Speaker Johnson released the following statement to confirm the House received the Trump Administration’s rescissions request to cut $9.4 billion in wasteful spending identified by DOGE.

“House Republicans will continue delivering on our mandate from the American people: to restore efficiency and accountability to the federal government. Today, we have officially received the rescissions request from the White House to eliminate $9.4 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending at State and USAID and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. The House will act quickly on this request.

“Under President Trump, every federal taxpayer dollar is actually being used to serve the American people, not to fund a bloated bureaucracy or purely partisan pet projects. We thank Elon Musk and his DOGE team for identifying a wide range of wasteful, duplicative, and outdated programs, and House Republicans are eager to eliminate them.

“This rescissions package reflects many of DOGE’s findings and is one of the many legislative tools Republicans are using to restore fiscal sanity. Congress will continue working closely with the White House to codify these recommendations, and the House will bring the package to the floor as quickly as possible.

“Democrats continue to wail and complain – NOT at the fraud, waste, and abuse – but at the Trump Administration simply for exposing it. In fact, Democrats are the only ones in Washington who do not want to stop the egregious misspending of the people’s tax dollars. Democrats continue to defend corruption, while Republicans are delivering real accountability and real savings the American people demanded in November.”

Background:

• The Trump Administration has assembled a package that totals $9.4 billion in wasteful or unnecessary spending identified by DOGE.
• This package will codify DOGE cuts which include $8.3 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending and a $1.1 billion recission of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which provides funds to NPR and PBS.

Process:

• Under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), the Administration may transmit a request to Congress to rescind previously appropriated funds through a rescissions package. Such a package only requires a simple majority vote in the Senate to be enacted.
• Transmittal of a package triggers a 45-day clock, during which funds in accounts included in the rescissions package are withheld from obligation pending congressional action.   

The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “A Life of Zydeco: A Musical Informance with Chubby Carrier” on June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern, will interview Carrier about the cultural significance of zydeco in Louisiana. Their discussion will include songs performed by Carrier on his accordion.

Carrier will headline the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival on July 19 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus.

A third-generation zydeco musician, Carrier began his music career in Louisiana dance halls playing accordion and drums in his father’s zydeco band from the age of 12. Carrier played drums with Terrance Simien from 1986 to 1989, and then formed his own band,

Chubby Carrier and the Zydeco Swamp Band. The band has released a total of 11 albums since 1989. Carrier has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Utrecht Blues Festival in Amsterdam, and has played with Santana, B.B. King, Travis Tritt and Buddy Guy. Carrier’s most recent album, “Zydeco Junkie,” was the 2010 Grammy winner for best zydeco or Cajun album.

Carrier was among the musicians recently featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” in a segment on Cajun and zydeco music.

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, Cleco, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, 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 this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu,
or go to nsula.edu/folklife.

“Run.”

What does the word mean?

We must consider the connotation and the denotation of the word. When speaking we encode the message, and the hearer decodes the message. The encoding and decoding of the verbal message is run through several filters including gender, culture, educational and regional morphology. Do you want a pop? Or would you rather have a Coke?

When I moved to New Orleans I heard frequently, “I am running to Schwegmann’s to make groceries.”

The opportunities for miscommunication are astronomical.

One Sunday I was waxing eloquently in a sermon and said, “The children of Israel followed Jezebel into idolatry.”

One of my dearest church members told me later that she heard me say, “The children of Israel followed Jezebel into Dollar Tree.” With my southern drawl, I’m sure I made idolatry and dollar tree sound very close. She was wondering for the rest of my sermon, why the children of Israel went to Dollar Tree.

Everyone knows they are Jewish and are looking for the best deal on Dial Soap. The remainder of the sermon was lost because of a misheard or poorly pronounced word.

How many marital fights have been caused by a misunderstanding of a word? How many wars, by poor translation of words across languages?

So, I have stalled, do you know the meaning of the word, “run?”

Run is what you did as a child as the teacher opened the door for you to go outside on the playground for recess. I understand recess has been permanently recessed.

A person runs for a political office.

On a muggy summer day, like this one, you want your air conditioning running.

I find myself running to the store for ingredients for a cake.

In preparing for retirement, my financial adviser wanted to run some numbers before our conference.

In High School we were warned about the run on sentence. I am quite sure I have violated that edict several times.

“Honey, there is a run in your stockings.”

The Bible warns us, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

One last thought from the book of Proverbs:

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Are we running from the truth?

Riverdale’s spirit store is open until June 22. Access it here

ULM has earned an A+ rating in elementary math teacher preparation from the National Council on Teacher Quality. This is the second year in a row ULM has received NCTQ’s highest rating, following last year’s A+ in Reading Foundations.

RRHS Lady Bulldog Volleyball is hosting a car wash and bake sale June 7 from 9am until 3pm at Rivertown Market. All donations are accepted.

The Women of Courage Woman Church will be held on June 10 at 6pm at The Shop, 1942 Hwy 507, Coushatta. Worship will be led by Tracy Miller. The speaker is Mandi Mills. Dinner will be provided.

NONE

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced FREE fishing weekend will be Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.

During these two days, no fishing license is required for residents or visitors to cast a line in Louisiana waters.

LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth shared, “𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘯𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.”

Fishing regulations still apply—size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions remain in effect.

If your television has been tuned to the History Channel at all in the past month, chances are you’ve heard an unmistakable Shreveport voice.

LSUS history professor Dr. Cheryl White has appeared as an expert on episodes of two of the platform’s most popular shows – “History’s Greatest Mysteries” and “Holy Marvels.”

White’s final appearance of the season will be aired tonight as she discusses various themes and biblical stories and figures in an episode titled “Of Biblical Proportions” on the series “Holy Marvels.”

The new episode will air at 9 p.m. tonight with streaming available the next day.

“The purpose of ‘Holy Marvels’ is to look at items and artifacts or legends and lore that has some religious significance but also some mysterious component to them,” White said. “Sometimes we look at allegorical stories and try to find a broader truth in them, the universal human story.”

White has appeared as an expert in a total of five episodes this season between the two shows.

On “History’s Greatest Mysteries,” White has offered her insight into the “Secrets of the Copper Scroll” and “The Missing Riches of Genghis Khan.”

In addition to the “Of Biblical Proportions” episode airing Monday, White appeared in “Hidden Codes” (explores the secret codes in sacred texts/art) and an “Eye for an Eye” (studies ancient codes of law like the Babylonians).

Viewers who have a cable/satellite/streaming package that includes History Channel can go to the platform’s website (play.history.com) to watch previous episodes of shows.

This is White’s second season of shows on History Channel after appearing in three episodes of “History’s Greatest Mysteries” this past spring.

White said she doesn’t know how History Channel producers initially found her (although a mention of her Red River Radio series “The Shadow Files” has come up in conversation), but a relationship has been forged.

“They have a true team of professionals, and they’ve done the research and cited their sources,” said White, who is considered a world-renowned expert in the medieval period and the rise of Christianity but has professional chops in a wide range of historical periods and places. “There’s more academic rigor in these shows than I initially expected, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

“The producers I’ve worked with, there’s a willingness for me to disagree. If something is presented in the outline that I might not embrace as historical or demonstrable fact, they’ll produce a record to challenge my view or allow me the space to give my opinion. They’ve been very respectful of my academic opinions, and even occasionally, reached out to me to fact check some things.”

White filmed her segments for all of this season’s episodes on one November weekend in Los Angeles with a blitz of interviews.

Education is at the center of White’s drive to participate in a vehicle that expands interest and knowledge of history.

“The idea of being on an internationally streamed program is a great opportunity, but the heart of that is being able to do what I really love, which is to talk about history,” White said. “And to talk about some of the weirdest history there is.

“To me this is kind of an extension of the classroom. My students also find some credibility and relatability in this, too. Young people are so media-driven, and I’ve always used that documentary or docudrama format to engage students. (The History Channel appearances) adds a whole other layer to be able to engage.”

White has been invited to interview for future episodes, allowing her to further engage in “history and the twist that there’s something unknown about it.”

As summer approaches, the Louisiana Department of Health is reminding families about the importance of water safety measures. Strong water safety practices can prevent drownings and serious water-related injuries, especially among children.

Recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that drowning remains the third leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1-14 in Louisiana, right after motor vehicle crashes and homicides. 

“Most drownings are preventable, and they happen quickly,” said Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph L. Abraham. “It’s important to have a designated adult on duty to actively supervise, to keep young children within arm’s reach, and never leave children unattended when in or around water.”

Sixty-two children drowned in Louisiana between 2021 and 2023, according to the LDH Office of Public Health. More than half (57%) were unsupervised; half (50%) did not know how to swim, and 40% drowned in water unprotected by proper barriers. Most of these instances (40%) occurred in swimming pools. Another 52 children were hospitalized due to nonfatal drownings, which can lead to lifelong disabilities. 

Best practice recommendations for water safety include: 

Teach Them Early: Enroll children in swimming lessons at an early age to ensure they learn essential water skills and safety awareness.

Protect Pool Areas: Surround private pools with high fences and protective barriers, including self-closing and self-latching gates, to prevent children and uninvited guests from swimming unattended and toddlers from falling into water, unable to swim. Install safety devices, such as barriers, pool covers, and alarms.  

Know Your Drains: Teach children to stay away from pool drains. 

Ensure Compliance: Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers.

Consider the Dangers: Everyone needs to know the rules and dangers in different environments, from backyard pools and jacuzzis to area lakes and beaches. Open water brings special challenges including visibility in murky water, changes in depth, and uneven surfaces and hazards.

Watch Actively: Always supervise children in or near the water. Never leave them unattended. Be sure an adult is always within arm’s reach. Designate an adult as a “water watcher” to supervise, with no distractions. 

Mind the Red Flags: At the beach, be aware of and respect conditions. Swim with a buddy under the watch of lifeguards. Know what to do if you get caught in open currents or a riptide. Never swim alone.

Wear a Life Jacket: When boating or participating in open-water activities, ensure children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets appropriate for their weight and activity.

Avoid Alcohol: Swim sober. Avoid alcohol use near open water and before or during swimming, boating and other water activities, as it could impede awareness and emergency response. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination.

Be Prepared: Know what to do in a water safety event. Learn life-saving practices, like CPR and basic water rescue skills. Have a phone nearby, in case of emergency.

Additional tips for water safety can be found online at poolsafely.gov, redcross.org, ndpa.org, cdc.gov, and safekids.org. 

SEE INFOGRAPHIC

Three new Amtrak passenger rail lines are opening in our area. 

Amtrak reps recently gave an update to the NOLA City Council. Each will have Wi-Fi, business class options and food and drink.

The routes includes New Orleans to Mobile; Baton Rouge to New Orleans; and Dallas to Meridian along 
I-20. 

Amtrak’s Gulf Coast will depart every morning from New Orleans and another in Mobile with four stops in Mississippi… Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula… then return late afternoon or evening. It should come online sometime this summer. Passenger service along the Gulf Coast has been suspended since 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed critical rail infrastructure.

The in-state project envisions twice daily trips with stops in Baton Rouge downtown and the Health District in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, LaPlace, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and the Union Passenger Terminal next to the Superdome in New Orleans. DOTD is leading a project on the line from Baton Rouge south. The state provided 32 million dollars to get the project off the ground. 

The proposed I-20 corridor would have stops in Shreveport, Monroe, and Ruston.

Amtrak says all funding is in place and contracts have been signed.

Setting your AC to 78°F in the summer might sound a little warm at first, but there’s a good reason it’s often recommended—it’s all about finding that sweet spot between staying comfortable and saving money.

Why 78°F Works So Well:

It saves you money.
Your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard when it’s not trying to turn your house into a fridge. Even just bumping it up a couple of degrees can make a noticeable difference on your electric bill.

It’s a good balance.
For most people, 78°F feels comfortable enough—especially if you’ve got a fan going or some airflow. It’s warm without being stuffy, and cool enough to relax in.

It’s better for the planet.
Using less energy means less strain on the power grid and fewer emissions. It’s a small change that adds up, especially when lots of people do it.

It’s smart energy use.
Experts like the Department of Energy suggest 78°F when you’re home and awake. You can bump it up a bit when you’re out or asleep (like 82–85°F when away, or 74–76°F if you like it cooler for sleeping).

Little Tricks to Make 78°F Feel Cooler:

• Run a ceiling or portable fan—airflow makes a big difference
• Keep blinds or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day
• Limit oven/stove use in the afternoon if you can

It’s not about being uncomfortable—it’s about getting the most out of your AC without overpaying. Try it out for a few days and see how it feels. You might be surprised how manageable it is.

4-Hers in grades 1-8 celebrate summer at Grand Bayou Wetlands Camp Friday, June 6 from 9am until 2pm. There will be activities with LDWF and fishing time at the pier. Sign up by Monday, June 2. 

The Red River Junior High School will host a Music Fair Wax Museum June 5 in the school gym. 8th grade will be on display from 10-10:45am followed by 7th grade from 11-11:45am then 6th from 11:50am-12:45pm. Support your students live performances of their music idols.

RRHS Lady Bulldog Volleyball is hosting a car wash and bake sale June 7 from 9am until 3pm at Rivertown Market. All donations are accepted.

Shriners Children’s Hospital has created a Patient Alumni Network. If you are a former patient join here.

Magic Spring Park in Hot Springs is celebrating Heroes and Educators during the month of June. Heroes include all military, police, fire fighters, first responders and healthcare workers and from June 2-13 get FREE admission. Educators including teachers, administrators, bus drivers, paras, custodians get in FREE from June 15-26. Bring your badge to get your free admission. Discounted tickets for four accompanying guests is also available.

Donovan “Donnie” V. Cox, Jr.
February 25, 1949 – May 31, 2025
A Celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 11am at Fairview Baptist Church in Fairview. 
Everyone is asked to wear his favorite team colors, purple and gold. 

Red River Fire Protection District announced that Station 6 and Station 7 have each received a replacement fire engine to continue serving the public effectively and safely.

While these engines are not brand new, they are reliable and well-maintained units that ensure our crews have dependable equipment to respond to emergencies.

Station 6 is located on Jordan Ferry Road near Catfish Bend. Station 7 is our farthest North station, located on Highway 1.

These replacements were necessary due to the age and condition of the previous apparatus, and they will help maintain the level of service our residents expect and deserve.

RRFPD also stated that they appreciate the ongoing support of our community as we work to keep our fleet operational and our firefighters ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

SporTran announced the appointment of Trevor Hunt as the new IT Manager. 

Hunt, who previously held a similar position at American Airlines and Bank of America, will oversee the strategic direction and vision for SporTran’s IT infrastructure.

With experience in technology and engineering, Hunt’s role will be critical in adapting to the dynamic transit environment and leveraging technology to address emerging opportunities. 

Dinero’ Washington, SporTran CEO, said Hunt’s appointment, emphasizing the importance of technology in SporTran’s growth and transformation strategy. 

Hunt’s leadership is expected to enhance SporTran’s ability to innovate and provide value to customers and employees.

He graduated from University of Isabel with an MBA in Data Analytics. 

He is married to the former Teanna Eason.

Source: SporTran Transit Facebook page

Matt Vines

Harris named new Red River High athletics director
Red River boys basketball coach Dadrian Harris has been named the school’s new athletics director, the parish’s school system announced this week.

Harris will retain his head basketball coaching duties, of which he’s performed for the past five seasons.

Red River has advanced to the Top 28 in Class 2A each of the past two seasons, including a 2024 state title game appearance.

Harris takes over for Byron Keller, the athletics director and football coach who departed for district rival Winnfield this past December.

Red River sprinter signs with Centenary
Red River sprinter Cameron Hobley will continue his track and field career at Centenary College.

Hobley held a signing ceremony earlier this week in which he revealed he’ll compete at the NCAA Division III member in Shreveport.

Hobley’s senior season bests include an 11.52 in the 100 meters and a 23.05 in the 200 meters.

He was also a cornerback on a football team that won the district title for the first time since 2005.

Red River’s Murphy named to all-region team
Red River baseball player Elijah Murphy was selected as a utility player to the 2025 Louisiana Baseball

Coaches Association’s All-Region Team for Region 2.

Murphy was one of eight utility players picked to the 28-man team that stretches from Natchitoches

Parish throughout the north central portion of the state.

Join FBC Coushatta at VBS, June 2 – 6, and learn about “Discovering the bigness of God in the smallest of things!” Children ages Pre-K4 through 6th grade are welcome. Supper will be served every night at 5pm with VBS will be from 5:30-8pm. Online registration can be found at https://forms.gle/rhx5JdtAaTv7V8u27. Those who register before Friday, May 30 will be put into a drawing to win a backpack full of summer fun.

Hickory Grove Baptist Church will host VBS “Camp Firelight” June 9 – 13 from 5:30-8pm for grades PK3-12. Gather ’round the campfire for a week full of adventure, friendship, and discovery. At Camp Firelight, kids will learn how God’s light guides us through every challenge and adventure. Through inspiring Bible stories, fun games, crafts, and music, kids will grow in faith and courage–all while making memories that will shine for years to come. The fire is burning bright, and they’re saving a spot just for your kiddos! Contact Melissa Allen, VBS Director, for more information (318.205.8362).

First Methodist Church Coushatta will take kids on a “True North” adventure from June 23-26, from 5:30-8:00 p.m., for ages 4 years through 5th grade. Join FMC on the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. True North VBS shows kids that Jesus is a faithful friend we can always trust. He’s our True North! Dinner is provided each night.  Register online or in person.  

All area churches may share their VBS dates/info with RRPJ at the following email redriverparishjournal@gmail.com

Louise Ciccone was born in 1958 in Bay City, Michigan to Tony and Louise Ciccone. Because she shared the same name as her mother, her five siblings called her Little Nonnie. Little Nonnie was five years old when her mother died from breast cancer. Her father was a hard worker but struggled to provide for his large family. When one of the kids wanted something, Tony replied, “Get a job. I’m not paying for it.” Tony could barely afford the necessities.

In high school, Little Nonnie was intelligent, got straight A’s in school, but struggled to fit in. Little Nonnie felt like a country bumpkin around her rich classmates. They wore the finest and most fashionable clothing while she often wore the same inexpensive clothing for several days in a row. Little Nonnie’s home life was difficult. As the eldest daughter in a family without a mother, she was responsible for doing the laundry, cleaning the house, fixing meals, taking care of her younger siblings, and a myriad of other tasks required to keep a household running while her father was working. For these reasons, Little Nonnie did not associate with her classmates.

Little Nonnie graduated from high school early and attended the University of Michigan for a year as a dance major. She planned to become a professional dancer to escape from Michigan, and she was a natural. With the encouragement of one of her teachers, Little Nonnie decided to move to New York to fulfill her dream despite her father’s objections. Her first time in an airplane was her flight from Michigan to New York. From the airport, she took her first taxi ride. With no idea where to go, Little Nonnie told the taxi driver to take her to the center of the city. He dropped her off in Times Square. Little Nonnie immediately experienced the culture shock of coming from the suburbs of the Midwest into the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. She knew no one, had no place to stay, had about $35 in cash, and wore all of the clothing she brought with her. She quickly made friends with someone who asked why she was wearing a winter jacket in the middle of summer. He allowed her to sleep on his couch until she found a place to stay.

Little Nonnie began going to auditions. She knew her dancing career waited just around the corner, but getting around that corner proved harder than she had expected. In the meantime, Little Nonnie worked at whatever job she could find including a short stint as a hat check girl at the Russian Tea Room, a job she was fired from for wearing fishnet stockings although she was only visible from the waist up, and an even shorter stint at Dunkin’ Donuts, a job she was fired from for playfully squirting jelly on customers. While waiting for her big break, Little Nonnie’s apartment was burglarized repeatedly. She was mugged. She was raped.

Despite all the obstacles, Little Nonnie never gave up. She eventually became a dancer, but her talents led her to a blend of world renown and controversy. The highest selling musical artists of all time in order are Elvis, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and then Little Nonnie. Although some members of her family still refer to her as Little Nonnie, the rest of the world knows Louise Ciccone by her first name, Madonna.

Source: “The Howard Stern Show 2015 Madonna,” Vincenzo Depalma, June 20, 2024, YouTube video, 1:15:35, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El0crjdU2Nw

May is National Fitness and Sports Month and CHRISTUS Health is raising awareness about the importance of physical activity and sports participation for people of all ages and abilities.

Physical fitness not only involves physical health, but also mental well-being and an enhanced quality of life.

“Engaging in regular physical activity helps prevent chronic diseases, enhances mental health and promotes overall well-being,” said Alan Edwards, supervisor of athletic training at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. “It’s not just about appearance, it’s about feeling good and leading a healthier, happier life.”

Physical fitness and sports activities have key benefits beyond improved physical health and enhanced mental well-being. There are also social benefits and a sports medicine connection.

“Sports participation builds teamwork, leadership and social bonds – all of which are vital for mental and emotional well-being,” said Edwards.

Sports medicine plays a crucial role in helping individuals recover from injuries, enhance performance and prevent future injuries. “Our goal is to help athletes perform at their peak while reducing the risk of injury,” Edwards said.

Physical fitness and sports are more than just a goal—they’re a lifestyle. Whether it’s lacing up for a morning jog, joining a local sports team or simply moving more each day, the goal should be to push boundaries and build healthier communities.

Mark your calendars because Monday, June 2 is National Leave Work Early Day. This quirky National Day is intended to be an incentive to those who often work more than 40 hours each week. It’s a reminder for those of you who find yourself living to work instead of working to live.

About a third of Americans work more than 40 hours per week. Some work even more than that. Those who are self-employed or who work two jobs, likely work 60-80 hours per week. Those types of hours don’t leave much time for family, self-care, or home maintenance. Stress piles up and so do the phone calls from mom, the grandkids, and maybe the gym wondering where you’ve been. It’s time to get yourself away from your desk and make the most of your time. 

The annual holiday was founded by employee productivity expert Laura Stack in 2004 to raise awareness of the benefits of increased workplace productivity. Making small adjustments in the way we approach work can greatly improve the results of our work, allowing us to become more productive in the office while spending fewer hours there.

So punch out a bit early Monday and enjoy the extra time doing what you love to do, spending time with family or friends, take that afternoon nap you’ve been needing, start that new novel that’s been on your bedside table for months, do a little yard work or wash the car.

Source: nationalcalendarday.com

In today’s tournament bass fishing world, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the music to the popular soap opera TV series “The Young and the Restless” or maybe “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Today we’ll take a look at all the drama tournament bass fishing is going through that would make any soaps fan jealous.

If you noticed, I was not specific to professional bass fishing. That’s because there’s drama on all levels of tournament bass fishing. Whether it’s a local bass club event, BFL’s, ABA’s, Toyota Series or a benefit tournament, no event is immune to drama.

People have often asked why all the drama today? Well, I personally think a lot of this started when the Bassmaster Elite Series decided to split with over 80 anglers jumping over to the newly formed MLF, known as Major League Fishing.

Tensions were high during this split in 2018 as anglers made career decisions on whether to stay with B.A.S.S. or go to MLF. Friendships were lost and enemies created over these decisions.

This split was similar to what happened with professional golf as the PGA Tour and the LIV Tour created a lot of drama as golfers made decisions based on the opportunity to earn more guaranteed money.

Social media has thrived with controversy swirling around tournament anglers. Disqualifications for rules violations by highly-regarded anglers has had both of the professional organizations dealing with constant negativity.

The “no information” rule has also been a problem as anglers have been failing polygraph exams. There’s also been controversy with anglers cheating when catching bass outside the mouth when site fishing, which is a rules violation.

But in today’s world, bad behavior is rewarded with social media clicks. Anglers know that it’s all about how many “views” or “likes” they can gather on social media which draws more attention to them and their sponsors.

It goes back to the adage, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Sponsors of both B.A.S.S. and MLF have learned to turn their heads when it comes to bad behavior with anglers not following the rules.

So, back to our original question — is social media good or bad for competitive bass fishing? It all depends on who you ask. As far as the sport of bass fishing goes, I think it has been both good and bad. The good part has been the amount of information anglers can get about a particular body of water. It can also be a great place to share fishing information and celebrate a recent victory or a high finish.

The bad side of social media is when people spread gossip; most of which is not true. They use it for what I call “feeding the beast.” It has also been known as a place where people vent their frustrations and express their feelings waiting on anyone to respond so they can engage in hate.

Like so many other things in today’s world, social media divides us and has become a landing spot for negativity. It’s up to us as individuals if we want to participate in the hostility or just keep on scrolling.

‘Til next time, good luck with your fishing and stay safe.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

The Red River Parish School Board is accepting applications for a highly motivated and experienced Assistant Principal of Instruction. This position plays a crucial role in creating an environment where teachers can design and implement effective courses of study, enabling students to learn and develop optimally. This position may be assigned to any of the following school sites: Red River Elementary, Red River Junior High, or Red River High School.