The 2026 Natchitoches Car Show, a sure sign of the upcoming Fall season now in its 20th year, was held Friday and Saturday in downtown Natchitoches. Thousands of visitors filled the downtown area and enjoyed seeing 357 cars parked on the riverbank and Front Street. The vehicles ranged from a variety of classic Volkswagens to a 1939 Rolls Royce limousine. There was indeed something for every taste.
The visiting car owners started arriving on Friday and were treated to a welcoming fish fry. The car show continued Saturday morning and went on throughout the day. Visitors to the show were able to enjoy live music from several local bands as they perused the vehicles on display. At the end of the show, the car owners gathered at the downtown riverbank for the presentation of awards.
The Natchitoches Classic Car Show has grown over the past 20 years into one of the largest and most eagerly awaited events held in the city as well as a popular destination for antique car aficionados. This year’s show featured a car driven by its owner all the way from British Columbia, Canada as well as a car from Alaska. The show is a solid day of nostalgia with no cost to attend. The event is also a wonderful showcase for our community. Events such as the annual Classic Car Show are part and parcel of what makes life in our community special!
The inaugural festival brings 10 artists and two nights of country music to Natchitoches as Northwestern State University launches an annual event with ambitions to become North Louisiana’s premier music festival. Get your tickets now at topofthebootmusicfest.com.
By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University
On Oct. 16 and 17, Northwestern State University will welcome country music fans, alumni, students, families and visitors to Natchitoches for the inaugural Top of the Boot Music Festival. The two-day event will bring established country stars, rising artists and Louisiana talent to the NSU campus for a fall weekend centered on live music, good times and the people you want beside you.
Friday, Oct. 16, opens with co-headliners Lee Brice and Louisiana native Dylan Scott.
Brice brings a catalog that includes eight No. 1 country singles and songs such as “I Drive Your Truck,” “I Don’t Dance,” “Hard to Love” and “One of Them Girls.” Scott returns to his home state with four No. 1 songs on the U.S. Country Airplay charts, including “My Girl,” “New Truck,” “Can’t Have Mine” and “This Town’s Been Too Good to Us.”
Lanie Gardner, Jackson Wendell and Clay LaBeff complete Friday’s lineup.
Saturday, Oct. 17, features Flatland Cavalry as the night’s headliner. The Texas Country and Americana group has earned three ACM Group of the Year nominations from 2024 through 2026. Ian Munsick, Rodney Atkins, Laine Hardy and Bottomland round out Saturday’s lineup.
Across two nights, 10 artists will take the stage at Northwestern State.
The reach of Top of the Boot extends well beyond Natchitoches. Marketing for the festival stretches across a multi-state region from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Jackson, Mississippi, south to New Orleans, Louisiana and west to Houston and Dallas, Texas.
That reach reflects the scale of the vision. Top of the Boot is being built as an annual destination event with the goal of becoming North Louisiana’s premier music festival, bringing country music fans from across Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas to Natchitoches each fall.
The festival will take place behind the NSU Soccer Complex along Tarleton Drive. Food trucks, vendors and two nights of performances will create a place for friends, families and loved ones to spend a fall weekend together.
For alumni, it is a reason to come home. For prospective students and families, it is another way to experience Northwestern State. For visitors, it is an invitation to spend time on campus and in Natchitoches while enjoying one of North Louisiana’s largest new entertainment events.
Northwestern State Athletics also has a direct stake in the festival’s success. The event was created to benefit NSU student-athletes while showcasing the university and Natchitoches to visitors from across the region.
Every annual tradition has a first year. For Top of the Boot, that year is 2026. Bring your friends. Bring your family. Come back to NSU or experience our campus for the first time. Spend two nights with some of country music’s biggest names and be there at the beginning of something built to return year after year.
Top of the Boot Music Festival Oct. 16-17, 2026 Northwestern State University Natchitoches, Louisiana
Donna Arender of Webster Parish has been named the grand prize winner of the Dolly Parton Weekend Getaway to Natchitoches, organizers announced Monday.
The $600 getaway package includes $300 in food cards, $200 in travel cash, and a $100 gas card to fund a weekend trip to Louisiana’s oldest city.
The popular promotion drew more than 4,400 entries from residents across Louisiana. Participating entries represented 27 parishes statewide: Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Claiborne, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, Evangeline, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, Union, Vernon, Webster, and Winn.
Organizers expressed appreciation to the thousands of readers who participated and congratulated Donna Arender of Webster Parish on winning the weekend retreat.
Gibsland, Louisiana, October 1, 2026 – Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. (“Gibsland Bancshares”) and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary Gibsland Bank & Trust Company (“Gibsland Bank”) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Northern Louisiana-based Marion State Bank, effective October 1, 2026.
The merger combines two historic financial institutions with complementary customer bases and loan and deposit portfolios. The combination of the two institutions will result in enhanced scale and market penetration throughout the bank’s markets, which include the Louisiana parishes of Bienville, Claiborne, Webster, Bossier, Caddo, Lincoln, Union, and Ouachita. As a result of the merger, the combined bank has approximately $859 million in total assets, approximately $617 million in total loans, and approximately $685 million in total deposits, making it one of the premier community banking franchises in the Northern Louisiana region.
“We are excited to announce our partnership with Marion State Bank and look forward to bringing together two deeply rooted Louisiana community banking franchises. Marion State Bank has built an outstanding reputation over more than a century of service to its customers and communities, and its presence in Union and Ouachita parishes is a natural complement to our franchise across northern Louisiana,” reported Thomas L. Martin, Chairman and CEO of Gibsland Bancshares and of Gibsland Bank.
“Together, we believe our combined organization will be well positioned to deliver relationship-focused banking services while continuing to invest in and support the communities we are proud to serve,” explained W. Michael Hipp, President of Gibsland Bank.
In connection with the completion of the acquisition, Scott Jones, formerly the CEO of Marion State Bank, has joined the Boards of Directors of Gibsland Bancshares and Gibsland Bank.
Customers of Marion State Bank will continue to be served through their existing branch, website, and digital banking platforms until all core systems are converted to a single platform, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2027. Customers will receive detailed conversion information in advance of any changes.
About Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.
Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for Gibsland Bank & Trust Company, a community development financial institution headquartered in Gibsland, Louisiana. Gibsland Bank & Trust Company operates 13 branches across Northern Louisiana and is focused on serving underserved and rural markets by providing financial services and broader economic support within the communities it serves.
Media Contact:
Thomas L. Martin, Chairman and CEO Gibsland Bank & Trust Company/Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. tmartin@gbt.bank
W. Michael Hipp, President Gibsland Bank & Trust Company/Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. mhipp@gbt.bank
As Jim Colvin travels through Bienville, Claiborne, and Jackson parishes, he listens to the concerns of the people he hopes to serve as District Attorney.
The Number One Issue
Voters say their main concern and most important issue is keeping dangerous, violent criminals and drug dealers off our streets to protect our children, families, and communities.
Only one candidate for DA has the successful trial record of putting violent criminals and drug dealers behind bars. That candidate is Assistant District Attorney Jim Colvin.
Since returning to the DA’s Office as a felony prosecutor in 2022, Assistant District Attorney Jim Colvin has tried multiple felony jury trials and secured unanimous verdicts of conviction in all of them.
In fact, two recent courtroom wins took a felon previously convicted of manslaughter and a major drug trafficking ring off the street.
For voters in Bienville, Claiborne, and Jackson parishes, this District Attorney’s race is about choosing the candidate who addresses their main concern: taking violent criminals and drug dealers off the streets so they cannot harm our families and friends.
That candidate is Assistant District Attorney Jim Colvin
Jim Colvin has the best record of addressing the Number One Issue of taking criminals who harm our families off the streets
There’s no better place to celebrate Dolly Parton than the Louisiana town where one of her most beloved characters came to life.
This October 9–11, Natchitoches invites visitors to spend a weekend celebrating Dolly with Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration. Inspired by Dolly’s unforgettable role as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias, the three-day celebration brings together music, movies, local businesses and plenty of pink for a weekend in the heart of Louisiana’s oldest city.
Natchitoches has long held a special connection to Steel Magnolias. The beloved film was shot in and around the city, and decades later, visitors still come to Natchitoches to experience the places that made the movie so memorable. This October, that connection takes center stage as the community celebrates Dolly’s legacy in true Natchitoches fashion.
The celebration begins Friday, October 9, with Dolly Bingo at the LSHOF at 5:30 p.m. Later that evening, channel your inner Dolly and head to Mama’s Blues Room for karaoke beginning at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, October 10, start the morning with Books & Butterflies from 8 a.m. to noon at the Natchitoches Farmers Market. The celebration continues throughout the day with Truvy’s Downtown Traipse, inviting visitors to explore Natchitoches’ historic downtown and experience Truvy’s Specials offered by participating businesses.
Saturday evening, tease up your hair and get ready for Truvy’s Big Hair Affair at Parkway Cinema 6 at 7 p.m. It’s a fitting way to celebrate a character, a movie and a little bit of Southern style that have become part of Natchitoches history.
The weekend wraps up Sunday, October 11, with a Blush & Bashful Brunch at Flying Heart Brewery beginning at 9 a.m.
While you’re here, make a weekend of it. Stroll the brick streets of the Natchitoches Historic District, shop local boutiques, enjoy Louisiana flavors, take in the beauty of Cane River and discover the filming locations that helped bring Steel Magnolias to the big screen. As Louisiana’s oldest city, Natchitoches offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with history, Southern charm and plenty to explore.
Whether you’ve loved Dolly for decades, can quote Steel Magnolias from beginning to end, or simply need an excuse for a girls’ weekend in Natchitoches, Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend is your invitation to celebrate friendship, Southern charm and the legacy of a woman whose talent and spirit have touched generations.
Pack something pink, bring your best big hair and join us October 9–11, 2026, in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
For complete event information, updates and weekend details, visit Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration at Natchitoches.com. Visitors can also explore Natchitoches.com for lodging, dining, attractions and everything needed to plan a weekend getaway.
The Parish Journals of Louisiana are giving one statewide reader the opportunity to enjoy a special weekend in Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration.
One qualifying reader will receive a $600 travel package to help make the trip possible.
The prize package includes:
$300 Food Card
$200 Travel Cash
$100 Gas Card
The winner will be selected from the statewide pool of eligible qualifiers on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
The getaway is intended for the winner to visit Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration weekend, Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
Events being planned for the weekend include Dolly Bingo at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Dolly Karaoke, downtown dining and drink specials, the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, the Creole Festival at St. Augustine Church, Butterflies and Books at the Natchitoches Farmers Market, Steel Magnolias-themed activities, shopping and entertainment along Front Street, Truvy’s Big Hair Affair on the riverbank and a Blush & Bashful Brunch.
Some celebration events remain tentative and individual schedules, locations and activities may change.
Each participating Journal will have its own signup link, but all eligible qualifiers will be combined into one statewide pool from which the winner will be selected.
There is no cost to participate.
Every eligible qualifier who completes the registration process will also receive a Lifetime Free Subscription to the Journal through which the reader qualified, delivered directly to the email address provided during registration.
Prosecutor Jim Colvin brings a felony jury trial conviction record to the District Attorney’s office that is unrivaled by any other candidate.
No other candidate comes close.
Colvin has well as over 30 years of successful business experience managing attorneys and staffs in multiple law offices.
That successful experience is very important in managing the three different parishes offices of the District Attorney, so that cases move as fast as possible to get the drug dealers and criminals off the streets.
Since returning to the courtroom as a felony prosecutor in 2022, Assistant District Attorney Colvin has tried multiple felony jury trials and has won unanimous verdicts of conviction in all of them.
In fact, two recent courtroom wins took a felon previously convicted of manslaughter and a major drug trafficking ring off the street, so they cannot harm our families and friends.
There’s no better place to celebrate Dolly Parton than the Louisiana town where one of her most beloved characters came to life.
This October 9–11, Natchitoches invites visitors to spend a weekend celebrating Dolly with Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration. Inspired by Dolly’s unforgettable role as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias, the three-day celebration brings together music, movies, local businesses and plenty of pink for a weekend in the heart of Louisiana’s oldest city.
Natchitoches has long held a special connection to Steel Magnolias. The beloved film was shot in and around the city, and decades later, visitors still come to Natchitoches to experience the places that made the movie so memorable. This October, that connection takes center stage as the community celebrates Dolly’s legacy in true Natchitoches fashion.
The celebration begins Friday, October 9, with Dolly Bingo at the LSHOF at 5:30 p.m. Later that evening, channel your inner Dolly and head to Mama’s Blues Room for karaoke beginning at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, October 10, start the morning with Books & Butterflies from 8 a.m. to noon at the Natchitoches Farmers Market. The celebration continues throughout the day with Truvy’s Downtown Traipse, inviting visitors to explore Natchitoches’ historic downtown and experience Truvy’s Specials offered by participating businesses.
Saturday evening, tease up your hair and get ready for Truvy’s Big Hair Affair at Parkway Cinema 6 at 7 p.m. It’s a fitting way to celebrate a character, a movie and a little bit of Southern style that have become part of Natchitoches history.
The weekend wraps up Sunday, October 11, with a Blush & Bashful Brunch at Flying Heart Brewery beginning at 9 a.m.
While you’re here, make a weekend of it. Stroll the brick streets of the Natchitoches Historic District, shop local boutiques, enjoy Louisiana flavors, take in the beauty of Cane River and discover the filming locations that helped bring Steel Magnolias to the big screen. As Louisiana’s oldest city, Natchitoches offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with history, Southern charm and plenty to explore.
Whether you’ve loved Dolly for decades, can quote Steel Magnolias from beginning to end, or simply need an excuse for a girls’ weekend in Natchitoches, Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend is your invitation to celebrate friendship, Southern charm and the legacy of a woman whose talent and spirit have touched generations.
Pack something pink, bring your best big hair and join us October 9–11, 2026, in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
For complete event information, updates and weekend details, visit Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration at Natchitoches.com. Visitors can also explore Natchitoches.com for lodging, dining, attractions and everything needed to plan a weekend getaway.
The Parish Journals of Louisiana are giving one statewide reader the opportunity to enjoy a special weekend in Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration.
One qualifying reader will receive a $600 travel package to help make the trip possible.
The prize package includes:
$300 Food Card
$200 Travel Cash
$100 Gas Card
The winner will be selected from the statewide pool of eligible qualifiers on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
The getaway is intended for the winner to visit Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration weekend, Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
Events being planned for the weekend include Dolly Bingo at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Dolly Karaoke, downtown dining and drink specials, the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, the Creole Festival at St. Augustine Church, Butterflies and Books at the Natchitoches Farmers Market, Steel Magnolias-themed activities, shopping and entertainment along Front Street, Truvy’s Big Hair Affair on the riverbank and a Blush & Bashful Brunch.
Some celebration events remain tentative and individual schedules, locations and activities may change.
Each participating Journal will have its own signup link, but all eligible qualifiers will be combined into one statewide pool from which the winner will be selected.
There is no cost to participate.
Every eligible qualifier who completes the registration process will also receive a Lifetime Free Subscription to the Journal through which the reader qualified, delivered directly to the email address provided during registration.
For years, businesses throughout Red River Parish have traveled to Shreveport, Natchitoches, Alexandria, and beyond for the heavy-duty truck and equipment parts they need.
Those days are coming to an end.
Beard’s Heavy Duty Truck Parts is proud to bring quality parts, dependable service, and hometown expertise to Coushatta and the surrounding communities.
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Anyone who depends on heavy-duty trucks and equipment to get the job done
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Oil, Fuel, Air & Hydraulic Filters
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Batteries
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And Much More!
Need a Part We Don’t Have?
Send us your parts list today!
Our commitment is simple: stock the parts our local customers use every day and help keep your trucks and equipment working while saving you the time and expense of traveling out of town.
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is welcoming its largest entering freshman class in three years this fall, with 1,120 first-time freshmen choosing NSU for fall 2026. The class represents a 6 percent increase over last year and continues a trend of growth in Northwestern State’s traditional student population.
The fall 2026 entering class also arrives with one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years, posting an average ACT score of 21.7 and an average high school GPA of 3.4. The class’s average ACT score is well above Louisiana’s average, reflecting the continued strength and academic quality of Northwestern’s incoming students.
The academic strength of the class is further reflected in the 114 high school valedictorians and 22 salutatorians who selected Northwestern State.
“This is the type of growth we want to see at Northwestern,” said NSU President James T. Genovese. “We are attracting talented students who want the complete college experience, and they are choosing a university where they can receive an outstanding education while developing the relationships and experiences that prepare them for life after graduation. The strength of this freshman class is a testament to the work taking place across our university.”
NSU’s reach continues to extend well beyond Natchitoches. Members of the entering class represent 10 states, 25 countries and six continents, creating an increasingly diverse student body while the university simultaneously strengthens its connection to its home community.
A record 112 members of the entering class are from Natchitoches Parish, the largest number in the last decade. NSU also continues to draw students from throughout northwest and central Louisiana. Some of the largest feeder schools include Tioga High School with 28, Airline High School with 27, Parkway High School with 26 and Pineville High School with 24.
Demand for the residential Northwestern experience remains strong. Campus housing is again at 100 percent occupancy, filling University Place I and II, University Columns and Varnado Hall. The second consecutive year of full housing reflects continued demand for the traditional, face-to-face college experience on the Natchitoches campus.
“The numbers within this freshman class tell an exciting story about where NSU is headed,” said Vanner Erikson, director of enrollment at Northwestern State. “We have more first-time freshmen, a strong academic profile, record participation from Natchitoches Parish and students coming to NSU from around the world. When you combine that with full housing, we are seeing important indicators that our focus on the traditional student experience is working.”
Student success is another significant component of the fall 2026 enrollment picture. Northwestern’s first-to-third-semester retention rate reached 70 percent, exceeding the Louisiana average of 64 percent and placing NSU among the strongest-performing institutions in the region.
The retention rate reflects a university-wide emphasis on helping students successfully transition from their first year into their second.
“Recruiting a student is only the beginning,” Erikson said. “Our responsibility is to help that student persist, graduate and ultimately accomplish what brought them to Northwestern in the first place. Seeing 70 percent of our freshmen continue into their second year tells us that the work being done by our faculty and staff is making a difference.”
At the 14-day count, overall fall 2026 enrollment was 8,245 students, compared with 8,402 in fall 2025. The decline was attributable largely to increased degree completion, including students progressing more quickly through accelerated programs.
Graduate enrollment increased to 904 students, and NSU enrolled more dual enrollment students than in fall 2025. These gains reflect continued efforts to expand graduate education, strengthen partnerships with Louisiana high schools and provide flexible pathways for students seeking college credit and advanced credentials.
“Our goal has never been simply to chase a headcount,” Genovese said. “We are focused on sustainable enrollment, attracting students who are prepared to succeed and creating an environment that makes them want to remain at Northwestern through graduation. Growth in our freshman class, strong retention and full residence halls are important signs of progress toward that goal.”
Northwestern continues to serve students throughout Louisiana through its Natchitoches campus, instructional sites and eNSU online programs while expanding recruitment efforts in Louisiana, Texas and other markets. With a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Northwestern offers students the personalized attention of a private education at a public university.
The university has also continued to invest in the student experience, academic programs and facilities, including the $45 million Robert Alost Hall, which opened in fall 2025 as a new academic hub on the Natchitoches campus.
With a larger freshman class, a strong academic profile, record enrollment from its home parish, full residence halls and retention above the state average, Northwestern officials say the fall 2026 enrollment picture provides important evidence that the university’s focus on recruitment, student success and the traditional campus experience is producing results.
“Students and families are recognizing what makes Northwestern special,” Genovese said. “They find outstanding academic programs, faculty and staff who know them personally and a campus community where they can belong. We are proud to welcome this exceptional class to the Demon family.”
NATCHITOCHES – As James T. Genovese completes his second year as president of Northwestern State University, the institution is reporting gains in student persistence, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs, private support and athletics while continuing to address enrollment and graduation challenges.
Since taking office in 2024, Genovese has organized the university’s work around five strategic focus areas: the Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Market Responsiveness, Community Enrichment and Athletic Prominence. University officials said those priorities have guided efforts in recruitment, retention, academic programming, capital projects, technology and external partnerships.
“Our first two years have been about strengthening the foundation of Northwestern while keeping our attention fixed on the future,” Genovese said. “We have made significant progress because our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and partners believe deeply in this University and in the role Northwestern plays in Louisiana.”
Student recruitment and retention have remained central to that work.
Overall enrollment declined from 8,523 in Fall 2024 to 8,402 in Fall 2025, but entering freshman enrollment increased to 1,065. Preliminary Fall 2026 figures provided by the university show approximately 1,120 entering freshmen, which will represent the university’s largest freshman class in three years when the official 14-day enrollment count is finalized.
The Fall 2026 entering class arrived with one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years, posting an average ACT score of 21.7 and an average high school GPA of 3.4. The class’s average ACT score is well above Louisiana’s average, reflecting the continued strength and academic quality of Northwestern’s incoming students.
Northwestern’s first-to-third semester retention rate reached 70 percent, exceeding the Louisiana average of approximately 64 percent and placing NSU among the strongest-performing institutions in the region. NSU has responded to retention and graduation challenges by strengthening early intervention, proactive financial-aid communication, academic mapping, stop-out recovery and support beyond the first year.
Student satisfaction provided another measure of progress. In the first year of Genovese’s presidency, 70 percent of students reported overall satisfaction, compared with 52 percent nationally, according to university survey data. Seventy-four percent said they intended to re-enroll, compared with 60 percent nationally.
The survey data showed gains in campus services, student-centeredness, registration and recruitment, financial aid, counseling, safety and campus conditions. Northwestern exceeded University of Louisiana System and national norms across most measures included in the survey.
Student involvement also increased. Membership in recognized student organizations grew from 823 to 1,292, while participation in living-learning communities increased from 68 to 168 students. The university also expanded or improved spaces supporting accessibility services, collegiate recovery and eSports.
Career preparation grew through Handshake, which connected a network of more than 30,000 students, alumni and employers. NSU approved 1,610 new employers during 2025-26. Among graduates responding to the university’s First Destination Survey, 93.3 percent reported employment, continued education or military service.
“Students should feel that Northwestern knows them, supports them and is preparing them for a meaningful life and career,” Genovese said. “The gains in satisfaction and persistence are encouraging, but we know our work must continue until more students who begin at Northwestern complete their degrees.”
Academic programs also expanded in areas tied to workforce demand.
The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, which serves nearly 2,500 students across Alexandria, Leesville and Fort Polk, Natchitoches, Shreveport and online, added new nursing pathways and launched the Master of Science in Allied Health.
Allied Health enrollment increased 19 percent, from 412 to 491 students. Radiography enrollment rose from 100 to 182, while Diagnostic Medical Sonography increased from 86 to 115.
Student outcomes included nursing graduates exceeding state and national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, a 96 percent certification pass rate for Radiography graduates and 100 percent pass rates on the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination for the 2025 and 2026 Diagnostic Medical Sonography classes. Radiography also received the maximum eight-year accreditation term from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
External awards are supporting additional healthcare education and workforce development. A $4 million Louisiana Department of Health award and a $2.597 million federal Health Resources and Services Administration award are supporting rural healthcare education, clinical training, student assistance and workforce expansion. More than $1.3 million in scholarships, stipends and traineeships assisted 239 students during 2025-26.
Other academic areas reported growth as well.
The Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development received nearly $8 million in grants during fiscal year 2025-26 supporting education, behavioral health, child welfare, early childhood development, workforce preparation and student success.
In the College of Arts and Sciences, new Computer Science and Sport Analytics concentrations within the Mathematics degree program helped increase Mathematics enrollment by more than 400 percent since 2024, according to university data. The college also engaged more than 5,600 K-12 students through School of STEM outreach events, camps, festivals and recruitment activities.
The College of Business and Technology expanded opportunities in applied technology, cybersecurity and workforce preparation. The School of Business received an extension of its accreditation from AACSB International, while Hospitality Management and Tourism maintained its status as Louisiana’s only four-year hospitality program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.
The college also opened the Sandbox Application Development Lab and established the Cyber Demons Tech Club. A Computer Information Systems team competed for the first time in program history in the International Collegiate Programming Contest North America South Central Regional.
Across the university, 78.1 percent of academic programs have been created or updated within the past five years. NSU also offers 37 certificate programs in areas ranging from healthcare and education to strategic communication, leadership and professional ethics.
Programs launched or advanced during Genovese’s first two years include the Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Allied Health, new Mathematics concentrations, an online Master of Music in Music Education and redesigned pathways in nursing and criminal justice. The university also expanded options in event management, hospitality, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
Industry engagement accompanied those academic changes. In 2025-26, students participated in 416 documented interactions with business and industry through career fairs, guest speakers, field experiences, interviews and service-learning projects. University administrators completed 56 additional engagements with industry partners.
Technology investments included creation of a continuously monitored Security Operations Center in partnership with the Louisiana Optical Network Infrastructure and other state agencies, increased internet capacity at the Alexandria and Leesville sites and modernization of the university’s network, data center and disaster-recovery systems.
Major facility investments also changed the learning environment. The $45 million Alost Hall opened with classrooms, laboratories, simulation spaces, a cafe and faculty offices. Iberville Dining Hall underwent a $2 million renovation, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium received improvements, and classrooms, laboratories and instructional technology were upgraded across campuses.
Eligible faculty and staff received a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment on Jan. 1, 2026, following a 2.5 percent adjustment in January 2025.
State support in the 2026 legislative session included approximately $2.54 million in additional operating funding. Capital outlay legislation included $6.9 million in Priority 1 funding for Innovation Park and $7 million in Priority 1 funding for Warrington Hall in Shreveport.
Private support also increased. The NSU Foundation reported $8.04 million in fiscal year 2026 revenue, up 6.9 percent, while restricted endowment assets grew to $87.26 million university wide. Major gifts supported scholarships, professorships, academic programs and facilities, including a $1.5 million private gift supporting the David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center, which is scheduled to open on October 23.
Community engagement remained another focus. NSU reported at least 228,378 hours of professionally based service with 194 campus and community partners in 2025-26. That work supported healthcare, education, public safety, economic development, the arts and environmental stewardship.
Athletics posted gains in academics, competition and facilities.
Student-athletes maintained an overall GPA above 3.2 in both reporting years. In 2025-26, 211 earned Dean’s List or President’s List recognition, 216 were named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and the department’s multiyear Academic Progress Rate rose for the third consecutive year to 970.
Seven teams earned perfect single-year Academic Progress Rate scores of 1,000. Women’s track and field won a third consecutive Southland Conference outdoor championship, soccer captured the conference regular-season championship, as did tennis, and six varsity teams finished in the upper third of the league.
Athletic facility improvements included approximately $1.9 million for artificial turf at the baseball and softball facilities, $593,000 in scoreboard upgrades and $1.7 million for a new track surface and lighting.
Looking ahead, Genovese said NSU will continue focusing on enrollment growth and degree completion, high-demand and flexible credentials, faculty investment, emerging technology, experiential learning, private support and partnerships. Work also will continue on Innovation Park, Warrington Hall and projects intended to support the student experience.
“These accomplishments belong to the entire Northwestern family,” Genovese said. “We have built momentum, but we are not finished. Our responsibility is to honor Northwestern’s history, respond to the needs of the present and prepare Louisiana for the future.”
What if one concert could bring together people who love classic hymns, contemporary Christian music, love country music by artists like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Brooks & Dunn & Jelly Roll, those who love Southern Gospel and traditional Black Gospel, along with those who grew up listening to the Eagles, the Beatles, James Taylor, STYX and classic rock?
There’s one that can.
It’s an Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (ARD) concert.
The Disciples’ mantra is “Familiar Music. Timeless Message.” They like to describe their concerts as seven very accomplished musicians with very diverse backgrounds coming together to make “A VERY Joyful Noise!”
ARD was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in the fall of 2024, when seven musicians who also happened to be friends came together to play music, have fun and praise God—and ended up forming a unique music ministry.
“It all came together very quickly and very organically,” said bassist Keith “Don’t call Me Shirley” Shirley. “We were just jamming around and having fun. We would play a Southern Gospel song, then a contemporary Christian song, then a country song, then a classic rock song. Sometimes we would almost accidentally mash them together, look at each other and say, ‘Hey, that works!’”
Shirley gives credit where he believes it belongs.
“We knew the good Lord had His hand in this from the get-go,” he said. “The blending of the various musical styles—or ‘mashups,’ as we call them—came together so naturally and so quickly that we knew God was doing something.”
Don’t let all the joking fool you. There is an extraordinary amount of musical experience on an ARD stage.
Among the Disciples are four members of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, current and former church music directors and ministers, and musicians holding at least five music degrees, including a doctorate. Violinist Andrei Kurti studied at the Moscow Conservatory and has performed at Carnegie Hall and in concert halls throughout Europe.
Altogether, the group stopped counting after passing 300 years of combined musical performance experience.
But ARD is difficult to put into a musical box.
“I don’t think you can pigeonhole us as a Gospel group or even simply a Christian music group,” said vocalist Julia Brown. “What we see happening over and over at our concerts is that folks who don’t normally listen to Christian music hear us play a classic rock song or even a current country song reinterpreted through the lens of faith, and they think, ‘Hey, I know that song!’ Before they know it, they’re hearing a contemporary Christian song or a Southern Gospel song and finding that they like it, in spite of themselves.”
“Familiar music is the bridge, and Jesus is where the bridge leads.”
The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples have performed at churches of various denominations, non-denominational churches, festivals and other events. Along the way, they have watched people of different generations, races, backgrounds and faith traditions come together to laugh, cry , praise and sing along while hearing a message centered unmistakably on Jesus Christ.
“We take music people know, along with humor and fun, and use it to open the door,” said one of the Disciples. “Then we walk through that door with them. And no one receives a bigger blessing than us.”
That connection is at the heart of an ARD concert.
“We’re constantly striving to connect with someone in the audience and convey the message that no matter what problems you’re having in your life, you don’t have to face them alone. There’s strength and hope in Jesus. If we reach one person, it’s all been worth it.”
After a recent Disciples concert at a church, an elderly lady approached the group with just one word to describe what she had experienced:
“Joyous.”
The band couldn’t have asked for a better description.
ARD believes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to be somber. There can be laughter. There can be great music. There can be familiar songs, unexpected arrangements, stories, memories and plenty of fun.
And there can be joy.
That’s why the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples plan to keep doing exactly what they set out to do:
Making a VERY Joyful Noise!
THE AMAZING! RHYTHM DISCIPLES Familiar Music. Timeless Message. Making a VERY Joyful Noise!
Texas has a documented long-term water problem and is aggressively planning future supplies. Louisiana has major new industrial and data-center water demands of its own. Because the two states share interconnected river systems, Louisiana should conduct and publicly release a comprehensive study of the cumulative effects before major water commitments are made.
That question matters because Louisiana citizens have watched enormous economic-development projects negotiated under NDAs, public authorities become major players in private industrial development, fights over eminent domain and permanent underground CO₂ injection, massive transmission projects, thousands of acres targeted for solar development, rapidly expanding data centers, and even discussions involving nuclear development and radioactive-waste disposal.
Researchers at the University of Texas reported in May 2026 that Texas data-center growth could eventually account for 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝟵% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟰𝟬 under a high-growth scenario.
Louisiana is facing many of the same questions as enormous data-center and industrial projects move into our state.
The Texas Water Development Board adopted its 2027 State Water Plan on July 23, 2026.
Texas estimates that implementing more than 3,000 recommended water-management projects through 2080 will require nearly $174 billion in capital investment.
Even if Texas builds all of those projects, its plan still projects approximately 𝟭.𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟴𝟬.
Texas also warns that without the recommended strategies, roughly one out of every four Texans in 2080 could have less than half of the municipal water supply needed during a drought of record.
North Texas already takes water from 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿, and additional Texoma conveyance infrastructure is being developed.
Texas planning also identifies additional supplies involving 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 and the proposed 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿 on the Sulphur River; 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢’ 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, which feeds Big Cypress Bayou toward Caddo Lake; and 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱 on the Sabine River.
These are not all one project. Some are operating, some proposed, and some are long-range strategies.
But Louisiana should not look at each one in isolation and ignore the cumulative question.
The Sulphur River belongs to the larger Red River drainage system.
Lake O’ the Pines controls flows into Big Cypress Bayou toward 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲, a Texas-Louisiana water system. The Corps of Engineers has documented that reservoir operations altered the natural downstream flow regime enough that special releases have been used to restore portions of that flow.
Texas planning identifies approximately 𝟳𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 from Lake O’ the Pines as a potential North Texas supply strategy and approximately 𝟭𝟮𝟮,𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 associated with Wright Patman.
𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗢 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗘 𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗞𝗘-𝗨𝗣 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟.
For decades, many Louisiana citizens probably would have laughed if somebody suggested Louisiana might someday discuss selling Toledo Bend water to Texas.
Then it became a real public-policy discussion.
Residents pushed back. Public meetings were held. Controversy followed.
Louisiana law expressly gives the Sabine River Authority power to enter contracts involving the sale, distribution, or consumption of water within or outside Louisiana, subject to required approvals.
Nobody has shown us a document saying Texas is going to reroute the Red River.
We are not claiming one exists.
But Texas already takes water from the Red River system and is planning or studying additional supplies from tributaries connected to that regional drainage.
So what happens when you add all of those withdrawals together?
What happens at Shreveport?
What happens at Alexandria?
What happens during drought?
And what happens underground?
The 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 is hydraulically connected to the river in significant areas. When the river rises, water can move into surrounding alluvial sediments and contribute to groundwater recharge and bank storage.
If major upstream withdrawals materially alter river levels, flow duration, or high-water periods, Louisiana needs to know whether recharge could decline, groundwater levels could fall, hydraulic gradients could change, or poorer-quality groundwater could move differently.
If significant quantities of water are transferred from Toledo Bend or elsewhere in the Sabine system, the concern does not stop at the reservoir shoreline.
The Sabine continues south toward Sabine Lake and the Gulf. Freshwater flow affects salinity, wetlands, fisheries, ecosystems, municipalities, and industry.
Change the amount and timing of freshwater long enough, and downstream systems can change with it.
The Calcasieu is a separate basin, but southwest Louisiana’s water resources do not exist in isolation. If one source becomes less dependable, demand can shift elsewhere.
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.
𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬.
Louisiana officials may not like citizens asking these questions.
But they created the atmosphere that makes us ask them.
When citizens repeatedly watch public business conducted under NDAs, they stop assuming silence means nothing is happening.
When enormous projects are negotiated before communities understand them, citizens stop accepting:
“Don’t worry about it.”
Louisiana citizens have watched eminent-domain battles, permanent underground CO₂ injection, huge transmission projects, enormous solar developments, data centers beside rural communities, nuclear and radioactive-waste discussions, and actual discussions about sending Toledo Bend water to Texas.
Texas is identifying reservoirs, pipelines, interbasin transfers, drought strategies, and future supplies while planning for population growth, industrial expansion, and data-center demand.
Where is the cumulative analysis combining Lake Texoma, the Red River, Wright Patman, Marvin Nichols, Lake O’ the Pines, Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend, the Sabine, the Red River alluvial aquifer, the Chicot, industrial growth, data-center demand, and drought?
Maybe Texas can develop all of these supplies without materially harming Louisiana.
Fine.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁.
Model it.
Put the numbers on the table.
Show us what happens to the Red River at Shreveport and Alexandria, Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend, the Sabine, the Red River alluvial aquifer, and the Chicot.
Show us what happens under drought conditions.
And model it while accounting for the unprecedented growth in AI data centers, power generation, and industrial development across both states.
Because Louisiana citizens should have learned one lesson by now:
Region C Water Planning Group — North Texas water-management strategies, including Lake Texoma, Lake O’ the Pines, Wright Patman, Marvin Nichols, Toledo Bend, Red River off-channel storage, and other potential supplies:
North Texas Municipal Water District — Texoma Two-Step program; additional pipelines designed to add approximately 90 million gallons per day of Lake Texoma conveyance capacity:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Big Cypress Bayou / Caddo Lake Sustainable Rivers Program; documents the downstream connection between Lake O’ the Pines, Big Cypress Bayou, and Caddo Lake:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Lake O’ the Pines / Ferrells Bridge Dam Water Control Manual and environmental-flow information for Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake:
U.S. Geological Survey — Relation of water levels in the Red River alluvial aquifer to the Red River, documenting river/aquifer hydraulic relationships:
U.S. Geological Survey — Louisiana groundwater withdrawals dataset; approximately 960 million gallons per day, or about 51% of Louisiana groundwater withdrawals, came from the Chicot aquifer system:
Louisiana has a long history of officials cutting deals with private interests at the public’s expense. During the oil and gas boom, the state left severance tax revenue on the table while enforcement gaps let industry pollute our air, water, and land for decades. Governor Jeff Landry has accelerated that pattern faster than any of his predecessors. He installed an unqualified Secretary of Environmental Quality, then reorganized the Department of Natural Resources into something even statehouse reporters can’t fully explain. This year the legislature signed off on tax breaks and NDAs for AI data centers, keeping voters in the dark about what those companies are getting and what they’re using.
Now it’s SpaceX’s turn, and it’s the biggest giveaway yet.
The Landry administration is negotiating to hand over roughly 130,000 acres on Pecan Island, in Vermilion Parish, for a rocket blast pad, not a research facility, the kind Boca Chica, Texas is still fighting over. That land is reportedly tied to Exxon’s punishment, part of a coastal damages settlement for decades of polluting our marshes, though the settlement itself is sealed by court order. If that reporting holds up, instead of restoring the land, the state is routing it straight to Elon Musk.
Pecan Island is about the worst possible place for this. The coast there has been sinking and washing away for decades, and hurricanes are speeding it up. The site borders two wildlife refuges and some of the best hunting and fishing water left in this state, the kind “Sportsman’s Paradise” was supposed to protect. If this goes through, we can stop pretending coastal restoration is a real priority in Louisiana.
The legislature already greased the wheels this session, passing tax breaks and liability shields for unnamed “aerospace” companies and exempting them from public records requests. So, when something goes wrong, and something eventually will, Louisianans may not have the right to sue, and may not even have the right to know. Now Trump’s FAA wants to waive thirteen federal environmental and health laws, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, so Musk doesn’t have to deal with “regulatory burden.”
We don’t even know the full extent of what Musk stands to gain. We know the eligibility thresholds in the tax break bills, not the actual value of what’s being handed over. Given how this Republican-controlled legislature has handled every other corporate giveaway this year, there’s little reason to think this deal is any different.
Local officials keep telling us we must accept this to “compete.” I don’t buy it. A state that can only land these deals by throwing out the rule of law and hiding negotiations behind NDAs is giving Louisiana away, one 130,000-acre parcel at a time.
Most Louisianans haven’t been told what this deal actually involves. That’s worth being angry about. Ask your legislators what they voted for this spring, and whether they’ll say so publicly.
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
As a child, I loved looking at illustrated maps of the world. You probably remember them, too—cartoonish maps featuring the pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in France, Big Ben in Great Britain, the Colosseum and Leanin0g Tower of Pisa in Italy, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Those maps sparked my imagination. I daydreamed about riding a camel in Cairo, floating through the canals of Venice in a gondola, and seeing all the incredible places that seemed so impossibly far away.
And then there was The Brady Bunch.
In the unforgettable three-episode “Hawaii” adventure, the Brady family flew to Honolulu, hula danced, attended a luau, went surfing, stayed at the Sheraton-Waikiki, and explored mysterious tiki caves. I was by no means deprived as a child, but I desperately wanted to hear my parents say those magical words: “We’re going to Hawaii!”
Eventually, I realized that my family probably wasn’t going to visit Hawaii—or many of the faraway places I dreamed about.
Life, however, has a funny way of bringing some childhood dreams full circle.
As an adult, I have been blessed with some amazing experiences and adventures around the world. I have traveled with large groups, with friends and companions, and often by myself. I have visited Hawaii and many of the places I once studied on those childhood maps.
And while I still love exploring the world, one of my greatest joys is watching someone experience a new place, culture, or adventure for the very first time.
That is one reason I am especially excited about an opportunity coming to Riverdale Academy.
Expanding the Classroom
Riverdale Academy has partnered with Education First Tours to give our students the opportunity to experience the world beyond the classroom.
In the spring of 2028, Riverdale students and alumni will have the opportunity to travel to London, Paris, Milan, Florence, and Rome.
Several activities are already planned, including a walking food tour, a scavenger hunt, and cooking classes. Students will also have the opportunity to earn educational credits as part of the experience.
For me, this is about much more than checking destinations off a list.
Travel teaches things that are difficult to learn from a textbook alone. It puts history under your feet. It introduces you to people whose lives may look different from your own. It gives you the chance to taste foods you’ve never tried, hear languages you’ve never spoken, navigate unfamiliar streets, and discover that the world is both wonderfully different and surprisingly connected.
Hopefully, this will be the first of many Riverdale trips. Students have already expressed interest in destinations including Japan, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland.
Who knows? Maybe someday a Riverdale student will look back and realize that one of these trips was the beginning of a lifelong love of exploring the world.
Growing Minds—and People
At Riverdale Academy, we are striving to give our students the best education possible while also giving them the greatest opportunities and experiences we can.
When our students show an interest in something, we want to nurture that interest.
That philosophy has led to an ever-growing list of opportunities at Riverdale, including chess club, quiz bowl, robotics, fishing, 4-H, educational travel, the Sea Perch Program, Junior Beta and Senior Beta Clubs, and a wide variety of sports.
These activities may look different from one another, but they have something important in common: they give students opportunities to discover what they can do.
Sometimes, that discovery happens in a classroom. Sometimes it happens on a playing field, at a robotics competition, while fishing, solving a difficult chess problem, or traveling halfway around the world.
We believe all of those experiences matter.
Sometimes, Small Is Better
One of the advantages of Riverdale Academy is that most of our classes are small.
That allows our teachers to provide focused instruction and give students the extra help, attention, or time they need. We have seen students who might have been considered behind make tremendous progress through determination and hard work, combined with the commitment of their teachers and parents.
We have students who are now reading on level—or above level—because people refused to give up on them.
Those success stories mean a great deal to us.
Education isn’t simply about where a student starts. It’s about helping them discover where they can go.
Welcome to the Riverdale Family
This year, we have welcomed many new students and their parents into our Riverdale family.
Our current students have, in many cases, gone out of their way to make those new students feel accepted and included. The new students and their parents tell us they are loving their experience at Riverdale.
And we love having them here.
That sense of belonging is just as important to us as academics and extracurricular activities. We want our students to be challenged, encouraged, supported, and successful.
Perhaps most importantly, we want them to believe that their possibilities are bigger than they may have imagined.
What childhood dream is waiting for your child?
Maybe it isn’t a trip to Europe.
Maybe it’s becoming a scientist, an athlete, an engineer, an artist, a leader—or simply becoming more confident in who they are.
At Riverdale Academy, we’re working to create an environment where students can explore those possibilities, stretch their minds, discover new interests, and become well-rounded young people.
If you are looking for a school that will challenge your children academically while giving them opportunities to experience new things and discover their potential, we have a place for your family.
Even though the new school year has begun, we continue to hear from families interested in Riverdale Academy, and we will accept new students for as long as we are able. Over the years, Riverdale has hosted students from Red River, Natchitoches, DeSoto, Bienville, Caddo, and Bossier Parishes.
To learn more about what is happening at Riverdale Academy, check out our Facebook page or visit riverdaleacademy.org.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a tour, contact sgreer@riverdaleacademy.org, hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org, or call 318-471-5155.
Because sometimes the experiences we give our children today become the stories—and dreams—they carry with them for the rest of their lives.
And who knows?
Maybe one day, when they see an old map of the world, they’ll be able to point to a place and say, “I’ve been there.”
“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
— Psalm 126:3
Riverdale Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.
Qualifying for the upcoming election cycle has officially concluded, setting the field of candidates who will appear on the local ballot. Across the parish, voters will consider candidates seeking office at every level of leadership, from key judicial seats and school board positions to municipal offices and parish-wide boards.
To help keep our readers informed, Journal Staff has compiled a complete roster of candidates who have qualified for contested races. Below is the official list of candidates, organized by office, along with their political party affiliation and direct contact details to help you connect with those seeking to represent our community.
Shall be my brother…” -from Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt by William Shakespeare
Riverdale Academy experienced many victories last week, one of the biggest being the formation of the 2026 RA Rebels football team! They started with a small group, but their numbers have continued to grow. For this, we are truly grateful.
Riverdale’s 4-H students competed in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational in West Virginia, where their team placed fourth in the nation. Individually, our students earned 9th-, 10th-, and 12th-place national finishes. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments!
Our Rebels and Lady Rebels basketball teams had a great time at their summer basketball camps, where they gained valuable experience. They have been putting in the work, and we are excited to see what this season holds for them.
We also hosted cheer camps for everyone from our Mini Cheer squad to our varsity cheerleaders. We are thankful for their enthusiasm and school spirit.
Riverdale has held two workdays this summer—one in July with 34 participants and another in August with 44 participants. We greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone who volunteered.
The Lady Rebels’ softball season has just begun and we are looking forward to their growth as a young team.
Great things continue to happen at Riverdale Academy. We are excited to welcome many new families, and there is still room for more. We invite you to join us! We are still offering campus tours.
For more information, please contact hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org or call 318-471-5155.
You can also visit riverdaleacademy.org or follow the Riverdale Academy Facebook page to stay up to date on all the exciting things happening at RA.
Have you ever wanted to use prescribed fire on your property for wildlife or forest management? Join us for the Piney Hills Prescribed Burn Association’s 6th annual membership meeting!
DATE: August 25th, 2026
TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, 161 Camp Rd, Ruston, LA 71270
Prescribed burning associations, or frequently called PBA’s, consist of landowners and other concerned citizens creating partnerships to conduct prescribed burns – Neighbors Helping Neighbors Getting Fire Back on the Ground.
Through the sharing of knowledge, equipment, time and experience, the Piney Hills PBA has been safely and effectively increasing burned acres in North-Central Louisiana since 2021. If you’re passionate about wildlife habitat, forest health, wildfire risk or overall land management, this is for you.
The meeting is open to all current members and new folks looking to join or learn more. Annual dues are only $25, and please bring exact cash or check. We look forward to seeing you!
After nearly four decades in the legal profession and years of service on the bench, Judge Rick Warren is seeking to serve the people of Bienville, Jackson, and Claiborne Parishes as their next District Attorney.
A lifelong North Louisianan, Christian, conservative Republican, husband, father, and experienced jurist, Rick Warren has built his career on upholding the law, protecting families, and serving his community with integrity. Since January 2021, he has served as Judge for the 2nd Judicial District, Division B, following a distinguished 37-year legal career during which he successfully tried hundreds of criminal and civil cases, including jury trials, bench trials, and death penalty cases.
Rick’s legal experience spans criminal law, family law, real estate, personal injury, and insurance defense, giving him the broad perspective and courtroom experience needed to lead the District Attorney’s Office on day one.
A graduate of Castor High School, Louisiana Tech University, and LSU Law School, Rick remains deeply rooted in the values that shaped him. He is an active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, and is also a member of the Jackson Camp of Gideons International. Rick and his wife, Candice, are proud parents of two children and are committed to serving the communities they call home.
As District Attorney, Rick Warren will be a full-time prosecutor focused entirely on serving the people of the district. His commitment is simple: no outside employment, no distractions—just a dedicated focus on keeping communities safe and ensuring justice is served.
Rick will make the aggressive prosecution of violent offenders a top priority while ensuring victims receive the communication, compassion, and support they deserve throughout the legal process. He also believes preventing crime begins with accountability. By emphasizing early intervention and meaningful consequences for juvenile offenders, Rick is committed to helping young people change course before criminal behavior becomes a lifelong pattern.
“Our communities deserve a District Attorney who has the experience to lead, the integrity to serve, and the commitment to protect our families,” Warren said. “I am ready to devote my full attention to keeping our communities safe, standing up for victims, and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and faithfully.”
With proven courtroom experience, a lifetime of public service, and unwavering conservative values, Rick Warren is asking for your support to become the next District Attorney for Bienville, Jackson, and Claiborne Parishes.
To learn more about Rick Warren and his campaign, visit RickWarrenForDA.com.
Good stewardship requires the discipline to save, but also the courage to invest in the future.
That philosophy guided Northwestern State University throughout the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
During the year, Northwestern strategically invested $4.5 million of accumulated reserves in campus improvements. Those investments included replacing aging technology infrastructure that had reached the end of its useful life; enhancing nursing instructional resources and biology laboratories; replacing fire alarm systems; completing painting, plaster and restroom renovations; improving HVAC systems; and upgrading athletic facilities.
Athletic improvements included a new NCAA Division I track surface, upgraded scoreboards in Prather Coliseum and instant-replay technology that meets Southland Conference standards.
These projects represent far more than expenditures. They are investments in Northwestern’s students, employees and future.
“When President Genovese arrived at Northwestern in August 2024, I had already been here about eight months and was developing a thorough understanding of the University’s finances,” Chief Financial Officer Rodney Wilson said. “We were fortunate to inherit healthy reserves that gave us the flexibility to invest in our campus. Good stewardship requires balance. We cannot spend every dollar we have, but we also cannot allow resources to sit unused while our facilities and infrastructure decline.”
The impact of those investments is already visible. Nursing students in Alost Hall will train with modern instructional resources designed for today’s healthcare environment. Biology laboratories serving more than 520 undergraduate students have been transformed with new flooring, refreshed instructional spaces and improved accessibility. The renovations provide current students with a modern learning environment while allowing the University to welcome hundreds of prospective students each year into facilities that reflect the quality of the education taking place inside them.
The University’s investments extended beyond facilities. Through Northwestern’s Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, new enrollment specialist positions will strengthen retention and student success by helping more students successfully progress from their freshman to sophomore years.
The University’s year-end financial results reflect these measured investments. Northwestern began the fiscal year with a $64.7 million fund balance and closed with $59.8 million. Of the $4.9 million reduction, $4.5 million (92%) was deliberately invested in the campus.
Even after making those investments, Northwestern finishes the fiscal year with one of the strongest liquidity and reserve positions among its peer institutions in Louisiana. These final results alleviate concerns raised by an earlier news report that pointed to a preliminary projection of a deficit rather than the University’s completed fiscal year.
Northwestern also made a deliberate investment in its employees by providing a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment during the fiscal year. The adjustment was not an extraordinary salary increase. It was intended to help employees keep pace with inflation while partially offsetting a 7.75 percent increase in state employee health insurance premiums. Without it, many faculty and staff members would have experienced a reduction in take-home pay.
Looking Ahead
Northwestern began the 2026–2027 fiscal year with a balanced budget. A budget is an estimate of anticipated revenues and expenditures. From this point forward, the University has the opportunity to maintain that balance, improve upon it and finish the year with a surplus, or make strategic investments from reserves to address emerging priorities and unforeseen needs.
Higher education continues to face significant challenges, and Northwestern has not been immune. Enrollment drives nearly every major source of university funding, making it the single most important factor in Northwestern’s long-term financial health.
Between fall 2021 and fall 2024, Northwestern’s enrollment declined by 2,212 students—an average loss of approximately 737 students per year. Losses of that magnitude cannot be reversed overnight. After two years of focused effort, however, the decline has begun to stabilize.
Recovery does not begin with growth. It begins by stopping the decline, and stabilization is the first important measure leading into progress.
“When an airplane loses altitude, the first step is to pull the nose up and level the aircraft before it can begin to climb,” President James T. Genovese said. “That is where Northwestern is today. We have worked hard to address a significant enrollment decline, and the indicators are beginning to move in the right direction. We are not yet at our destination, but we are level, gaining momentum and preparing to rise.”
Spring 2026 enrollment was essentially flat compared with spring 2025, providing encouraging confirmation that the years-long downward trend has begun to level. During summer 2026, student credit-hour production increased by 3 percent over the previous year, meaning students enrolled in fuller academic course loads. First-year retention continues to improve, the average ACT score of incoming students has increased, and on-campus housing is at or near full occupancy.
Together, these indicators point to a student body that is increasingly engaged, better prepared for college and committed to earning a degree. Stabilization is not the destination, but it is the necessary foundation for renewed enrollment growth.
Another important component of Northwestern’s enrollment strategy is the continuing expansion of dual enrollment, through which high school students earn college credit.
Dual enrollment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Although Northwestern receives less tuition revenue from a dual-enrollment student than from a traditional undergraduate, each participating high school student is also a prospective Demon. Introducing students to Northwestern while they are still in high school creates an opportunity to welcome them back after graduation to complete their undergraduate degrees. That transition is critical to the University’s long-term enrollment strategy. If Northwestern is not serving those students, another university will.
Classes for the fall semester will begin Aug. 17. The University’s official fall enrollment will be determined on the 14th class day.
Meeting gets heated between current and former Riverdale administrators
Things Got Heated at Riverdale Academy… But Not for the Reason You Think
Things got a little heated at a recent meeting at Riverdale Academy between current administrator Dr. Hunter Brown and former administrator Mr. Danny Rester, along with his wife, retired Caddo Parish school teacher Mrs. Valinda Rester.
But what would you expect? It was nearly 100 degrees outside, and no one had turned on the air conditioner in the teachers’ lounge before the meeting!
The good news? Once the room cooled down, everyone was all smiles.
In fact, we’re excited to announce that the Resters have officially joined the Riverdale Academy family for the upcoming school year. Mr. Rester will serve as our high school science and fine arts teacher, while Mrs. Rester will teach middle school English Language Arts, social studies, and health.
With their welcome addition, every Riverdale Academy faculty position has been filled, and we are looking forward to an outstanding school year.
Riverdale Academy is proud to be accredited by the Louisiana Department of Education, the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, and Cognia, reflecting our commitment to providing a quality education in a nurturing environment.
For more than 50 years, Riverdale Academy has welcomed students from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. Our student body has included Vietnamese Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Indian Americans, Caucasian Americans, and families representing Christian, Muslim, and Hindu faiths.
But here’s what matters most:
Our teachers don’t teach labels. They teach people.
Every student who walks through our doors is valued, encouraged, and challenged to reach his or her full potential.
As a small school, we believe one of our greatest strengths is the ability to know our students personally while continually expanding opportunities for them to grow. Along with a strong traditional academic program, students have opportunities to participate in:
Basketball
Softball
Football
Baseball
Golf
Track and field
Tennis
Fishing
Cross-country
Students can also become involved in:
Quiz Bowl
Chess
Robotics
4-H
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Beta Club
And we’re not finished yet. We are continually exploring new programs, activities, and opportunities to help our students discover their interests, develop their talents, and prepare for the future.
If you’re looking for a school where students are known by name, challenged academically, encouraged spiritually, and supported every step of the way, we’d love to meet you.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact Dr. Hunter Brown at hbrown@riverdaleacademy.org or Mrs. Stacy Greer at sgreer@riverdaleacademy.org.
You can also visit www.riverdaleacademy.org or follow Riverdale Academy on Facebook to learn more about what makes our school a special place to learn, grow, and belong.
At Riverdale Academy, we don’t just educate students—we invest in people.
Riverdale Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or national origin.
Third-quarter financial report ranks NSU first in unrestricted liquidity and second in total cash among current University of Louisiana System institutions.
By Richard Searles
Northwestern State University entered the final quarter of fiscal year 2026 with the strongest unrestricted cash position among the current universities in the University of Louisiana System, according to a third-quarter financial report presented to the UL System Board of Supervisors.
The report shows Northwestern State averaging 148 days of unrestricted cash on hand through March 31 — nearly five months of unrestricted operating liquidity and the highest level reported among the system’s current universities.
Grambling State University ranked second with 99 days, placing Northwestern State 49 days ahead of the next-highest institution.
UL System Universities Ranked by Unrestricted Cash
Quarter-average days of unrestricted cash through March 31, 2026
Northwestern State University
148
Grambling State University
99
Nicholls State University
79
McNeese State University
64
Southeastern Louisiana University
48
University of Louisiana Monroe
27
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
17
Louisiana Tech University
-2
Source: University of Louisiana System, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third Quarter Financial Report, Page 7.
NSU leads the system in unrestricted liquidity
“Days of unrestricted cash” is a measure of institutional liquidity. It estimates how many days a university could continue paying unrestricted operating expenses using available unrestricted cash resources.
Unlike restricted money designated for grants, scholarships, capital projects or other specific purposes, unrestricted cash generally provides greater flexibility for meeting payroll, vendor obligations and other ordinary operating expenses.
The quarter-average rankings were:
Northwestern State University — 148 days
Grambling State University — 99 days
Nicholls State University — 79 days
McNeese State University — 64 days
Southeastern Louisiana University — 48 days
University of Louisiana Monroe — 27 days
University of Louisiana at Lafayette — 17 days
Louisiana Tech University — negative two days
Northwestern State reported nearly five months of unrestricted operating liquidity — more than any other current University of Louisiana System institution.
Louisiana Tech’s negative quarter average and UL Lafayette’s 17-day average indicate substantially tighter unrestricted liquidity than Northwestern State reported during the same period.
The report, however, does not establish that either university delayed vendor payments, experienced difficulty meeting payroll or transferred money between funds. Determining whether those practices occurred would require additional records, including accounts-payable aging reports, cash-by-fund schedules and payment-timing data.
NSU ranks second in total cash
The report also measured total cash on hand, which includes both unrestricted cash and funds that may be legally or contractually restricted for specific purposes.
McNeese State University ranked first in total cash with a quarter average of 163 days. Northwestern State ranked second with 120 days, followed closely by Grambling State with 118 days.
Quarter-average days of total cash through March 31, 2026
McNeese State University
163
Northwestern State University
120
Grambling State University
118
Nicholls State University
91
Southeastern Louisiana University
68
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
37
University of Louisiana Monroe
36
Louisiana Tech University
12
Source: University of Louisiana System, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third Quarter Financial Report, Page 7.
Nicholls reported 91 days of total cash, Southeastern Louisiana 68 days, UL Lafayette 37 days, UL Monroe 36 days and Louisiana Tech 12 days.
The distinction between unrestricted and total cash is important. A university can report a substantial total cash balance while having far less money available for general operating purposes because portions of the cash may be restricted.
Unrestricted cash compared with total cash through March 31, 2026
Unrestricted cash Total cash Negative unrestricted cash
Northwestern State University
Unrestricted
148
Total cash
120
Grambling State University
Unrestricted
99
Total cash
118
Nicholls State University
Unrestricted
79
Total cash
91
McNeese State University
Unrestricted
64
Total cash
163
Southeastern Louisiana University
Unrestricted
48
Total cash
68
University of Louisiana Monroe
Unrestricted
27
Total cash
36
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Unrestricted
17
Total cash
37
Louisiana Tech University
Unrestricted
-2
Total cash
12
Source: University of Louisiana System, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third Quarter Financial Report, Page 7.
Taken together, the two measures show Northwestern State entered the final quarter of fiscal year 2026 with one of the strongest liquidity positions in the UL System.
NSU ranked:
First in unrestricted cash, at 148 days
Second in total cash, at 120 days
The findings also provide important context for discussions surrounding Northwestern State’s projected fiscal year 2026 operating deficit.
A projected budget deficit and cash liquidity measure different aspects of an institution’s finances. The budget projection estimates whether revenues will cover planned expenses during the year. Days of cash on hand measure the university’s existing liquidity and its ability to continue meeting obligations from available cash resources.
While Northwestern State faces a projected budget imbalance, the third-quarter report shows the university maintained the strongest unrestricted cash position among the current institutions in the UL System.
The report was based on financial submissions from each university for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. It was presented to the UL System Board of Supervisors for discussion and required no board action.
Footnote: The University of New Orleans was included in the March 31, 2026, University of Louisiana System report but left the UL System effective June 30, 2026. UNO has therefore been excluded from the rankings in this article.
Source: University of Louisiana System, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third Quarter Financial Report, Page 7.
A $13.4 million figure that has fueled public concern about Northwestern State University’s finances was a projected budget shortfall, not a final accounting of the university’s fiscal year 2025-26 results.
The distinction is important as the figure continues to be discussed at civic meetings and in public conversations about NSU’s financial condition.
A July 1 article about a proposed North Louisiana law school reported that Northwestern State projected a $13.4 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30 and said the university had covered the cost by spending down its cash reserves.
The University of Louisiana System report cited for that figure, however, identified the $13.4 million as a projected surplus or deficit based on third-quarter financial information. The report was prepared before the fiscal year had closed and before all final revenues, expenses and year-end adjustments had been recorded.
That means the $13.4 million should not be described as NSU’s final deficit or actual year-end loss.
The final result could be substantially different from the projection because university budgets include salaries, benefits and operating costs that may not ultimately be spent. Vacant positions, delayed hiring, employee turnover and positions filled below their budgeted amounts can reduce actual personnel expenses. Departments also may postpone purchases or spend less than originally budgeted.
NSU’s final fiscal year result cannot be determined until the university and UL System complete their year-end accounting and release actual revenue and expenditure figures.
The same third-quarter report provides additional context that was not reflected in the public discussion surrounding the $13.4 million projection.
As of the quarter ending March 31, Northwestern State averaged 148 days of unrestricted cash on hand — the strongest unrestricted liquidity position among the current universities in the UL System. NSU also averaged 120 days of total cash, ranking second among those institutions.
The report separately projected that NSU would finish the fiscal year with $11.3 million in unrestricted reserves and $51.3 million in total reserves.
Those figures do not prove that Northwestern State avoided a year-end deficit. A university can spend more than it receives during a fiscal year while still maintaining substantial cash and reserves.
They do show, however, that the $13.4 million projection was not the same as an immediate cash shortage, an inability to meet payroll or a final documented loss.
Budget projections and cash measurements address different questions. A projected deficit estimates whether expected annual revenue will cover planned expenditures. Days of cash on hand measure how long an institution could continue meeting expenses using available cash resources.
Public concern over the university’s finances is understandable, particularly when a multimillion-dollar deficit figure is reported without a clear explanation of how it was calculated. But the available UL System documents do not establish that Northwestern State ended the year $13.4 million in the red.
A more precise description is that NSU was projected during the third quarter to end fiscal year 2025-26 with a $13.4 million budget shortfall. The university’s actual year-end result remains subject to final accounting.
Until those actual figures are released, the $13.4 million amount should be treated as a forecast — not as Northwestern State’s confirmed deficit.
The university’s year-end closing, expected within four weeks, should provide the first reliable answer to whether the projected $13.4 million shortfall was close to reality or substantially overstated.
