Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) has been named one of the nation’s top institutions in the inaugural Newsweek America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026 rankings, placing #52 nationally out of more than 1,300 colleges and universities evaluated. The ranking positions LSUA in the top 4% nationwide, underscoring the university’s strong performance in creating an environment where women are supported as students, scholars, and future professionals.

Within Louisiana, LSUA ranked second statewide, trailing only Holy Cross College (#32). The next closest Louisiana institutions included in the rankings, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University and Xavier University, settled in the top 200. Northwestern State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe appeared in the 300–400 range, while most other Louisiana colleges ranked below the 750 mark. The results highlight LSUA’s exceptional standing not only among peer institutions in the state but across the national higher education landscape.

The America’s Best Colleges for Women ranking is a new national evaluation developed by Newsweek in partnership with Gender Fair. Their methodology evaluates institutions across four weighted areas: leadership (35%), pay and policies (25%), safety (20%), and opportunity (20%). The rankings draw primarily from federally reported data through the U.S. Department of Education, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Campus Safety and Security Database, supplemented by desk research to account for recent institutional developments.

LSUA’s performance in the leadership category reflects strong representation of women across academic and executive roles. Two of the five members of the university’s senior leadership team are women, both of whom hold Ph.Ds. Women lead four of LSUA’s seven academic units, including the College of Social Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Nursing, and the School of Education. Among faculty ranks, women account for 39% of full professors, 68% of associate professors, 63% of assistant professors, and 66% of instructors, demonstrating sustained representation across academic career stages.

In the area of pay and policies, LSUA maintains a full-time, licensed, and accredited childcare center on campus, serving the children of students, faculty, and staff. The presence of on-campus childcare is a key metric within the ranking’s evaluation of institutional policies that support women’s participation and advancement in higher education and the workforce.

Safety also emerged as a notable strength for LSUA. A review of the university’s Clery Act crime statistics shows no reported Clery-reportable crimes classified as crimes against women over the past ten years, resulting in a per-capita rate of zero during that period. By comparison, the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates a national average of 16.9 crimes per 10,000 full-time equivalent students, placing LSUA well below national norms.

Opportunity metrics further reinforce LSUA’s standing as an institution that serves women across a broad range of academic and professional pathways. Women make up 71% of LSUA’s degree-seeking student population and are highly represented in several high-demand fields, including education (90%), biological sciences (83%), physical sciences (57%), and business (65%). LSUA’s first-year retention rate for female students stands at 70%, matching the national average and reflecting consistent outcomes for student persistence and success.

According to Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Cunningham, the ranking is designed to help students and families identify institutions that “prioritize leadership opportunities, equitable pay practices, campus safety, and meaningful pathways to success,” while recognizing that many coeducational institutions are making measurable progress in advancing gender equity.

As the LSU System’s only undergraduate-only institution, LSUA offers women a focused academic environment, personalized support structures, and clear pathways into graduate and professional programs across Louisiana. The university’s mission emphasizes accessibility, workforce alignment, and long-term student success, which are priorities that are reflected in both the methodology and outcomes of the ranking.

This recognition adds to LSUA’s growing national profile built on sustained enrollment growth, strong retention outcomes, and increasing placement of graduates into high-demand workforce fields and professional programs at LSU and beyond. Together, these indicators point to a university that is not only expanding, but doing so with intention, equity, and measurable impact for women across central Louisiana and beyond.

Written by Adam Lord
Graphic: Adapted from Newsweek

Byron Broussard, a senior at Glenmora High School in Rapides Parish, has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship from Louisiana Christian University.

The Presidential Scholarship provides a four-year full tuition award. Broussard, a Woodworth resident, is vice president of Student Council, chaplain of BETA, and a member of the school’s powerlifting team.

Broussard is the son of Clay and Lisa Broussard, both Louisiana Christian University alumni. Several members of his family have previously participated in the university’s Smith Scholarship competition, and Broussard said LCU has long been his first choice for continuing his education after high school.

He plans to double major in history and biblical studies.

The Presidential Scholarship was awarded as part of Louisiana Christian University’s annual Smith Scholarship competition, which brought together eight high-achieving students from across the state.

While the Smith Scholarship recipient receives a four-year full tuition, room and board award, the Presidential Scholarship also recognizes exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential.

Students selected for the competition must earn a minimum ACT score of 28 and submit a comprehensive portfolio including academic honors, awards, letters of recommendation, and an essay outlining their understanding of a Christian liberal arts education. Finalists are interviewed by a panel of faculty judges from the C.S. Lewis Honors Program Council.

The Smith Scholarship was established in the early 1970s through an endowment from Tom and Beverly Durham in honor of Elizabeth Smith. Both scholarship recipients will join the C.S. Lewis Honors Program upon enrolling at Louisiana Christian University.

If you want this tightened further for a short hometown blurb or adapted for a school district or city social post, just say the word.

Senior shortstop Haley Fontenot of Louisiana State University of Alexandria has been named the National Association of intercollegiate Athletics Softball Player of the Week.

Fontenot is the first LSUA softball player to be named the NAIA Player of the Week.

“What makes this so special is that this is who Font is all the time,” LSUA coach Trent Partridge said. “She competes, she prepares, and she shows up for her teammates. National Player of the Week is an incredible honor, and she represents our program the right way.”

Fontenot hit .714 on the weekend with a pair of home runs and three runs batted in. She scored seven times and swiped five bases.

The Morgan City native became LSUA’s career stolen base leader with her second stolen base against Nelson, pushing her career total to 68. Fontenot broke Brooke Thomas’ previous record of 67.

“I’m honored to receive the recognition,” Fontenot said. “It truly reflects the hard work of my teammates and the constant support we get from our coaching staff. Being able to earn this during my senior season means so much to me. It represents years of growth, tears, injuries, sacrifice, and trust in the process. I’m grateful for everyone around me who has pushed me to be my best in my last year and I’m proud to represent our program as we continue working toward our goal.”

LSUA (3-0) will host the Generals Showdown this weekend at Ward 9 Sportsplex in Pineville, beginning Friday afternoon.

Agents with the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit seized large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine and arrested an Alexandria man following a lengthy drug trafficking investigation.

Agents concluded a long-term investigation targeting Elijah Jermaine Jones, 34, of Alexandria. Investigators had obtained multiple arrest warrants following the investigation and later observed Jones traveling along Louisiana Highway 28 East near Deville, where a traffic stop was conducted. Jones was taken into custody without incident.

Jones was arrested on warrants for possession of CDS II (fentanyl) with intent to distribute, possession of CDS II (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, and two counts of possession of CDS IV (generic Xanax and Soma) with intent to distribute.

As part of the investigation, RADE agents executed multiple search warrants in Rapides Parish. During those searches, agents located approximately 14 pounds of fentanyl, just under 4½ pounds of methamphetamine, and about 2 pounds of unknown blue pills. Authorities stated that additional felony charges are expected pending laboratory results identifying the pills.

Agents also seized more than $34,000 in assorted U.S. currency, which investigators believe was derived from alleged drug trafficking activity. Civil asset forfeiture paperwork was issued, and the currency was seized.

Jones was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center, where he remains incarcerated on a $1 million bond. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of local, state, and federal agencies throughout Central Louisiana. Authorities encourage anyone with information related to narcotics activity to contact the RADE Unit through its official Facebook page.

If you want this tightened into a brief crime blotter version or rewritten specifically for print vs. web, I can do that next.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Feb. 4

Ray Christopher Dauzat, 43, Pineville – five counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Jessie Dewayne Kyle, 47, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, possession of CDS, marijuana, no head light, lend plate to unauthorized person, expired MVI sticker, two counts Louisiana fugitive, three counts contempt of court, $14,400 bail;

Ashley Calip Littleton, 45, Deville – theft of a motor vehicle, $25,000 bail.

Feb. 3

Christopher Paul Bourgeois, 39, Alexandria – contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Clara R. Brossett, 56, Alexandria – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Angela Monique Carter, 49, Alexandria – five counts contempt of court, $40,000 bail;

Jordan Dequincy, 40, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Xzorian Ramone Fields, 21, Pineville – four counts attempted second degree murder, simple battery, probation violation, criminal conspiracy, aggravated burglary, $1.05 million bail;

Jesse Paul Goleman, 58, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, obstruction of justice, no safety helmet, intentional littering, $4,700 bail;

Eddie Gray, 56, Pineville – contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

De’Marian Hayes, 22, Alexandria – domestic abuse aggravated assault with child endangerment, $10,000 bail;

Raymond Donald Hughes Jr., 65, Pineville – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $27,000 bail;

Megan Nicole Johnson, 28, Ball – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, OWI first offense, expired MVI sticker, no license plate light, contempt of court, $4,130 bail;

Melvin Wayne Jones, 46, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, resisting an officer, probation violation, contempt of court, $1,500 bail;

DeQuincy Jordan, 40, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Richard McCormic, 57, Boyce – theft, two counts contempt of court, $4,500 bail;

Huey P. McCoy Jr., 49, Alexandria – battery of a dating partner, home invasion, $30,000 bail;

Anthony Jerome Mitchell Jr, 32, Boyce – home invasion, parole violations, $5,000 bail;

Diante Jerome Peace, 26, Alexandria – six counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, manufacture transfer possession of machine guns, illegal carry firearm with drugs, illegal possession of stolen firearms, $600,000 bail;

Rachal Karlinn Peart, 39, Ruby – OWI third offense, careless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension, unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, obstruct court orders, $21,200 bail;

Sonny Austin Racine, 25, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, improper bicycle operation, possession of paraphernalia, resisting an officer, probation violation, $21,100 bail;

Jarvarous Dewayne Sanders, 23, Alexandria – simple battery, obscenity, two counts aggravated battery of a police officer, aggravated resisting with force or violence, domestic abuse battery, three counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of paraphernalia, aggravated assault, parole violations, $197,500 bail;

Dustin Aulbrey Wages, 41, Pineville – three counts create distribute or possess with intent counterfeit CDS, $30,000 bail;

Sean Tyler White, 30, Pineville – possession of CDS, simple escape, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, aggravated assault domestic abuse, $48,000 bail;

David Winnfield, 62, Alexandria – attempted simple burglary, contempt of court, parole violations, $101,000 bail.

Feb. 2

Cory Mantae Miles, 36, Alexandria – possession of CDS, $1,500 bail;

Jacob Alexander Rodriguez, 21, Ball – Email cyberstalking, domestic abuse battery with child present, simple battery, criminal trespass, $11,500 bail;

Donald Earl Toussaint Sr., 44, Colfax – five counts second degree rape, $500,000 bail.

Feb. 1

Carl Anthony Berry Jr., 27, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Trevon Shavez Coulter, 31, Alexandria – organized retail theft, contempt of court, failure to appear, $5,000 bail;

Kendrick Dewayne Logan, 39, Alexandria – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $6,000 bail.

A beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, Bonnie Marie LaCombe Campbell, age 70, of Pineville, Louisiana, will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering spirit following her passing on January 31, 2026, at Baylor St. Luke’s in Texas. Born on April 17, 1955, in Alexandria, Louisiana, Bonnie touched the lives of all who knew her, leaving behind a legacy of love and family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers, Pineville, where Dr. Keith Dickens will officiate the ceremony. The visitation will take place on Friday, February 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins, allowing family and friends to come together in heartfelt tribute to a remarkable woman.

Burial will follow the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where Bonnie will be laid to rest.

During her dedicated career as a food service worker for the Rapides Parish School Board, Bonnie offered nourishment not just for the body, but also for the spirit, serving countless students with a smile and a gentle heart. Outside of her work, she found joy in deer hunting and the art of crocheting, weaving warmth into both her creations and her family bonds.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her cherished parents, John and Lorene Smith LaCombe.

She leaves behind a profound legacy, including her devoted husband, Curtis Campbell, her sons, Mike Goucher and Brandon Campbell (Nicole), her daughter, Dana Campbell (Vince), and her beloved sister, Wanda Singrey (Russell). She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Michael Goucher, Jonathan Goucher, Katie Jordan, Kaylin Jameson, Kaleb Campbell, Hunter Campbell, Marlee Campbell, Madison Smith, and Logan Cole, as well as eight great-grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends who have been touched by her life.

With great honor, the pallbearers will be Kaleb Campbell, Hunter Campbell, Logan Cole, Daniel Dubroc, Jeremy Jones, and Vince Spurgeon, each of whom carries a piece of her legacy.

Bonnie Marie LaCombe Campbell, your light will continue to shine brightly in our memories and our lives, forever a cherished part of who we are.

Memorial services for Mrs. Janet Claire McAdams Hill will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the Chapel of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, with Reverend Mark Christian officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.

Mrs. Hill, 71, of Pineville, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Hilltop Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pineville.

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, working in her yard, and traveling. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan Leroy Hill; and her parents, Charles Lawrence McAdams, III and June Evelyn McAdams.

Those left to mourn her loss and cherish her memory include two daughters, Jeannie Morgan of Ball, and Ginger Doyle (Jason) of Sieper; one brother, Paul McAdams (Marie) of Merryville; one granddaughter, Alexis Bennett (Dalton) of Winnfield; and one great granddaughter, Serena Bennett.

By JIM BUTLER 

The Diocese of Alexandria is seeking a protective order guaranteeing confidentiality of some information likely to be involved in resolution of its bankruptcy petition. 

Filed Monday, the motion refers specifically to such as financial information and records involving employment and personnel files, and information regarding sexual abuse claims. 

The Diocese filed Chapter 11 pleadings on October 31, citing the anticipated impact of sexual abuse claims on its financial stability. 

Such orders have been issued in some jurisdictions where similar claims were at issue, including the Diocese of New Orleans. 

Attorneys for the Alexandria Diocese cite a potential for abuse through the media if the materials in question are in the public record. 

The information of specific concern is that likely to come through the discovery process between the Diocese counsel and that of its creditors and those alleging abuse. 

Bankruptcy code rules provide protection from “annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense,” the motion notes, as well as protection from disclosure of “scandalous or defamatory matters” without need to balance public and private interests. 

Sealing discovery does not affect public access to required bankruptcy reports and information. 

The Diocese requests an expedited hearing on the motion.

Motorists traveling through Rapides Parish should prepare for evening delays starting mid-February. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced on Feb. 3 that a series of intermittent nighttime ramp closures are scheduled for a section of Interstate 49 in Alexandria.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 16, crews will close alternating entrance and exit ramps between Exit 80 (U.S. 71/U.S. 167) and Exit 86 (U.S. 71/U.S. 165).

The closures will occur nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on both the northbound and southbound sides of the interstate.

The work is part of an ongoing project to replace overhead signage and install related components. DOTD officials expect the project to be completed by late February, depending on the weather.

No formal detours have been established. State officials are urging drivers to exercise caution and remain alert for work crews and equipment when traveling through the construction zone.

All activity is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of rain or other inclement conditions.

Travelers can access real-time traffic updates by calling 511 or visiting the 511 Traveler Information website at http://www.511la.org. Out-of-state callers can reach the system at 1-888-ROAD-511. Updates are also available via the Alexandria Traffic Management Center on X @Alex_Traffic and the DOTD Facebook page.

Rainy conditions will give way to cooler, drier weather across Rapides Parish as the week progresses, with frost possible midweek before temperatures rebound heading into the weekend.

Today will remain mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers this morning and showers becoming more likely this afternoon. Highs are expected in the upper 60s. South winds will range from 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Rain chances stand at 70 percent.

Showers will continue into tonight, with a chance of thunderstorms during the evening hours, followed by a slight chance of lingering showers after midnight. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 40s. Winds will shift from west around 5 mph to north after midnight, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Rain chances increase to 90 percent.

By Wednesday, skies will turn mostly sunny as cooler air moves in. Highs are expected in the upper 50s, with north winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Wednesday night will be colder, with partly cloudy skies and lows dropping into the lower 30s. Areas of frost are possible after midnight.

Thursday morning will bring widespread frost across the parish, followed by sunny conditions during the day. Highs will reach the mid-50s, with light northwest winds around 5 mph. Clear skies Thursday night will allow temperatures to dip into the upper 30s, with additional areas of frost possible.

Warmer weather returns Friday, with mostly clear skies and highs around 70 degrees. Overnight lows will remain cool, settling into the lower 40s. The warming trend continues Saturday under sunny skies, with highs in the lower 70s and mostly clear conditions Saturday night.

Sunday will be mostly sunny and mild, with highs in the mid-70s. Clouds increase Sunday night and into Monday, with lows in the upper 40s and daytime highs around 70 degrees.

Overall, residents can expect a brief return to winter-like conditions midweek before a stretch of pleasant, spring-like weather arrives for the weekend.

Dr. David Jeffreys, a longtime leader at Louisiana Christian University, has been named the new president and CEO of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries.

The Monroe-based organization announced the appointment Friday, noting that Jeffreys will officially begin his new role Feb. 16.

Jeffreys is a familiar face in Rapides Parish, currently serving as LCU’s vice president of denominational and church relations. His tenure at the Pineville university included serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer, and a 14-month stint as acting president during the school’s most recent presidential search.

“Dr. David Jeffreys is a steady Christ-centered leader I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside,” said LCU President Mark Johnson. “During seasons of transition at Louisiana Christian University, he provided much-needed leadership. His love for children and families is not theoretical; it is lived out in prayerful decisions.”

Jeffreys, who previously served as associate pastor at Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia, will succeed outgoing president Perry Hancock.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving at LCU and feel blessed to be able to continue in Christian ministry with a new challenge and mission,” Jeffreys said. He and his wife, Stephanie, said they look forward to the transition to the Monroe-based ministry.

The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home provides Christ-centered care, foster outreach and counseling services across the state. Search committee chairman Bob Bozeman said Jeffreys’ passion for ministry and servant-leadership made him the ideal fit for the role.

“We believe God has prepared him for this season,” Bozeman said.

This weekend, First United Methodist Church of Alexandria will host a Winter Art & Prayer Retreat titled “Visions, Dreams, & Schemes, Oh My!” on February 6–7.

Led by Rev. Jean Sanders and Beth Ferguson Moore, the retreat begins Friday evening from 5:30–7:30 PM with “Visions,” a guided vision-board-making session facilitated by Moore. The practice is designed to help participants maintain focus on direction and intention after the early momentum of New Year resolutions fades.

Attendees return for Saturday’s session, “Dreams & Schemes,” from 9 AM to 3 PM, exploring questions of identity, spiritual discernment, and the meaning of planning within a faith context. Through multi-media artmaking interwoven with scripture, prayer, and meditation, participants are invited into a reflective, creative process. The retreat provides dedicated time for personal renewal and exploration.

Participation is $30. To register, call the FUMCA church office at 318-445-5696. To register online, visit www.fumca.org.

Later this month, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10 AM, the Urban Sketching Art Ministry with Rev. Jean Sanders meets at Tamp & Grind Coffee in downtown Alexandria. Open to the public and free to attend, the event welcomes participants of all experience levels. After coffee and fellowship, participants will head out into the surrounding area to sketch together. No prior experience is required, with the focus on presence, community, and creative engagement rather than artistic ability.

Upcoming Urban Sketching dates include March 28 (10 AM) (location to be announced) and April 11 (10 AM) at the Alexandria Museum of Art.

Together, these offerings reflect First United Methodist Church of Alexandria’s commitment to creative ministry, providing accessible spaces for thoughtful exploration of art and spirituality.

Northwestern State University president James T. “Jimmy” Genovese was full of enthusiasm Tuesday night in a “Demons on the Road” visit to Cenla that drew about 100 prospective students, their parents, and alumni to a gathering at Tunk’s Cypress Inn.

In the middle of his second year leading the university, Genovese provided the audience a broad overview of many progressive initiatives ongoing and developing at Northwestern.

He also touted the value of NSU’s Cenla Campus located in England Airpark in Alexandria. Genovese said NSU’s Alexandria Campus is where educational opportunity meets regional impact. It offers top-tier degree programs, flexible scheduling, and a blend of in-person, online, and hybrid learning. Designed for busy students, the campus supports careers in nursing, business, social work, and more. With strong ties to healthcare, manufacturing, and STEM industries, the campus prepares students for today’s workforce.

“Northwestern will serve the needs of every prospective student here tonight, to give them the foundation in whatever field of study they desire to have a happy and successful future,” he said. “Our students have excellent educational outcomes and along the path, they have fun and life-changing experiences.”

Among those attending was state Rep. Jason DeWitt (R-Alexandria), who shared with the audience the value of his experience attending Northwestern on the Natchitoches campus before his graduation.

Genovese and staff members encouraged prospective students to use the NSULA.edu website to connect with university admissions and recruiting staff, and said ample scholarship aid is always available to defray tuition costs at Northwestern.

“It’s a great education that is affordable and accessible. Northwestern is an excellent regional institution,” he said.

NATCHITOCHES — After the Big Thaw Monday, things heated up that night inside Prather Coliseum.

A day that began with widespread condemnation of Punxsutawaney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog who made the most unsurprising proclamation of 2026 – six more weeks of winter – culminated with another easy-to-predict result.

For the seventh time In Northwestern State’s last eight Southland Conference basketball games, the outcome came down to the final seconds.

Good news for concession sales. Not a lot of fans leave early.

Not good news for third-year Demons coach Rick Cabrera, whose team is 2-6 in those eight nailbiters, the latest letdown a 61-58 loss to Nicholls on Mike McConathy Court.

“This has just been the story of our season,” Cabrera said. “This (Southland) conference is just extremely competitive.”

Case In point: six days before, Northwestern went across Toledo Bend and took league-leading Stephen F. Austin down to the buzzer in a 69-67 defeat.

That’s closer than mighty McNeese finished at SFA Monday night in a showdown for the SLC lead. The Lumberjacks repelled a Cowboys rally from a 13-point deficit and won 67-60 to claim a two-game lead in the SLC standings.

That’s more a symbolic victory, since the Southland, like Conference USA, the SWAC, the Sun Belt and a bunch more, is a one-bid league when it comes to March Madness. And the odds in the SLC are stacked in McNeese’s favor through 2029, because the Cowboys host the SLC Tournament as part of horse trading to keep McNeese from departing its longtime conference home for the now-all-but-dead Western Athletic Conference in 2023.

Homecourt in the Southland has never been an insurmountable advantage but it’s still pretty durn significant. The Cowboys at home are nearly unbeaten since that deal was done and Will Wade arrived with a million-dollar-plus NIL pool a year later.

So the rest of the Southland’s 12 teams are playing to 1) make the eight-team tournament field and 2) avoid facing McNeese until the championship round. If Cabrera’s Demons earn a trip to the Lake City in March, at least they’ll have a trove of down-to-the-buzzer contests to toughen their resolve.

It was “Demons 4 Demons Night” in Prather, a promotion that incentivizes athletes from all the other Northwestern teams to come cheer for the home team. Happens for every sport at some point of the calendar and it worked again Monday.

It also draws nearly every other head coach, including football’s Blaine McCorkle, who like his counterparts across the country, used to be on point monitoring late changes in recruiting heading into February’s first Wednesday.  Not these days.

National Signing Day for football is really anticlimactic. The early signing period in December is the most heavily trafficked for high school prospects getting Division I opportunities, which have dwindled to a relative handful thanks to the transfer portal.

Proof? McCorkle said in a halftime radio interview with Chris Salim on the Demon Sports Network that his program expected to sign one high school player Wednesday. One! That’s more than many other D-I programs will add.

He said the Demons lost 13 players from last fall in the transfer portal, the second-least in the SLC behind 12 from Southeastern. Most everybody else, said McCorkle, had a migration into the 20s. Again, typical for the landscape these days.

Some schools have already announced their transfer intake – the big boys like LSU have avid media tracking the comings and goings, with the Lane Train cycling through about four dozen former for new Tigers. Northwestern will announce its additions later this week, said McCorkle, on Super Bowl week, which brings a former Demon coach into the conversation.

That’s Jay Thomas, who joined the Tennessee Titans staff as a scout and analyst after his run in charge of the NSU football program concluded with the close of the 2017 season. With the Titans, Thomas – now having finished his second season as defensive coordinator at Natchitoches Central High School – worked with Mike Vrabel, who was in charge at Tennessee and has just guided New England to its first Super Bowl since Tom Brady departed.

Vrabel is exactly who he seems to be, said Thomas, standing in line at a concession stand at halftime Monday night. Down to earth, but a magnetic leader, with an exceptional football mind.

In one season, pulling together outcasts from other teams along with holdover Patriots players, he’s blended a championship roster – just as he did, to not quite the same level of success, with the Titans.

Thomas is not doubting the Patriots come Sunday. 

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Louisiana weather has never been great at picking a lane — and that’s the joke. One minute you’re digging out a winter coat, the next you’re debating flip-flops, all while keeping an umbrella close just in case. This week’s cartoon leans into that familiar mood swing, featuring a character dressed for every season at once, staring suspiciously at the forecast like it personally betrayed them.

It’s a lighthearted nod to a shared Southern experience: the daily ritual of checking the weather and still being wildly unprepared.

Bezashalom Logistics LLC, headquartered in Alexandria, LA, is seeking a full-time Senior Multi-Country Transportation & Fleet Optimization Driver to operate commercial tractor-trailer vehicles to transport freight on local, regional, and interstate routes originating from Louisiana. Duties include:

• Execute international and interstate transportation of goods with a focus on wave time optimization, RGU (Resource Grid Utilization) prioritization, and stem time implementation. 

• Use advanced fleet analytics platforms (e.g., Geotab, Samsara) to manage routing, performance metrics, and daily logistics. 

• Ensure full compliance with DOT and international regulations. 

• Collaborate on fleet strategy, maintenance scheduling, and scale planning. 

• Maintain delivery logs and performance reports.
  
  

Minimum Requirements: 

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Logistics, Transportation, or related field with a focus on fleet operations, and 24 months of experience in the offered position or in a closely related occupation.

This position further requires: 

1. Experience using fleet management systems such as Geotab or Samsara 

2. Expert Fluency in English language 

3. Must pass DOT physical and drug/alcohol screenings
   
   

Work Location: Boyce, Louisiana.

Work Schedule:  Full-time. Schedule may vary and may include nights, weekends, and holidays based on operational needs.

Wage: $55,224.00 per year. 

How to Apply:

Interested applicants may submit a resume to:
Bezashalom Logistics LLC: Email: Bezashalom@outlook.com.

A family’s guide to navigating the biggest decision of a young adult’s life, and why a single Saturday in Natchitoches might hold the answer.

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

The kitchen table is often where the panic sets in. It starts with a stack of glossy mailers, each promising the best four years of a student’s life. Then come the spreadsheets, the deadlines, and the quiet, gnawing questions that keep parents awake at 3 a.m. Can we afford this? Will they be safe? Is this the place where my child becomes the person they are meant to be?

For high school seniors, the pressure is immediate. They are standing on the cliff of adulthood, trying to discern their future from a website or a brochure. For families, the challenge is different. You bring the weight of experience. You understand the long-term implications of student loans and the reality of living away from home. You want to protect them, yet you know you must let them lead.

This tension between parental wisdom and student autonomy is natural, but it does not have to be stunned by anxiety. The remedy is not found in more paperwork. It is found in experience. It is found in stepping onto a campus, walking the grounds, and feeling the texture of the community.

That is the philosophy behind Northwestern State University’s N-Side View Day.

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, NSU opens its doors for an event designed to cut through the noise of the college search. It is an invitation to move beyond the statistics and step into the reality of life in Natchitoches.

“Your future is calling and it begins here,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting. “We want students and families to see not just what Northwestern offers, but how it feels to be part of our community.”

Finding the right college is about finding a value match. It is about aligning a student’s ambition with an institution’s culture. This is difficult to do from a distance. You need to see the residence halls. You need to sit in the classrooms. You need to look a professor in the eye and ask them how they will mentor your student.

N-Side View Day provides that access. It transforms the abstract idea of “going to college” into a tangible plan.

The day is structured to address the specific anxieties that families face. Financial stability is often the largest hurdle. Many students, and honestly, many parents, are inexperienced in managing large-scale finances. During the event, financial aid experts break down the process, comparing packages and explaining scholarships in simple terms. It turns a conversation about debt into a strategy for investment.

Academically, the event allows students to explore over 100 degree programs. This is where the student takes the lead. While parents look for security, students look for inspiration. They can connect directly with faculty, asking the questions that matter to them.

“We have designed N-Side View Day to go beyond information. It’s an experience that inspires,” Miller explains. “Families leave with clarity, confidence, and excitement about the future.”

There is also the undeniable influence of place. Natchitoches is Louisiana’s oldest city, a place where history and progress coexist. The campus reflects that balance. It feels grounded. It feels like home. When families visit, they often find that their preconceived notions shift. A parent might have envisioned a different path but seeing their student light up while walking through Alost Hall changes the conversation. It validates that the student knows themselves better than anyone else.

NSU President James T. Genovese views this day as a critical first step in a lifelong relationship. “We are committed to preparing students not just for jobs, but for meaningful lives of impact,” Genovese says. “N-Side View Day is a chance to experience that mission firsthand.”

The event acknowledges that this transition is emotional. Having family support provides a safety net that fosters confidence. By visiting together, you are not making the decision for them; you are standing beside them as they make it.

The day concludes with a classic collegiate experience: a Demon Baseball game. Every attendee receives a free ticket. It is a chance to sit in the stands, eat a hot dog, and watch the B-Stro Boys compete on the diamond. It is a moment to stop worrying about the application process and start enjoying the atmosphere.

“NSU is Louisiana’s best-kept secret,” Miller says. “Once students step on campus, they feel it. They know this is where they belong.”

The labyrinth of college admissions is navigable. It requires patience, honest conversation, and a willingness to explore. It requires a trip to Natchitoches.

Register today for N-Side View Day at www.nsu.la/nsideviewday. 

What: N-Side View Day

Where: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA

When: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Includes: Campus tours, academic sessions, financial aid guidance, and Demon Baseball.

Register: www.nsu.la/nsideviewday

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BOM is a proud sponsor of the Pineville High School Softball Team!

Pictured left to right: Kate Herron and BOM’s Daniel Lonsberry.