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Wishing all our readers a Happy Thanksgiving!

Red River Parish Journal will not publish Friday, November 29 so we can enjoy this season of thanksgiving with family and friends. 

You can find the next publication of RRPJ Monday morning at 6:55am in your email, online at redriverparishournal.com or on our Facebook page with all your local coverage of news you can’t get anywhere else.

With heavy hearts and fond memories, the family of Ardis Almond (“Papa”) announces his passing on November 21st, 2024, at the age of 75. Ardis was born on February 13th, 1949 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Laurie and Flo Almond, and lived a life full of love, laughter, and adventure.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Ardis is survived by his wife, Patricia Almond, his sister Renee Almond Hill, his children Vince (Tayja) Almond and Jennifer (Bryan) Fowler, and grandchildren Harley (Chris) Baker, Mystery Almond, Abby Fowler, Avery Fowler, Alyssa Fowler, and Ashley Fowler.

Ardis attended Texas A&M University where he honorably served in the Corps of Cadets. Ardis went on to earn a degree as a mechanical engineer from Texas A&M, and later used that education to design and build much of what is still being used at the Almond Brothers sawmill today. He always liked to say, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” After graduation and before starting his career in the sawmill business, he proudly served in the United States Army, as an officer. From the date of service until his passing, Ardis proudly honored servicemen and veterans and profoundly understood the sacrifice and dedication that it took to serve our nation.

In between studying engineering, and supporting the Aggies, Ardis met the love of his life, Pat. Throughout their years together, Ardis and Pat shared a deep passion for travel. They explored the world together, and they eventually found it challenging to discover new places they hadn’t yet been. Their journeys together were a testament to their shared curiosity and love for life, which Ardis exemplified every day.

Throughout his life, Ardis touched many people with his kindness, knowledge, and love of Aggie Football. He only ever missed two home Texas A&M football games: one when his granddaughter was getting married, and another one when his granddaughter won a poetry contest. The only thing he loved more than football was his family.

In his career, Ardis was appreciated for his leadership in the sawmill/forestry industry, as President of Almond Brothers Lumber Co. from 1983 to 2020. In addition to his leadership positions in the company, he was greatly respected and admired across the entire lumber industry, having served as the president of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer Association in 2004. His leadership and wisdom will be missed as he felt like everyone at the company were part of the family.

On Friday nights, you could usually find Ardis on the sidelines of the local high school football games firing the cannon after touchdowns. He was a constant supporter of Vince and Jennifer’s athletics, always so proud to watch Vince kick field goals, or Jennifer play basketball and cheer. He continued with the love and pride of his family by attending almost every event each of his grandchildren would participate in, including basketball, school events, art shows and awards, volleyball and cheerleading competitions.
One of the major loves of his life was the construction of a home-built airplane that he and his family, along with his father-in-law, built outside his home in Coushatta. After building the airplane and being the first to fly it, he spent the next several decades flying. Taking friends and family flying in his plane was truly one of his greatest passions.

Ardis was a friend to nearly everybody he met. He had a rare and extraordinary quality of meeting people, showing genuine interest in who they were, and what they loved; remembering and genuinely wanting to hear more about those interests the next time he saw them. He was gracious and faithful to everyone in his path. As a result, Ardis truly had so many lifelong friends.

In addition to all of his accomplishments and the love he had for his family and friends, maybe the easiest thing for people to see in Ardis was his love for and relationship with Jesus Christ. He was benevolent with his blessings and his faith. He willingly shared his faith with family, friends, employees, and strangers, always walking strongly and courageously with his creator.

A celebration of Ardis’s life will take place on Sunday, December 1st at 3pm at First Methodist Church in Coushatta.

For residents who have regular trash pickup on Thursdays, Waste Connections has announced that Friday, November 29, will be pickup for this week. Wednesday pickup in town will remain the same.

There are a lot of hunters that can look back on Thanksgiving with fond memories. It’s not just about the food and football, but about their hunts as well. While some hunt ducks, quail or squirrels, others head for their favorite deer stand on Thanksgiving morning. Today we’ll go back in time during the early ‘70’s on a hunt I’ll never forget.

Every year as far back as I can remember, my favorite time to go hunting was on Thanksgiving morning. There was just something special about this day and waking up early knowing that three good things were going to happen that day. First, I was going deer hunting looking to shoot a good buck. Next, I knew there would be one heck of a Thanksgiving spread waiting for me after the hunt.

This would be a meal that would include my mom’s tasty cornbread dressing, fresh brown gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, hot butter top rolls, deviled eggs, and either a pan roasted turkey or, every once in a while, she would shake things up with oven baked Cornish hens. To wash all this down you could choose grape Kool-Aid or sweet tea. For dessert, there was a choice between sweet potato or pecan pie, along with mom’s famous fruit salad (which was better after day 3) covered in homemade whip cream topped with walnuts.

As you can see, there was no shortage of food. But the third thing I looked forward to, that Thanksgiving Day would not be complete without, was a Dallas Cowboys victory. Nothing was more satisfying after a great meal than watching the Cowboy’s destroy their opponent.

But let’s talk about a Thanksgiving hunt I will remember forever…my first buck at the age of 12. This particular morning the temperature was in the mid 40’s with sunny skies predicted. A great morning for blowing smoke as you sat on your deer stand. But this day had a different feel, a feeling of anticipation because I had already seen the buck I was after the weekend before.

It appeared to be a solid mature eight-point buck that I hoped would make his presence known. But for some odd reason, I decided not to sit in my stand which was in the woods at the top of a hill overlooking a creek. There was also a game trail crossing this creek that deer were using on a regular basis.

So, I set up at the base of a huge pin oak tree just 20 yards off the game trail. It wasn’t long (30 minutes) before I heard the sound of something crashing through the woods headed directly in my direction. As I peered through the dense wood cover, I saw the huge buck crossing the creek and coming straight at me. Then halfway up the hill, the big eight point stopped and locked up as if he knew something wasn’t right.

I knew at this point the deer had probably gotten wind of me. I sat motionless with the buck looking in my direction about 30 feet away pawing at the ground. At one point it was as if we made actual eye contact. While this seemed like an eternity, I don’t think I took a breath for at least two minutes.

Finally, the buck looked back in the direction he came from and that’s when I raised my Remington 308 rifle and fired one shot. The buck jumped in the air and whirled around and headed back across the creek. I thought, “Surely, I didn’t miss that buck!” I mean he was the biggest buck in the county in my eyes! But then I heard him hit the ground confirming that I had made a clean shot.

The man I was hunting with, who was a good friend of the family, heard my shot and came immediately. We slowly walked towards the deer as we crossed the shallow creek and there he was, a really nice mature eight-point buck that I thought was the same deer I had seen the weekend before.

To say this was my favorite Thanksgiving ever would be an understatement! I was so excited and could not wait to show the deer to my family and friends. This is just one story of many that so many hunters get to experience during this time of year.

It’s also another reason for all of us to be thankful, not just for the opportunity to go hunting, but for the time we get to share with each other. Till next time, good luck, good hunting, as I would like to wish each of you a happy Thanksgiving!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

The Reverse Advent Calendar idea is so simple – rather than receiving a treat each day, you gift one.

Packed to the brim with Christmas spirit, it’s an ideal tradition to start in your home and perfect for reminding us to think of others at this busy time of year.

Once complete, take to a local church, food bank or a family in need.

Most of Tom’s life was spent in incarceration, but now he was sentenced to death by guillotine.  The date of his execution was set for November 19.  As he sat on death row, he could do nothing but wait.  From his jail cell, he could see others awaiting a similar fate.  Tom knew nothing of their reasons for being there, whether they were innocent or guilty, but Tom was absolutely innocent.  As the old saying goes, “everyone on death row is innocent.”  One by one he watched as they were led away never to return.  Shortly after their cells were vacated, other prisoners took their place in a seemingly never-ending cycle.  Finally, his day had come.  He spoke not a word as he was led out of his jail cell and onto the platform.  The only thing that could save Tom now would be a last-minute reprieve, but it had never happened to someone under Tom’s circumstances.  There was little hope.

Tom’s time had come.  From the platform which had been set up in such a way as to give the public a good view, Tom looked out at the crowd as they looked back at him.  Rather than a somber occasion, the crowd was relaxed and seemed almost cheerful.  The crowd knew something that Tom did not.  A man stood next to Tom and begin to speak to the crowd.  Like the crowd, the speaker was smiling and cheerful as he spoke.  Tom watched the crowd in silence.  During his speech, the man told the crowd that he was commuting Tom’s death sentence to life in prison.  Tom was saved from the guillotine.  After some brief remarks, a quick photo, and a few questions from reporters, the speaker gave the sign and John was whisked away from the podium.  He was transported back to his cell at the Keithley McPherrin turkey breeding farms in Sunnymead, California.  Tom, a white 55-pound turkey, was the first turkey in history to receive a pardon from the President of the United States.

Although other presidents had saved various turkeys from dinner tables throughout the years, the pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey did not become an annual tradition until Thanksgiving 1989 when George H.W. Bush said at a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation ceremony, while animal rights activists picketed nearby, “let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.” 

As we gather together with family and friends this Thanksgiving, we should remember to be thankful for everything and, more importantly, everyone we have.  We should be thankful for every moment we have on this earth because none of us know how much time we have.  You see, the first turkey to receive a presidential pardon was by President John F. Kennedy.  Kenndy planned to spend that Thanksgiving with his family in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, but first he had to do a short political tour.  On November 22, 1963, three days after pardoning Tom, John F. Kennedy was riding in a convertible in Dallas…

Sources:    

1.      The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), November 20, 1963, p.12.

2.     The Post-Star (Glens Falls, New York) , November 18, 1989, p.4.

3.     Betty C. Monkman, “Pardoning the Thanksgiving Turkey,” The White House Historical Association, accessed November 23, 2024, https://www.whitehousehistory.org/pardoning-the-thanksgiving-turkey.

Black Friday is the official start of the Christmas holiday shopping season. 

So how did Black Friday come to be.

According to the History Channel, the name dates back to the 1950s, police in the city of Philadelphia used the term to describe the chaos that ensued on the day after Thanksgiving, when hordes of suburban shoppers and tourists flooded into the city in advance of the big Army-Navy football game held on that Saturday every year. Not only were Philly cops not able to take the day off, but they had to work extra-long shifts dealing with the additional crowds and traffic. Shoplifters also took advantage of the bedlam in stores and made off with merchandise, adding to the law enforcement headache.

Do you Black Friday shop? Online or in-store?

According to 2023 statistics, online shopping is much more popular than going to brick-and-mortar stores. But many retailers claim that the best deals are the ones found in-stores not online.

These days, the single day or weekend after Thanksgiving has now expanded into weeks giving even more opportunities to score the best deals on all the most popular items. 

Whether you are looking for the latest toys and goodies or the best prices on the latest tech gadgets, Black Friday deals are the best time to cross off items on your list.

In some families, Thanksgiving will involve holding hands and praying before the meal. I was thinking about all the tables full of food surrounded by family members, who have gathered for this holiday. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with love and grace. What are your family traditions around this holiday?

Will you share your blessings? Are you a hand-holding family?

Has God given you a hand to hold?

Ronald Greer tells this story:

“I was sitting in the Atlanta airport, waiting at Gate 32 to board a plane. Zones 1 and 2 were called; I stood, picked up my briefcase, and walked toward the line that was forming. As I passed a row of seats, I heard a girl ask her mother, “Do I stand up now?”

Something about the girl’s voice got my attention. She was developmentally disabled. I kept walking, got in line, and boarded the plane.

I took my place in seat 7C. After I settled in, I looked up. There was the girl, coming down the aisle by herself. I was surprised to see that she was a teenager—she was so petite that she appeared almost frail. The seat in front of mine was hers.

Then “Animal House” boarded. A group of college students came down the aisle and took several rows of seats across from us. They were laughing, joking with one another, and having a great time. But above all else, they were cool. Cool, you understand, was imperative.

Finally, the plane was pushed back and began taxiing. Ten minutes later the pilot announced that we were cleared for takeoff. He made the final turn onto the runway.

I looked up and saw that little head with brunette hair lean partway across the aisle. I heard the girl say to the college student across from her, “I get really nervous when we take off. Would you hold my hand?”
My eyes were riveted on the young man to see what he would do. Holding a stranger’s hand is not cool. After a first nervous blush, he began to smile, and halfway across the aisle came that kid’s big ol’ hand. The girl’s tiny fingers grabbed it and squeezed it.

There they held hands across the aisle, as our Delta jet was airborne.

There they held hands as I stared, also in disbelief, and memorized that sacred moment. I knew I was seeing a sacrament.”

Has God given you a hand to hold?

Celebrate the harvest season with the Louisiana Harvest of the Month coloring book. This is a fun way to teach youth about the many fruits and vegetables grown in Louisiana! Available for download from the LSU AgCenter: https://tinyurl.com/HarvestoftheMonthColoringBook

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa December 7 at 10am at First Methodist Church in Coushatta.

The Spirit of DeSoto Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, November 30. The World’s Tallest Christmas Tree Structure will be lit at 6:30PM. This year’s event, from 5-8pm, will include live local worship band performances, light show, food trucks, jump houses, and more. Parking will be at North DeSoto High School, with a FREE shuttle ride to the event. Guest appearance by Santa himself, to be inside the Stonewall Government Plaza. 

The Coushatta Chute Chapter DAR and Springville Cemetery will hold a Wreaths Across America Day on December 14, 2024, at 11am. Wreaths will be placed on the more than 265 graves of Veterans identified in the Springville Cemetery. Members of the community and families of veterans who would like to sponsor a wreath are encouraged to order online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/la0106p.

Christmas in Minden Candyland Christmas is December 13-15 in Downtown Minden. There’s a weekend full of festive events planned for the entire family. 

Marshall Vernon Hough, Jr.
August 5, 1950 – November 24, 2024
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 10am at Magnolia Baptist Church in Saline.

Ardis Almond
February 13, 1949 – November 21, 2024
Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 3pm at First Methodist Church in Coushatta.

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

FARMERVILLE – Red River had scored non-offensive touchdowns in its last four games, but in Friday’s second-round playoff game at Union Parish, the Bulldogs were on the other end.

After No. 12 seed Red River struck first with a touchdown, Union Parish flipped the script and used an interception return for a touchdown as part of a 21-point first quarter.

The No. 5 seed Farmers ran away from there as Union Parish snatched a 42-8 win in this Division III Non-Select playoff game.

“The interception return for a touchdown gave Union control of the game,” said Red River coach Byron Keller. “Union has a dominant physical run game, but we were able to contain the run game but not their passing game.

“We wanted to set the tone early, and we wanted to score early and try to keep them playing from behind.”

Red River (7-5) did do that early as quarterback Malique Smith found Warren Bowman for the first touchdown of the game.

The Bulldogs scored on their opening possession, and they were looking to battle blow for blow with the reigning Division III Non-Select champions.
But that championship pedigree took over, specifically Union Parish’s (8-4) passing game and physical defense.

Quarterback Braxton Patterson, who had thrown for 1,000 yards entering the second-round playoff game, connected with Chase Meeking and other receivers to take control Friday.

The air attack plus Khaidyn Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown lifted Union Parish into the quarterfinals, where they’ll travel to No. 4 seed Kinder.

Union Parish scored 42 points on a Red River defense that barely allowed that many points in its six-game winning streak (46 points).

Red River played against two programs with recent championships in Oak Grove (55-6 loss) and Union Parish, and Keller said those experiences will be crucial as the Bulldogs attempt to build their own championship pedigree.

“In order to be a championship program, you have to know how they play, prepare, and execute,” Keller said. “Our players have been exposed to it and now understand what it takes to get to that level.

“Our program took strides toward that goal this year.”

Those strides include Red River winning its first district title since 2005.

The Bulldogs played seven of their 10 regular-season games away from home, which loomed large in Red River’s 1-4 start.

But Red River turned that early-season adversity in losses like Catholic-Pointe Coupee (26-6 loss), White Castle (48-30 loss), and Pineville (32-20 loss) to success in District 3-2A.

A sophomore-laden offensive line matured, and Smith progressed in the passing game.

The defense mastered its alignment and nurtured an ability to force turnovers into dominant play.

While Red River will miss seniors like Montreveun Smith, Jomello McDonald, Cameron Hobley and Jacob Kellogg, the Bulldogs are fairly young and will return the bulk of their starters.

“It’s always tough when you get to the end of the season and realize that a great group of kids are moving on,” Keller said. “That they’ve worn the Red River uniform for the last time.

“But I’m thankful for our time together and have memories for life. Our underclassmen have large shoes to fill.”

Red River started the season wanting to climb the district ladder, and now the Bulldogs will try to find ways to crack into the state’s elite in Class 2A/Division III.

Country Day Montessori paid a visit to Rivertown Market recently for a lesson in math. 

Students applied skills of rounding, adding and subtracting decimals, and finding percentages to plan a Thanksgiving meal within a specific budget by estimating the approximate cost, and then calculating the exact cost with taxes.

The students also calculated the cost per unit of various items and found the most economical options.

The students enjoyed their day.

Source: Country Day Montessori Facebook page

Thirty-five high school students from Red River High School’s student media group visited Northwestern State University’s Department of New Media, Journalism, and Communications Arts Nov. 14 for an engaging seminar day organized by Department Head Dr. Jessica Zhang.

During the visit, students started their day with an investigative journalism case about the tragedy of Ronald Greene. NMJCA’s Wise Chair, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James Mustian, walked students through the case and highlighted the key differences between reactive reporting and proactive investigative journalism.

Students then enjoyed hands-on experiences with modern TV studio technologies and ESPN+ broadcasting. David Antilley, director of NSU-TV, and James Stanfield, NSU’s coordinator of ESPN+ productions, made fact-based presentations and led a field trip to the ESPN+ trailer.

The day concluded with a communication exercise with Dr. Fran Lemoine, dean of the College of Arts and Science, and an interview with NSU President James Genevese. Lemoine encouraged students to think about perspective-taking in day-to-day communication through a creative exercise. Genevese opened the floor for interview questions from students. Students asked him questions about his background, his motivation to pursue a law degree and become a judge, why he chose NSU and how he plans to make the university better.

Students from Red River High School are pictured with NSU President Genevese and Dr. Fran Lemoine in the NSU Student Union. Red River High School Student Media Coordinator Stephanie Oldenburg expressed gratitude to NSU faculty and staff for hosting the students in learning about opportunities available through NSU’s Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts.

Northwestern State University has restarted its rodeo team after a hiatus of more than 20 years.

According to team advisor Professor of Educational Psychology Dr. Michelle Morris, alumni of the program reached out to the NSU administration last summer requesting the university sponsor a rodeo team again.

“We have received an outpouring of support from the local community offering resources to support our rodeo athletes,” said Morris. “Rodeo alumni and the Natchitoches community rallied to restart the team. They called the university, connected with administrators
and faculty and made Facebook posts to gain support. I’ve never seen such an outpouring of support and enthusiasm for bringing back a cherished sport to Northwestern.”

NSU had a rodeo program from the early 1960s through the mid-90s supported by a student fee. Cuts to academic programs in agricultural sciences made it difficult to recruit students to participate.

Morris said the university has been helpful in restarting the team. She said NSU has provided financial support for recruitment and rodeo advising since the beginning of the fall semester. Students were gifted competition vests with NSU’s logo to use while
on the team. Student fees are available to support riders at the completion of paperwork.

The team has two members, barrel racers Karli English, an accounting major from Leesville, and McKenzie Davis, an accounting major from Pollock. English competed in four intercollegiate rodeos this semester and Davis competed in two. NSU is in the Southern
Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). There are five rodeos each semester and the national finals in the summer.

Events for male rodeo athletes include saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling and team roping. Events for female rodeo athletes include barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying and team roping.

Morris said she is actively recruiting new team members. Current NSU students, incoming freshmen and transfer students who are ready to compete are welcome. For more information, contact Morris at
paulselm@nsula.edu

As Thanksgiving approaches it may benefit us to take a deep breath and realize that although this past year was at times difficult, punctuated by a tumultuous presidential election, we have made it.  We have persevered through another year and that is commendable, in and of itself.

Our recently passed Veterans Day makes me grateful not only for our current military heroes but also for those who were grievously wounded and those 1.1 million American service men and women since the Revolutionary War to the present day who died defending America, placing on the altar of freedom that “last full measure of devotion.”

And why was this enormous sacrifice made?

For the defense and preservation of the freedom and liberties we often take for granted.  These fundamental rights include the ability to speak out and peacefully express our opinions—to one another and to our government; to defend ourselves in court when we are accused of a crime; to arm ourselves under the 2nd Amendment so we may protect ourselves and our families against crime—and even, according to our Founders’ intent, from an unjust U.S. government; and to gather and pray as millions of us will do with our loved ones on Thanksgiving Day. 

We are thankful our Declaration of Independence remains the “promise” of America and that our Constitution remains dedicated to the “fulfillment of the promise” of America.  We treasure the Declaration’s recognition of both our intrinsic human value and that our rights come not from government but from God: “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 and that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

It’s true America must continue to grapple with and solve many challenges that face us. We will need to overcome the self-inflicted economic pain and international vulnerabilities caused by some of our government’s breathtakingly poor policy choices, among other struggles.  Yet, I am encouraged at the thought of the tremendous talent and ingenuity of the American entrepreneur and the stunning ability of the free market and free people to adapt to tough times, as we have so many times in American history. 

In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, President George Washington declared:

“…it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor … I recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

In both his first and second Thanksgiving Day addresses, President Reagan echoed Washington’s beliefs. 

In his 1981 Thanksgiving Day Address to the American people, President Reagan, for whom my brother Tom worked in the White House at the time, reminded all Americans that God, not government, is the source of the multitude of national blessings bestowed upon all Americans, and that charity toward one another is engrained upon our national soul.

President Reagan pointed out that “long before there was a government welfare program, this spirit of voluntary giving was ingrained in the American character.” 

In his second Thanksgiving Day message in 1982, President Reagan said that “I have always believed that this anointed land was set apart in an uncommon way, that a divine plan placed this great continent here between the oceans to be found by people from every corner of the Earth who had a special love of faith and freedom.”

This week I hope we are able to unplug and reconnect with our families and our faith, reaffirming what should be our enormous gratitude for our blessings.

Pres. Trump, for whose election we should be deeply grateful, proclaimed Thanksgiving Day in 2020:

On Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for the abundant blessings in our lives.  As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this season of generosity, hope, and gratitude, we commemorate America’s founding traditions of faith, family, and friendship, and give thanks for the principles of freedom, liberty, and democracy that make our country exceptional in the history of the world … I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Royal Alexander

BATON ROUGE, La. – Legislators adjourned the 3^rd Special Session of 2024 ahead of schedule adopting several bills focused on improving Louisiana’s tax structure and returning more money to its citizens.  Lawmakers had until Monday, at 6:00 p.m. to complete their work on tax reform, but instead finished just before 3:30 pm Friday.  

Legislation headed to the governor’s desk for signature includes but is not limited to reducing both personal and corporate income taxes for everyone, doubling the standard tax deductions for seniors, getting rid of the state’s corporate franchise tax, making permanent a $2,000 teacher pay raise and advancing a constitutional amendment giving lawmakers more flexibility to reduce taxes in the future.

“Improving Louisiana’s tax policies optimizes our state for growth,” said Senate President J. Cameron Henry.  “The package of bills we delivered to the Governor will undoubtedly stimulate economic growth and change the state’s overall trajectory.  I’m proud of the hard work of the Senate and appreciate our lawmakers for taking the time to come back to Baton Rouge to stabilize our budget ahead of 2025.”

“As we continue to work together to stop the outward migration people from Louisiana,  it was imperative that we address the $700 million dollar upcoming fiscal cliff, cut taxes by over $500 million dollars, lower income taxes for everyone and give teachers a permanent raise,” said Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier. “I’m honored to be a part of this Legislature as we advance this critical work and I know we’ll continue to consider similar reforms during the regular session in just five months.”

“Our goal was to make sure our people are able to keep more of their hard earned income, improve Louisiana’s business climate and limit the growth of government moving forward.  We came up with a plan to reset the state and we’ve checked many of the boxes,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Julie Emerson.  “In the future, we aim to spur economic growth, lower our sales tax rate, and continue to move toward our goal of zero personal income tax. Overall this session has moved the needle in a positive direction.”

“Active participation from the public and business leaders during this session directed much of the work in the Senate,” said Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Chair Franklin Foil. “The final package represents a collaborative effort that honors the big goal of moving Louisiana up in the rankings.”

Looking ahead, voters across the state will now consider adopting the constitutional amendment passed by the Legislature addressing tax reform during a March 29, 2025 statewide election.  The amendment rewrites significant portions of the budget and taxation sections of state constitution including the merger of several accounts that will further help the state lower personal and corporate income tax rates.  The amendment also gives local government the ability to opt out of collecting inventory taxes and provides the funding mechanism for permanent teacher pay raises. 

Bills of interest passed during the special session include:

• HB 2 (CORPORATE INCOME) – Reduces tax rate for corporations from 7.5% to a flat rate of 5.5 % and phases out many credits, deductions and exemptions
• HB 3 (CORPORATE FRANCHISE) – Eliminates the corporate franchise tax
• HB 5 (TEACHER PAY) – Provides a permanent $2,000 pay raise for teachers and a $1,000 increase for other employees using savings from debt payments to the Teacher’s Retirement System
• HB 7 (CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT) – Rewrites certain portions of the budget and tax sections of the constitution (Article VII) and limits growth in future state spending
• HB 8 (DIGITAL SERVICES) – Modernizes the state’s sales tax code by including apps, streaming services, software, digital books and music
• HB 10 (PERSONAL & STATE SALES TAXES)
  Lowers personal income taxes to a flat rate of 3%
  Sets the state’s sales tax rate at 5.0% for 5-years, then reduces it to 4.75%

“Making sure everyone who pays income taxes sees a reduction is a big win for the people of Louisiana,” said Representative Mark Wright, who authored HB 10. “This Legislature managed to reduce the state’s regressive personal income tax rates from 1.85%, 3.5% and 4.25% to a flat rate of 3% for everybody while increasing the standard deduction ensuring everyone in Louisiana pays less, and the lowest wage earners won’t pay any income tax.”

“Modernizing our tax structure and broadening our base through the inclusion of digital services was an important accomplishment this session,” said Vice Chair Ken Brass, who sponsored the digital goods legislation. “Louisiana now joins 44 other states in making this adjustment, bringing our state’s tax policies more in line with the rest of the country and allowing locals to fund critical services like education, law enforcement and government.”

A full listing of instruments can be found at www.legis.la.gov.  Looking ahead, the 2025 Regular Legislative Session will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025. 

Red River 4-H will host a photography workshop Monday, November 25 from 1-4pm for students in grades 4-12 and adults. There will be no cost for 4-H members. Call the office to register at 932-4342 or email jfontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu

The Spirit of DeSoto Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, November 30. The World’s Tallest Christmas Tree Structure will be lit at 6:30PM. This year’s event, from 5-8pm, will include live local worship band performances, light show, food trucks, jump houses, and more. Parking will be at North DeSoto High School, with a FREE shuttle ride to the event. Guest appearance by Santa himself, to be inside the Stonewall Government Plaza.

Coushatta/Red River Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas parade and fireworks will be Thursday, December 5.

The LSU AgCenter will host Christmas at the Farm on Saturday, December 14 from 5:30-8pm at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City, LA. Admission is $5. Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite Christmas pj’s as they decorate Christmas cookies, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy a Christmas Classic Movie projected on the side of the Big Red Barn. Make sure to bring your chairs and blankets. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be served during the movie. There will also be a Winter hayride around the farm on the “Red River Christmas Express” with hot chocolate and cookies. Contact Donna Haynes for more information. 318-408-0971.

Clara Springs Baptist Camp will host Winter Retreat 2025. The retreat begins Friday, January 31 at 6pm (starting with dinner) and ends after lunch on Saturday, February 1 at 1pm. The retreat will be packed with laughter, friendship, and thrilling activities. This is an overnight camp. Get details here.

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Red River Parish Schools received school performance scores for the 2024 school year. The district score remained a B with a 5.2-point gain and is within 3 points of the state average. This is the most significant assessment growth in over 4 years and the highest score ever recorded for Red River LEAP 2025 assessments. All schools have outperformed their assessment levels before the accountability system change in 2019.

The Elementary School maintained a C and grew 2.9 points overall. This puts the school 2 points from a B. The LEAP 2025 assessment index rose by 3.7 points. In subgroup performance, minority populations scores climbed 9.2 points from 2022, and the students with disabilities Leap 2025 performance scores rose 7 points.

Red River Academic Academy maintained an A grade and grew 9.5 points in their total letter grade. This school is a Top Gaines Honoree and Opportunity Honoree in the state.

Red River Jr. High grew 2.4 points overall and 4.7 points in their total letter grade. It produced its highest Dropout Credit Accumulation Index to date, 146 out of 150. These accomplishments put the Junior High School within 2 points of a C grade.

The High School maintained an A and grew 1.4 points on LEAP 2025 assessments and 3.4 points on ACT, securing the highest ACT/Workkeys index to date.

Louisiana’s statewide school performance score in 2024 improved by nearly two points. The statewide score is 80.2, a 1.7-point increase from 2023 when the statewide score was 78.5. These results come one year after Louisiana students exceeded the pre-pandemic performance score.

Next year, Louisiana’s accountability system will change again, and all status/grades will be transformed. The sliding scale has hampered school district efforts to achieve stability in achievement. Simulated scores for all districts will be released in the coming weeks.