiana moved out during that time, compared to 34% that moved in. 

U.S. Census Bureau numbers also show a decline. Louisiana saw its population peak at 4.65 million in 2020, only to lose over 84,000 residents in the years that followed. 2024 projections showed a slight increase to 4.6 million, up from 4.59 million in 2023, but many parishes lost residents. 

Atlas said Americans are moving less overall because housing is expensive, homes are hard to find and many homeowners with low mortgage rates don’t want to give them up.

Clara Springs will host G.R.O.W. (God Renewing Our Women):Becoming God’s Masterpiece Feb 20-21. Friday from 5:30-9:00pm. Saturday 8am-4:30pm. Registration deadline is Feb 1. For more info call Cindy Haire 318.573.1113.

Louisiana drivers may see relief in auto insurance rates as multiple insurers have filed for rate decreases.

Saints players Tyler Shough and Chase Young were named the NFC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Month.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced tax season will officially begin on Jan 26.

Gov Landry signed a proclamation officially designating January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Louisiana.

National Popcorn Day is Jan 9. Most theaters are offering deals to score more popcorn for less.

An alleged Instagram data breach is said to have exposed the personal information of roughly 17.5 million users.

Carolyn Brown
01/22/1968 – 12/31/2025
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11am at Springville Missionary Baptist Church in Coushatta.

Residents of the south end of Red River Parish felt the mighty power of wind last night. The severe thunderstorm swept through the area, possibly spawning a tornado that left a path of destruction. The storm touched down at Rolling Hills Mobile Home Park and traveled across Hwy 71, where tree damage and debris littered the roadway. Both pine trees and hardwoods were either topped out or ripped from the ground.

Emergency alert texts and calls warned residents of tornado threats just after midnight. Witnesses described homes shaking and the terrifying sound of trees crashing down.

Officials have yet to determine whether a tornado was responsible for the damage.

This severe weather event comes on the heels of a week that began with earthquakes in the parish. Stay vigilant and always heed the warnings. This could be a wild winter ahead.

In January 2025, the RRPJ set a goal. We would beat our subscriber and viewership records from 2024. We did just that!

Thanks to you, our loyal readers, we have climbed over 46%  to 742,800 articles read. That number is music to our ears. It means that readers are responding to what we publish, and are coming back week after week.

Our visitors to the Journal also climbed 66%. We finished the year with 390,708.

What does that mean for you, the reader? It means that we will continue to publish what you want to read. That means that the news that you care about is on your screens each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

What does this mean for businesses and public entities? It means that advertising in the Journal is the best way to get your business in front of the public. It means that advertising and publishing public notices could reach 56,000 or more readers in just one month.

The Red River Parish Journal- the sure bet for your news, community outreach, and your business.

All Law Enforcement personnel in Red River Parish are invited to lunch at the First Methodist Church Coushatta.  Come one, come all!  

Matt Vines

The Red River girls basketball team stopped its four-game slide with a pair of Class 4A wins.

The Lady Bulldogs edged Southwood (64-61) on the road Saturday before dispensing of Bossier (58-40) on Tuesday at home.

Red River (9-9) get a rare weekend off before hosting Pineville on Monday and heading to Lakeview on Tuesday prior to diving into District 3-2A play at Many on Friday.

The Lady Bulldogs are currently in line for a home playoff game (No. 15) more than halfway through the season.

RIVERDALE GIRLS
The Riverdale girls basketball team has powered its way into the New Year with a 4-1 record in 2026, including being winners of their last four.

The lone loss came in 64-48 fashion against Silliman Institute but the four wins have come by at least 38 points each.

Riverdale trounced West Side Christan (73-35), Tensas Academy (70-24), the Louisiana School (65-9), and Franklin Academy (70-18).

The Lady Rebels (17-5) have won their two district games by a combined 121 points and will get their toughest test to date in district when Claiborne Academy (5-10) visits Friday.

Six of Riverdale’s remaining eight games come in district play.

RED RIVER BOYS
After a 61-54 win against Airline (8-8) on Tuesday, the Red River boys basketball team will take aim at another Class 5A team today.

The Bulldogs (9-5) will head to Class 5A Evangel Christian today for a 6 p.m. tip.

Red River, winners of three straight, is 4-2 against Class 5A members and 6-5 against larger classification teams overall this season.

Evangel (3-9) has struggled against a stacked schedule this season but does count West Monroe among their wins.

The Bulldogs stay on the road for the next week plus with a Saturday date against Union Parish (Arcadia Tournament) followed by a Tuesday trip to old district rival Lakeview before starting District 3-2A play on the road Friday at Many.

Red River is creating distance at No. 2 in the power rankings, holding a nearly one-point lead over No. 3 Madison. Bulldogs are within one point of No. 1 Marksville, which recently held a three-point lead.

RIVERDALE BOYS
The Riverdale boys basketball team narrowly missed its third win of the season in a 76-71 double overtime loss to Cornerstone Christian Academy on Monday.

The Rebels (2-8) jump back into district play by hosting Claiborne Academy on Friday.

Red River Parish School District Board Meeting Friday, January 9, 2026 @ 8:30 AM

Posted: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (Noon)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

AGENDA

The next meeting of the Red River Parish School Board will be Friday, January 9, 2025 @ 830 AM in the Red River Parish School Board Administration Building, 100 Bulldog Drive, Coushatta, LA

MEETINGS WILL RUN CONSECUTIVELY

1. Open – Cleve Miller, Board President

Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance & Mission Statement led by Mission Statement:
“Red River Parish Schools Provide Excellent Education:
Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes!

A. Finance Committee – Susan Taylor, Chairperson
1. To approve payment of bills
2. To receive Monthly Report for all Major Funds from Mr. David Jones, Business Manager

BOARD MEETING

2. To approve Agenda for Friday, January 9, 2026
3. To approve Minutes of Tuesday, December 9, 2025
4. Superintendent’s Highlights
5. To approve the following Policy Updates
    JGCF Behavioral Health Support for Students EBBC Emergency/Crisis Management
    BCBB Notification of Sch Bd. Meetings GBC Recruitment
    DFK Sale of Surplus Equipment & Supplies GBN Dismissal of Employees
    DJE Purchasing GBRA Employee Conduct
    ABE Officers of the Board
6. To approve Vendor Selection for Internet Access FY 2026
7. To approve Consent Agenda
A. Finance Committee – Susan Taylor, Chairperson
1. To approve payment of bills
2. To receive Monthly Report for all Major Funds from Mr. David Jones, Business Manager
8. The Election of President FY 2026
9. The Election of Vice-President FY 2026
10. To Sign the Code of Ethics as a School Board Member FY 2026
11. To approve date, time and place of Board Meetings FY 2026
12. To move board meeting of February 13th to Wednesday, February 11, 2025 @ 830 AM
13. Superintendent’s Report
    Monthly Report for Red River Head Start Program
    Personnel Report – Resignations, Retirements, and New Hires
14. Announcements Next Board Meeting Wednesday, February 11, 2026 @ 8:30 AM
15. Adjournment

Public comment is asked for on each agenda item. If you wish to address the Board, please fill out a speaker’s form prior to the meeting indicating the agenda item to be addressed and give form to Board President.

Friday:
Cloudy early with showers for the afternoon hours. Thunder possible. High around 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.

Thunderstorms continue into the evening giving way to steady rain overnight. Low 53. Winds N at 5-10mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.

Saturday:
Cloudy most of the day. High near 56F. Winds NNW at 10-15 mph. 

Mostly cloudy in the evening. Low 37F. Winds NNW at 5-10 mph. 

Sunday:

Sunshine with a few clouds at times. High 59F. Winds N at 5-10mph.

A few clouds overnight. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.

(Over the course of the next few days, the Red River Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers favorites).

In 2025, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine awarded more than $291,000 in scholarships and awards to its veterinary students. Recipients received monetary awards, memberships to professional organizations, journal subscriptions, plaques, certificates, and veterinary medicine manuals and supplies.

Since 2015, LSU SVM has distributed more than $2.6 million in scholarships and awards, made possible through the generosity of private citizens, foundations, organizations, and corporations.

Among this year’s honorees was Alyssa Woodard, a member of the DVM Class of 2027 from Coushatta. Woodard received the Robert M. Hammatt Award for Proficiency in Food Animal Medicine, an honor established in 2001 by the Central Louisiana Chapter of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. The award recognizes outstanding LSU veterinary students in large animal medicine and is named for Dr. Robert M. Hammatt, a respected Oakdale veterinarian and former president of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association.

(Over the course of the next few days, the Red River Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers favorites).

A social media post from a frightened mother has sparked a wave of similar accounts from drivers who say their vehicles were struck by unknown projectiles along a short stretch of Highway 71 South in Fairview.

According to the initial post, at about 8:30 p.m. on December 26, 2025, the passenger window of her daughter’s vehicle suddenly shattered. Photos shared online show a small entry point surrounded by a web of broken glass. A police report has been filed, and an investigation is underway.

The incident occurred on a roughly half‑mile section of Hwy. 71 South between Key’s Grocery and Coulee Loop Road — the exact location where several other drivers say they’ve experienced similar damage in recent months.

One woman responding to the post said her family encountered the same issue two months earlier. “This happened to my mom, who lives across from Key’s. A BB went into her arm,” she wrote.

Another driver described a frightening encounter while returning home from Natchitoches. “It was like someone shot rocks from the left-hand side of the road toward our vehicle, and it hit our windshield and front end really hard,” the commenter said. “I thought it was giant chunks of glass or white rocks, the way they hit and sounded. I saw the pieces fly across right before they hit. It scared the crap out of us.”

A third driver reported that her windshield was struck in the same area around the same time period. “No cars were in sight when I was about to pass Key’s. Something hit my windshield — the sound was awful when it hit. It scared us so badly when it busted,” she wrote.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for information regarding the reports. The Journal will provide updates as more details become available.

When Joe was born in July of 1915, his grandfather announced, “This child is the future president of the nation.” At the time, Joe’s grandfather was the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, and Joe’s father was the president of the Columbia Trust Bank in Boston. From a young age, Joe’s father groomed him for a career in politics with the presidency as his ultimate goal for his son. Joe’s eight siblings were all held to high standards, but Joe was the favorite child. If Joe had his own goals in life, he never acted on them.

In 1933, Joe graduated from the prestigious Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut, and won the Harvard trophy, one of the most coveted of athletic prizes which was awarded annually to the member of the football team who best combined scholarship and sportsmanship. Although Joe was not the first person to win the trophy, his was the first name engraved upon it. Rather than going straight into college, Joe was one of 20 youths selected from over 900 applicants “for a year’s trip around the world on a four-masted schooner.” Joe and his group visited every continent and almost every European country on their tour. While in Germany, Joe praised Adolph Hitler and his forced sterilization program in a letter to his father. He said Hitler’s program was doing “away with many of the disgusting specimens of men which inhabit this earth.”

In the fall of 1934, Joe entered Harvard College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree four years later. Joe then enrolled at Harvard Law School, the next logical step on his way to the presidency. With World War II looming on the horizon for Americans, Joe was among a group of Harvard students who formed the Harvard Committee Against Military Intervention in Europe and proclaimed, “Since, contrary to the assertions of the Committee for Militant Aid to Britain, there is every reason to believe that America is not now at war, it is incumbent upon us to consider the possibility of remaining at peace.”

War often brings opportunity. Despite his initial opposition to the war, Joe put his law studies on hold and enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in June of 1944. Becoming a war hero would certainly help his political ambitions. The United States officially entered the war on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As a pilot, Joe flew more than enough combat missions to allow him to return home. Fellow pilot Louis Papas said, “There was never an occasion for a mission that meant extra hazard that Joe did not volunteer. He had everybody’s unlimited admiration and respect for his courage, zeal, and willingness to undertake the most dangerous missions.” In August 1944, Joe volunteered to take part in Operation Aphrodite in which war-weary bombers were converted into radio-controlled missiles. The plan was that Joe and his co-pilot Wilford Willy would fly the “drone” bomber with over 21,000 pounds of explosives to an altitude of 2,000 feet at which point another airplane would gain complete radio control. Joe and Wilford would then arm the explosives and parachute out of the airplane over England. The crew in the second airplane would fly the radio-controlled bomber to its target. At 6:18 p.m. on August 12, Joe radioed, “Spade Flush,” the code phrase for the second airplane to take radio control of the drone. At 6:20, while Joe and Wilford awaited the signal to bail out, the bombs detonated prematurely.

Joe’s father’s dreams of his son becoming president ended with Joe’s death. Well, only for a short time. You see, had Joe not been killed during World War II, it is unlikely that his brother would have become president of the United States. Joe, Joseph Kennedy Jr., was the older brother of John F. Kennedy.

Sources:

Meriden Record, May 30, 1933, p.8.
Meriden Record, June 23, 1933, p.8.
The Boston Globe, July 20, 1934, p.3.
The Atlanta Constitution, December 18, 1940, p.28.
The Kansas City Times, August 15, 1944, p.3.
Meilan Solly, “The Top-Secret World War II Mission That Killed Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the Heir Apparent to the Political Dynasty,” Smithsonian Magazine, August 12, 2024, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-top-secret-world-war-ii-mission-that-killed-joseph-pkennedy-heir-apparent-political-dynasty-180984857/#:~:text=Joe%20Jr.’s%20time%20in,Kennedy%2C%20who%20had%20intellectual%20disabilities.