The Louisiana Legislature passed SB 121 Thursday, sending a new congressional map to Governor Jeff Landry for his signature following months of debate prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s previous district lines.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais found that the previous map unconstitutionally prioritized race over traditional redistricting principles such as compactness and communities of interest. The new map was drawn without race as the predominant factor in determining district boundaries.

The legislation creates five Republican-leaning congressional districts statewide. A review of the enacted map shows that some parishes are split between congressional districts. 

For Caddo and Bossier parishes, both remain unified within the Fourth Congressional District alongside De Soto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville parishes. Central Louisiana, including Rapides Parish, is kept whole within the Fifth Congressional District.

The map now heads to the Governor for signature. If signed, it will govern Louisiana’s congressional representation through the remainder of the decade.

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal will continue to monitor developments.

The City of Natchitoches says construction on Fire Station No. 3 continues to move forward as crews recently began pouring concrete at the site.

The new fire station, located on University Parkway in Natchitoches, is expected to help improve emergency response times and provide expanded public safety services for the growing community.

City officials thanked residents for their continued support and said additional updates will be shared as construction progresses.

A new Louisiana congressional map passed the state House overwhelmingly Wednesday and now moves to the Senate for concurrence ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

The map was drawn in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the state’s previous congressional districts were unconstitutionally drawn. The revised plan is drawing attention across Central and Northwest Louisiana, including Natchitoches Parish, as lawmakers finalize which congressional district will represent the region going forward.

Supporters say the map keeps communities of interest together, pointing to shared economic, educational, transportation, agricultural and cultural ties across the region. State Representative Mike Johnson noted the plan complies with legal requirements following the Supreme Court ruling.

The proposal now heads to the state Senate for final consideration before moving to the Governor for signature.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal will continue to monitor the map’s progress and its implications for Natchitoches Parish voters.

St. Mary’s Catholic School announced its term 4 Honor Roll for the 2025-2026 school year (This is for the last 9 weeks of school, not the end of the year final averages).

First Grade

A Honor Roll: Mary Beth Chasteen, Charlotte Hanson, Anna Mayeaux, Eva Mayeaux, Abigail Walsh, Robby Williams;  B Honor Roll:, Remi Cook, Cahill Methvin, Barrett Nelson, Aria Poole, Amy Poston, Elaina Wood    

Second Grade

A Honor Roll: Kynleigh Edwards, Isla Harris, Charlie Vandersteen; B Honor Roll: Carson Arredondo, Austin Berry, Blake Duhon, Beau Fair, Chase French, Sawyer Gill, Dax Rashall-Wise, Will Scherff, Sage Soileau

Third Grade

A Honor Roll: Asher Hale, Farryn Jeane;  B Honor Roll: Abigael Adkins, Aurora Alford, Emma Fuller, Jackson McKnight, Aaron Walsh

Fourth Grade

A Honor Roll: Kailyn Adkins, Wyatt Clark, Ezra Gill, Hayes Harrington, Carlie Mathews; B Honor Roll: Araya Dortlon, Brier Duhon, Ava Harper, Lillith Mills, Eli Mitchell, Declan Thaxton

Fifth Grade

A Honor Roll: Callen Bertrand, Cordell Ivy-Daniels, Archer Johnson, Eleanor Picou, Eli Thibodaux, Adam Todtenbier; B Honor Roll: Annah Adkins, Ryan Lovemore, McCall Methvin, Vivian Philen, Charlee Rhodes, Zoe Scherff, Aubrey Williams, Kiptin Williams 

Sixth Grade

A Honor Roll: RJ Braden, Avery Cole, Jax Errington, Luke Fair, Hendrix Harrington, Carter Hough, Gavin Key, Jaxson Norsworthy, Noah Scarborough; B Honor Roll: Jedidiah Arbuckle, Elise Armstrong, Anniston Clark, Kolbe Darbonne, Justin McKnight 

Seventh Grade

A Honor Roll: Holt Cedars, Caiden DuBois, Hudson Harrington, Hadley Mayeaux, Heath Methvin, JT Morgan, Oliver Picou, Aubree Rachal, Branch Smith, Annabeth Thornton; B Honor Roll: Addison Albert, Sophia Conklin, Kross LaCaze, Abel Lavespere, Colie Mathews, Sawyer Morgan, Sutton Vandersteen 

Eighth Grade

A Honor Roll: Lacey Boyd, Corbyn Gandy, Anna Johnson, Weston LeGrande, Jayd Linebaugh;  B Honor Roll: Rayleigh Bertrand, Madden Cameron, Brooklyn Clark, Raylee Hale, Anistyn Rhodes, Paisley Rae Tilley, Anna Todtenbier, Janine Wells

Ninth Grade

A Honor Roll: Sydney Culotta, Kollyns Duhon, Brenley Metoyer, Amelia Picou, Ady Rhodes; B Honor Roll: Aaron Campbell, Connor Cole, Thomas Hardee, Andrew Johnson, Cade Solari

Tenth Grade 

A Honor Roll: Maegan Bolton, Lilly Boyd, Avery Evans, Madelyn Melder, Chloe Methvin, Jacob Thibodaux, Merritt Vandersteen; B Honor Roll: Winn Cedars, Beau Clark, Landri Ezernack, Carter Jackson, Caroline Johnson, Ava Knapp, Kane Milner, Emmy O’Con, Layla Slaughter, Blanchard Williams

Eleventh Grade

A Honor Roll: Camille Armstrong, Mary Hannah Churchman, Luc Cross, Kennedy Griffin, Carter Hogg, Mackenzie Morgan, Abram Nichols, Summer Rushing, Joelee Savell, Molly Smith, John Paul Thibodaux;  B Honor Roll: Emma Bain, Peyton Faucheaux, Lavarian Fisher, Alayna Rachal, Adelle Williams,  Ava Wren  

Twelfth Grade

A Honor Roll: Cameron Ball, Lainey Bennett, Jillian Coleman, Chalin Gandy, Ella Hardee, Audrey Matt, Trey Scarborough, Jenna Sklar, Justin Vienne; B Honor Roll: Skylar Bolton, Tyonnah Burton, Jaycie Creamer, Tucker Johnson, Ella Jones, Ethan Probasco, Grace Wren

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is advising motorists that the bridge on LA 480 over Sims Bayou in Natchitoches Parish will be reduced to one lane on Tuesday, June 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.

The closure is needed to allow routine bridge inspections on Bridge No. 083503050200881. The bridge is located about 3.7 miles west of the intersection of LA 3163 near Campti.

No detour will be required, as one lane of traffic will remain open at all times. However, officials are advising that no wide loads will be permitted through the area during the inspection period.

DOTD is reminding motorists to use caution around work crews and equipment in the area.

The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) invites families and community members of all ages to celebrate the launch of its 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,”at its free outdoor Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the Main Branch at 450 2nd St. in Natchitoches. The event is open to the public at no charge, with no registration required to attend.

Korn Pop, a magician and clown, will perform at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m., while Ol’ Mel’s Farm Petting Zoo will be on-site throughout the event for children to meet and interact with live animals. Attendees can cool off with snowballs, including sugar-free options, grab nachos, and enjoy sidewalk chalk, bubble machines, and complimentary face “tattoos.” All Summer Reading participants who stop by the registration table will receive a special “Reading Rocks” bracelet while supplies last.

Saturday’s celebration also marks the final day of the Friends of NPL Mini Book Sale. Book lovers can take advantage of a special $5 fill-a-box deal or browse individual titles for just 25 cents each, a rare chance to add to a home library or stock up for summer reading at a price nearly anyone can manage.

“We want this to be a day that gets families excited about reading together all summer long,” said Alan Niette, NPL Deputy Director. “And the Kickoff is just the beginning! There’s a full schedule of programs ahead, with dedicated events for adults, teens, and children, and we’d love to see as many families as possible get signed up and ready to go.”

The community is encouraged to stop by the registration table on Saturday to enroll in the Summer Reading Program, pick up the schedule of summer reading program events, and get help setting up or updating a Beanstack account to track their reading for rewards. Registration is also available now at natlib.org, by clicking on the Summer Reading Program banner on the homepage.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board has announced interim leadership appointments at L.P. Vaughn Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year.

Chriscella M. Metoyer has been named interim assistant principal of discipline at L.P. Vaughn. In this role, she will oversee student discipline, support campus culture initiatives and collaborate with faculty, staff and families to promote positive student behavior and academic success.

Metoyer has more than 20 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and program director for Head Start during her career. She has also served as the district’s early childhood special education facilitator for the past two years.

Rodrick Johnson has been named interim discipline coordinator at L.P. Vaughn for the 2026-2027 school year. In this position, he will work closely with administrators, teachers, students and families to help foster a safe, respectful and positive school environment while supporting student accountability and personal growth.

Johnson has served as a coach and educator at L.P. Vaughn Elementary and is described as a dedicated leader, mentor and educator with a passion for youth development.

Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi expressed confidence in both appointees and their commitment to student success.

“We are excited to have Mrs. Metoyer and Mr. Johnson serving in these important leadership roles at L.P. Vaughn,” Eloi said. “Their combined experience, dedication to students and commitment to creating a positive school culture will greatly benefit the students, staff and families of the L.P. Vaughn community.”

St. Mary’s Catholic School has announced the return of SuSu Burke to its faculty, where she will teach Pre-K 3 students.

Burke returns to her alma mater after previously serving at the school from 1998 to 2021. She brings 35 years of teaching experience, including roles in Ohio, Rapides Parish, and most recently with the Natchitoches Parish School Board. Her career has primarily focused on early childhood education, including Pre-K and kindergarten instruction.

During her tenure at St. Mary’s, Burke received the “Em W. Knipmeyer Excellence in Teaching Award” in 2007 in recognition of her dedication to education.

A native of Natchitoches, Burke and her husband, Greg, are approaching their 39th wedding anniversary. They are the parents of 2012 St. Mary’s graduate Catherine Burke Faucheaux and grandparents to Madeline Jean, who will turn three in September.

Burke is a member of PEO and attends the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

The Billy Cannon exhibit that opened a year-long stay Thursday night in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street celebrates the storied career of LSU’s 1959 Heisman Trophy winning running back.

But that’s just one aspect of a comprehensive collection of items from the Cannon Family Trust tracking his 80 years, ending when he died in his sleep in 2018.  “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend” showcases his sports highlights and also shares his fall from glory that landed him in prison. He gradually weathered the aftermath and ultimately regained his status as a sports icon while he became a profoundly positive influence, widely admired in his later years.

It was hard to tell who was more delighted among the museum visitors in Natchitoches Thursday evening, but it would be tough to top the smiles from his widow, Dot (who turns 88 next week), his three daughters (Gina McWilliams, Dara Kelsoe, and Bunnie Cannon) and Jay McWilliams, a son-in-law.

“He would be very thrilled that y’all are able to see this and learn from his story,” his youngest daughter, Bunnie, told those who got the first look at the exhibit that will remain in the Natchitoches museum for nearly a year. “It’s important that it stays up here for a while and people can see and know who he truly was.

“He loved the people here. Whenever he would come here, he would always stay for several hours and sign autographs and talk with people. He had a great respect for everybody here and was so proud to be in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame,” she said.

Thursday’s audience included retired Natchitoches dentist Dr. Jerry Ferguson, who was in dental school with Cannon (while he played pro football) at the University of Tennessee. Also among those attending: impending 2026 LSHOF inductee Mike McConathy, former state Sen. Louis Bernard, Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle, an LSU center in the late 1990s, and former Demons coach Jay Thomas, who grew up in Baton Rouge.

It’s a memorabilia-packed extension of an even larger exhibit showcased for the past 14 months at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge, part of the Louisiana State Museum system. It provides a visual and auditory review of Cannon’s life with items from his days at Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge to his college and pro stardom – and of course, it includes a replay of his classic Halloween Night Run, a weaving fourth-quarter 89-yard punt return as he dodged seven defenders for the only touchdown in an Oct. 31, 1959 7-3 victory over No. 3-ranked Ole Miss in Tiger Stadium.

It also covers his impact during many years of service as the director of dentistry at Angola State Prison, beginning several years after he finished 30 months in a federal minimum security facility in Texarkana after pleading guilty to counterfeiting charges in 1983.

Shreveporter Teddy Allen, who is in the LSHOF as a sports journalist, became close to Dr. Cannon in Baton Rouge following that prison sentence, when Allen covered LSU for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Cannon, said his daughter, “loved Teddy Allen.”

“Dr. Cannon was good at everything,” said Allen. “He went to dental school, for some time had a thriving practice. Obviously he won the Heisman. Got married to his high school sweetheart, was a wonderful husband for 62 years, had all these children (five) and grandkids.

“The only thing he wasn’t good at was counterfeiting. That was it, the only thing he didn’t master, and it’s good for us that he didn’t, that all of that worked out like it was supposed to.

“The Halloween run story is fascinating. He had a fabled life. But his best run was those last two decades of his life when he turned it around, accepted the love that people wanted to show him. He made them feel valued, and they made him feel back on top of the world.”

As Cannon restored his reputation, and joined LSU teammates for anniversary celebrations of the Tigers’ 1958 national championship, the mutual admiration blossomed.

At LSU’s 2003 homecoming game, he was recognized in an on-field ceremony between the first and second quarters. The crowd gave him an extended standing ovation and LSU players raised their helmets in salute, with LSU athletic director Skip Bertman remarking to a friend, “He’s still the icon, isn’t he?”

Cannon was forthright in his 2016 autobiography, “Billy Cannon, a Long, Long Run,” and people appreciated his frankness. In a book signing at the Hall of Fame museum, hundreds stood for hours in a line winding through the two-story building, out the front door and around the corner. It took so long because Cannon inscribed personal messages on each copy, engaged every fan in conversation and posed for photos during an eight-hour span.

“It didn’t matter where we were,” said Jay McWilliams, “somebody would recognize him, come over and shake his hand. Didn’t matter who it was, he would always take time to shake hands and visit. He appreciated people, had a heart of gold.”

Along with the exhibit, an upcoming Louisiana Public Broadcasting documentary spearheaded by former Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne will debut the week before LSU visits Ole Miss (Sept. 19) this fall, with hopes that it will be picked up by Netflix.

“He would absolutely love this,” said Bunnie Cannon. “He would want LPB to profit, because the support for public broadcasting is not what it used to be, and he was so Louisiana proud.”

“He was just a sweet, sweet man, as sweet a man as he was a ballplayer,” said Allen. “As a ballplayer, he was Herschel Walker 30 years before Herschel hit the field.

“This state was so blessed to have him, and his whole story. Somehow it was supposed to work out like it did,” said Allen. “He was as sorry as he could be for all that (trouble). It was incredible how he made amends for it.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Jacob Carruth, a Shreveport native who has been head coach for the past five seasons at two Class A south Louisiana high schools, is the new head football coach at St. Mary’s.

The school announced his hiring Thursday in a Facebook post. He replaces Kedrin Seastrunk, who was not retained last month despite leading the Tigers to a pair of playoff appearances and a first-round playoff upset win last fall.

Carruth was head coach for the past three seasons at Catholic High of Pointe Coupee, where his teams posted a combined 26-9 record. Last fall Catholic reached the quarterfinals in the Select Division IV playoffs after winning a district championship in 2024.

He previously was head coach at North Central High School for two seasons, and has four additional years as an assistant coach, according to the SMS announcement.

He took over a struggling North Central program and after a winless first season, and snapped a 40-game losing streak with a 3-7 mark in the second year, including an overtime loss to district foe Catholic-Pointe Coupee. He was hired at Class 2A Avoyelles as head coach, but spent only the spring of 2023 there before the Catholic job opened and he was hired there. He was also head track coach for the Hornets.

Carruth, 29, graduated from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, attended Louisiana Tech and graduated from LSU Shreveport.

“My family is excited to begin this new chapter of our lives,” Carruth said in the announcement. “God opened the door for us to join the St. Mary’s family at the perfect time. We can’t wait to meet the Tiger community and get to work.”

The school announced a parents and players meeting with the new coach on Monday evening at 6 in the SMS gym.

UPDATED as of 11 a.m. Friday with confirmation from Baylor, NSU

After two seasons rebuilding the Northwestern State softball program, head coach Jenny Fuller and her husband/associate head coach Brad Fuller are leaving, headed home to Waco, Texas, to accept assistant coaching jobs at her alma mater, Baylor.

No official announcements were made Thursday, but both institutions confirmed the transition Friday morning with social media posts. The Fullers are joining the Baylor staff under veteran head coach Glenn Moore, who got his coaching staff at Northwestern after playing football for the Demons’ 1988 Southland Conference championship team.

Moore, who recorded his 1,000^th career win in 26 seasons at Baylor this spring, wrapped up this year in Waco by leading the Bears into the NCAA Tournament for the 18^th time. Baylor has reached three Women’s College World Series under his leadership.

He had openings on his coaching staff after a couple of exits, including the retirement of longtime pitching coach Britni Sneed Newman, who starred for Moore while he was coach at LSU. Newman is a 2024 inductee in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.  Fuller played for Moore in 2008-09 and was recommended for the NSU job by her former coach.

Brad Fuller, a Waco native, has teamed up with his wife on four different college coaching staffs, at NSU, Pittsburg State, Northern State and Cardinal Stritch. He has run the teams’ offenses while she has steered the pitching staff.

After taking over the Northwestern program at the end of the summer in 2024, the Fullers kept the Lady Demons competitive in the 2025 season while recruiting players who combined with returners to return the program to significant success this season.

They led NSU to a 13-14 Southland Conference record including series wins over SLC Tournament finalists McNeese and Lamar, and a 24-29 overall mark. It was a 17-win improvement over 2025, the second-best climb nationally by any NCAA Division I softball program this spring.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — In 2026, Rushana Dwyer has put her fingerprints all over the Northwestern State record books in the 400-meter dash.

She continued that Thursday night at the NCAA East Regional Championships by achieving one mark she hadn’t yet achieved — breaking the school record in the outdoor season.

Dwyer, a senior from St. Eliizabeth, Jamaica, accomplished that feat in resounding fashion with a time of 51.03, beating Maygan Shaw’s year-old record of 51.19, to breeze into Saturday’s regional finals with a chance to make it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in two weeks.

Her time was sixth among the 48-woman field as 24 runners advanced.

“Honestly, it feels great, especially because the race felt smooth and controlled,” Dwyer said. “Running 51.03 and breaking the school record means a lot to me but I still feel like I have more in me. It gives me a lot of confidence knowing I can run that time and still feel comfortable. I’m excited for what’s next and I’m ready to keep proving myself on the national level.”

After nearly breaking the mark at the Southland Conference Championships two weekends ago, she placed second in her heat Thursday to earn an automatic spot in Saturday’s races, as the top three from all six heats advanced, as well as the next top six times.

“It was a great strategic race,” associate head coach Adam Pennington said. “She could have ran faster, but the plan was to just be top 2, save as much energy as possible for the finals, and get a good lane. And she did all of that.

“That might be the easiest run I’ve seen from her this year. It should be a fast and exciting final.”

The top 12 runners Saturday move on to the national semifinals at Eugene, Ore., in two weeks.

In the same heat, Margaret Conteh placed 31st with a time of 52.56.

Coming off her gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the SLC Championships, Juvonna Cornette ran an 11.57 in the event to finish 40th.

Fresh off winning the gold at the conference meet, Anisha Gibbons started the day for NSU with a toss of 150-11 in the javelin, placing 31st in the event. Teammate Teodora Samac came in 37th with a throw of 146-1.

Ryah Dates placed 43rd in her first appearance at regionals in the shot put with a throw of 46-10.

Samari Finney was 39th with a long jump of 19-2.

Tarajh Hudson begins the final day of competition for the men today with the discus at noon, followed by Randy Kelly in the high jump at 2 p.m. The relays round out the men’s entries with the 4×100 at 4 p.m. and 4×400 at 7:45 p.m.

Patients in the Natchitoches area requiring hemodialysis now have access to advanced vascular procedures close to home thanks to new surgical options offered by Dr. Steven Jackson at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

For individuals undergoing dialysis, reliable vascular access is essential to effective treatment. Traditionally, many patients rely on temporary catheters, which can increase the risk of infection and other complications. Dr. Jackson is now providing advanced surgical solutions designed to create more permanent, safer, and more effective dialysis access at NRMC.

Two primary options are now available at NRMC: arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and arteriovenous (AV) grafts, both designed to provide durable access for dialysis treatment.

An AV fistula is created by surgically connecting an artery to a vein, most commonly in the arm. This connection strengthens the vein and improves blood flow, creating a reliable access point for dialysis treatments. While fistulas generally require several weeks to mature before use, they are often considered the preferred long-term option due to their durability, effectiveness, and lower risk of infection compared to temporary catheters.

For patients whose veins may not be suitable for a fistula, Dr. Jackson also offers AV graft procedures. This option uses a specialized synthetic graft to connect an artery and vein, providing another effective pathway for dialysis access. AV grafts often become usable sooner than fistulas and can be an important option for patients with more complex vascular needs.

In addition to creating new dialysis access, Dr. Jackson can also treat malfunctioning fistulas and grafts through minimally invasive procedures designed to restore blood flow or improve access performance when issues arise. These interventions can help patients avoid interruptions in treatment and extend the life of their dialysis access.

“These procedures help reduce dependence on temporary dialysis catheters while improving long-term access for patients,” said Dr. Steven Jackson. “The goal is to provide safer, more effective dialysis treatment while helping improve quality of life for patients managing chronic kidney disease.”

According to NRMC, permanent vascular access options such as AV fistulas and grafts generally provide better blood flow for dialysis, lower infection risks, and greater long-term reliability than temporary catheters, helping patients maintain more consistent treatment over time.

“At NRMC, we are committed to expanding access to advanced specialty care so patients can receive high-quality treatment close to home,” said Kirk Soileau, Chief Executive Officer of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. “Offering these vascular access procedures locally through Dr. Steven Jackson helps ensure our dialysis patients have access to the care they need without having to travel outside our community.”

By expanding access to advanced vascular procedures locally, NRMC continues its commitment to bringing specialized care and advanced treatment options closer to home for patients across Natchitoches Parish and surrounding communities.

Phonetic: /KAT-ee-kor-ner/

Part of Speech: Adverb

Definition

• Catercorner is used to describe two things that are located across from each other on opposite corners. It is a less common variant of kitty-corner.
  
  The store is catercorner from the park, making it the perfect location to grab snacks for our picnic.

Jean Kay Clark
January 7, 1941 — May 26, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 1 pm at Friendship Cemetery

Richard Lee Strother
October 4, 1949 — May 9, 2026
Service: June 13, 2026 at 10 am at Blanchard Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Natchitoches Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to npjnatla@gmail.com

Emergency crews responded to a gas line puncture on May 27 in the 100 block of Front Street in Campti, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 1:21 p.m., Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Campti Police, Natchitoches Haz-Mat units and Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 were dispatched by the NATCOM 911 Center after reports that a contractor had punctured a gas line in the area.

Atmos Energy responded to the scene to shut off the line and begin repairs.

Officials later confirmed the gas line had been shut off until repairs could be completed.

Authorities also reminded residents to call 811 or 1-800-272-3020 before digging to help prevent damage to underground utility lines.

Join Marvin as he discusses the last election, teacher pay and common sense.

Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, the Harrington Law Firm, the Sharpco Hotel Group, the Mariner’s Restaurant and Local Businessman Pat Johnson;

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WHAT: The Natchitoches Parish Voters and Civic League Foundation, Inc. will host a critical reorganization meeting to discuss the future of the league and provide updates on local elections.

WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6 p.m..

WHERE: Winnfield Funeral Home, 318 North Street, Natchitoches

WHO: All concerned citizens, voters, and community members are encouraged to attend.

WHY: This gathering serves as a key session to reorganize the league’s foundation and ensure community participation in upcoming election cycles. Participation is vital for residents interested in shaping the civic future of Natchitoches.

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UPDATE:

The Louisiana Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved amended legislation authorizing the transfer of certain state-owned property in Natchitoches Parish after adopting floor amendments removing references to a named private party from the bill.

House Bill 1056, authored by Representative Rodney Young, provides for the transfer of certain state property in the parish while reserving mineral rights and establishing terms and conditions for the sale.

During Senate floor debate Tuesday, Senator Jay Luneau introduced amendments removing “Brian Briggs” from the legislation and replacing language naming specific individuals with broader wording referring to “parties.” The amendments also added language requiring any sale conducted under the act to comply with provisions of Louisiana law governing state property sales under R.S. 41:134 or 140(D).

Following adoption of the amendments, Senator Alan Seabaugh moved final passage of the bill.

The Senate approved the amended measure by a vote of 36-0, with three senators absent.

The bill was then returned to the House for concurrence in the Senate amendments.

ORIGINAL, April 2026
A proposed state land transfer (Attached) in Natchitoches Parish has drawn public interest as House Bill 1056 moves through the 2026 Regular Session. The legislation, authored by Rep. Young, would authorize the state to transfer approximately 1.16 acres of property to Brian Briggs, a current employee of the City of Natchitoches.

The property, located in Sections 40 and 43 of Township 9 North, Range 7 West, was previously under the jurisdiction of the local school board before being returned to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). It is currently inventoried by the Louisiana State Land Office as Site Code / Business Entity No. 7-35-017.

As the bill progresses, several key points of the transaction address common public inquiries:

Legal Authorization and Employment Status

While Briggs currently serves as a city employee, HB 1056 provides specific legal authorization for this transfer. The bill includes a “notwithstanding” clause, which allows the legislature to sanction this specific conveyance to a named individual regardless of general statutory restrictions that might otherwise apply.

Constitutional Compliance vs. “Legislative Gift”

Public questions regarding whether this constitutes a “gift” are addressed in the bill’s requirements for “appropriate consideration”. Under Article VII, Section 14(A) of the Louisiana Constitution, the state is generally prohibited from donating property. Consequently, Section 2 of the bill mandates that the transfer be made in exchange for value sufficient to meet these constitutional standards.

Property History and Maintenance

The site includes a former pre-school building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Before his current employment with the city, Briggs was active in cleaning and securing the improvements on the land after the structure had been condemned by the Natchitoches City Council in 2025.

Terms of the Transfer

• Mineral Rights: The State of Louisiana will reserve all mineral rights to the property; only the surface and improvements are subject to the transfer.

• Approval Process: The transfer requires the joint authorization of the president of BESE and the commissioner of administration.

• Effective Date: If passed, the act becomes effective immediately upon the governor’s signature or after the constitutional window for gubernatorial action expires.

Public Inquiry and Accountability

Local residents have raised specific questions regarding the future of the site and the transparency of the transaction:

• What are the long-term plans for the building? Having previously been owned by the school board and returned to BESE, the public is seeking clarity on how the site will be utilized following the transfer.

• How will the purchase price be determined? While HB 1056 does not list a specific dollar amount, it requires the price to follow state law. Citizens are looking for confirmation on the Fair Market Value to be paid by Mr. Briggs to ensure the state is not illegally donating public assets.

Note:

The “Notwithstanding” Clause

In the text of HB 1056, the phrase “notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary” acts as a legal “trump card”.

• Overriding General Laws: Usually, there are general state laws (statutes) that dictate how state property must be sold—often requiring public auctions, competitive bidding, or prohibiting sales to certain public officials or employees to avoid conflicts of interest.

• Specific Authorization: By using this clause, the legislature establishes a clear legal framework that allows this particular transaction to proceed, ensuring that the authorized transfer of the property takes precedence over general administrative procedures that might otherwise delay or complicate the process..