As Louisiana Tech prepares to officially join the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, the Ruston mayor believes the move will provide significant benefits not only for the university but also for the city, local businesses and Bulldog fans.
Walker said the return to a more regional conference footprint should increase visitor traffic, generate additional sales and lodging tax revenue, reignite longtime rivalries and make it easier for Louisiana Tech supporters to follow their teams on the road.
“Six home football games that bring a lot of folks to our city, which means sales tax, lodging tax,” Walker said. “That is the economic driver of our city.”
Louisiana Tech announced in July that it had accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The move reunites the Bulldogs with several familiar regional opponents, including ULM, UL-Lafayette, Arkansas State, and Southern Miss, while significantly reducing travel demands for athletic teams and fans alike.
For Walker, one of the most appealing aspects of the move is the return of conference games that are within driving distance for Ruston residents.
“I can remember back 30 years ago driving to other schools within driving distance for games,” Walker said. “Now, it’s kind of tough to drive to Delaware and everywhere else. So now we’ve got all of those regional matchups coming back.”
The move restores conference competition with several schools that Louisiana Tech fans are familiar with and should make it easier for Bulldog supporters to attend road games throughout the region. Likewise, more visiting fans are expected to travel to Ruston for conference contests, providing a boost for local restaurants, hotels and retailers.
Walker noted that the benefits extend beyond the six home football games Louisiana Tech will host each season.
“Not only six home games, but also many road games within driving distance,” Walker said.
The return of regional rivalries is expected to create additional excitement among fans, particularly for matchups involving ULM, UL-Lafayette, Arkansas State, and Southern Miss. Those contests are likely to draw strong attendance from both fan bases while bringing additional visitors into Ruston.
Walker, who previously owned businesses in Ruston before selling it, said he witnessed firsthand how Louisiana Tech athletics can affect local commerce.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to host UL-Lafayette, Arkansas State, Southern Miss and Old Dominion in Sun Belt play while also hosting Northwestern State and Army in non-conference match-ups.
“From a guy that used to own a business in Ruston — Fan Base — and knowing what my sales went to when we went to a Tuesday night or Thursday night game versus a Saturday,” Walker said, “I can promise you the merchants in Ruston and the surrounding areas will be happy.”
Louisiana Tech athletics has long served as a major economic engine for Ruston, particularly during football season when thousands of visitors travel to the city for games, dining and overnight stays.
While the long-term effects of the move will take time to measure, Walker believes the benefits are already evident.
The combination of increased economic activity, renewed regional rivalries, improved travel opportunities for fans and a better experience for student-athletes has created excitement throughout the community as Louisiana Tech prepares for its new conference home.
For Walker, the equation is simple: more nearby opponents means more visiting fans, more local spending and more opportunities to showcase Ruston.
As Louisiana Tech officially enters the Sun Belt next month, Walker is confident the move will strengthen both the university and the community that surrounds it.
“I can promise you the merchants in Ruston and the surrounding areas will be happy,” Walker said.
In the midst of financial struggles that have resulted in Lincoln Preparatory School (LPS) making $675,000 worth of personnel cuts and salary reductions in order to meet compliance requirements for the bond investors who paid for the new school’s campus, LPS Executive Director Rashid Young on Monday announced a series of strategic operational and financial improvements aimed at strengthening the school’s long-term financial stability.
“Following a comprehensive review of the school’s finances and organizational structure, Lincoln Preparatory School has retained 4th Sector Solutions to provide financial management services,” the press release read. “The decision follows the completion of a preliminary audit of the 2024-25 fiscal year, which identified concerns related to financial management practices and internal financial controls that warrant corrective action.
“While the audit process has not yet been finalized, the preliminary findings indicate that many of the financial challenges facing the school developed over several years, highlighting the need for enhanced financial oversight and stronger internal controls.”
Requirements to meet compliance with the bond investors include maintaining a certain debt service coverage ratio (a formula that weighs cash flow against debt obligations) and keeping at least 45 days’ worth of operating expenses in cash on hand.
Young’s press release said the school has partnered with 4th Sector Solutions to oversee financial operations, strengthen accounting practices, improve budgeting procedures and implement additional safeguards to ensure greater transparency and accountability. The financial review also prompted an evaluation of the school’s organizational structure that revealed several noninstructional positions with responsibilities that duplicated services already being provided through existing contractual relationships.
Those positions have been eliminated for the 2026-27 school year. Employees affected by the restructuring were notified on May 22 and were encouraged to apply for other available positions within the school.
Young’s press release also said school administration continues to review historical compensation practices, including certain bonus payments, as part of the broader financial assessment and that the review remains ongoing.
“The preliminary audit gave us an opportunity to identify areas where we can improve our financial operations and strengthen the long-term future of Lincoln Preparatory School,” Young said in the press release. “Our response has been swift, thoughtful and focused on accountability. By partnering with 4th Sector Solutions and making strategic organizational changes, we are ensuring that more of our resources are directed where they belong — supporting our students, our teachers and classroom instruction.”
Young stressed that what the press release called the school’s financial improvements are intended to position Lincoln Prep for continued growth rather than signal instability.
“Families should know that Lincoln Preparatory School is strong, and we are building an even stronger foundation for the future,” Young said. “These improvements are about being proactive, transparent and responsible. We are excited about the positive momentum we are already seeing as we prepare for the new school year.”
The press release stated that school leaders report encouraging enrollment activity, renewed enthusiasm among faculty and staff, and continued community support as preparations for the upcoming school year continue.
“Every decision we make is guided by one question: ‘How does this benefit our students?'” Young said in the press release. “As we celebrate 10 years of serving this community, we are committed to building a school that is financially sound, academically excellent and positioned to provide outstanding opportunities for students for many years to come. I truly believe our best days are ahead.”
The press release also indicated that the LPS administration will continue implementing the recommendations of the ongoing preliminary audit while maintaining open communication with families, employees and stakeholders throughout the process.
A Lincoln Parish student is bringing home a national title after competing against some of the best young braille readers in the world.
Charity Boney recently won first place in the Apprentice Division at the 2026 Braille Challenge Finals in Los Angeles, California. The Apprentice Division includes first and second-grade students.
The Braille Challenge is considered the premier academic competition for students who are blind or visually impaired. This year’s event was the largest in the competition’s history, with finalists representing six countries.
Getting to the finals is an accomplishment on its own. Nine Louisiana students qualified for the national competition this year, with seven making the trip to Los Angeles to compete.
For Charity, this win is especially meaningful. According to published winners lists from the Braille Institute, she appears to be the first Louisiana student to bring home a medal from the Braille Challenge Finals. She placed second nationally in 2025 and returned this year to earn the championship.
“We’re incredibly proud of Charity and all that she has accomplished,” said Superintendent-elect John Young. “To compete on this stage and come home with a national championship is something special. She has represented her family, her school, our district, and our state incredibly well.”
Charity’s success is a reflection of her hard work and determination, along with the support of her family, teachers, and vision services staff who have helped her along the way.
The Lincoln Parish School District congratulates Charity on this incredible achievement and looks forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.
He’s still here in Ruston, doing what he’s has always done: taking great care of patients.
When the Vision Center closed, one of the questions we began hearing almost immediately was, “Where did Dr. Eaton go?” Many people assumed he had retired.
He didn’t.
For years, Dr. Jim Eaton has been a familiar face to families throughout Ruston and the surrounding communities. Patients know him for his easygoing personality, his kindness, and the time he takes with each person who walks through the door. We’re happy to share that Dr. Eaton is continuing to care for patients right here in Ruston and is now seeing patients exclusively at Haik Humble Eye Center’s Ruston location.
As many already know, Ruston Eye & Vision, founded by Dr. Brad Anders, has also become part of this exciting new chapter. While the name on the building has changed, much of what patients have come to know and appreciate remains the same. Dr. Anders continues to care for patients in Ruston, many familiar staff members are still there, and we’re also pleased to welcome Dr. Kristina Stanfield, who is continuing to care for her patients from the Ruston office as well.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly kind, and we are truly grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with Dr. Eaton, continue your care with Dr. Anders or Dr. Stanfield, or establish care for the first time, we’re honored to serve you.
For many of us, eye care isn’t just a profession—it’s a purpose. It’s helping someone read a bedtime story again, recognize the face of someone they love, drive safely, or simply enjoy the beauty around them. Thank you for trusting us with something as precious as your sight. We look forward to serving Ruston and the surrounding communities for years to come.
A Ruston woman was arrested Friday after state police investigated a two-vehicle crash in Bienville Parish.
Kassidy Sharae Roberson, 23, was arrested June 27 for first offense DWI and being a fugitive from another jurisdiction.
According to a report, a state trooper responded to a two-vehicle hit and run crash on Interstate 20 near mile marker 77 in Bienville Parish. Roberson’s disabled vehicle was found in the right travel lane.
After making contact with Roberson, troopers advised her of her rights. The report states the trooper saw Roberson’s eyes were red and glassy, she was swaying, her speech was slurred and they detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Roberson consented to standardized field sobriety tests and performed poorly, according to the report. She was arrested for DWI and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where a breath test showed her blood alcohol concentration to be .122g%, well over the Louisiana legal limit of .08g%.
During the investigation, the trooper also learned Roberson had an outstanding out-of-state warrant. However, the report did not identify the state nor the charge against Roberson
Roberson also received misdemeanor summonses for violations related to the crash in Bienville Parish.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Picture this: you’ve got a return flight home in three hours. You stand up and walk off a busy subway in New York. You walk up the steps to Times Square.
And you realize you have lost your wallet.
For some, public speaking is their worst nightmare.
Mine is not getting through TSA at the airport.
Sure enough, this was tested in real time a few years ago on a family trip to New York, where the wife and I had spent the previous four days visiting all the historic and touristy sites (and eating incredible food, of course) in our “home away from home” — Manhattan. It was a wonderful time and a great way to give ours girls their first taste of the Big Apple. We visited a dear friend of ours on the last day, and by this point, I had assumed myself to be an expert in navigating the subway system.
Turns out, the most important part of navigating the subway is making sure the wallet with your license is attached to your butt. I, sadly, committed this faux pas and created a whirlwind hellish scenario of stress and anxiety by skipping the crucial step of self-patting my pockets to ensure everything was in place.
I recognized it within minutes. It was on a subway line that was easily five minutes in the wrong direction by this point. So, as time was beginning to run out, we immediately ran to the nearest police station to file a report. And, to no one’s surprise, the nice policemen very kindly said the equivalent of “Good job, Stupid. You’ll never see the wallet again.” And that was that.
Except, a few minutes later, I received a notice of a $300 charge on a debit card to a nearby department store. We alerted the police, but by the time they were able to call, the store had let the person who had acquired my wallet (and license and cash and credit cards) head right out with some merch.
So back to square one. And again, that was that.
Except, again, a few minutes later I received a phone call from a Good Samaritan. It turns out, he had found what was left of my wallet on the floor of the subway — now bereft of the license and cash and credit cards — and saw the hotel key I had stored. He called the hotel and told the front desk that he wanted to try to get my wallet back to me. And they gave him my phone number (we can question the ethics behind that on a later column, I guess) and he called.
After a brief chat, he told me he watched someone on the subway grab the wallet and rifle through for anything of value. But I still had a medical insurance card and a couple of other small items that he believed I would want back. So we met in a public location, and he graciously gave back what was left.
Unfortunately, there was no ID for me to get on the plane to go home — and the clock was ticking.
Our friend dropped us off at the airport, and we all went to the counter with our proverbial hats in hand and begged for any help to get on the plane.
Thankfully, due to digital pre-check, we were already checked in for the flight. The next hurdle home was going to be TSA.
We bid our buddy adieu and headed to JFK’s security and looked for anyone of authority with whom we could plead our case. An agent pointed to Mrs. Kim* (name changed) a couple of bag scanners away, and we moved that way. She looked our way, and we locked eyes: she absolutely knew what had happened before we could get the words out.
By this point, I had already told Judith and the kids they were getting on the plane regardless of my fate, which was now in Mrs. Kim’s hands.
I pleaded my case, and I said the phrase “I am at your mercy; I will do anything you ask to get on that flight with my family.”
At first guarded, Mrs. Kim was now very warm after my comment. Seeing my “Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers” t-shirt, she deduced that my threat level was well below any cause for concern.
Smiling now, Mrs. Kim did something for me I’ve never seen before: she walked us to the very front of the TSA line — passing hundreds in the process — and took us to a separate scanning line. Judith and the girls were all handed the normal gray bins you see while I had to use a red-colored one reserved for, I assume, Osama Bin Laden.
I tried not to make eye contact with the people we passed on the way through. Once we finished checking our bags, I couldn’t help myself but ask her — “If this was my mistake, why are you taking such good case of us?”
“Because you were kind,” she said. “You wouldn’t believe how many people yell at us in this exact scenario as if this is somehow our fault.”
And then we were through. I told her again how much I appreciated the help, and we got on the flight to come back home.
I can imagine what you’re thinking if you’ve flown in the last 25 years: security at airports, while necessary, can be absolutely miserable. But I learned on that fateful afternoon just how far a little kindness can go once we realize that we’re all trying to do our best, even if mistakes are made along the way.
Thankfully, we’ve been able to go back to New York a couple of times since. And, as you can probably imagine, I’m much more hawkish about having my wallet on my person (this includes a couple of extra self taps on my backside when I’m standing up to move).
But I’m also kinder and more patient. You just never know when you can make Mrs. Kim’s day — because if you’re in a pinch, she sure can make yours.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Showtime Track Club capped its inaugural appearance at the 2026 USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships with two national championships, multiple personal-best performances and strong showings against some of the nation’s top young athletes.
Competing June 24-27 at Milton Frank Stadium, the first-year Ruston-based club was led by 11-year-old Dallas Smith, who won national titles in both the boys 11-12 800-meter and 1,500-meter races while also qualifying for the 400-meter final.
Smith captured the 1,500-meter championship in a lifetime-best 5 minutes, 3.35 seconds before claiming the 800-meter national title in another personal-best time of 2:26.06. He advanced to the 800 final after posting the fastest preliminary time of 2:29.75.
He also showcased his versatility in the 400 meters, qualifying for the national final with a preliminary time of 1:02.91 before placing fifth in the nation in 1:04.70.
Competing in three events across four days, Smith displayed the poise of a seasoned racer, according to Showtime Track Club head coach Morgan Smith.
“One of the biggest things we’ve seen in Dallas this season is how much he has grown as a race tactician,” Smith said. “He’s learning when to be patient, when to take control of a race, and when to respond to another athlete’s move. That’s a skill that can’t be taught overnight, and he’s developing it at an incredible pace.”
Coach Smith said Dallas embraced the challenge of competing against elite runners from traditional youth track powers.
“These weren’t easy wins,” he said. “Dallas competed against outstanding athletes from Florida, New Jersey, Georgia and Texas — states that consistently produce some of the nation’s best youth distance runners. Every race required him to make smart decisions, stay composed and trust his training. He answered every challenge that came his way.”
Throughout both championship races, Dallas remained near the front of the field before making decisive moves late.
“What impressed me the most was how calm he stayed,” Coach Smith said. “When another runner made a move, Dallas never panicked. He responded with confidence and looked completely in control. Once he decided it was time to take command of the race, he did exactly that. That’s the sign of a runner who is beginning to understand how to win championships — not just run fast times.”
Smith believes Dallas’ rapid development is only the beginning.
“To come home with two national titles at just 11 years old is a tremendous accomplishment, but what excites me even more is that he’s still learning and improving every week,” he said. “His work ethic is exceptional, he loves to compete, and he’s developing the racing instincts that separate good runners from great ones. We’re excited to see what the future holds.”
In the girls 11-12 division, Doris Hearn competed in three throwing events during her first national championship meet.
Hearn finished 10th nationally in the discus with a throw of 31 feet, 7 inches (9.64 meters), placed 12th in the shot put at 17-7 (5.36 meters) and finished 17th in the aero javelin with a throw of 21-10 (6.67 meters).
Smith praised Hearn’s growth during her first season competing in the throwing events.
“I’m incredibly proud of the progress Doris has made this year,” Smith said. “This was her first season learning three completely different throwing events, and she’s improved every time she’s stepped into the circle or onto the runway. That’s a testament to her willingness to learn and the work she’s put in throughout the season.”
He said the opportunity to compete at the national level should benefit Hearn in the future.
“Competing on the national stage against some of the best young throwers in the country is an experience that’s impossible to replicate,” Coach Smith said. “I believe seeing that level of competition will only motivate her to elevate her own game. She’s just scratching the surface of her potential, and I’m excited to watch her continue to develop over the next several years.”
As a first-year program, Showtime Track Club concluded the national meet with two USATF national championships, two personal-best performances and a strong showing on one of youth track and field’s biggest stages while representing Lincoln Parish and Louisiana.
A woman was arrested last Thursday after an officer stopped her while she was walking on Martin Luther King Drive, according to a Ruston Police report.
Andrecia Detasharae Mays, 36, of Ruston, was arrested June 26 for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia as well as two warrants for failure to appear in Ruston City Court and two Louisiana Tech Police warrants for simple burglary.
According to the report, an officer saw Mays walking near Martin Luther King Drive and Johnson Street and stopped to make contact because she was walking too close to the roadway.
During the encounter, Mays identified herself, and dispatch confirmed she had active warrants through the Ruston Police Department and Louisiana Tech.
A search after her arrest resulted in discovery of a clear plastic bag containing a white crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The report states officers also found a glass pipe with burnt residue from smoking methamphetamine.
Mays was advised of her rights, transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, and booked on the listed charges.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 30 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: Storytime : Patriotic Stories (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 10 a.m.: Summer movie series “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (Dixie Theatre) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon : Patriotic Geese (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Japanese Paper Doll Bookmark (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Firecracker Flowers; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library)
Wednesday, July 1 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station) 4 p.m.: Family Bingo (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Thursday, July 2 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Picnic in the Park (Railroad Park) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Tai Chi class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Friday, July 3 1-6 p.m.: United We Give Blood Drive (Lincoln Parish Library) 7:30 p.m.: LoveLincoln Freedom Fest (Temple Baptist, 1515 S. Service Rd. W; fireworks to follow)
Saturday, July 4 Independence Day 7:30 a.m. to noon: Patriotic Field Day (Dubach Ballpark) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
Monday, July 6 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Storytime : Flowers (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, July 7 10 a.m.: Storytime : Flowers (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon : Shrinky Dinks (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Movie Night: Ponyo (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.)
Wednesday, July 8 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Battle of the Cities Blood Drive (Ruston Civic Center) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)
Thursday, July 9 9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richartd Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121) 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Picnic in the Park (Railroad Park) 2 p.m.: Tween Time : Circut Flower (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Book Bedazzling (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Tai Chi class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, July 10 10 a.m.: Harvey Rabbit & Friends Show (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Summer DND Campaign for Teens & Tweens (Lincoln Parish Library) Please call 318-513-5518 for important information about participation.
Saturday, July 11 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Doug said, “I drive, therefore I am,” and honestly, I’m starting to trust my version more.
I spend so many hours with my body attached to a car that I’m basically a mobile Methodist. I know I20 like the back of my hand—every bump, every dip, every spot where my cell signal disappears as if it’s entering the Witness Protection Program. I know where law enforcement hides, waiting to catch those who treat the speed limit as a suggestion from a friend rather than a command from the state. I know exactly how far I can push the fuel light before I’m praying in tongues at the next exit. If you see me on the Interstate, give me a wave. I’ll wave back. I’m friendly like that.
Driving entertains me. I read bumper stickers like they’re sacred texts. If you see me tailgating, don’t worry—I’m not being aggressive; I’m just trying to discern whether your “Coexist” sticker is faded or ironic. And I’ve developed a spiritual gift: I can tell when someone is talking on the phone while driving. They always slow down. Always. It’s like the car senses the conversation and decides to meditate.
Today I was headed to Bossier City when the nice truck in front of me decided it was time for a midjourney spa treatment. He hit his windshield washer at 70 mph. At my following distance, his washer fluid became my washer fluid. A surprise baptism by RainX. I just smiled and thanked God for the improvisational rain shower. Louisiana weather is unpredictable, but apparently so are Louisiana drivers.
Now here’s where the sermon sneaks in.
My actions can change your attitude, and your attitude interprets my actions. That’s the whole ballgame.
I could’ve gotten mad. I could’ve imagined he did it on purpose. I could’ve turned on my wipers and smeared my windshield into a Monet painting. Or I could interpret it factually: I was following too closely behind a man with a dirty windshield who needed to see better. Or I could interpret it spiritually: God’s grace falls on the just, the unjust, and the guy behind the truck who wasn’t expecting a windshield blessing.
We don’t live in a vacuum. Our actions splash onto the people behind us—sometimes literally. That’s why Scripture tells us to be careful how we walk. We don’t want to trip someone else up. But the other side is just as important: I’m not responsible for what you do to me, but I am responsible for what I let your actions do inside me.
The world is small. The road is shared. And whether we like it or not, we’re all windshield washers for somebody.
So drive kindly. Live kindly. And if you must baptize the car behind you, at least use the good fluid.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
The Kiwanis Club of Ruston meets every Thursday at noon at Trinity Methodist Church. The first Thursday of the month is a business meeting, while the remainder of the weeks are devoted to our speakers.
Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting, but please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance at 318-518-2121.
This week’s speaker is: NO MEETING THIS WEEK
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one CHILD and one Community at a time.
LINCOLN ROTARY CLUB
Lincoln Rotary Club is a service organization dedicated to making a positive impact in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, and communities around the world. As part of Rotary International, whose mission is to provide service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill and peace, Lincoln Rotary members are committed to addressing local needs through hands-on projects, partnerships, and community engagement.
Lincoln Rotary meets every Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. at the Ruston-Lincoln Visitors Bureau, located at 2111 North Trenton Street in Ruston. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome to attend and learn more about Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
Each weekly meeting features a guest speaker who shares insights on topics impacting our community, region, and beyond.
This week’s speaker is: NO MEETING THIS WEEK
For more information about the Lincoln Rotary Club, membership opportunities, or upcoming service projects, contact via the club’s social media pages.
RUSTON ROTARY
Ruston Rotary is the oldest Rotary Club in Lincoln Parish, with over 80 years of service to the Ruston community since its charter on February 13, 1943. It meets weekly for fellowship, food and insight, as well as to implement community projects. Their projects include scholarships for graduating high school seniors, dictionaries for third-graders, Christmas gifts for local nursing homes, and fans for the elderly.
It hosts monthly recognition for Lincoln Parish Students of the Month, and it presents the Bill Best Humanitarian Award annually to a deserving Lincoln Parish resident. It also provides camp opportunities for local students to RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.
The Rotary motto is Service above Self. Come be part of Ruston Rotary and help create a lasting impact by giving back to the community with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Ruston Rotary meets every Wednesday at noon at the Historic Fire Station at 200 East Mississippi in Ruston, and lunch is provided at each meeting. Stop in for a meeting one week to find out more about membership with our organization.
This week’s speaker is: ERIC HANNA, Gem Theatre in Dubach.
The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model could temporarily reduce Division I scholarship opportunities for high school athletes over the next several recruiting cycles.
For years, the transfer portal has dramatically reshaped Division I recruiting. Now, college coaches believe the NCAA’s latest eligibility change could temporarily create another obstacle by reducing the number of available roster spots for incoming freshmen.
A local high school coach agrees.
The NCAA’s newly adopted age-based eligibility model, approved this week by the Division I Council, is expected to create greater consistency in college athletics while simplifying eligibility rules. But coaches and administrators also believe the transition to the new system could temporarily reduce scholarship opportunities for high school recruits as current college athletes potentially remain on rosters longer.
Under the new model, student-athletes will have a five-year eligibility window beginning at the earlier of their first full-time enrollment at any college or university — including junior colleges and international institutions — or the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday.
Current student-athletes with remaining eligibility will be evaluated under both the previous eligibility rules and the new age-based model, with whichever system provides the most favorable outcome applying during the transition. That means some current players could receive an additional year of eligibility, leaving fewer roster openings for potential high school recruits in the short term.
“I just don’t know how many guys will have homes whenever you get to that point in your roster, when you’re able to have an older player versus a younger player,” said Louisiana Tech head football coach Sonny Cumbie.
Louisiana Tech Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey said he believes the transition period will create only a temporary disruption for high school recruiting.
“You’re creating another obstacle in the recruiting funnel right now because current student-athletes could get another year,” said Ivey. “But once we get through the full four-year cycle, I don’t think it’s going to have any more impact on high school recruiting than what the current transfer market is. I think that’s the biggest impact on high school recruiting — just the transfer component.”
For Cumbie, the concern isn’t whether recruiting will change. It’s how long the adjustment period may last.
“I think it’s going to really put a strain on the high school classes in the next year or two,” Cumbie said. “There’s going to be a lot of players on our roster and every roster across the country now that has an extra year of eligibility. That’ll impact high school recruiting because there are going to be more players, whether it’s in the portal or on your current roster, that may have that fifth year.”
Ruston High School head football coach Jerrod Baugh said recruiting had only recently begun returning to normal following the COVID-19 eligibility extensions before the NCAA’s latest change threatened to create another backlog.
“Everything has caught up with all those kids that gained an extra year because of COVID,” said Baugh. “I have a feeling that this is going to back us up in the same respect that COVID did. It’ll take some years to get past that before it returns to what we’re kind of used to seeing as far as a high school kid is concerned.”
While the age-based model eliminates many of the confusing eligibility questions that have surfaced in recent years, it also creates difficult decisions for coaching staffs trying to balance experienced veterans with incoming freshmen.
Unlike previous eligibility changes, the NCAA did not increase roster limits.
That means every veteran player who chooses to return potentially occupies a roster spot that otherwise may have gone to a high school recruit.
“We have looked at our roster,” Cumbie said. “From a recruiting standpoint of our 2027 class, our class is going to be smaller as is, and now it has an opportunity to be even smaller. If some of these guys have another year of eligibility, if they play at the level we think they can and we’re able to retain them, then recruiting-wise you’re not looking to bring in as many new players.”
That uncertainty creates another challenge for coaches trying to build recruiting classes and for high school athletes waiting to see where opportunities will emerge.
Traditionally, coaches begin planning recruiting classes years in advance. Under the new model, many won’t know exactly how many scholarships they have available until much later in the recruiting cycle.
“I think schools won’t really know, and we won’t really know, and everybody in the country won’t really know until you get to December,” Cumbie said. “As kids are returning or not, then I think you’ll see even more of an impact on high school recruiting.”
Baugh said he witnessed a similar trickle-down effect during the COVID eligibility extension, when many recruits who normally would have signed with Division I programs found scholarship opportunities harder to find.
“You have to just explain to your kids, who would normally be a Division I signee, that those spots aren’t available and you’re going to have to work your way up,” Baugh said. “They’re going to have to start at a junior college or a smaller school, but the rules are set up now with being able to transfer without penalty. I think that will help them.”
Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Brooke Stoehr believes that uncertainty will be felt throughout college athletics, particularly by the Class of 2027.
“I think the ’27 class is going to be impacted greatly just because there are a lot of unknowns,” Stoehr said. “I think there are going to be a lot of coaches that have a wait-and-see approach.”
For coaches, that means balancing two competing priorities — continuing to recruit talented high school athletes while also keeping experienced players already in the program.
“I’m under the philosophy that if we can get the best player possible, let’s go find a way to get them for the program and make our roster as good as it can be,” Stoehr said. “But we’re also going to make sure we have the flexibility to retain the players that we want to keep within the program that have experience and know what success looks like.”
She expects the new eligibility model to place an even greater premium on experienced players.
“I think what we’re going to see across college basketball is some more movement probably and people going after older players, experienced players,” Stoehr said. “You’ve just got to be prepared for that.”
While veteran players may benefit, younger recruits could find fewer immediate opportunities.
“I think there are going to be limited opportunities early on,” Stoehr said. “I think you’re going to see a lot of people not sign as many players in the fall, and that’s going to leave a lot of uncertainty, especially for the ’27 class but the ’28 class as well until things kind of level off.”
Despite those concerns, neither Cumbie and Stoehr indicated Louisiana Tech plans to continue recruiting high school talent.
“We still want to always recruit heavily with our high school kids like we have the last couple of years,” Cumbie said. “It’s really been a benefit for us because we’ve been able to find some really good players out of high school.”
Stoehr echoed that philosophy.
“We’re going to continue to recruit high school players,” she said. “We’ve been able to get a higher-level high school player, especially since the portal started.”
Ivey believes the uncertainty surrounding recruiting should diminish once the transition period is complete. In the long run, he expects the age-based model to create a more predictable system than the one coaches have navigated in recent years.
While athletic directors and coaches generally support those long-term goals, they acknowledge the next few recruiting cycles may prove challenging as programs determine which current players choose to use their remaining eligibility.
And that challenge could directly impact high school athletes in the near future. But only time will tell.
Ruston’s Owen Hebert added another major accomplishment to an already impressive year on Saturday, earning a gold medal at the AAU and SIJJF Team USA Trials to secure his place on Team USA for the SIJJF World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, September 3-6.
The victory marks Hebert’s second Team USA qualification this summer. Earlier this month, he earned a spot on the U.S. Grappling Team that will compete at the UWW Grappling World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan later this fall.
With today’s win, Hebert will represent the United States on the international stage in both Tokyo and Astana during the 2026 season.
Still just 14 years old, Hebert continues to build one of the strongest youth grappling resumes in the country. In addition to competing internationally in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling, he is also a standout wrestler at Ruston High School and trains year-round at Triad Martial Arts Academy.
“Representing Team USA is always an incredible honor,” said the Hebert family. “We’re thankful to all of the coaches, teammates, training partners, sponsors, and supporters who have helped Owen along the way. We’re excited for the opportunity to compete against the best in the world while representing our country.”
Members of the Ruston Police Department and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office will team up tonight for the Texas Roadhouse Tip-A-Cop event benefiting Special Olympics Louisiana.
For one evening, local law enforcement officers will trade their badges for aprons and assist restaurant staff while raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes. Every donation helps provide year-round sports training, competition opportunities, and life-changing experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Residents are encouraged to enjoy a great meal, meet their local deputies and officers, and help support an incredible cause that promotes inclusion, confidence, and achievement for athletes across Louisiana. Whether you stop by for dinner or simply make a donation, your support makes a difference.
The local law enforcement departments thank you for helping us champion the athletes of Special Olympics Louisiana!
GSU President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. (left) and SU Law Center Chancellor Alvin Washington congratulate each other after signing the MOU.
Courtesy of GSU Communications
Following approval by the Louisiana Board of Regents, Grambling State University and Southern University Law Center signed a memorandum of understanding today establishing a 3+3 Accelerated Law Program designed to create a structured route for Grambling State students interested in pursuing legal education.
The agreement formalizes a collaboration between the two historically Black institutions to expand access to law school preparation, academic advising, pre-law programming, and professional opportunities for students pursuing careers in law, public service, policy, advocacy, and related fields.
Through the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program, eligible Grambling State students will be able to complete undergraduate preparation while working toward a streamlined transition to Southern University Law Center. The program is designed to help students identify their interest in law earlier, receive coordinated advising, and move more efficiently from undergraduate study into professional legal training.
“Through this partnership, Grambling State University and the Southern University Law Center are creating new opportunities for students to accelerate their path to a law degree while preparing for careers of impact and service,” said Grambling State University President Martin Lemelle, Jr. “Together, we are expanding access, strengthening the pipeline of future attorneys, and demonstrating the power of HBCU collaboration to develop the next generation of leaders.”
Under the agreement, Southern University Law Center will provide academic advising and support to undergraduate students interested in the 3+3 pathway, collaborate on curriculum alignment, offer guest lectures, pre-law programming, and campus visits, and designate a point of contact for coordination and student support. Southern University Law Center will also guarantee admission to qualified students who meet the program’s admissions criteria.
Grambling State University will identify and advise students interested in the 3+3 pathway, align undergraduate curriculum to fulfill Southern University Law Center’s admissions prerequisites within three years, designate a faculty advisor to oversee student progress, promote the program through advising, outreach, and marketing, and share relevant academic data in accordance with applicable laws.
“This partnership reflects the power of HBCUs working together to create pathways for student success, said Alvin Washington, chancellor of the Southern University Law Center. “Through the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program, we are able to expand access to legal education and preparing the next generation of advocates and public servants who will make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.”
The partnership strengthens the academic bridge between Grambling State University and Southern University Law Center while supporting both institutions’ commitment to expanding access, advancing student success, and preparing graduates for leadership. It also supports Grambling State University’s broader efforts to increase graduate and professional school opportunities, strengthen career readiness, and connect students with programs that prepare them for service beyond the undergraduate experience.
The agreement comes as Grambling State University continues to build partnerships that support academic progression, workforce preparation, and long-term student success. By creating a more intentional route to legal education, the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program will help students better understand the academic expectations, professional opportunities, and career possibilities connected to law and public service.
The memorandum of understanding became effective upon signing and will remain in effect for up to three years, with annual review by both institutions.
Friday morning, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the Louisiana State Police Force Investigation Unit arrested a Mansfield Police Department Officer on criminal charges. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 58-year-old Curtis Jones of Mansfield.
The investigation began in early 2026, when LSP received reports of misconduct by an Officer employed by the City of Mansfield. As a result of the investigation and information obtained, an arrest warrant was obtained through the 42nd JDC, charging Jones with malfeasance in office, simple battery, and simple assault. This morning, Jones turned himself in to authorities and was processed at the DeSoto Parish Detention Center on the charges listed above. This investigation remains active and ongoing.
“The department is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities to ensure an impartial and thorough review occurs, said Interim Mansfield Police Chief Michelle Thomas. “Due to an ongoing legal process, we cannot discuss details at this time. We want to assure the community that the integrity, trust, and well-being of the community we serve remain a top priority.”
To report suspicious or criminal activity in your community, the Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through a convenient, anonymous, and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be accessed by visiting lsp.org and clicking the Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — Members of the Lincoln Parish Journal were recognized Sunday at the 2025 Louisiana Sports Writers Association annual contest, with members of its staff earning honors in statewide competition.
Co-Publisher Malcolm Butler earned three statewide honors, including runner-up in the Class II Columnist of the Year competition, marking the third straight year that he has earned the award. He also placed third in the General Sports Column — Class II category for his column on Louisiana Tech’s return to the Sun Belt Conference, while receiving honorable mention in the Prep Event — Class II category for his coverage of Cedar Creek’s comeback victory over JS Clark in the state semifinals.
Co-Publisher Kyle Roberts earned honorable mention in the General Sports Feature — Class II category for a story on the rich history of Ruston High School cross country.
Roberts, Nick Brown and the Bearcat Broadcast Crew earned second place in the Best Live Radio Event category for their broadcast of Ruston High’s 100th meeting with rival Neville High School on Q94.1 FM and the Bearcat Nation Network, just one year after claiming the top spot in the same category.
The annual LSWA contest recognizes excellence in sports writing, broadcasting, photography and sports information across Louisiana. Awards were presented Sunday in Natchitoches.
See full list of winners below:
2025 LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONTEST
Awards presented June 28, 2026, Natchitoches, La.
SPORTS INFORMATION/COMMUNICATIONS
DIVISION I – RELEASE/FEATURE (FOOTBALL)
HARRISON VALENTINE, LSU Athletics
Feature on Tigers’ cornerback Mansoor Delane
JUDGES COMMENTS: “Winning entry delivered a thorough background feature on the rise of new LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane from his high school days until the present. The story had a good pace, excellent use of selective quotes and pertinent statistics.”
Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Athletics
Game story on first NSU football win since November 2022
Brad Welborn, Northwestern State Athletics
Feature on NSU QB progress from his first college start to his rematch with the same team
DIVISION II – RELEASE/FEATURE (MEN’S BASKETBALL/BASEBALL)
HARRISON VALENTINE, LSU Athletics
Story on re-hired LSU head basketball coach Will Wade
JUDGES COMMENTS: It’s absolute talent when a writer writes a lede that perfectly sets the table for the reader. This category winner nailed it. He wrote, “An introductory press conference for a guy that needs no introduction. Has there ever been one?
Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Athletics
Feature on former NSU baseball star David Fry a season after his MLB All-Star game review
Kent Lowe, LSU Athletics
Release on the hire of Will Wade
DIVISION III – RELEASE/FEATURE (WOMEN’S BASKETBALL/SOFTBALL)
BRAD WELBORN, Northwestern State Athletics
Feature on a 15-year relationship between a coach and a graduating player
JUDGES COMMENTS: The writer showed maturity and restraint by not getting in the way of a good storyline. He allowed a softball player and her coach to tell the story of a relationship that started at the beginning of the player’s career and showed up again at the end.
Jonathan Zenk, Northwestern State Athletics
Feature on NSU women’s basketball player loving her role as a defensive specialist
Matt Hebert, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics
Game story on UL softball win over ranked Ole Miss
DIVISION IV – RELEASE/FEATURE (OLYMPIC SPORTS)
HARRISON VALENTINE, LSU Athletics
Feature on LSU all-American gymnast Kailin Chio
JUDGES COMMENTS: Winner authored a fascinating dissection of the robotic perfection of LSU gymnast Kailin Chio, touching on her superstitions, her mental routine and how she and new assistant coach/former teammate Haleigh Bryant have connected.
Dan McDonald, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics
Story on UL men’s golfer Malan Potgieter in the NCAA tournament and his streak of 91 consecutive holes without a bogey
Matt Sullivan, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics
Story on UL men’s golfer Malan Potgieter’s school-record pace in Trinity Forest Invitational
DIVISION V – GAME NOTES (ALL SPORTS)
1 (tie). MATTHEW BONNETTE, McNeese
Men’s Basketball Game Notes vs. Vanderbilt in 2026 NCAA Championships
1 (tie). MATT SULLIVAN, Louisiana
Ragin’ Cajuns Football Notes package for 68 Ventures Bowl
JUDGES COMMENTS: Many game notes stuff their notes full of information from games during the season that aren’t really relevant to the game at hand. They simply keep passing along notes from games that happened weeks ago and while that information is important, it isn’t anything that I would probably bring up during the game and I end up having to wade through that. Neither one of these winners did that. Wasn’t a lot of filler, just important notes that make them an easier read.
Kent Lowe, LSU Athletics
LSU Men’s Basketball Game Notes vs. Kentucky (SEC Tournament)
Brad Welborn, Northwestern State Athletics
Game notes for Southland Conference Tournament
DIVISION VI – COLLEGE RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY
MIKE HAMMETT, ULM Warhawk Radio Network
ULM Football Broadcast at UTEP
JUDGES COMMENTS: I know being the Voice of the Warhawks isn’t always the easiest job, but Mike is consistently a pro’s pro. He does a great job of capturing why the big moment is in-fact the big moment. Mike also does a tremendous job of crunching a large amount of information into a small window without feeling rushed, but also making sure he gives his on-air partner plenty of time to break down a play. Mike is incredibly descriptive while not being too wordy, and excited for the big plays without coming across fanatical. Mike is well-deserving of this recognition.
Graphic on Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball first baseman Lee Amedee and his perfect season in the field
JUDGES COMMENTS: A simple, clean cut post highlighting incredible stats of an infielder.
Brad Welborn, Northwestern State Athletics
Women’s basketball conference player of the year graphic.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics
Graphic on Men’s Basketball Newcomer Isaiah Wilks as the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year
DIVISION VIII – BEST COLLEGE PHOTO
CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State Athletics
NSU Head Coach Blaine McCorkle receives a Powerade bath after his 20-10 win over Alcorn, his first as a D1 Head Coach.
JUDGES COMMENTS: The epitome of any athletics celebrations, the sports drink bath. A rite of initiation for any coach and team’s accomplishment.
Ben Massey, Louisiana Athletics
Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield scoring the game-winning TD in overtime in a 54-51 comeback victory over Marshall
BROADCASTING AWARDS
BEST RADIO SHOW HOST (SOLO & TEAM)
MATT MOSCONA (Host), MATT MUSSO & PAUL O’NEIL (Producers), “After Further Review”, 104.5 ESPN, Baton Rouge
JUDGES COMMENTS: Radio is all about generating urgency with the audience and this show does that regardless of the topic.
Raymond Partsch III (Host), James Meche (Co-Host-Producer), “RP3 & Meche”, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
JJ Marshall & Ben Marshall (Hosts), Travis Stewart (Producer), “SportsTalk with JJ & Bonzai Ben, 1130 The Tiger, Shreveport
HM. Dawson Eiserloh (Host), James Meche & Dawson Eiserloh (Producers), “The LohDown with D-Loh”, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
BEST RADIO INTERVIEW
MATT MOSCONA, 104.5 ESPN, Baton Rouge
Interview with Kyren Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, and his attorney Matthew Ory
JUDGES COMMENTS: Really well done interview where the host got out of the way and let the guest’s words and emotions tell the story. Not an easy interview and the host did exactly what was needed.
Dawson Eiserloh, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Interview with UFC star Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier
Raymond Partsch III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Interview with World Series champion Curt Schilling
HM. JJ Marshall & Ben Marshall, 1130 The Tiger, Shreveport
Interview with prep basketball legend Greg Procell
BEST LIVE RADIO EVENT
TONY TAGLAVORE & JIMMY MARTIN, KLKL-FM 95.7
JUDGES COMMENTS: I thought it was the most descriptive with great voice inflection and describing the action, breaking down the flow of the game and within a minute or so a great picture was painted… I thought the color analyst was spot on, and did a great job of describing what was happening and played off the play-by-play guy really well…the chemistry was strong!
Kyle Roberts & Nick Brown, Ruston High Football, Q94.1 FM
Chad Jones, Jason Burns & Raymond Partsch III, St. Landry Parish Game of the Week, Z105.9 FM
BEST PODCAST
KENT LOWE, BILL FRANQUES & MICHAEL BONNETTE, “Sports Information”
JUDGES COMMENTS: I chose the winner because the conversations were entertaining and seemed natural.I thought the conversation with Jacob Hester was extremely entertaining and insightful… I also enjoyed the Christmas discussion because it did bring back a lot of memories from my own childhood… We also had a fake tree.
Matthew Musso, “Musso at The Box,” ESPN Baton Rouge
Ralph Malbrough, Andrew Juge, Dave Cariello & Kevin Held, “Saints Happy Hour Podcast”
HM. Jim Derry, “Dattitude with Jim Derry,” NOLA.com
BEST TV SPORTSCAST
SETH LEWIS, WWL-TV
JUDGES COMMENTS: This entry was excellent. There was an inspiring and well-produced feature that highlights Cade Anderson’s remarkable journey from a young baseball prodigy in Madisonville to a star pitcher at LSU. The story does an excellent job showcasing not only his talent and perseverance through injury but also the unwavering support of his family. There was also a good mix of current stories that were well written and clearly presented. Strong video elements and effective soundbites enhanced the storytelling, resulting in an engaging and professional broadcast.
Aaron Dietrich, KNOE 8
JaMarcus Fitzpatrick & Anthony Council, KATC-TV
HM. Fletcher Mackel, WDSU
BEST TV INTERVIEW
FLETCHER MACKEL, WDSU
Interviews with Saints legend Archie Manning and Pelicans’ Joe Dumars
JUDGES COMMENTS: He has lots of energy and inflection in his questions and they were solid. They followed up for more information on the second coaches’ answer which was great. He also knew exactly what he wanted to say. It came out strong, distinct with no fillers.
Aaron Deitrich, KNOE 8
Interviews with Super Bowl champions Terry Bradshaw & Andrew Whitworth
JaMarcus Fitzpatrick & Anthony Council, KATC-TV
Interview with from Sun Belt Media Day
BEST LIVE TV EVENT
DAN MCDONALD & BRENNAN BREAUX, UL Athletic Broadcast Operations
Television broadcast of UL vs DBU baseball game
JUDGES COMMENTS: This was a professional, entertaining, and highly enjoyable baseball broadcast that kept me engaged, even through a lengthy official review. The analyst had a deep understanding of the game situation. He gave great commentary during the review. The play-by-play commentator gave clear descriptions of what was happening during and after each play. The broadcast balanced game analysis and live coverage perfectly, creating an engaging experience for both dedicated baseball fans and casual viewers.
Dawson Eiserloh & Brennan Breaux, UL Athletic Broadcast Operations
Television broadcast of UL vs Nicholls baseball game
Lenny Vangilder & Wayde Keiser, Crescent City Sports Television broadcast of American Heritage (Fla.) vs Edna Karr football
HM. Jeff Palermo & Wayde Keiser, LHSAA Network
Television broadcast of Shaw vs. St. Charles Catholic football game
WRITING AWARDS
PRO EVENT — CLASS I
LUKE JOHNSON, The Times-Picayune
Game story from the Saints’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
JUDGES COMMENTS: Solid, descriptive opener. Nice closer at the end. Great stat about the Saints’ lack of go-ahead drives (and inability to close out wins when they do go ahead). Story flowed well. Clean copy and strong pacing.
Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Recap of how Shreveport ruled the day at the U.S. Open
Matthew Paras, The Times-Picayune
Game story from the Saints’ victory over the Carolina Panthers
HM. Les East, Crescent City Sports
Story on Saints legends and final home game of the season
COLLEGE EVENT — CLASS I
WILSON ALEXANDER, The Advocate
Game story from LSU football team’s victory over Arkansas
JUDGES COMMENTS: This story was a runaway winner. It separated itself with a strong anecdotal lede, raw emotion, tight and effective writing, imagery, solid background information and multiple voices wrapped up into one tidy package. I could see the scene described in the lede without opening my eyes. The writer’s approach accentuated the story and did not get in the way of it. The end of the piece was powerfully, yet neatly, tied to the lede. A real nice read.
Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Game story on LSUS still clinching berth to NAIA World Series
Koki Riley, The Advocate
Game story from LSU baseball winning the national championship
HM. Lenny Vangilder, Crescent City Sports Story on Tulane’s victory in American Conference football championship game
PREP EVENT — CLASS I
ROD WALKER, The Times-Picayune
Story on Edna Karr’s state championship win over St. Augustine
JUDGES COMMENTS: We love sports because they are about so much more than the games. That truth was captured in this game story.
Les East, Crescent City Sports
Game story on Haynesville winning state championship in football
Jim Derry, Varsity Sports Now
Gamer on Shaw’s heartbreaking defeat to St. Charles in Division II state title game
HM. John James Marshall, Shreveport Bossier Journal Game story on Parkway saving the best for last (play)
PRO COLUMN — CLASS I
JEFF DUNCAN, The Times-Picayune
Column on a famous bar in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX
JUDGES COMMENTS: Tremendous story telling with fabulous details that kept the reader intrigued from start to finish.
Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Column on local golfer goes viral at U.S. Open, but has to prove he’s more than just ‘clicks’
Scooter Hobbs, Lake Charles American Press
Column on Livvy Dunne learns maybe you can’t have it all
HM. Dawson Eiserloh, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Column on Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough
COLLEGE COLUMN — CLASS I
RON HIGGINS, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Column on Louisiana governor living up to stereotypical “Waterboy” image
JUDGES COMMENTS: An excellent example of speaking truth to power. Columns like this were an important reminder to audiences during the coach/AD drama that nothing is as inconvenient to politics and other leaders as facts. Well reported, well written.
Glenn Guilbeau, Tiger Rag
Column on Halloween coming early at LSU with board members appearing as clowns
John James Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Column on the stupidity of tax-free NIL
HM. Scooter Hobbs, Lake Charles American Press
Column on nobody likes a good political football circus more than LSU
PREP COLUMN — CLASS I
JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Column on a closed school that still looms large
JUDGES COMMENTS: Interesting angle on an otherwise run-of-the-mill media day. Vivid wording in the opener. A fun read about a now-defunct high school that had some impressive history.
Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Column on advocating a high school basketball event in honor of a deceased journalist
Raymond Partsch III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Column on how NCAA Transfer Portal is killing high school recruiting
HM. Teddy Allen, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Column on the pull of Friday night high school football
PRO FEATURE — CLASS I
LUKE JOHNSON, The Times-Picayune
Feature on new Saints coach Kellen Moore and his upbringing in Washington
JUDGES COMMENTS: “This is an incredible longform story on the roots of Kellen Moore — and the writer did a great job of weaving in vignettes, sourcing and top-shelf writing in telling an in-depth story about the New Orleans Saints coach. Longform can be superfluous and it is always a challenge to keep the reader’s attention, but I found myself wanting to read more with each detail about Moore’s family, upbringing and path from Prosser to the pros. This story always moves forward and allows you to visualize that path. It’s a fantastic example of story-telling and deserving of first place.”
Matthew Paras, The Times-Picayune
Feature on Kellen Moore and how the Saints will measure success under him
John James Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal Feature on controversial former Shreveport Pirates owner
HM. Ross Jackson, LouisianaSports.net
Feature on Spencer Rattler as one of 16 Black Quarterbacks to start Week 1
COLLEGE FEATURE — CLASS I
WILSON ALEXANDER, The Advocate
Feature on what led to Brian Kelly’s ouster as LSU football coach
JUDGES COMMENTS: I love the honest, comprehensive breakdown of how it went down and how it all went wrong with this situation, backed by some powerful quotes that say plenty. The writer did well to put together everything needed to explain and support the disappointment and weird nature of the Kelly tenure at LSU. There is a lot of detailed storytelling that takes the reader to be part of the experience and eventual outcome. I appreciate the major execution on such a big college story.
Reed Darcey, The Advocate
Feature on LSU women’s basketball star Mikaylah Williams
Koki Riley. The Advocate
Feature on LSU slugger Ethan Frey and his hometown of Rosepine, Louisiana
HM. Raymond Partsch III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Feature on the Sliman family and Ragin’ Cajuns golf
PREP FEATURE — CLASS I
RAYMOND PARTSCH III, Ville Platte Gazette
Feature on Sacred Heart boxing and football legend George “Bobby” Soileau
JUDGES COMMENTS: Well-crafted story on a tough high school coach with an excellent, emotional ending that connects skillfully and brings the feature full-circle.
Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Feature on Calvary softball wins state title for late senior, her grieving family
John James Marshall, Shreveport Bossier Journal Feature on the legend of Greg Procell
HM. Robin Fambrough, The Advocate
Feature on DeVonta Smith’s rise from small town hero to Heisman, Super Bowl
BREAKING NEWS — OPEN CLASS
GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag
Story on the firing of LSU football coach Brian Kelly.
JUDGES COMMENTS: While LSU’s decision to fire Brian Kelly was one of the biggest sports stories in Louisiana in 2025, this article takes advantage of deep institutional knowledge and sourcing—anonymous or otherwise—to paint as comprehensive a picture as possible. It includes tidbits about what Kelly’s exit will entail, the university’s athletic director’s hiring record and whether he will play a role in finding Kelly’s replacement. This is a very well-reported and well-written piece that takes well-trodden territory to a new place.
Piper Hutchinson, Tiger Rag
Story on how LSU swimming/diving coaches bullied athletes and “made life hell”
Wilson Alexander, The Advocate
Story on LSU’s interest in hiring Lane Kiffin
HM. Lenny Vangilder, Crescent City Sports Story on death of former Tulane baseball coach Joe Brockhoff
AMATEUR SPORTS — OPEN CLASS
DOUG IRELAND, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Story on pitcher flies in, flies out, fires two-hitter in Legion state tourney
JUDGES COMMENTS: It was by far the most cleanly written of the stories in this category. The AP style was used like it should be, and the writer did a tremendous job of explaining the most important things that happened in the story within the first three paragraphs. For the most part, the story explained details and used quotes very well. Spelling and grammar was on point. Overall a very good story, extremely well-written.
Kent Lowe, WBRZ.com
Story on 2025 USBC Open may not be city’s last chance to host major event
Tina Howell, News Break
Story on Banana Ball taking over Baton Rouge
HM. Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Story on iPad glitch, third-period onslaught help Shreveport Mudbugs
OUTDOORS WRITING — OPEN CLASS
GLENN QUEBEDEAUX, Crowley Post-Signal
Feature story on the legend of “The Peanut Man”
JUDGES COMMENTS: D-Day in Gueydan. A federal sting operation labeled a quiet southwest Louisiana city as a den of wildlife outlaws, unfairly tainting the reputations of dozens of duck and goose hunters from this quaint community, while creating the legend of the Peanut Man. It’s a story the locals know well, but I’d never heard of it until this well-told piece.
Raymond Partsch III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Feature on former LSU football star Taylor’s lifelong love for hunting
Bob Tompkins, Rapides Parish Journal
Column on award-winning outdoor photographer Jim Johnson
HM. Louis Bonnette, Lake Charles American Press
Column on man fishing with old partner
HEADLINES — OPEN CLASS
RAYMOND PARTSCH III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Headlines on Notre Dame football being entitled and Ragin’ Cajuns softball program
JUDGES COMMENTS: What’s more disappointing than an unfrosted Pop-Tart? What a hook! Aside from the headline, the first four paragraphs of this story are some of the most creative, vivid and offbeat pieces of sportswriting I’ve seen in a long time. Also, the headline illustrating that the Cajuns softball program is being an organ donor for bigger programs was top notch.
Teddy Allen, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
Glenn Quebedeaux, Crowley Post-Signal
HM. Tony Marks, Oakdale Journal
PHOTOGRAPHY — OPEN CLASS
MICHAEL JOHNSON, The Advocate
JUDGES COMMENTS: A visually striking shot that really captures the contortions that a gymnast’s body must go through. The fence-catch shot is a wonderful capture not only of the catch itself, but of all the different reactions from the crowd. Well done!
Brennen Zigler, Ouachita Citizen
Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune
HM. Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer
PREP EVENT — CLASS II
WILLIAM WEATHERS, GeauxPreps.com
Story on Central basketball team hosts touring team from Australia
JUDGES COMMENTS: I thought the writer did a great job of setting the scene with that lede, and then bringing the timely element early enough in the story. It was a unique set of circumstances, and instead of just acknowledging that they came from the other side of the world, the writer got into excellent detail about why they took the tour. It did the best job of acknowledging unique circumstances of any of the stories.
Tony Marks, Oakdale Journal
Story on Plainview boys’ basketball capturing first state championship in 60 years
Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer
Story on Northshore’s Connor Smith tosses a no-hitter to clinch playoff series win
HM. Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal
Story on Cedar Creek rallies late to down JS Clark in semifinals
PREP COLUMN — CLASS II
GLENN QUEBEDEAUX, Crowley Post-Signal
Column on the passing of Jimmy Vincent Meche
JUDGES COMMENTS: Great columns have a solid lead, a hook which grabs the readers’ attention and beckons them to keep reading. This column does a great job with just the first line. What follows is a touching tribute to a well-known individual remembered for his toughness, his loyalty and his compassion for people. The tribute provides a strong glimpse into the subject of the column and was an enjoyable read.
Bob Tompkins, Rapides Parish Journal
Column about how volunteers built Menard stadium, saved school
Matt Belinson, Ruston Daily Leader
Column on Cedar Creek girls basketball
HM. Joey Martin, Concordia Sentinel
Column on lack of a home field advantage for Ferriday football team
GENERAL SPORTS COLUMN — CLASS II
CHRIS SINGLETON, The Times of Houma-Thibodaux
Column on Kyren Lacy’s legacy will forever live on in Thibodaux
JUDGES COMMENTS: A touching tribute to one of Louisiana’s most tragic products. The author managed to cut through potentially sticky subject matter to deliver a heartfelt portrait of an athlete gone too soon, and a plea for humanity despite a controversial subject.
Doug Ireland, Rapides Parish Journal
Column on coach’s record-breaking success is just part of his importance
Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal
Column on La. Tech comes full circle with invite back to Sun Belt Conference
HM. Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette
Column on everything being okay after LSU hires Kiffin
GENERAL SPORTS FEATURE — CLASS II
WILLIAM WEATHERS, GeauxPreps.com
Feature on Franklin Parish coach walking daughter for homecoming, and then coaches in suit JUDGES COMMENTS: A delightful retelling of a unique scenario: Franklin Parish football coach Adrian Burnette coaching the second half of his team’s homecoming game in a suit so he could accompany his daughter Andrané on the field at halftime as she was announced on the homecoming court. I like that this story weaves several threads together. Andrané isn’t just presented as the coach’s daughter; we see things through her eyes.
Matt Belinson, Ruston Daily Leader
Feature on Ruston High’s volleyball manager
Robin Fambrough, Geaux Preps
Feature on Prep Classic berth a dream come true for long “suffering” Jena
HM. Kyle Roberts, Lincoln Parish Journal
Feature on history of Ruston High’s cross country excellence
MAJOR WRITING AWARDS
BEST SECTION — OPEN CLASS
THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
JUDGES COMMENTS: The final decision came down to the superior design elements included in the TP’s product. The visual presentation and organization of the content made the engagement more dynamic than some of the other entrants. The volume and depth of the content provided a rich experience as well. The flip side of this element, however, is a sense of distance in some of the coverage which had more emphasis on the more national brands of sports teams. The publication with its role in a market as visible as New Orleans has a responsibility to provide exceptional coverage in these areas, but the submissions analyzed do seem to overlook or minimize stories about milestone moments on a more local scale. It is nice to read about the next chapter of the Manning dynasty, but Arch will get his press. The kid whose career performance in the last game of his senior high school season to put his team in the playoffs may be a life-defining moment for them, and our local publications (even those with a national footprint) should also make sure it provides best efforts to tell the stories that will hang on dad’s office wall or in a frame in the living room for the next couple decades.
St. Tammany Farmer
Lake Charles American Press
HM. Ouachita Citizen
PREP WRITER OF THE YEAR — CLASS I
JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
JUDGES COMMENTS: In a star-studded category such as this, it’s rare to have an entry which simply stands out above the rest. That speaks to the overall depth of this category, as well as the strength of the winning entry. This year’s “Prep Writer of the Year” has a style that is entrancing in a way that makes you upset when you’ve reached the end. This entry hits all the highlights it takes to win a category as strong as this one — solid structure, captivating content and an ability to weave a story. The longform feature — the crown jewel of this entry — is, simply put, on another level. The second “feature” harkens back to the history of a once proud school, one in which had definitely seen better times, but still lives on in the heart of its proud alumni.All this to say, this writer shined in a field that is absolutely full of heavy hitters.
Raymond Partsch III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
HM. Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times
PREP WRITER OF THE YEAR – CLASS II
TONY MARKS, Oakdale Journal & Ville Platte Gazette
JUDGES COMMENTS: Great job with the leads (they definitely made me want to keep reading the respective stories), as well as being descriptive and giving good details in stories. The stories were also well-written and very consistent. Nice job overall.
Matt Belinson, Ruston Daily Leader
Jake Martin, The Ouachita Citizen
HM. Chris Singleton, The Times of Houma and Thibodaux
COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR — CLASS I
RAYMOND PARTSCH III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana
JUDGES COMMENTS: I very much appreciate it when a local journalist takes the Machine to task, which is exactly what happened in one of the most entertaining ways as he broke down the mess that was the LSU football program. Great points done in a humorous manner. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the column about how a mid-major program has been gutted by bigger programs in this new NIL era of college athletics, and finally a humorous piece about remembering a forgotten Louisiana legend in a place like Lambeau Field was tremendous.
Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Glenn Guilbeau, Tiger Rag
HM. Hunt Palmer, LouisianaSports.net
COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR — CLASS II
TONY MARKS, Oakdale Journal & Ville Platte Gazette
JUDGES COMMENTS: In a category that was filled with entries that had good subjects but were extremely light on opinion and heavy on cliche, the winner knew his subject matter well and that is what separated the entry from the others.
JUDGES COMMENTS: The details and organization of the story on Brian Kelly’s firing stood out above all the other work, but when combined with the column on the LSU offense and the feature on Frank Wilson, the writer proved their strength in each of the requirements. This was solid, thought-provoking work by someone who obviously knows this beat — and their audience — well. Good work.
Koki Riley, The Advocate
Matthew Paras, The Times-Picayune
HM. Ron Higgins, Shreveport-Bossier Journal
STORY OF THE YEAR
RAYMOND PARTSCH III, Ville Platte Gazette
Long-form feature on Sacred Heart boxing legend and football coach George “Bobby” Soileau
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This was just an amazing portrait of the life of a legendary boxer and coach and what he meant to those around him. It was well-sourced and written concisely and cleanly. I could visualize Soileau throughout the story; which speaks to how the writer made the story appeal to readers.”
SPORTS WRITER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the writer who accumulates the most points (points awarded on a 3-2-1 basis) in regular writing categories. Points are NOT awarded for Prep Writer of the Year, Beat Writer of the Year, Columnist of the Year, Photography, Headlines or Story of the Year.
Just a friendly reminder about the new notification system that keeps you informed about emergencies, weather updates, and local events in Lincoln Parish.
Participants found this extremely useful during the recent winter storm and you will too!
If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do so to stay in the know. Your safety matters to us, so don’t miss out on important updates!
Click the link to sign up for alerts: www.lincalerts.org Stay safe and informed!
The Origin Blue Jays 18U — a local American Legion baseball team comprised of Cedar Creek School players — opened tournament play by winning their first two games before dropping a tightly contested pitchers’ duel Saturday to finish the weekend with a 2-1 record.
The Blue Jays (4-4) opened play Thursday with an 8-4 win over the West Monroe Sox 16U before rolling past the Neville Tigers 10-1 on Friday. They closed the tournament Saturday with a 2-1 loss to OCS A’s 18U.
Origin broke open Thursday’s opener by scoring five runs in the fourth inning to pull away from West Monroe. Liam Durrett, Case Phillips and Abram Riser each drove in runs during the rally, while Micah Taylor and Cason Floyd were each hit by pitches with the bases loaded to force in runs.
Eli Slocum earned the victory after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits over four innings while striking out six. Riser tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
The Blue Jays pounded out 11 hits as Riser, Durrett and Cole Luker collected two apiece. Phillips, Taylor, Riser, Slocum, Floyd, Durrett and Luker each drove in a run.
Origin carried that momentum into Friday’s matchup against Neville, scoring four runs in the first inning before adding one in the second and five more in the third on the way to a 10-1 victory.
Connor Yates, Durrett, Phillips and Riser each drove in runs during the opening inning. David Craighead added an RBI sacrifice bunt in the second before Henry Walpole doubled home a run, Craighead delivered a two-run single and Luker added a two-run single in the five-run third.
Durrett earned the win after allowing one run on four hits over five innings while walking one.
The Blue Jays again finished with 11 hits. Phillips, Walpole and Yates had two hits each, while Craighead drove in a team-high three runs. Yates also stole two bases as Origin played error-free defense.
Saturday’s finale proved to be a pitcher’s duel as OCS A’s pushed across two runs in the third inning and held on for a 2-1 victory.
Luker took the loss despite allowing only two runs on four hits over three innings.
Taylor led the Blue Jays offensively by going 3 for 3 and stealing two bases. Slocum drove in Origin’s lone run, while the Blue Jays again played flawless defense.
