THIBODAUX — With a share of the Southland Conference regular season soccer crown locked up, Northwestern State aims to make sure it is the only team that can claim the title.

Northwestern (11-4-3, 6-2-1) tries to rebound from only its second loss in league play when it travels to Nicholls (4-7-5, 1-3-4), aiming to win the regular season outright, just like it did in 2021.

Kickoff tonight is at 7 p.m. at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex with live stats coverage available through NSUDemons.com. There is no ESPN+ coverage.

The Demons have the opportunity to earn their 12th regular season victory, the most since collecting 13 in 2000.

Despite a 2-0 loss last time out at Lamar, NSU earned at least a piece of the SLC regular season title with Stephen F. Austin’s tie at UIW.

“It is always important to look at a loss like we had at Lamar and take a lesson from it and to learn and grow and make sure we don’t just ignore it,” head coach Ian Brophy said. “We don’t want to turn that loss into two and just move past it, but we want to learn the lessons and apply ourselves in training this week and learn and grow from that result and we can use that as something that helps us moving forward.”

With SFA’s win over Nicholls this past Sunday, the Demons need to earn at least a tie to clinch the title outright.

One strength of the Demons is to overcome adversity and turn a loss into a positive and rebound quickly. NSU has gone 2-0-1 following a loss this season and is 4-0-3 in its last seven games following defeats. After falling to Houston Christian, the Demons rattled off five straight victories before falling at Lamar.

“I think after a game like HCU or Lamar, we really come together,” graduate student Emily Mougia said. “We have a heart-to-heart about what we need to do and how we can get better, and we work for it. That is what’s great about this team. Everyone is willing to put in the work, and everyone is willing to go 100 percent and be all in and it comes out in the results.”

The Colonels are a dangerous team, as they are fighting for their lives, just two points out of a conference tournament spot.

Nicholls’ seven points are tied for 11th in the league and UIW and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi are currently tied for eighth with nine points.

“Nicholls is a much better team this year than in years past,” Brophy said. “They have picked up wins and points this year, and are still alive to make the playoffs. We know they are fighting for a lot and will come out and fight for everything, so we know it is going to be a tough match, and we’ll have to come out and play our best futbol.”

Earlier this season, the Colonels took down Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for their first conference victory since 2018.

Before a loss last time out at SFA, Nicholls posted four consecutive ties, including drawing at Southeastern Louisiana and at home against Lamar.

The Demons next play in Beaumont, Texas, at the SLC Tournament beginning Nov. 4.

VOLLEYBALL:  The Demons visit the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals tonight at 6 p.m. on the heels of perhaps their best set of the season last Saturday. The Demons (1-23, 0-10 SLC) went toe-to-toe in the second set against league-leading Stephen F. Austin (14-7, 9-1 SLC) before falling 25-23.

“We really did a lot of good things in that match,” said Demon head coach Ben Kaszeta. “I think we’re continuing to grow each day, and we saw that Saturday. “That (SFA) is a really good team we played and I think we can build on it.”

UIW (11-11, 7-3 SLC) defeated UNO Saturday to remain tied for fourth place in the conference standings.

The Demons will head east to take on Houston Christian Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Patience is a virtue — and one the Northwestern State football team is learning to master through experience.

As perhaps the youngest team in America, the Demons have faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, testing a roster filled with underclassmen against championship-caliber opponents week after week. The results haven’t always shown up on the scoreboard, but the progress has, in flashes of big-play potential, in resilience, and in the growing confidence of a team building toward its future.

“We are one of the youngest teams in America, so for us young guys we have to step up,” redshirt freshman Braden Woods said. “I see that trend a lot in the locker room for the younger guys having to step up and compete with the older teams that we’re playing. It’s a great thing to see.”

That youth movement is no small thing — 23 players classified as true or redshirt freshmen have seen game action this season. For head coach Blaine McCorkle, now in his second season leading the rebuilding program, it’s a sign that the foundation for long-term success is being laid one rep, one lesson and one game at a time.

For Woods, a Natchitoches native, the journey has been a fast-moving one. He recorded his first career tackle, an eight-yard sack, in unforgettable fashion – against Minnesota, a Power Four opponent, earlier this season. Since then, his role has steadily expanded, especially in recent weeks as injuries and defensive scheme adjustments have created new opportunities. Woods has seized them, becoming a player defensive coordinator Matt Conner increasingly leans on.

He rewarded that trust with a career-high seven tackles and a sack in last week’s game against No. 15 Lamar, underscoring the kind of work ethic that his classmates possess and continue to display since day one.

“If I had one word to describe my class, it’s that we grind,” Woods said. “We know we’re not as big, strong or fast, so we just have to grind to get better week in and week out.”

That grind has come against a gauntlet of opponents — including two Power Four programs and two straight Top 20 FCS teams, one of the toughest schedules in the country this year and in program history — but the effort is starting to bear fruit. In that Lamar matchup, true freshman receivers Brendan Webb and Alexandria Senior High’s Jimmie Duncan combined for 199 receiving yards on six catches, both hauling in passes of more than 50 yards. Those breakout plays offered a glimpse of the future — explosive, confident and ready to rise.

“This week in particular Coach McCorkle talked a lot about ‘the turning point,’” Woods said. “We knew we’ve been playing ranked teams. We played two really good P4 teams. So we’ve been grinding and getting better each week and we’re just waiting for that turning point. It could come tomorrow or next year, we don’t know, but I think it’s coming soon and this program is on the uprise.”

Signs of that turning point emerge every week, not just in numbers, but in moments that reveal the team’s heart. 

When senior center Caleb Billiot helped spin freshman quarterback Abram Johnston, the only freshman starting quarterback in the Southland Conference, into the end zone against Lamar to cap an eight-play scoring drive, it became more than a highlight. It was a snapshot of what McCorkle’s program is all about: veterans leading, young players learning and everyone pushing together.

“That’s the kind of grit our coaches like,” redshirt freshman offensive lineman Ralee Jackson said. “The relentless effort. Just trying to get everything you can. That’s exactly what Caleb showed. The coaches call him a ‘foxhole guy,’ somebody you can rely on and has your back. Him doing that type of thing shows how everybody should be playing at all times.”

Moments like that have also helped tighten the bond of a roster that’s growing up together.

“My freshman class got here and we got close fast,” Jackson said. “We were having game nights the first week we were here. All of us just gelling together. And the majority of the team being young I think makes us closer.”

That chemistry has carried onto the field, where underclassmen are not only gaining experience but contributing in meaningful ways. Jackson is one of three starting offensive lineman classified as a sophomore or younger, alongside Logan Brady (redshirt freshman) and Garrett Morphis (sophomore). 

They were three of the six redshirt freshman starters in NSU’s most recent game against Lamar.

“A lot of us are playing right now,” Jackson said. “We had six redshirt freshmen touch the ball last game. We had redshirt freshmen making tackles, making plays — whatever the case may be. That shows the guys that aren’t on the field yet that if we all work together and stay here for four or five years, we can totally flip this program. Coach McCorkle talks about that all the time. He makes sure that we know we’re really close and we need to stick to the process and stay consistent and we’ll get there.”

That process, and the patience it demands, has been McCorkle’s consistent message since his arrival.

“There’s a verse in Galatians we talk about as a team all the time.  Galatians 6:9 says: ‘Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in time you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up,’” McCorkle said. “Sowing and reaping don’t happen in the same season. You sow your seeds. You work, water and plant, and when the time comes, you harvest. It’d be nice to do it all in the same season, but it doesn’t always work that way. We’re doing a lot of sowing right now, but we know good days are ahead. Every day we are one day closer to turning the corner — and that’s exciting and gives us hope.”

Through the grind, the growing pains and the glimpses of promise like Webb and Duncan’s breakouts and Woods’ rising impact, that hope feels more tangible than ever.

“We can have a very narrow eyesight at times,” Jackson said. “So when things like that happen, it kind of opens things up. I think it takes away some doubts that people might have in the team or the players and shows them that we can do it — we just have to execute.”

The future of Demon football continues to be written every single week, on the field, in practice, in the classroom and in the hearts and minds of a connected group of players all striving for the same goal. 

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Looking through the thousands of photos on my computer, I ran across one of my Dad, and that put me in the frame of mind to share just what a special man he was to me.

Thomas Ernest “Doc” Harris was born in the hamlet of Friendship, Louisiana, on March 5, 1909. His mom was Edna Strain; his dad William Austin Harris, older brother to well-known, long-time state Superintendent of Education, T.H. Harris.

My grandfather was a hill farmer who eventually moved the family to Goldonna, another community about the size of Friendship.

In his growing up years, dad was sometimes described as a “rounder,” getting involved in all the stuff kids did back in those days. He was a good athlete, especially in track and field where pole vaulting was an event to which he excelled.

After high school, Dad wanted to see the world so he joined the U.S. Navy and upon returning home, he was attracted to LeMee Meek, a young lady in the neighboring town of Readhimer. They married, built a house in Goldonna and were parents to three children. I was the first to come along followed by my brother Tom and eventually to a sister, Linda.

I remember tagging along with him when one of his first jobs was going around the country-side selling Watkins Products. Later, he worked for the highway department and eventually landed a job with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a state trapper and eventually being promoted to Supervisor of Predator Control for the Department. It was during his 30-year career that my memories are most special.

I was the envy of kids back in school when they learned that my dad made his living trapping wolves and bobcats, creatures that were creating havoc among folks who had cattle, hogs and chickens. Among my most special memories was when I got to go with him early summer mornings to run his traps. Watching how he carefully set his traps and returning the next day to find a wolf, bobcat or fox in a trap I watched him set was especially exciting for a 10-year-old boy.

There was a report of a cougar hanging around a portion of rural Natchitoches Parish with dad’s assignment to trap it. He didn’t catch it, but he came close as the cougar stepped in his trap on a day when rain the night before had allowed sand to filter beneath the pan of the trap and when the cat stepped on it, it failed to trip. I have in my office today a concrete print of the cougar track Dad poured of that cat he came close to trapping.

Over the course of his career, it became evident that the red wolves he had been trapping were starting to fade out. Coyotes had moved into the state from Texas and began interbreeding with the wolves, rendering offspring that were no longer pure red wolves. His efforts changed from trapping them to trying to help preserve their fading numbers.

Today except for a remnant of pure red wolves in a protected areas in the Carolinas, they no longer roam the hills of our state and that’s a shame. Getting to hear the mournful howl of these animals at night on a Winn Parish hillside is a memory I cherish.

Dad had been gone to his Heavenly reward for almost 50 years. I feel blessed to have been the son of a special man who taught me how to hunt squirrels, sneak up on wood ducks and catch a bass and do it all in an ethical way.

He would be thrilled to know that his son took so much of what he taught me and turned it into becoming an outdoors writer, how I to make my living today.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

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The Beta Kappa Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International proudly announces that Lorie Speer was honored with the Rose-in-Bloom Award at the recent Central District DKG meeting. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to education, community service, and the mission of DKG to promote excellence among women educators.

Lorie’s dedication to her students, colleagues, and the community exemplifies the values of leadership, service, and empowerment that Delta Kappa Gamma celebrates. Her tireless commitment to “being the light” in the lives of others has made a lasting impact locally and across the district.

The Beta Kappa Chapter congratulates Lorie on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to celebrating her continued contributions to education and the community.

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The Beta Kappa Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International recently hosted its annual Sarah Clapp Scholarship Fundraiser at Westside Baptist Church, raising $720 of its $800 goal to support women pursuing degrees in education at Northwestern State University.

This year’s event featured a “Create Your Own Door Hanger” painting workshop. Participants enjoyed an afternoon of creativity, laughter, and fellowship while supporting a meaningful cause. The proceeds from the event will go directly toward the Sarah Clapp Scholarship, honoring the memory of Sarah Clapp and her dedication to education.

“We are so proud of the turnout and the enthusiasm from our members and community supporters,” said Wanda Lemoine, Beta Kappa Chapter President. “Although we came just shy of our goal, the event was a true success in bringing people together to support future educators.”

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional organization that promotes excellence in education and recognizes the achievements of women educators. The Beta Kappa Chapter continues its mission to encourage leadership, service, and lifelong learning among educators in the Natchitoches area.

For more information about the Beta Kappa Chapter or upcoming events, please contact Wanda Lemoine at w_lemoine@yahoo.com.

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The Natchitoches Parish School Board held a town hall meeting on Oct. 28 following its Special Called Meeting to hear public feedback on proposed changes to school start and end times for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Board members and district staff discussed the potential impact of staggered start times designed to shorten long bus routes, especially for students living in rural areas such as Goldonna and Cloutierville. Board member Chad Fredieu acknowledged the complexity of the issue, emphasizing that the proposal was meant to address student safety and lengthy travel times, but added that “a lot of questions remain.”

He shared that the feedback he has received from constituents has been largely opposed to the proposed changes, citing more than 100 messages from Northwestern State University employees who start their workdays at 7:30 a.m. and expressed concern about how the schedule shift could affect families. He noted that bus drivers, however, generally viewed the proposed change favorably.

Other board members noted receiving mixed responses from the public. Board member Billy Benefield said he had heard strong support for exploring the changes, particularly from those who believe a later start would better serve students’ health and academic needs.

“Our biggest concern should be about children,” he said. “We have to do the best we can to get them to school on time and ready to learn.”

Parents and community members who spoke during the town hall expressed both support and concern. Some parents shared how later start times could conflict with work schedules or interfere with students’ after-school therapy appointments, while others cited research supporting the benefits of later start times for adolescents’ mental health and academic performance.

Several speakers described how early bus pickups, some as early as 5:30 a.m., affect children’s sleep and safety. Others worried that longer afternoon schedules could result in students arriving home after dark, particularly in winter months.

District Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi explained that the proposal was developed with both student well-being and transportation efficiency in mind.

“Older kids need more sleep to function well,” he said. “We’re looking for a solution that improves attendance, performance, and safety without disrupting instruction time.”

Board members agreed that no final decision should be made until additional analysis and adjustments are completed. The administration plans to review feedback and present an updated version of the proposal at the November meeting, with a possible vote in December.

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The Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee is proud to announce that Vickie Johnson, a recent Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee, former WNBA All-Star, and respected professional coach, will serve as Grand Marshal of the 99th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. in historic downtown Natchitoches.

A native of nearby Coushatta, where she was one of the country’s most sought-after high school girls’ basketball recruits, Johnson has built a remarkable resume as a player and a coach. Following a standout collegiate career at Louisiana Tech University, where she twice earned All-American honors and led the Lady Techsters to the 1994 NCAA national championship game, Johnson went on to become one of the most accomplished players in WNBA history.

Johnson’s continuing involvement with professional basketball spans more than 40 years as a player and later as a coach in the WNBA, in addition to playing 15 seasons overseas in France, Israel, Italy, Hungary, and Turkey.

Her professional career began when she was drafted 12th overall by the New York Liberty in the inaugural WNBA Elite Draft in 1997, making her one of the original 32 players to compete in the WNBA and marking the beginning of a 13-year playing career. During her tenure, she earned two WNBA All-Star selections (1999 and 2001) and received the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2008. Johnson became the first Liberty player to reach 2,000 career points and later concluded her playing career with the San Antonio Silver Stars, where she played her final four seasons.

Her impact on the game extended well beyond her playing days. Johnson has served as a coach and mentor at the highest levels of the sport, including leadership roles with the San Antonio Stars, Las Vegas Aces, Dallas Wings, and the Atlanta Dream.

In recognition of her achievements, Johnson was inducted this summer into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, located in downtown Natchitoches, a fitting connection as she returns to the community to lead this year’s parade.

“I am honored to serve as Grand Marshal of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade,” said Johnson. “Louisiana has always been home for me, and to celebrate this incredible tradition in such a historic and welcoming community is truly special.”

“We are honored to welcome Vickie Johnson as our Grand Marshal,” said Sandra Dickens, HDBA President. “Her leadership, excellence, and Louisiana pride perfectly reflect the spirit of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival and our celebration of homegrown achievement.”

As Grand Marshal, Johnson will lead the Festival of Lights Parade, greeting thousands of visitors gathered along the historic Natchitoches riverbank. She will also participate in special events throughout the weekend as part of the city’s beloved holiday tradition.

About the Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Established in 1927, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival is one of the oldest and most celebrated holiday festivals in the nation. Each year, the festival draws tens of thousands of visitors to Louisiana’s oldest city to enjoy the parade, live entertainment, fireworks, and more than 300,000 twinkling lights along the Cane River.

About Vickie Johnson

Born April 15, 1972, in Coushatta, Louisiana
Two-time All-American at Louisiana Tech University; Sun Belt Player of the Year (1995)
Two-time WNBA All-Star and first New York Liberty player to score 3,000 career points
Former head coach of the Dallas Wings; current assistant coach for the Atlanta Dream
2025 Inductee, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

Parade Participation Information

Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in participating in the 99th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights Parade may register online at www.NatchitochesChristmas.com/parade-entry-form.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.

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By Courtney Freeman

The Village of Robeline held a special meeting last week. The council voted to hire Ms. Suzanne Williams as a grant writer for the Village. Besides new opportunities for the Village, I’m sure she’ll be a help with the administration of the grants we’ve already received.

The Village is also gearing up for Christmas in the Park on December 20. They’re currently accepting vendor and parade applications. If you have any questions, contact numbers are listed on the parade form. Come join us for a fun time in Robeline.

I’m happy to report that the first two Robeline cats have made their trip to the vet to be spayed and/or neutered. This is through the F.A.U.N.A TNR program. Anyone around town can see we have an ever growing cat population. Through this program feral and semi feral cats are trapped and transported to a local vet to be neutered/spayed. They’re then returned to where they were trapped. Doing this helps stabilize the population and stops the rapid breeding cats are capable of. Anyone in the parish can apply for a voucher, whether it’s a colony or single cat. F.A.U.N.A. also does vouchers through their Spay Natchitoches program for personal pets.

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Over the past two years, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation’s “Join the TEAM” membership drive has generated $85,000 for aesthetic and technology upgrades at the now 12-year-old LSHOF and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in the Natchitoches Downtown Historic District.

Of the approximately 150 individuals and businesses that have supported the membership drive to date, only 20 percent of them are from Natchitoches. That percentage, respectfully, must be higher and there are good reasons why.

As the LSHOF Foundation often stresses, state funding pays salaries and basic operating expenses at the museum but upgrades – which are imperative to the continued livelihood and even survival of the museum – must be generated by privately raised funds.

Furthermore, many may not know that Natchitoches, in conjunction with NSU, hosted the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony for over 50 years before the three-day event weekend, with its economic impact of over $1 million, could very well have been moved elsewhere as other cities expressed willingness to build a true museum home for the Hall. But city and community leaders along with legislators developed plans which blossomed into the opening of the $23 million state museum building on Front Street in 2013. Natchitoches remained home of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and has enjoyed statewide and national recognition, plus continuing economic impact.

The third annual LSHOF TEAM drive begins November 1, and it is my goal to increase the number of Natchitoches members. There surely are 100 local businesses and sports fans who can become a TEAM member at one of four levels and for as little as $10-$20 per month. Membership comes with a nice set of benefits, including the first-ever LSHOF commemorative poster featuring inductees such as Shaquille O’Neal, Kim Mulkey and “Pistol Pete” Maravich; LSHOF gear; entry in a monthly giveaway drawing; a discount on merchandise sales; the exclusive “Insider” quarterly newsletter and more. It is easy to join online at lasportshall.com or checks can be sent to 500 Front Street in Natchitoches.

I will be making calls, sending text messages, hitting social media, and knocking on doors to generate an uptick in local support for the LSHOF membership drive which, combined with efforts on a statewide level, will make 2026 the most successful year yet for the foundation.

Natchitoches – this is our museum! Please consider stepping up to make it a stronger and more vibrant asset for our community – Join the TEAM!

Greg Burke
LSHOF Foundation Director of Business Development and Public Relations

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First United Methodist Church is seeking an experienced professional to manage and supervise the maintenance and repair of buildings and systems for our church properties.

Requires:

– familiarity with relevant building codes, safety standards, and insurance requirements;

– ability to create and maintain computer generated preventative maintenance schedules and prepare and present status reports to the Church Board;

– coordinate and supervise custodial staff; and participate in budget and staff meetings.

Physical Requirements:

– stand, walk, carry, and lift 50 lbs.; perform indoor and outdoor tasks;

– possess tool and equipment skills.

Salary Range:

$30K – $40K

Contact:

Valerie Manring (Business Administrator) at valerie@fumcnla.org or call (318) 357-8296, #xt. 326.

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It was a night of celebration and victory at St. Mary’s High School on Friday, Oct. 24, as the Tigers defeated LaSalle 28–6 in their Homecoming game. The win improved St. Mary’s to 3–5 overall and 2–1 in District 3-1A.

Adding to the evening’s festivities, Miss Jenna Sklar was crowned Homecoming Queen during halftime. The event also welcomed back alumni from the Classes of 1975, 1985, and 2015, who gathered to celebrate their milestone reunions.

On the field, the Tigers delivered a strong performance on both sides of the ball. JP Thibodaux led the offense with 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns, powering St. Mary’s ground attack.

Dennison Morgan added a one-yard touchdown run, while AJ Johnson connected with Chalin Gandy on an 18-yard touchdown reception to round out the scoring.

Defensively, the Tigers made several key plays to keep LaSalle in check. Brady Childress and Michael French each recorded an interception, helping St. Mary’s secure its third win of the season.

The Tigers will look to continue their momentum next week as they host Northwood-Lena on Friday night, October. 31. The game will also serve as Senior Night, with a pregame recognition ceremony beginning around 6:35 p.m. to honor the school’s senior football players and spirit group members.

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Walk through any hospital in Louisiana and there’s a good chance you’ll meet a nurse, technologist, or healthcare leader who began their journey at Northwestern State University. From Natchitoches to Shreveport, Alexandria, and Leesville, NSU has become one of the state’s most respected names in healthcare education.

Healthcare is changing quickly, and so are the demands on those who deliver it. Hospitals need more trained professionals. Patients need more access to care. Families need people who can lead with skill and compassion. For many in Louisiana, that career path begins at NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health.

“Our students come from every corner of Louisiana and every stage of life,” said Dr. Aimee Badeaux, Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “Some are high school graduates looking for their first step. Others are licensed professionals seeking to grow in their careers. What unites them is a commitment to helping others, and that’s something we know how to develop.”

NSU offers one of the most comprehensive selections of healthcare programs in the region. Students can choose from associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across nursing, radiologic sciences, and allied health.

Among the most popular options:
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and LPN to ASN
Military Medic/Paramedic to ASN — the only program of its kind in Louisiana, offered in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Alexandria, and Leesville
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN, LPN to BSN, and Accelerated BSN (BS to BSN)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with concentrations in Administration, Education, and multiple Nurse Practitioner tracks
Doctoral-level Nurse Anesthesia, Executive Leadership, and Educational Leadership programs
Bachelor and Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences — including the first Sonography program in North Louisiana
Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health, with concentrations in Health Science & Technology and Health Sciences Leadership & Management

For working registered nurses, the RN to BSN program remains a top choice. The online format offers flexibility and affordability while maintaining a strong academic foundation.

“Many of our RN-BSN students are balancing full-time jobs and family commitments,” explained Dr. Greg Handel, Executive Vice President and Provost. “We built the program to meet them where they are. It’s affordable, accredited, and recognized nationally for quality.”

Students in NSU’s healthcare programs train in high-fidelity simulation laboratories that recreate real-world clinical settings. From emergency response to pediatric care, these labs allow students to practice critical skills in a safe environment before moving into hospitals and clinics.

Those partnerships with regional healthcare providers are another reason NSU graduates are in such high demand. Students complete clinical rotations with major hospitals, community clinics, and long-term care facilities throughout Louisiana, gaining the experience and confidence that employers look for.

“The hands-on training our students receive makes a real difference,” said Dr. Badeaux. “They graduate with practical skills and a sense of responsibility to their patients and communities.”

That preparation shows in the outcomes. NSU boasts NCLEX pass rates of 98% for ASN graduates and 96% for BSN graduates, consistently exceeding state and national averages.

The university has also earned top national recognition, including:
#1 in Louisiana among Top Public Schools – U.S. News & World Report, 2026
#1 Best Online Nursing Program – The Princeton Review, 2024
#1 Best Nurse Practitioner and MSN Programs – NursePractitionerOnline.com and RegisteredNursing.org, 2025

In the past five years alone, Northwestern State has produced more registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and radiologic technologists than any other institution in the state.

Behind every successful graduate is a team of faculty who are both experienced clinicians and committed educators. With an average class size of 17, students receive the kind of personal attention that larger universities often can’t provide.

“Students succeed here because they’re known here,” said James T. Genovese, President of Northwestern State University. “We take pride in offering an environment where each student’s goals are understood, supported, and celebrated.”

As Louisiana’s population grows and healthcare needs become more complex, NSU continues to adapt. The university is expanding key programs to new sites, building stronger partnerships with hospitals, and investing in technology that enhances training and patient simulation.

Dr. Badeaux summarized it simply: “Every day, we’re educating the professionals who will care for our families tomorrow. That’s work we take seriously.”

For students and families exploring healthcare careers, Northwestern State University offers a trusted path — from the first day of class to the first day on the job. To learn more or connect with an advisor, visit nsula.edu/nursing.

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(Part II)

Today we’ll continue our thoughts on the state of professional bass fishing and where it’s headed. Like the old saying goes, “Nothing lasts forever,” and I worry that the sponsorship or business side of fishing is getting tougher and more complicated as companies are now looking hard at how they spend their advertising dollars.

Today’s anglers are fighting among themselves for a much smaller piece of the pie while the amount of sponsorship dollars has dwindled. It’s becoming more difficult for anglers to land sponsors who have now decided to tighten their belts with regards to advertisement.

It’s Business 101, all about ROI (return on investment) as sponsors are no longer passing out money like candy. Companies have gotten more conservative on how much money they are willing to pay an angler to represent them. They’re also no longer hiring as many anglers to be a part of their marketing teams as they have in the past.

Company marketing plans have changed and this all started when the old FLW Tour went under in 2019, followed in 2021 when FLW was absorbed by MLF (Major League Fishing). This has changed the landscape of professional bass fishing as anglers try to make a living.

Recently with a smaller market of sponsors for anglers to choose from, along with a tight economy, professional anglers are having to look at other ways to raise money in order to support their families, pay for entry fees and travel expenses. It has slowly become the land of the haves and the have nots.

By that I mean, if you have money or come from money, you stand a better chance of making it as a professional angler than someone who is strapped for dollars, sleeping in their truck, and fishing for pay checks.

The older generation of anglers who have helped make the sport what it is today are now being phased out by a younger generation that requires less money to sponsor.

Let me explain. For years companies would hire professional anglers to do commercials and promote different products they offer. But as social media began to take hold, companies started turning to the younger generation due to their social media skills and their ability to navigate the web.

The difference between the older generation of anglers and the younger ones is that companies were having to pay a substantial amount of money to the older guys. The younger anglers, who are very social media savvy, are less demanding and will do promotions for pennies on the dollar or maybe a product exchange.

This has changed the landscape for how professional anglers can make a living. Companies today want anglers who understand the dynamics of social media, can sell a product, and have good communication skills. Just winning tournaments is not enough any longer.

So where is all of this headed? Is the future dream of being a professional bass fisherman still a reality? Major League Fishing has recently cut the number of anglers in its circuit down from 65 to 51, eliminating 15 anglers!

This of course helps with distribution of the so-called pie as there are now less anglers trying to lock down sponsors. I personally believe that anglers are going to have to reach out to sponsors that are not related to the fishing world like the FLW Tour did back in the early 2000s.

FLW did an excellent job of bringing in companies like Tide, Snickers, Land of Lakes, Castrol Oil, Kellogg’s and Walmart. They basically followed the same marketing plan as NASCAR by reaching out to non-endemic sponsors.

Being a professional bass angler is a great way to make a living and a dream for so many! Currently, there are a lot of questions as to what direction professional bass fishing is headed.

But there’s one thing that has remained constant in this profession. Young anglers today face the same challenges that the older generation faced — how to make money and provide for their families!

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Natchitoches Central High School’s Army J.R.O.T.C. will host its Annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, Nov. 10 from 9:15-1:30 a.m. in the school’s main gym.

In addition, the Battalion will provide light refreshments and snacks from 8-9 a.m. in the school cafeteria for all veterans in attendance.

Veterans who wish to attend or have questions are encouraged to contact the Battalion at (318) 352-9656 or via email at duane.bailey@npsb.la. To ensure proper recognition, veterans should provide their full name, branch of service, and any campaigns, conflicts, or deployments in which they served.

The ceremony is an opportunity to honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of all veterans in the community.

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I-20 construction has become an exercise in enduring a spiritual test. Those of headed west from Ruston or east to Ruston must face the challenge of merging into one lane around the construction. It is maddening. It is also instructive.

Let us begin with a confession: merging onto the interstate in Louisiana is not for the faint of heart. It is a spiritual exercise in chaos theory, a test of faith, and occasionally, a near-death experience. One might say it resembles the early church—passionate, unpredictable, and occasionally in need of divine intervention.

Contrast this with the Northwest, where merging is a liturgy. Drivers there glide like synchronized swimmers in a baptismal pool of asphalt. They signal. They yield. They make space. It’s as if they’ve read Romans 12:10—“Outdo one another in showing honor”—and applied it to traffic patterns.

But what if merging isn’t just about traffic? What if it’s a metaphor for fellowship?

In the church, we speak often of “fellowship,” that sacred mingling of souls in potluck lines and small group gatherings. But true fellowship—like merging—isn’t just proximity. It’s intentional movement toward one another. It’s the art of adjusting speed, checking blind spots, and sometimes braking for someone who’s still figuring out their spiritual GPS.

Consider the Apostle Paul. He was a master merger. One moment he’s persecuting Christians, the next he’s writing half the New Testament and hosting small groups in Philippi. He didn’t just join the faith; he merged into it—yielding to grace, accelerating toward purpose, and signaling his transformation with every epistle.

In merging, as in fellowship, timing is everything. Too fast, and you risk colliding. Too slow, and you cause confusion. The church, too, must learn this rhythm. We must make space for the hesitant, the wounded, the ones still figuring out which lane they belong in. We must resist the urge to honk our theological horns or tailgate someone into conformity.

And let us not forget the sacred blinker. In traffic, it’s a sign of intention. In fellowship, it’s vulnerability. It says, “I’m trying to join you. I’m not perfect, but I’m coming alongside.” The church thrives when we honor the blinker—when we respond not with suspicion, but with grace.

Of course, there are spiritual roadblocks. Pride. Judgment. The occasional congregant who drives a theological monster truck and refuses to yield. But even these can be navigated with patience and prayer. After all, Jesus merged with humanity itself—God taking on flesh, signaling love, and entering our lane with humility.

So next time you’re on the interstate, and a fellow Louisianan or visiting Texan barrels down the ramp like they’re auditioning for a Fast & Furious sequel, take a breath. Remember that merging is messy.

Fellowship is, too. But both are holy.

Because in the end, the church is not a convoy of perfect drivers. It’s a caravan of grace—bumper to bumper, blinker to blinker, learning to merge our lives into one body, one Spirit, one glorious journey toward the Kingdom.

And if all else fails, just wave. It’s the universal sign of fellowship. Even in traffic.

Doug de Graffenried is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach Doug at his email:  DougDeGraffenried

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The Natchitoches City Council held its regular meeting on Oct. 27, addressing several key items including the introduction of a new ordinance, approval of a one-time salary supplement for city employees, and updates on city finances.

Ordinance No. 037 of 2025 was introduced, authorizing the mayor to enter a collaborative endeavor agreement with the Natchitoches Historic Foundation (NHF) regarding the Roque House property. Under the agreement, the city will transfer the ground upon which the Roque House sits to NHF, while the foundation will convey other grounds and facilities back to the city.

The historic property serves as an educational tool and tourism attraction. It’s been adaptively restored to preserve its historic character while incorporating modern amenities such as electricity and climate control. The restoration also included maintenance of unique features like the bushage exterior walls and historically accurate blue veranda ceilings.

Council members expressed support for the initiative, recognizing its importance for local heritage and tourism.

Resolution No. 088 of 2025 approved a one-time salary supplement for city employees. The supplement provides $600 to full-time employees and city council members, and $300 to part-time employees who are actively working. The payment, drawn from surplus funds in the city’s workers’ compensation fund, is intended as compensation for the remainder of the fiscal year and does not become part of employees’ base salary.

Council members unanimously approved the resolution, with several members praising city employees for their dedication to maintaining a safe and efficient work environment.

Finance Director Clarissa Brown-Smith presented the latest sales tax data as of September 2025. The city has collected $11.1 million year-to-date, reflecting a 2.16% increase over last year. The report showed strong performance across TIF districts and economic development districts, with District C seeing a 23% increase and District E up 18%.

Smith highlighted the importance of continued strong collections as the city enters the holiday season, noting that the data reflects a healthy local economy and increasing community engagement.

Upcoming community activities include movie nights, farmers’ markets, and school athletic events. The council encouraged residents to participate and support local initiatives.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 10, with city offices closed on Veterans Day, November 11. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, approved unanimously by the council.

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The addition of closed party primaries brings about several changes for next spring’s elections.  The Natchitoches Parish Clerk’s office will do our best to help you navigate these changes.

First, the attached card by Secretary of State Nancy Landry gives some great tips on the changes and how to prepare for them.

Not all races fall under the new closed party primary system.:

Federal races (U.S. Senate and the U.S. House), The Louisiana Supreme Court, the Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are the races that will now be decided in the closed party primaries.

Other Statewide, Parish Wide and local elections will remain open to all voters and be handled the same as they have been.

In the Closed Party Primary Races, Democrats vote for Democrats and Republicans vote for Republicans.  The main change is other voters are all considered No Party.  In Natchitoches Parish we have over 5,000 voters listed as No Party.  They will be able to decide, at the polling place, which party primary they want to vote in.  The winners of each primary will face each other in the runoff.

Know your political party!  Not sure?  It is easy to find out.  You can go to the GEAUXVOTE.com app and look yourself up.  Want to change?  You can do that right online.  You can also find out your information by calling the Natchitoches Parish Registrar of Voters at 318-357-2211 or go by their office in the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse.

More information including spring election dates will be released soon.  If you have questions, check in with the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that the ongoing emergency closure on LA 495 near the Cloutierville community in Natchitoches Parish remains in effect.

The roadway was originally closed in 2019 approximately 2.2-2.5 miles from its southern intersection with LA 1 due to an embankment slide that continues to impact the integrity the highway.

A project to realign the roadway away from Cane River is currently in development, which includes design and right-of-way acquisition. Once the construction plans are finalized, the project will be bid out and managed under the newly created Office of Louisiana Highway Construction (OLHC).

The OLHC will manage non-federal aid – or NFA – routes that are part of the state highway system, which includes LA 495 among many other mostly rural roadways across the state.

At this time, the LA 495 realignment project is scheduled to go to bid in mid-2026, though that date depends on the completion of
right-of-way acquisition.

The decision to close a roadway is never made lightly, and is done with the safety of the traveling public at the forefront.

DOTD understands the inconvenience and burden that a road closure places on a community, and would like to reassure residents that DOTD staff have been working diligently toward implementing the appropriate solution for the LA 495 closure.

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