Firefighters responded to a woods fire on Lime Kiln Road on March 5 after a fallen tree struck active power lines and ignited surrounding vegetation. Natchitoches Parish Fire District 6, along with Natchitoches Parish Fire District 5 and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, were dispatched to the scene.

According to fire officials, a dead tree fell onto power lines, sparking a fire that quickly spread through nearby vegetation. Crews from Fire District 6 responded with Engine 1 and Rescue 1, while Fire District 5 assisted with Engine 1. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry also responded and established a fire break to prevent the flames from spreading further.

No additional details were immediately released.

The Louisiana Bankers Association recently presented its distinguished Service Award to Mr. Joe Pierson, Jr., Chairman of the Board of City Bank and Trust Company in recognition of an extraordinary 53 years of dedicated leadership and service to the banking industry and the community h e so faithfully served.

The award was bestowed as the longtime Chairman announced his retirement from the bank’s Board of Directors, marking the close of more than five decades of steady guidance, principled decision-making, and unwavering commitment. Throughout his tenure, he helped shape not only the growth and strength of City Bank and Trust Company, but also the character and culture that defines it today.

Under his leadership, the bank navigated seasons of economic change, industry evolution, and community growth; always grounded in integrity, fiscal responsibility, and a deep belief in community banking. Colleagues describe him as a steady hand and a visionary leader, equally respected for his wisdom in the boardroom and his genuine care for employees and customers alike.

The Louisiana Bankers Association’s Service Award recognizes individuals whose careers have left a lasting mark on the banking industry. In honoring Chairman Joe Pierson, Jr., the Association highlighted his decades of advocacy for community banks, his mentorship of emerging leaders, and his steadfast dedication to ensuring local financial institutions remain strong pillars within their communities.

As he steps away from the Board of Directors, he leaves behind a legacy defined by trust, stability, and service. His influence will continue to be felt in the institution he helped guide and in the countless lives touched along the way.

City Bank and Trust Company extends its deepest gratitude for 53 remarkable years of service and congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition. His retirement marks the end of an era; but his legacy will remain a foundation upon which City Bank continues to build for generations to come.

Students in Mrs. Griffith’s FBLA class at Natchitoches Central High School recently completed their Lucky Bear Service Project, collecting 120 teddy bears to support children receiving care at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

Through the project, students partnered with the NRMC Foundation’s Lucky Bear Program, which provides stuffed animals to children who visit the hospital’s emergency room. The bears are given to young patients to help provide comfort during what can often be a frightening or stressful experience.

According to the school, the project was made possible through the generosity of community members who sponsored and donated the teddy bears.

School officials said service projects like the Lucky Bear initiative allow FBLA students to apply leadership skills while making a positive impact in the community.

Middle school baseball teams will take the field at Northwestern State University this weekend as the 3rd Annual Coach Dodson Memorial Tournament returns on March 6–8.

The tournament was originally created in 2012 after a family discussion about hosting a middle school baseball event on a collegiate field. The idea was developed by Amy Dodson Stepp, her father — a longtime middle school coach and baseball enthusiast — her brother Blake Dodson, and her husband Chase Stepp. The goal was to create a unique event that would allow young athletes to experience playing on a college field while also helping raise funds for a cheer program.

The first tournament was held in 2013 and quickly grew in popularity, with participation increasing each year. At times, organizers even had to hold a registration drawing because of the high number of teams wanting to participate. In 2017, the NSU Middle Lab team, coached by Dodson’s father and brother, won the first-place trophy.

After retiring from coaching, Dodson’s father remained deeply involved in the tournament, helping plan the event each year and assisting throughout the weekend, including organizing details and preparing food for concessions.

The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to pandemic-related campus gathering restrictions. Shortly afterward, in April 2020, Dodson’s father was diagnosed with cancer for the third time and passed away on April 25 of that year.

In his memory, the family chose to continue the event as the Coach Dodson Memorial Tournament.

With assistance from Justin Fredieu, who previously served eight years as head umpire and now serves as tournament director, organizers continued the tradition to honor Dodson’s legacy and his love for the game.

The annual tournament continues to bring together student-athletes, families and supporters for a weekend of middle school baseball while remembering the coach whose passion helped create the event. Organizers encourage former participants, athletes, friends and community members to attend and support the tournament.

Register Now:

Justin_fredieu@kindermorgan.com   (318) 521-5703

mblakedodson@gmail.com   (318) 471-2743

The Northwestern State Wind Symphony will hold its first on-campus concert of the 2026 calendar year on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. The concert will celebrate the 10th annual Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame and its inductees, Mark Poole, Sherman Desselle, and Chris Brown. A reception will follow the concert at the Orville Hanchey Art Gallery Lobby. Admission is free and open to the public. Director of Bands Anthony Pursell will conduct the Wind Symphony.

The concert on Saturday will be the second performance of the academic semester, after the Wind Symphony’s appearance in New Orleans as the premier ensemble for the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) convention where they performed with the world-acclaimed Boston Brass.

The Wind Symphony will begin with David Maslanka’s “Traveler,” which was commissioned in 2003 by the University of Texas at Arlington Band Alumni Association, the Delta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Gamma Nu Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, in honor of the career contributions of Ray C. Lichtenwalter, retiring Director of Bands at UT Arlington.

“Traveler’ was selected for this concert to celebrate the three inductees into the CAPA Hall of Fame, not for their retirement, but for the contributions these individuals made while at NSU and the contributions they continue to make to the institution since becoming alumni,” said Pursell.

The Wind Symphony will then highlight faculty members Leah Forsyth and Douglas Bakenhus with Jenni Brandon’s “Orion Concerto,” a double concerto for oboe and bassoon with wind symphony. The composer describes her work as, “… a telling of the story of our galaxy, of the great unknown and what lies beyond, and where we belong within this vastness of space.” The work celebrates the conclusion of the Department of Music’s 2026 Double Reed Day.

The ensemble will perform “Variations on a Hymn” by Louis Bourgeois, which uses the Protestant hymn, “Old One Hundredth” as the basis for a highly energetic and virtuosic showpiece for the entire ensemble. Afterwards, the ensemble will perform “Gone,” a transcription for wind band of the sixth movement from Scott McAllister’s 60-minute concerto for clarinet, the “Epic Concerto.” Each movement is tied to an important moment of his life as a clarinetist. In the case of the sixth movement, an automobile accident ended McAllister’s career as a performer in 1994. The music represents the pain of loss, the process of healing and learning how to move on. The inspiration for the movement as a stand-alone piece was the death of his mentor, James Croft, a music professor at Florida State.

The Wind Symphony will showcase NSU graduate student Taylor Carrell, in the 1969 work “Concerto for Tuba and Band” by former Centenary College faculty member Rule Beasley. Carrell is completing a Master of Music in tuba performance this spring and has done extensive research into Beasley’s career and, in particular, this piece of music.

“We are proud of the work Taylor has done, not only in providing a new manuscript of the work for the wind and percussion players, but for all of the on-site research that he has done for over a year, including on-location interviews with Mr. Beasley,” said Pursell.

Following the tuba concerto, Brown, Desselle and Poole will be introduced into the Class of 2026 CAPA Hall of Fame, presided by CAPA Director Scott Burrell. Poole, director of bands at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, will lead the Wind Symphony in the final selection, “British Eighth March.” NSU Demon fans will find the melody of the trio portion of the march familiar, as it is the tune used for the NSU Fight Song.

Brown has served as the official artist for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame since 2009. A former minor league pitcher turned nationally recognized sports artist, he is known for his dynamic athlete portraits and his ability to capture the emotion and motion of sport. His artwork has been featured in International Business Times, CEO Weekly and Beckett Magazine, and he has created pieces for major organizations including the Sugar Bowl.

Desselle is an evening reporter at Fox 26 Houston. His work blends artistic foundation gained at NSU with the demands of modern journalism: clear and compelling writing, narrative-driven reporting, audience-focused storytelling, and innovative digital and social media content creation. He anchored KALB-TV in Alexandria’s top-rated morning program “Jambalaya” for seven years and won numerous Associated Press and Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Awards before joining NBC affiliate WDSU-TV in New Orleans as weekend anchor. His work there earned a regional Edward R. Murrow award and a reputation for elevating stories that matter to the community.

Poole is originally from Mesquite, Texas, and is in his eighth year at Lone Star High School. The Lone Star Wind Symphony was awarded the 2024 TMEA 5A Honor Band recently and performed at the 2024 TMEA Conference. The Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the 76th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2022. The Wind Symphony was recognized as a National Windband Honor Recipient of the Mark of Excellence in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The LSHS Marching band advanced to the State Marching Contest in 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and was a finalist in 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Poole was previously the director of bands at Forney High School for 12 years. The marching band made appearances at the Texas State Marching Contest five consecutive times. (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017).

Concertgoers are asked to consider a donation to the band program’s efforts in raising funds for the Spirit of Northwestern’s 2027 performance in Dublin, Ireland, (which many of the members of the Wind Symphony also perform). For more information, please visit: https://northwesternstatealumni.com/band-ireland-trip/

Many people struggle with loud snoring, constant fatigue, or restless nights without realizing they may be experiencing a treatable sleep disorder. The Sleep Center at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC) offers advanced testing and expert care designed to help patients get the rest they need to live healthier lives.

A good night’s sleep is essential for physical health, mental clarity, and overall well‑being. Sleep disorders can also have serious long-term health consequences if left untreated. Conditions such as sleep apnea and chronic insomnia have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and depression. Poor sleep can also affect memory, concentration, and overall cognitive health, making early diagnosis and treatment especially important. 

For residents of Natchitoches and surrounding communities, help is available close to home through the Sleep Center at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. At NRMC, patients receive comprehensive sleep evaluations and advanced sleep studies designed to identify and treat sleep disorders without having to travel far from home.

Recognizing the Signs of a Sleep Disorder

Doctors encourage individuals to speak with their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms such as loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or frequent awakenings during the night.

Other warning signs may include:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Gasping or choking while asleep
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Persistent fatigue or depression
• Insomnia or restless sleep

These symptoms are often associated with conditions like sleep apnea and other sleep disorders that can be diagnosed through professional sleep testing.

What Happens During a Sleep Study

A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, is a non‑invasive test that monitors how the body functions during sleep. During the study, specialists evaluate brain activity, breathing patterns, heart rate, oxygen levels, and movement.

The goal is to identify disruptions in normal sleep cycles and determine whether conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy may be affecting a patient’s health.

At the NRMC Sleep Center, patients may complete an overnight sleep study in a comfortable, private room designed to feel more like a bedroom than a hospital setting. In certain cases, physicians may recommend convenient take‑home sleep testing using a portable monitoring device.

A Comfortable Environment for Sleep Testing

The NRMC Sleep Center was designed to create a calm and supportive environment for patients undergoing evaluation. The facility features modern sleep monitoring technology and trained sleep technicians who guide patients through the testing process while helping them feel comfortable and at ease.

The center evaluates and treats a range of sleep disorders, including:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Central Sleep Apnea
• Chronic Insomnia
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Narcolepsy

For patients diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment plans may include CPAP therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and coordinated follow‑up care.

Local Care Without the Long Drive

One of the biggest advantages of the NRMC Sleep Center is convenience. Residents of Natchitoches and surrounding parishes can receive high‑quality diagnostic testing and care without traveling to larger cities.

Patients also benefit from coordinated care with their primary provider and access to other specialty services at NRMC if additional treatment is needed.

Taking the First Step Toward Better Rest

Sleep disorders can significantly impact quality of life, but many are highly treatable once properly diagnosed. Anyone experiencing loud snoring, daytime fatigue, restless nights, or other sleep‑related symptoms should consider discussing a sleep study with their healthcare provider.

For more information about the NRMC Sleep Center or to request an appointment, visit:

https://www.nrmchospital.org/clinic/sleep-center/

History and this year’s seedings bode well for the boys basketball teams at Natchitoches Central and Lakeview as they host state playoff quarterfinal games tonight.

The Chiefs, seeded third in Non-Select Division I, play host to No. 7 Central of Baton Rouge at 6:30 in The Teepee.

The Gators, the No. 2 seed in Non-Select Division IV, tip off at 7 against 10^th-seeded Northeast at The Swamp.

NCHS is shooting for its third straight move under coach Kolton Sepulvado into Marsh Madness, the state’s final four next week in Lake Charles. The Chiefs have reached the state tournament eight times in the last 13 years.

Lakeview has made that trip eight times in the past 11 years under coach Brian Williams.

Both local teams own 28-4 records.

NCHS faces a sixth-seeded Central team that has a 23-7 mark after playing for the state championship last season.

The Chiefs beat 14^th-seeded East Ascension 68-50 Tuesday night, but led by only two starting the fourth quarter before they ran off 10 straight points in a decisive 14-2 burst.

Central blew out 27^th-seeded West Ouachita 73-39 in the first round, then handled 11^th-seeded South Lafourche 70-60 Tuesday night.

Lakeview will play a Northeast team that is 17-14 overall but has won its last four, including Tuesday’s 56-49 upset at seventh-seeded Midland. The Vikings won 81-57 at home in the first round over 23^rd-seeded Tensas.

The Gators are 21-1 at home in the playoffs under Williams, but were upset last year in the quarterfinals on a buzzer-beater from East Iberville.

Lakeview blasted 15^th-seeded Haynesville 75-46 Tuesday night after a first-round bye.

The Lakeview game will be broadcast on 97.5 KDBH-FM.

The NCHS contest will air on 100.7 FM KZBL.

HOUSTON – The Northwestern State softball team delivered when the moments mattered most Thursday.

Northwestern (11-13, 2-0) scored six two-out runs in a 7-1 win in Game 1 then leaned on a clutch relief appearance from Mattison Buster to finish off an 11-6 victory and a Southland Conference-opening doubleheader sweep of HCU (3-18, 0-2).

Five of the 11 runs in the nightcap came with two gone in the inning.

The Demons and Huskies close their three-game series today at noon on ESPN+.

It’s the first time since 2022 that NSU won the first two games of league play. The Demons have won six of their last seven overall.

“Getting two wins to open conference play is just another step in the right direction for our team,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “We’re continuing to grow and it was good to see us compete and execute when it mattered the most.”

The Demons scored in six of the seven innings of the first game, setting the tone for the doubleheader with the way in which they got their first two runs of the game – pressuring the defense with the running game.

While Northwestern pecked away in the first game, it got another dominating pitching performance from junior Mattison Buster.

Buster twirled her seventh complete game of the season and her third in the past three starts. She allowed just one run, after tossing five scoreless to start the game, scattering four hits across her 7.0 innings with four strikeouts.  

After putting up a single run in the opener, the Demons pushed across three in the top of the first of Game 2, the fifth straight game NSU has taken the lead in the first inning.  

Building their second seven-run lead of the day, the Demons survived an HCU comeback bid within 7-5.  Buster came on in relief and quieted the Huskies, and Northwestern plated four seventh-inning runs to cushion the lead.

TENNIS:  The ominous weekend weather outlook forecasting rainy weather in the area has resulted in postponement of home matches for the Northwestern Lady Demons scheduled Saturday (New Orleans) and Monday (Nicholls). Instead, NSU will host the same opponents next weekend. The Lady Demons, one of three defending co-champions in the SLC, made a big statement Monday at Corpus Christi with a 4-3 win over the Islanders to go to 2-0 in the league.

SAN ANTONIO – Every Southland Conference weekend baseball series brings with it a different set of challenges.

This weekend, Northwestern State’s challenge is playing in arguably the most offensive-friendly ballpark it has seen in the 2026 season.

The Demons are on their first of five conference road trips this season, visiting Incarnate Word at Sullivan Field presented by H-E-B. The series opener has been adjusted to a doubleheader at noon today, due to rains likely arriving Saturday. The series finale may be played Saturday or Sunday, weather permitting.

The bookend games of the weekend will air on ESPN+ with free streaming audio available through http://www.NSUDemons.com and the Northwestern State Athletics mobile app.

“Another opportunity to discover, another opportunity to learn, another opportunity, honestly, to strike balance,” Demons’ third-year head coach Chris Bertran said. “In addition to the facility itself, you look at how good the Demons have been at home and what has taken place on the road in the five road games we have played so far. So it’s us learning how to be a better road team, a better away team, learning how to play in different ballparks against different styles of baseball.

“It’s an extremely difficult place to win, an extremely difficult place to go in and compete, but we have to find a way to strike that balance and find a way, with everything going on, to make it about us. How can we improve? How can we continue to overcome some of the adversity and the things we’ve been dealt.”

Northwestern (7-6, 1-2) enters the weekend set following a pair of victories to close out a four-game homestand.

In Tuesday’s 13-1, seven-inning victory against Grambling, the Demons solved a conundrum that had built through their first 12 games of the season.

In those first 12 games, Northwestern scored a single first-inning run – in Game 1 of a Feb. 21 doubleheader at Central Arkansas. The Demons erased that issue with an 11-run first inning to set the tone for the win against the Tigers.

“We want to continue to be of the mind-set that we are going to use those lessons – as we check those boxes and file them away as lessons learned and value pulled from that knowledge – and how we can turn around and use that to execute moving forward,” Bertrand said. “I’m really proud of the guys for what it is in the last two games that we’ve been able to learn about ourselves and what we’ve been able to check. It really only is as good as if you put it to use moving forward.”

Northwestern’s first SLC road trip serves as the first home conference series for the Cardinals (7-6, 1-2), who dropped two of three on the road to Houston Christian a week ago.

UIW enters the weekend leading the Southland Conference in home runs (23), home runs per game (1.77) and slugging percentage (.513). All three of those totals rank in the top 32 nationally.

The Cardinals’ strength will match up with what has been a strength for Northwestern. The Demons’ 3.98 team ERA leads the Southland as does their 7.97 hits per nine innings allowed and 3.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

In the past five games, Northwestern pitchers have scattered 26 hits across 42 innings.

In the Demons’ first Southland series against Southeastern Louisiana, the bullpen delivered 11 1-3 innings of four-hit, two-run relief while striking out 12.

Northwestern will send out the same starting rotation it has used in the first three weeks this weekend as left-hander Carter White (0-2, 7.80) starts the opener and is followed by right-handers Dylan Marionneaux (0-2, 4.41) and Trent Hillen (1-1, 5.93) on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

LAKE CHARLES — The Northwestern State men’s basketball team begins postseason play Sunday night as the No. 7 seed Demons face No. 6 seed Nicholls in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament inside the Legacy Center at McNeese’s Townsley Law Arena.

Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be streamed live on ESPN+. Radio coverage is available on the Demon Sports Network, flagshipped by 100.7 FM in Natchitoches.

The Demons (10-21, 8-14) enter tournament play after closing the regular season with a road matchup at UTRGV on Monday night. Northwestern battled throughout the contest behind a strong performance from Willie Williams, who recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Izzy Miles added 12 points while Micah Thomas finished with 10.

Now the focus shifts to a Nicholls team that edged Northwestern in both regular-season meetings.

“As the saying goes, this is March,” head coach Rick Cabrera said. “Nicholls is a very good opponent. Obviously, they clipped us twice by a possession each game, but we’re excited that we got in and we’re looking forward to battling them Sunday night.”

The season series against the Colonels (13-18, 12-10) told a similar story in both matchups — slow starts followed by strong second-half pushes from the Demons.

Defense has been a defining trait for the Colonels this season. Nicholls ranks 17th nationally in steals per game (8.9) and 28th in turnovers forced per game (14.5), both good for second in the Southland Conference.

In the first meeting on Jan. 9 in Thibodaux, NSU trailed by nine at halftime before responding with a strong second-half effort, outscoring Nicholls by seven after the break. Despite the rally, the Demons fell short.

The rematch in Natchitoches on Feb. 2 followed a nearly identical script. Nicholls built a 14-point halftime advantage, but Northwestern stormed back again in the second half, outscoring the Colonels by 11. Once again, the comeback bid came up just short.

Thomas, who transferred to Northwestern from Nicholls after two seasons and has played the last two years for Cabrera, has earned second-team All-Southland Conference honors after leading the Demons in points, assists, and steals.

He is fifth in the SLC in scoring with a 17.2 average, 2^nd in free throw aim at 92 percent (138-150), and ninth in field goal percentage (43), His free throw accuracy ranks seventh nationally and has surpassed the school record if it doesn’t drop. He connected on 36 consecutive free throws before a miss against Houston Christian. His 532 points this season rank 19th in school history.

Thomas made last year’s All-Southland Tournament team after leading Northwestern to the semifinals.

The Demons have been pointing toward this year’s SLC Tournament for some time, eager to convert playing down-to-the-wire losses in league action into wins in the postseason.

 “It’s hard to beat a team three times,” Cabrera said. “Nicholls has a winning pedigree. (Tevon Saddler) has done a great job with that program. But we know we belong. We know we can beat any team in front of us. The margin of error is small — for everybody — because it’s one and done.”  

The winner will move on to face No. 3 seed UTRGV as teams continue their pursuit of the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“Turnovers, rebound, defend,” Cabrera said. “If we do those things, our offense will take care of itself. When we’re good, we defend — and then we just play basketball.”

Clocks spring forward March 8 as Daylight Saving Time begins

Residents across Louisiana are reminded to set their clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8.

The time change officially takes effect at 2 a.m. Sunday, when clocks move forward to 3 a.m., resulting in an hour of lost sleep but extended daylight in the evenings.

Daylight Saving Time is observed across most of the United States and is intended to make better use of daylight during the warmer months. The change means sunrise and sunset will occur later in the day through the spring and summer.

Officials often encourage residents to use the time change as a reminder to check smoke detector batteries, review emergency plans and update safety supplies in their homes.

Daylight Saving Time will remain in effect until Nov. 1, when clocks will “fall back” one hour.

The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches recognized a member for his service, welcomed a new member and heard from a guest speaker during its most recent meeting.

Dr. Sapkota was honored as the club’s February Kiwanian of the Month in recognition of his continued dedication and service to the organization and the community.

The club also welcomed Dr. Jamie Perez as its newest member.

Northwestern State University Head Football Coach Blaine McCorkle served as the meeting’s guest speaker. During his presentation, McCorkle shared insights from the Demons’ previous season and discussed the upcoming season, including returning players, new additions to the roster and the team’s upcoming schedule.

McCorkle also announced that the annual Joe Delaney Bowl Spring Game will be held April 25 at Northwestern State University.

Phonetic: /ab·struse/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

• difficult to understand; obscure.
  “an abstruse philosophical inquiry”
• Similar: obscure, arcane

Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming spoke to a local audience about his background in public service, the responsibilities of the state treasury and his campaign for the U.S. Senate on March 4 at a State Budget Update luncheon held by the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Natchitoches Parish Journal.

Fleming was elected state treasurer on Nov. 18, 2023, and was sworn into office on Jan. 8, 2024. A physician, entrepreneur and military veteran, Fleming previously served as the U.S. representative for Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District. Following his time in Congress, he held several positions during the administration of Donald Trump, including deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development and deputy chief of staff to the president.

Before entering politics, Fleming served as a naval medical officer and later opened a medical practice in Minden, where he still lives with his wife, Cindy. The couple has four children and six grandchildren.

During his remarks, Fleming described his upbringing in a working-class household and said those experiences helped shape his approach to public service. He said he views his role in government as that of a “servant leader,” emphasizing responsibility to taxpayers.

Fleming detailed the primary duties of the state treasurer’s office, which include managing and investing state funds, overseeing debt approvals through the Louisiana Bond Commission and administering the state’s unclaimed property program.

According to Fleming, the treasury manages hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and works to maintain the state’s financial stability. He said Louisiana currently maintains strong reserve funds and recently saw its bond rating improve, which allows the state to borrow money at lower interest rates.

Fleming also encouraged residents to check the state’s unclaimed property program, which holds more than $1 billion in assets that belong to Louisiana residents. The funds can come from sources such as uncashed checks, forgotten deposits, insurance payments or inheritances. He said the average claim is about $900, though some claims can reach much higher amounts.

Another topic Fleming highlighted was government transparency, particularly in education spending. He said the state recently launched a public website that allows residents to review financial and performance data for K–12 public and charter schools, including payrolls, contracts and other expenditures.

Fleming said the transparency effort has already uncovered questionable spending in some school systems and charter schools. He said the goal is to ensure that education funding is reaching classrooms and teachers rather than being diverted to unnecessary expenses.

In addition to discussing his role as treasurer, Fleming addressed his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Bill Cassidy. Fleming said he announced his candidacy about 15 months ago and has been campaigning across the state.

During the question-and-answer session, Fleming also addressed concerns about insider trading by members of Congress. He said he supports stronger restrictions on lawmakers trading individual stocks while in office and noted that he personally avoided such trading during his time in Congress.

Fleming said reforms aimed at increasing transparency and reducing conflicts of interest are important to maintaining public trust in government.

Fleming also discussed the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the infrastructure needed to support it, including the expansion of large-scale data centers. He noted that AI systems require enormous computing power, which in turn demands significant electrical capacity and physical server infrastructure. Fleming said states that can provide reliable energy, available land and strong fiber networks will be better positioned to attract these facilities and the economic development that comes with them. He described AI and data centers as an emerging industry that could play a major role in shaping future investment and job opportunities.

Join Marvin for an interview with Congressman Cleo Fields

Cleo Fields is a Democratic congressman representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born Nov. 22, 1962, in Baton Rouge, Fields earned a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Southern University.

He was first elected to the Louisiana State Senate in 1987 at age 24, becoming one of the youngest lawmakers in state history. In 1992, he won election to Congress, serving two terms before returning to state politics. Fields later mounted a historic 1995 campaign for governor, advancing to the runoff.

After years in state government and community leadership, Fields returned to Congress in 2025. He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and has focused on economic opportunity, voting rights and education.

Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, Harrington Law Firm and the Sharpco Hotel Group.

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