ATLANTA – It was a smooth 66 Thursday by Choudrant’s Sam Burns, with his 4-under opening round at the Tour Championship carrying him within range of the lead in the 29-player field.
Burns had a bogey-free day with two birdies on each side. Having encountered unusual trouble on par-5 holes in the first two legs on the FedEx Cup playoffs, the 30-year-old solved that Thursday, posting birdie 4s on the sixth and 18th holes.
His other birdies came on the par-4 fourth and the par-3 11th. He stroked home a 17-foot, 6-inch putt to get under par, added a six-footer on No. 6 to get to 2-under, then hit a 207-yard tee shot to five feet on the 11th and drained the birdie effort.
On 18, he reached the 590-yard par-5 in two with a 277-yard second shot and two-putted from 47 feet, dropping in a 40-incher to close his 4-under round.
The leader is Min Woo Lee, who fired a 62, with four birdies on each side of the par 70, 7,440-yard course at East Lake Golf Club, where Shreveporter Hal Sutton won the first Tour Championship played there in 1998.
He sits in a ninth place tie beginning today’s play, paired with Collin Morikawa, who is tied for second after posting a 6-under 64 Thursday. The field slimmed by one from 30 when 2025 U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun withdrew after five holes due to shoulder discomfort.
Burns tied for seventh in last year’s Tour Championship, 12th in 2025 and ninth in 2023.
TV coverage today starts at 10 a.m. on ESPN until noon, when Golf Channel picks it up. Weekend plans have Golf Channel starting coverage at noon Saturday and Sunday before CBS takes over at 2.
Burns and Morikawa will go off the first tee at 11:42 a.m. CT today.
The Tour Championship carries golf’s biggest purse, $40 million, with $10 million going to the winner and the top eight getting a range from $5 million to $1 million. Tommy Fleetwood is the defending champion. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler won in 2024 and ran away with the opener in this year’s playoffs, the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis two weeks ago. Two-time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark was last week’s winner at the BMW Championship.
Burns, a Shreveport native and former LSU two-time All-American, took third at Memphis and tied for 28th in the BMW Championship in St. Louis.
England Airpark/Alexandria International Airport hosted colleagues from the Public Relations Association of Louisiana – Central Louisiana Chapter for a lunch-and-learn last week.
EEIDD Marketing and Air Service Manager Leigh Ann Purvis shared the three-year journey of data analysis, relationship-building and marketing strategy that brought United Airlines back to AEX with the “Re-United” campaign.
The session concluded with a behind-the-scenes tour of the terminal and air traffic control tower.
England Airpark thanked PRAL-Central for joining the event, engaging in conversation about regional economic growth and helping spread the word about why flying local matters.
On August 26, 2026, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted by a victim regarding the alleged theft of their Yorkshire Terrier from their property in Hineston, LA. According to the initial complaint, the owner returned home Sunday, August 23, 2026, and discovered their dog missing.
Patrol deputies responded and took the initial report, and the complaint was forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Division for follow-up investigation.
Through their investigation, Sheriff’s Detectives obtained photographs and video of a contract delivery driver in a personally owned gray Nissan Altima making a delivery at the residence. Further investigation also showed the driver on the victim’s property with the alleged stolen dog.
With the assistance of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, contact was made with the possible suspect, identified as Valita Di Yar Shipp of Leesville, LA. As their investigation continued, Sheriff’s Detectives, working in conjunction with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division at Fort Polk, were able to establish sufficient probable cause that supported the original allegations. An arrest warrant for Shipp was obtained, as well as a search warrant for her residence.
Contact was made with the U.S. Army CID at Fort Polk, and the search and arrest warrants were executed on Fort Polk by military law enforcement personnel, VPSO and RPSO. Shipp was located and taken into custody without incident, placed under arrest and transported to the Vernon Parish Jail, where she was booked for one count of theft $1,000-$5,000.
The Yorkshire Terrier was located in good condition and released to the rightful owner.
RPSO would like to thank the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office as well as the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division for their assistance in this investigation.
“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action.”
A Pineville man has been convicted of firearm, drug distribution and obstruction charges following a jury trial in Grant Parish.
District Attorney Jay Lemoine announced Thursday that a Grant Parish jury found 33-year-old Jamarcus McKinney, of Brown Street in Pineville, guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and obstruction of justice.
McKinney was arrested April 4, 2024, by Louisiana State Police following a traffic stop for speeding. During the stop, the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the discovery of a firearm in McKinney’s possession, despite his status as a convicted felon, as well as more than two pounds of marijuana.
McKinney’s passenger, Donald Jenkins, was also arrested and was previously convicted in connection with the traffic stop.
Jury selection in McKinney’s case began Monday, with opening statements presented Wednesday morning. After evidence was presented, the case was submitted to the jury Thursday afternoon. Following deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts on the charges.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jimmy White and Alex Hooper.
“This verdict holds a repeat offender accountable for possessing a firearm and a significant quantity of marijuana while attempting to obstruct justice,” District Attorney Jay Lemoine said. “I appreciate the work of the Louisiana State Police and our prosecutors in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
BOM Bank was proud to be a sponsor and field a team in the Trailblazers Cup Golf Tournament! Proceeds from the tournament will help support Alzheimer’s awareness and efforts to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease. We are honored to support organizations and events that strengthen our communities and promote important causes. Pictured left to right: Jaden Chenevert, Wesley Pickering, BOM’s Titan Marler, and Cameron Kerik.
Some people measure life in years. Others measure it in moments. In her 50 years, Jennifer lived enough moments, adventures, and memories for several lifetimes. A true free spirit, she moved through life with a fearless heart and an unwavering determination. She was never afraid of hard work, never afraid to take a chance, and never afraid to stand up for what she believed in. When life handed her obstacles, she met them head-on with grit, strength, and a stubborn resilience that inspired everyone who knew her. She loved deeply and fiercely. Whether you were family, a friend, or someone she met only briefly, you knew when you were loved by her. She had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and important. Her heart was as big as the sky she loved to spend her days beneath. The outdoors was where she felt most at home. Among horses, open fields, and the simple beauty of nature, she found peace and joy. She could look at something ordinary and see possibility. She had a gift for turning nothing into something magical-not just with her hands, but with her spirit. She created beauty wherever she went and left every place, every person, and every situation a little better than she found it. Though her time here feels far too short, her life was anything but small. She lived boldly, loved fiercely, worked tirelessly, and laughed often. Her legacy is not only in the things she built or the lives she touched, but in the lessons, she leaves behind: to be brave, to love hard, to find beauty in simple things, and to never be afraid to chase the life you want. She will be missed beyond words and loved beyond measure. Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful for every moment we shared with her and for the countless memories that will live on forever.
Those left to cherish memories of Jennifer are her daughter Jade Erwin and husband Richard Erwin, son Justice Golemon, grandchildren Emma Erwin, Evelyn Erwin, Emilia Erwin, mother Susan Sims, brothers Jason Barron and wife Heidi, Corey Matthews, nephews Isaac and Jason Jr., father Kenneth Gandy and wife Mamie, sisters Emily Gandy, Katie Gandy-Farmer, Taylor Gandy-Goodwin, friends Frank Kuntz and wife Shelly Hauge, Christa and Brock Ruppert, the entire Nokota Ranch, Sandy Bonnette and family, Melany Whiddon and family, as well as many beloved cousins and close friends.
Her story does not end here. It lives on in the people who loved her, the lives she changed, and the magic she left behind.
Tracy “Lorraine” (Smith) Stimpert December 19, 1974 – June 13, 2026, Tracy “Lorraine” Smith Stimpert, 51, of Moss Bluff, LA passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Christus St. Frances Cabrini hospital in Alexandria, LA after a lengthy illness, with loving family by her side. Lorraine was born on December 19, 1974, in Hazlehurst, Georgia to Denise Hurst and Jim Smith. Lorraine graduated from East Knox High School in Howard, Ohio in 1993. She was an exceptional artist. Her art was in the exclusive “Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition” in Columbus, OH, and she was also in a Ducks Unlimited contest. Lorraine loved photography. She enjoyed photographing many types of birds, wildlife, and anything that caught her eye. She also loved the beach, fishing, nature trails, and good music. She worked as a loving caregiver for many years to autistic and disabled children and adults in Ohio and Louisiana, until she could no longer work.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Denise Hurst, her sister, Samantha Perry, her maternal grandparents Robert and Joyce Hurst, and paternal grandparents George and Merle Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her soulmate Brenda, her father Jim Smith, her sisters Drew McKay (Marcus), and Lyndsey Carter (Jason), her brother Derek Smith (Joni), her sons James Stimpert (Marissa), Nathaniel Stimpert, bonus son Justin (Candace), bonus daughters Rachel (Mark), and Kailah Robinson, her grandchildren Jayson, Kloe, Noah, Liam, Brayden, Jayden, Zayden, and Kinley, her nephews Dominic, Chase, and Miles, her nieces Elizabeth, Nora, and Ivey, extended family, and beloved friends that will miss her dearly.
A Celebration of Life service may be announced at a later date.
Sherry Beeson Earnest March 16, 1955 – August 26, 2026 Service: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2pm at First United Methodist Church, Pineville.
Margaret Mabel Todd December 13, 1936 – August 26, 2026 Service: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10am at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.
Barbara Ann “Robbins” DuBois December 5, 1944 – August 25, 2026 Service: Friday, August 28, 2026, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Alexandria.
Egedio Gilbert Cicardo January 26, 1939 – August 24, 2026 Service: Friday, September 4, 2026, 10am at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, Alexandria.
Harry James Sr. July 16, 1949 – August 23, 2026 Service: Monday, August 31, 2026, 11am at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.
Lisa Blair Hendrix August 1, 1964 – August 22, 2026 Service: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria.
Norma Lee Jeffery March 27, 1939 – August 22, 2026 Service: Friday, August 28, 2026, 2pm at New Hope Church, Deville.
Jean Haasch Lohrey March 30, 1929 – August 18, 2026 Service: Sunday, September 6, 2026, 3pm at First United Methodist Church, Alexandria.
Kristin Marie Gordon October 27, 1989 – August 17, 2026 Service: Friday, August 28, 2026, 11am at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.
Eddie Ray Johnson November 24, 1965 – August 16, 2026 Service: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 3pm at Lecompte Park, Lecompte.
Mary Ella Jones Smith Recard December 5, 1932 – August 15, 2026 Service: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10am at Mount Triumph Missionary Baptist Church, Boyce.
Patrick Battles, III December 15, 2004 – August 13, 2026 Service: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2pm at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Alexandria.
he Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.
The courtroom is filling up as more parties join the Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy proceedings.
Bankruptcy Judge John Hodge on Monday signed five orders, including one requested by the Diocese of Shreveport and one by the newly appointed interim U.S. Trustee.
Kevin Epstein is interim trustee for the Louisiana-Mississippi district, appointed by the U.S. Attorney General to add that to his trustee duties in the Western-Southern Texas district.
He successfully asked the court to delay until September 15 the deadline to object to the Diocese motion for an order appointing legal representation for the interests of any future claims holders in the case and for retention of a Future Claims Representative.
Hodge also ordered hearing that date of other new parties’ motions to compel production of allocation protocol, objecting to the future claims deadline, and allowing the Shreveport entity to object to the disclosure statement of the proposed reorganization plan.
The Diocese filed Chapter 11 last October 31 in the face of pending claims alleging clergy sexual abuse.
Shreveport’s filing notes that ideally a settlement is achieved that includes it and former Alexandria parishes.
In seeking a plan modification, the motion says it should clarify the insurance rights of both those interests.
From late 1976 through mid-1986 and Alexandria and their church parishes were one diocese.
Claims in the Alexandria case date as far back as the 1970s.
Alexandria Senior High School theatre students were recognized at an Alexandria City Council meeting for their performance at the summer’s International Thespians Festival in Indiana.
ASH Theatre Troupe 731 and its chaperones traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for the 2026 International Thespian Festival, where they had the opportunity to perform “SpongeBob The Musical” on the main stage.
Alexandria Man Sentenced to Over Four Years for Hiding Machine Gun on His 10-Year-Old Child United States District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. sentenced Sheldon Doral Franklin, 33, of Alexandria, to just over four years in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release after Franklin pleaded guilty in April to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case began on March 23, 2024, when a Pineville Police Department officer monitoring a license plate reader system spotted a stolen maroon Nissan Sentra on U.S. Highway 167. When officers approached, Franklin initially refused commands but was handcuffed. He identified a passenger as his 10-year-old child. When officers attempted to search the child, Franklin refused permission, and the child also refused commands while holding a bag of chips against his leg. An officer felt a concealed handgun between the chip bag and the child’s leg, prompting Franklin to flee on foot before being quickly caught. Officers recovered a loaded Glock Model 23 .40-caliber pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion switch, rendering the weapon fully automatic. Case Number: 1:25-cr-00235-01.
Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning Director Arrested After Three-Parish High-Speed Chase Heather Urena, 55, of Alexandria, was booked by the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on August 21 following a high-speed chase that began in Winn Parish and extended through Lincoln and Jackson parishes at speeds exceeding 120 mph. The chase ended when Urena reportedly slammed on her brakes, causing a pursuing deputy to rear-end her vehicle. She faces charges including aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated assault on an officer, and criminal damage to property. Urena serves as Executive Director of the Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning and Development District in Rapides Parish.
RRMC Kick Cancer and Tackle Stroke Programs Begin This Weekend Rapides Regional Medical Center kicks off its fifth year of the Kick Cancer program this week as the regular high school football season opens across Rapides Parish. For the fifth consecutive year, the Rapides Cancer Center is partnering with parish football teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society, with every successful point-after-try worth $10 and every field goal worth $20. Parish schools have collectively raised $17,000 for ACS through the program to date. Also on September 4, RRMC’s Tackle Stroke program returns to home openers at Alexandria Senior High and Holy Savior Menard, where staff will distribute hand-held fans listing stroke symptoms and risk factors. Stroke remains the fifth-leading cause of death in Louisiana, with the state’s stroke death rate ranking third-highest in the nation.
CenLa Chamber Hosting Congressional Candidates Luncheon — September 22 The Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a Congressional Candidates Luncheon on Tuesday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center at England Airpark, 1718 Kegleman Blvd., Alexandria. All nine candidates running for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat have been invited to participate. The event will give each candidate time to introduce themselves, share their qualifications, and discuss their vision for the district, followed by an audience question period. The luncheon is open to chamber members and guests.
TRAFFIC REMINDER — Nightly Lane Closures on US 165 North in Pineville Drivers on U.S. 165 North in Pineville should expect nightly alternating lane closures near Lowe’s and the U.S. 167 northbound off-ramp. Work runs Monday nights through Friday mornings, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting, through the end of September 2026. DOTD advises drivers to reduce speed, use caution around construction workers and equipment, and allow extra travel time.
The Alexandria Lions Club hosted a luncheon featuring a presentation on the Southern Forest Heritage Museum & Research Center by John Simpson.
Simpson shared a brief history and transition tale of one of the most historic sawmills in the nation, which showcases steam locomotives and logging equipment from the early 20th century.
He also spoke about the museum’s upcoming festival on Saturday, October 17.
Christian Williams had an interception in Northwestern’s 2025 season-opening win over Alcorn State, and hopes to duplicate that tonight. (NSU photo by CHRIS REICH)
By BRAD WELBORN, Northwestern State Athletic Communications
NATCHITOCHES — There will be plenty to see when Northwestern State and Louisiana Christian kick off the 2026 football season tonight.
There will be the lights illuminating Turpin Stadium. The annual Inferno Run. The Spirit of Northwestern State Marching Band will be in full voice. Thousands of fans will be encouraged to wear purple as the Demons celebrate Purple Reign Night.
And, if the weather cooperates, there will be a lunar eclipse unfolding above it all.
Most importantly though, there will be football.
The Demons open the 2026 season by welcoming LCU’s Wildcats to Turpin Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff, beginning NSU’s third season under head coach Blaine McCorkle.
The game will air live on ESPN+ with Patrick Netherton returning for another season of play-by-play action. He will be joined by analyst Tyler Moody and sideline reporter Jason Pugh. It will also air locally in Natchitoches on 100.7 FM KZBL with Chris Salim and Jay Thomas.
“It should be a good crowd and a good atmosphere. And it definitely is not going to rain and there won’t be any lightning delays,” McCorkle joked. “Fully expect LC to bring a good crowd up here being so close and it should be a good night for football. Excited to get out there, hear the band, see the lights on. There’s nothing like college football at night. It’s special.”
The matchup itself is a special one for its rarity.
Northwestern and Louisiana Christian will meet for the first time since 1968, ending a nearly six-decade gap between two programs that once met on a near-annual basis from 1922 through 1968.
The Wildcats bring plenty of credentials into tonight’s matchup. LCU has won its NAIA conference championship in two of the past three seasons and presents the Demons an experienced opponent to open the year.
For Northwestern, the goal is to make its own bit of history.
The Demons are looking to open a season with a victory for the second consecutive year, something they have not accomplished since the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Last year, NSU snapped a long season-opening drought with a 20-10 victory against Alcorn State, giving the Demons their first season-opening win since Zach Adkins led NSU past Missouri State in 2013.
The Demons enter the season looking to build on the progress they made during McCorkle’s second season.
In FCS games NSU increased its production from year one to year two in points, first downs, rushing yards, total yards and time of possession. The next step is turning that statistical progression into more results on the scoreboard.
“The maturation of this team has been fun to watch throughout the spring and fall,” McCorkle said. “I think we’re all excited to see that really start to show some results on the field and the scoreboard.”
That process begins with playing a clean game.
“You want to play good, clean football early on,” McCorkle said. “They always say you see the biggest improvement in the team between game one and game two. It’s an old coaching adage but it’s very true. You don’t want a sloppy game one. You want to play hard. Play tough. Play fast and free. But you want to be disciplined at the same time. If we can do that and what we’re coached to do to the best of our ability, we’ll be in good shape.”
Northwestern has an influx of new faces in the back end of its defense, and those players will be tested immediately by an explosive Louisiana Christian offense that likes to push the tempo and features an experienced group of skill players.
Before that can happen, however, the Demons will have to keep pace with the Wildcats.
“Handling their tempo is our biggest focus,” safety Christian Williams said. “They move really fast and they have athletes on the perimeter just like we do. It’ll be a challenge in the secondary but we’re ready for everything. Our coaches do a great job of preparing us every day, so we’ll be ready.”
Ben McLaughlin begins his third year as head coach at his alma mater tonight leading the NAIA Louisiana Christian Wildcats into Turpin Stadium to play the Division I FCS Northwestern Demons. (Photo courtesy LCU Athletics)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle told the Demon Quarterback Club lunch crowd Wednesday that he’s seen some predictions picking NAIA power Louisiana Christian to beat his team in tonight’s 7 p.m. season opener at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches.
The Wildcats have won their Sooner Athletic Conference championship twice in three years, and return 18 of 22 starters from last year’s 8-3 team under third-year coach Ben McLaughlin.
The Demons are still recovering from having their 2023 season halted with four games to go, and a complete rebuild since McCorkle stepped into the rubble that December. Northwestern was winless in his first season, and 1-11 last year, breaking an overall 17-game skid in its opener but missing three last-minute chances to do any better last fall.
Maybe this isn’t a typical NCAA Division I (FCS) against NAIA matchup, but McLaughlin isn’t buying that rationale.
“If anybody’s picking us to win they’re trying to fire up Coach McCorkle and his guys,” he said, laughing. “Now I have supreme confidence that our guys are going to play to win the game. If they were going to play the Dallas Cowboys, I’d expect our guys to feel that way.
“You can’t get on that bus to beat a Division I team. To win any game, especially a big game like this, you’ve gotta win a half, and to do that, you’ve gotta win a quarter, and to win a quarter, you’ve gotta win a few drives, and to do that, you’ve gotta win some plays.
“We’re telling our guys go up and have fun. Enjoy the atmosphere, the ESPN cameras, and every snap, try to whip the guy in front of you. If you can beat him more than he beats you, you can win some plays and you can win a game. Just go play football.”
Against a lot of Demons who they’ve seen before, in high school. Both teams have rosters filled with Louisiana products.
“A lot of these guys have been high school teammates or opponents of their players. We’re saying, ‘you probably beat him some in high school, so know that you’re just as good as a lot of their players are individually,” said McLaughlin.
“We all know the Division I offensive linemen are a different size, and there’s a lot (of NSU advantages) that’s common sense, but our players are really good too. They believe they’re going to win a lot of reps, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
In the grand scheme, both coaches want to see their teams play well. A loss would obviously be a disaster for the Demons, but not necessarily for the Wildcats, who have been pounded in their last two season openers by NSU’s Southland Conference cousins Houston Christian (70-7 in 2024) and McNeese (54-9 last fall, in a game that was 17-9 midway through the second quarter).
“If we win this game, and it’s the biggest win in school history, and we lose the rest of them, this season is a failure. If they beat us by 50 and we win the rest of our games, it will be the best season in school history,” said McLaughlin. “Keep this in perspective. I want our kids to play to the standard we want to play, and if we’ve played our tails off, I can sleep well.”
He did after last year’s turnaround and run to a conference championship. In a message that McCorkle and the Demons could find reassuring, McLaughlin said settling into a new approach was the key for the Wildcats.
“It was consistency. (Former) Coach (Drew) Maddox had this program in a great spot. We had a lot of returners that first year but they had to get used to a different everything. We went 4-7 but there were 2-3 games that were one score and didn’t go our way. Last year we’re 8-2 in non-Division I games and about 2-3 one-score games go our way, and if they don’t we have just an average season. Winning close games matters and that’s where continuity develops consistency, and opens the door to success.”
The Wildcats have an extra edge. New defensive backs coach T.J. Hersey has been alongside McCorkle for the past six years, as a player at Division III Belhaven and for the past two years as a graduate assistant coach with the Demons.
“Blaine recommended him and any time a coach vouches for a player he’s been around four seasons as a player and then as a graduate assistant coach, you know it’s a home run. It will be a cool experience for him to be a full-time coach across the field from the man who coached him and gave him his first job,” said McLaughlin, who did not back away from acknowledging Hersey’s insight has been extremely beneficial in game preparation this week.
“Yes sir, that’s exactly right, yes sir,” he said.
The Demons have developed a young but pretty experienced roster, with 56 returning letterwinners, most second and third-year players. But only seven have started at least a full season.
The Wildcats, however, return 10 offensive starters from a unit that averaged 36.5 points and have eight defensive starters and their punter/kicker back, along with a dozen other veterans. Among other players: Centenary transfer running back Obadiah Butler, who averaged 110 rushing yards in conference games last fall, and 2024 Shreveport-Bossier Journal high school Player of the Year Brandon Henderson, a receiver from Woodlawn High.
“We’re an anomaly right now. We’ve got a lot of old guys, which is rare in college football these days,” said McLaughlin. “We’re one of the few old teams around, so that’s nice. On paper, this could be a team that can take another step in the right direction. Everybody celebrated last season, and they earned it, but we’re not talking about that any more.”
Along with reviving a series dormant since 1968, tonight’s game is a financial windfall for LCU with the guarantee check it gets for visiting the Demons, just like the ones each of the last two years from HCU and McNeese.
“I thank Coach McCorkle so much, because this allows us to function financially in a way that makes our kids feel they’re a real college football program. We take this (revenue) and pour it right back into them to make their football experience at Louisiana Christian University. That is the Number 1 reason we’re doing this,” said McLaughlin.
He wants to do it annually. The Wildcats will return to McNeese next year and want to visit other Louisiana FCS schools in the future.
“We’re not going outside this state to play these games like we used to. It just makes too much sense to play a Louisiana Division I program. I want to play them around here because the connection matters. Every one of our kids was probably on the recruiting board at some point for Northwestern State, for McNeese, for Southeastern. They were good high school players. They just didn’t get the last-minute offers for one reason or another.
“Our roster will be 85-90 percent in-state players, so we want to play around the state, and make it a Louisiana tradition for us. It’s good for both teams,” he said.
Sam Burns, the college Player of the Year at LSU in 2016-17, tees off at 12:24 CT today among the favorites at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
By DOUG IRELAND Journal Sports
ATLANTA – Sam Burns’ superior summer-long performance has him standing eighth in the field of 30 finalists teeing off today in the $40 million Tour Championship, the final event of the 2026 PGA Tour season.
The two-time LSU All-American hits off the first tee at 12:24 paired with Collin Morikawa. Golf Channel will have live coverage of their round.
His last three outings in this event, at East Lake Golf Club, are more reason golf analysts are elevating him into the contenders’ group for the $10 million winner’s purse. SportsLine’s computer program ranks him as the player to beat and he is teeing off with +1500 odds.
Burns tied for seventh last year, was 12th in 2024 and ninth in 2023. This will be his sixth straight Tour Championship, reserved for the top 30 finishers in the season-long FedEx Cup points race.
But after a terrific eight-event run, the most recent outing last week by the 30-year-old was mediocre, especially by his standards. Burns finished 28th in the 50-player BMW Championship, but was already assured of reaching this week’s ultimate event due to his exceptional play since early May and his career-best overall season.
The Shreveport native, now a resident of Choudrant, had an eight-event run with six top 20 finishes, including four top fives in a six-tournament span from June 7 (fourth at The Memorial) to Aug. 16 (third at the FedEx St. Jude Championship). He was second at the U.S. Open and third at the British Open after a seventh-place finish at The Masters in April.
All 30 players this week have earned a two-year PGA Tour exemption and entry into next season’s signature events, including all four major championships.
Friday’s coverage begins at 10 a.m. on ESPN, through noon, and shifts to Golf Channel. Weekend TV begins at noon on Golf Channel with CBS picking up tournament action at 2 Saturday and Sunday.
Jasmine Brittney Buillard, 41, Baton Rouge – criminal damage to property, aggravated assault, no bail data;
John Edward Harrison, 39, Alexandria – improper lane usage, possession of marijuana (fourth/subsequent), possession of CDS, aggravated resisting with force or violence, no driver’s license, $200 bail;
Terrance Wayne Hobbs, 46, Alexandria – OWI first offense, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, improper turn, open container, $1,300 bail;
Douglas Wayne Ponthieux Jr., 45, Deville – theft, criminal trespass, two counts contempt of court, $7,000 bail.
Aug. 25
Toure’ Benjamin, 17, Alexandria – possession of handgun by a juvenile, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, manufacture possession of machine gun, resisting an officer, $500 bail;
Latisha Rochelle Johnson, 49, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, no bail data;
Gabriel Scott Polotzola, 24, Opelousas – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;
Gregory Brent Wells Sr., 66, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of CDS, brake lamp required, OWI first offense, two counts open container, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license, $1,900 bail.
Aug. 24
Earl Bennett Jr., 58, N/A – public intimidation and retaliation, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, parole violations, $2,000 bail;
Billy Dewayne Gaston II, 47, N/A – 11 counts contempt of court, remaining on premises, $48,250 bail;
Jennifer Lucas-Hart, 46, Carencro – reckless operation of a vehicle, resisting an officer, two counts possession of marijuana, improper passing, open container, no vehicle registration, $2,300 bail;
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises the public that, weather permitting, on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 8:30 a.m., construction work will begin at the following intersections:
3rd St. (LA 1) and Broadway St.
LA 28 West and Vandenburg Dr. (LA 3054)
MacArthur Dr. (US 71) and MacArthur Dr. near Stimson Ave.
The work is expected to last three days, with lane closures in effect daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are no detours at this time associated with these lane closures.
DOTD appreciates the public’s patience and reminds motorists to drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Motorists may call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website by selecting MyDOTD or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.
Sherwood Drive in the Sherwood Forest Subdivision will be closed Friday, Aug. 28, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for asphalt patching from the cross-drain installations that were installed earlier this month.
Services for Shirley Tolbert Walton will be at 2PM, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Sandy Lake United Pentecostal Church, in Jonesville, LA with Rev. Joel A. Ford officiating. Visitation will be from 11AM until time of services at the church. Interment will follow at Heard Cemetery, Manifest, LA. Services are under the direction of Magnolia Funeral Home, Alexandria, LA.
Shirley Walton, 80, of Jonesville, LA, passed away July 19, 2026, at Rapides Regional Memorial Hospital, Alexandria, LA. She was a talented and avid seamstress. Shirely loved her family, and most of all she loved and followed her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Shirley was preceded in death by her loving parents, Riley and Violet Tolbert, her beloved brother Clifford Tolbert, beloved son-in-law Patrick H. Johnson, her first husband James Ray Brazzell, and great-grandchild Kendal Stroud.
Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 33 years George L. Walton, Sr. “Buddy”, her children Michelle Johnson “Shelly”, Nikki Johnson and husband Dusty, George L Walton, Jr., and wife Becky, William C. Walton “Bubba”, Kim W. Burns and husband Greg, Raymond Dewayne Walton, all of Jonesville, Adrean L. Walton of Rayville, Bryon C. Walton and wife Gaytha of Leesville, her grandson, Sid Johnson who devoted his time and love to her, and a host of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Patrick Johnson, Eli Johnson, Kenny Davis, Elton Tolbert, Branton Crawford, and Jason Tolbert. Honorary pallbearers are Leslie Brown, Wesley Walton, and Jayden Stroud.
