By JIM BUTLER

The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a hearing in a civil case stemming from a man’s sexual behavior with a Woodworth girl during a 2021 Thanksgiving Friday sleepover. 

On Tuesday four justices rejected the defendants’ petition on the basis of untimely filing within the court’s rules. Three would have granted hearing. 

The suit filed by the then-about-13-year-old victim’s parents now returns to Ninth District Judge Monique Rauls. 

(Rapides Parish Journal elects to not name the parents in the belief doing so would allow ready identification of the victim.) The 3rd Circuit ruled this past February that Rauls correctly dismissed Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance from the action against Steven and Tricia Michot, in whose home the offense by their son Jacob, 19 at the time, occurred.  

The victim’s parents allege the defendant parents allowed an unsafe environment, failed to properly supervise, failed to know about their son’s propensity, and allowed alcohol to be served the six girls present. 

In March 2022 the son was charged with sex crimes involving minors that occurred from May 2021 to January 2022. 

Subsequently Jacob negotiated a guilty plea and is serving a 25-year sentence, no early out. 

At the 3rd Circuit, his mother (the record indicates that at some point the father was dismissed as a defendant) raised the issue of whether a parent is responsible for any tort by an adult major child, under roof or not.

The three-judge appellate panel determined Rauls correctly ruled that the Farm Bureau policy excluded coverage for intentional acts by one of the insured (Jacob) and sent the question of parental responsibility back to district court. 

The writs request to the Supreme Court was on the ruling regarding the Farm Bureau dismissal. 

After his sentencing Jacob appealed it as constitutionally excessive. In his plea negotiation he had agreed to 25 years maximum but argued Judge Greg Beard should have imposed less time for a 19-year-old first offender with cognitive disabilities. 

DA Phillip Terrell in his response noted that without the plea arrangement Michot faced maximum exposure of 64 years imprisonment. 

He referred to Beard’s case summation before sentencing that noted the circumstances (luring girls through social media) and nature of offenses and ages of the victims -13, 14, 15 and 16. 

The circuit court affirmed the sentence.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Former LSU All-America golfer Sam Burns returns to competition this morning after a two-week break from playing on the PGA Tour, beginning a three-week stretch that was the most impressive of his 2025 season.

Burns, 29, tees off at 8:40 CDT today in Dublin, Ohio, in Jack Nicklaus’ The Memorial. He is paired with Akshay Bhatia in the first two rounds in the tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club, designed and constantly tweaked by the Golden Bear.

Last year, after a two-week break following the PGA Championship, Burns tied for 12^th at even par in The Memorial, then lost in a playoff at the Canadian Open and again had the final round lead a week later at the U.S. Open, tying for seventh.

He’ll follow the same schedule this year with the two national opens on the horizon over the following two weeks.

Burns, a Shreveport native who lives in Choudrant and plays out of Squire Creek Country Club there, has three straight top 20 finishes at The Memorial (16^th in 2023, 15^th in 2024 and 12^th last year)

While winning two All-America honors at LSU, the Calvary Baptist Academy graduate was the 2017 recipient of the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top player in major college golf.

Burns has made the cut in nine of his 12 starts this year and has two top finishes, including seventh at The Masters. He was 4-under and one shot off the lead in his last outing, on the back nine of the third round at the PGA Championship, and wound up tied for 26^th at even par.

Interviewed on the PGA Tour’s “The Drop” program, Burns gave himself a C+ for his 2026 season.

“I’ve played nice some weeks, put myself right there, but I haven’t quite been able to get it done yet,” he said. “My game’s trending, I feel healthy, and I’m excited for the second half of the year.”

He is tied for sixth on the Tour in strokes gained putting, and 15^th in shooting under par at in a quarter of his rounds this season. Burns is 34^th in the Official World Golf Rankings and 50^th in FedEx Cup points, and has earned $2.5 million on tour this year.

The Memorial will have streaming coverage today and Friday from 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. on ESPN+, with Golf Channel providing TV coverage from 1-5 both afternoons.

Viewers this weekend can watch streaming on ESPN+ from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with TV coverage on Golf Channel from 11:30-1:30, then shifting to CBS until 5 p.m. or completion of play.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

June 3

Jarod Deonte Bell, 24, Alexandria – three counts attempted second degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault domestic abuse, Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $1.1 million bail;

William Chase Hathorn, 40, Pineville – possession of marijuana, possession of CDS, expired plate registration, $2,100 bail.

June 2

Nicholas Christopher Babin, 42, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Bethany Crochet, 29, Pineville – possession of fentanyl, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, $500 bail;

Jessie Lee Droddy, 71, Plainview – reckless operation of off-road vehicle, two counts contempt of court, $20,500 bail;

Charles Jacob Fitzback, 44, Pineville – OWI second offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,600 bail;

Jasmon Nicole Lott, 24, Alexandria – battery of a dating partner, aggravated assault of a dating partner, $25,000 bail;

Eric Lemon McNeal, 44, Pineville – improper inspection, permanent license plate, driving under suspension, no insurance, two counts contempt of court, $4,400 bail;

Henry Austin Perkins, 28, Plainview – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Mariah Pierre, 28, Opelousas – flight from an officer, resisting an officer, windshield required, two counts improper window tint, open container, two counts no child restraint system, $1,600 bail;

Kewain Tripps, 35, Laplace – aggravated resisting a police officer with force or violence, simple escape, $30,000 bail;

Dondrakus Dewayne Williams, 42, Alexandria – speeding, parole violations, no driver’s license, misrepresenting while issuing misdemeanor summons, two counts resisting an officer, $1,700 bail.

June 1

Sara Elizabeth Barrios, 45, Pollock – theft, aggravated assault, $5,500 bail;

Desiree Nicole Blue, 22, Alexandria – simple burglary, criminal conspiracy, theft, $6,500 bail;

Debra Diane Carroll, 65, Columbia – OWI second offense, operating a vehicle under suspension for certain prior offenses, improper lane usage, open container, $2,200 bail;

Curtis Lynn Delaney, 55, Boyce – offense against computer equipment or supplies, $500 bail;

Kartavious Dewayne McGee, 29, Pineville – two counts domestic abuse battery with child present, $50,000 bail;

David Glenn Wade II, 37, Ball – child sexual abuse materials of victim under 13, $100,000 bail.

May 31

Freddie Armstrong Jr., 47, Alexandria – two counts simple battery, simple assault, criminal damage to property, $1,500 bail;

Larry J. Brooks III, 22, Alexandria – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

Tyshaela Tashion Davison, 26, Alexandria – aggravated assault domestic abuse, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, parole violations, contempt of court, $2,000 bail;

Jackson Matthew Devanie, 24, Alexandria – illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of marijuana, running a stop sign, $1,600 bail;

Donovan Darnell Green, 39, Boyce – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, general speed law, contempt of court, $1,600 bail;

Michael Patrick Kelly, 52, Cape May, New Jersey – theft, possession of CDS, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Nwachi Anwiak Wesley II, 29, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, $3,000 bail.

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Phonetic: /phleg·​mat·​ic/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

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Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – can get signed up for the free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning, June 27 on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department.  It is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

The clinic registration can be done quickly on the LaSportsHall.com website under the “events’ button. Or parents can call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255 for registration help. The camp fills to its 300-kid capacity almost every summer.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration June 25-27. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night, June 26 Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2026 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium on the NSU campus. It’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home two free T-shirts, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

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It may not feel romantic, but having honest conversations about money, family, and the future before marriage can make all the difference once real life begins.

 See what Ida says 

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Celebrate the Louisiana Peach Festival’s 76th year with free admission, a wide range of entertainment and activities, and plenty of peachy events to enjoy leading up to the festival. Browse our guide below and start planning your trip to Downtown Ruston for the weekend of Saturday, June 6.

EAT:
From June 1-6, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach cocktails and desserts, there’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available on the Peach Fest website.

SEE:
Get a preview of all the arts of the festival with the 39th Annual NCLAC Peach Art Exhibit. Check out the display of local artist of all ages in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center happening all through July.

– Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, take the quick drive to explore downtown Ruston, scope out the festival grounds, and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

EXPERIENCE: There’s plenty to enjoy Friday before the festival:

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 3-6.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Find your perfect festival outfit during the sidewalk sale!
• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will roll down W. Alabama Ave. and N. Monroe St. on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the North Louisiana Expo Center for the 37th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family fun entertainment, trick riders, and more.

Saturday June 6: Festival Day!

Festival activities start at 9:00 AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

EAT:

Festival Eats

• This year, enjoy bites from 15 food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks.
• You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi
  – Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival

Local Eats
Feeling like a sit-down meal? Check out these local restaurants that are walkable from the festival:

• The Local: morning pick-me-up coffee, pastries, and breakfast bites.
• Uptown Downtown or Heard Freighthouse Food Park: perfect for lunch and plenty of options! For sandwiches, wraps, and a sweet treat, go to Uptown Downtown. For BBQ, Burgers, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine, head over to the Food Park.
• Sundown Tavern or Ponchatoulas: both are beloved Ruston staples with that classic dive bar charm. Be sure to try the fried green beans at Sundown or the stuffed catfish at Ponchatoulas.
• Roma or Utility Brewing: For classic Italian-style pizza, pasta, and fresh salads, take a stroll to Roma’s Italian Bistro. Want to try something different? Utility Brewing serves up creative wood fire-baked pizzas paired with craft beer in a cozy setting.

SEE:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover Plein Air artists painting the scenes and capturing the action of the festival in real time. At Kids Alley, there will be interactive displays and activities for the kiddos to participate in the arts themselves!
• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Fireworks Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s Firework show at 8:45 PM! This dazzling sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.
• Go to www.lapeachfest.com/schedule to see all festival events!

EXPERIENCE:

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 consecutive hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Chee-Weez, taking the stage at 9:00 PM.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Bring a lawn chair or blanket in case seating runs out!
• Kids Alley: Make fun memories in this family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated Market: Browse the booths of more than 90 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op.
  – Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering.

SUNDAY:

After a busy Saturday, sleep in, take Sunday slow and enjoy Ruston’s cozy charm:

EAT:

• Trios: Enjoy their signature brunch menu in a trendy atmosphere.
• The Local: Order specialty brunch cocktails and bites in the heart of Downtown.
• Beau Vines Steakhouse: Not a brunch fan? Dive into a hearty lunch and bottomless mimosas.

SEE:
While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

EXPERIENCE:
Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats and live music to charming shops and peaceful parks, the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 76 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories!

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

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This summer, young artists are invited to explore creativity, imagination, and self-expression at July Summer Art Camp, a pastor-led art camp designed for students ages 9–13. The camp will take place July 13–16 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. each day and offers a fun, welcoming environment where kids can create, learn, and grow through art.

This art camp is led by Rev. Kennon Pickett and Rev. Jean Sanders, both pastors and practicing artists who are passionate about helping young people discover creativity and confidence through artistic expression. Rev. Kennon serves as Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church, while Rev. Jean is the Pastor/Artist-in-Residence. Together, they bring a unique combination of artistic experience, encouragement, and spiritual leadership to the camp environment.

Throughout the four-day experience, participants will work with a variety of mixed media including painting, paper mâché, 2D art, and 3D art. Each day will introduce different artistic techniques and creative projects, allowing campers to experiment with new materials and complete hands-on artwork they can proudly take home.

The camp is intentionally designed to nurture creativity, build confidence, and encourage meaningful connection in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere. Whether a child already loves art or simply wants to try something new, all skill levels are welcome. July Summer Art Camp promises to be a creative, inspiring, and memorable week filled with art, imagination, and fun.

Registration is limited to only 15 spots, providing a more personal and engaging experience for each participant. The cost is $120 for the full four-day camp, which includes lunch and all art supplies.

Scholarships are available to help make camp accessible for families who may need financial assistance.

Families interested in learning more or registering a student are encouraged to contact Rev. Jean at jsanders@fumca.org. Early registration is recommended due to limited availability. Visit fumca.org for more information on First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, located at 2727 Jackson Street, Alexandria.

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By RICH DUPREE

Just shy of their fifth anniversary in business, Play Cenla, an indoor family entertainment center in Alexandria, closed its doors yesterday for the final time.

Play Cenla opened in 2001 in a 12,000-square foot commercial building at 1008 Bayou Place, just off Browns Bend Road, in the Bayou Place Subdivision.

Locally owned and operated, the owners of Play Cenla posted on the social media page Saturday that after much reflection, they have made the difficult decision to close Play Cenla. That same graphic gave the operating times for this past Saturday and Sunday, their last two days in operation.

The 12,000 SF commercial building, which is situated on 2-acres, has been listed “For Sale” on various real estate platforms for several months – but this past weekend’s closing notice had many local followers and Play Cenla regulars, sad and in disbelief.

Play Cenla offered families a huge indoor open-air playground that included an elevated ropes course with a zipline, rock climbing walls, arcade games and even a toddler area. It was a popular spot for birthday parties, group events and general family fun.

The owners of Play Cenla extended their deepest gratitude to every family who has supported them, but now after almost five years in operation, had to focus on their family and other ventures within the community.

Play Cenla is listed for sale for $1,200,000 – and includes an additional acre that could be used for future expansion.

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By Richard Searles

Education, infrastructure and economic development among top priorities

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Legislature adjourned its 2026 Regular Session after approving a balanced $47 billion state budget focused on education, economic development, infrastructure improvements and debt reduction.

The budget includes approximately $4 billion in State General Fund support for K-12 education and $1.3 billion for higher education. Funding also includes $420 million for early childhood education and $30 million for tutoring programs.

Lawmakers approved more than $360 million in economic development initiatives, including incentives for higher-paying jobs, business site development and workforce recruitment efforts.

The Legislature also allocated more than $500 million for additional road and infrastructure projects, $33 million for Medicaid home and community-based services and $144 million to reduce state retirement debt.

Before adjourning, lawmakers approved a new congressional district map, eliminated vehicle inspection sticker requirements in most parishes, added $50 million to the fortified roof grant program and approved additional protections for minors online.

During the session, legislators considered more than 2,500 measures and sent more than 900 bills to Gov. Jeff Landry for consideration.

The 2026 Regular Session concluded with lawmakers approving major investments in education, infrastructure and economic development while advancing a wide range of policy measures affecting Louisiana residents.

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What a relief. There’s a big Congressional hearing Wednesday on the “Protect College Sports Act of 2026.”

“Supporting Student-Athletes, Restoring Fair Competition and Saving the Games Fans Love” is the stated mission of Senator Ted Cruz and colleagues.

“We cannot allow college athletics to morph into a mini-NFL or NBA,” said Cruz in an official statement announcing the hearing.

Senator, you’re late. By decades.

Some of it is fine by me. Absolutely if coaches are raking in mega-million dollar salaries, as they have been on the top shelf of the NCAA for this century, then the players ought to be cut in on the pie.

These seven-figure NIL deals we hear recruits and transfers are getting are no more excessive than the eight-figure contracts that are going to head coaches. Neither should exist, but …

We’re never going back to college sports as we thought they were. That will happen right alongside peace in the Middle East and admitting a messy CIA-Mafia conspiracy took out JFK.

You’ll get a lot more clarity June 12 when Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” hits movie screens and we find out Bigfoot uses UFOs to get away from prying eyes.

Ridiculous? So is the idea that Congress can solve this mess. We know the high level university presidents and conference commissioners can’t. Their first priorities are their own bottom lines. And it’s their second and third priorities, too.

The presidents punted on this long ago. It’s great that the former Ohio State president testifying Wednesday, Gordon Gee, is the same bold leader who offered these gems discussing an NCAA scandal staining the Buckeyes’ football program:

• “Let me just be very clear: I just hope the coach doesn’t fire me.”

• “They run the athletic department and I run the university, and I should have stayed out of there.”

He will no doubt show up at the hearing in his trademark bow tie. Looks academic. Here’s the clown Congress will hear from Wednesday: he ran up thousand-dollar luxury hotel bills on university expense accounts, got Ohio State to pay for $500 shower curtains for his university-provided house, and his marketing aces spent over $64,000 on bow ties, bow tie cookies and bow tie lapel pins for Gee and others to distribute over four years, according to reporting by the Dayton Daily News.

Surely he knows what’s good for the future of college sports.

Nick Saban will testify. He DOES know what’s good for the future of college sports.

He’s been telling anybody who will listen since the day he called it a coaching career, in part because their NIL package was the first and primary topic raised by practically every one of the first 20 or so players who he met with to discuss their futures with the following season’s Crimson Tide.

Listening to sages like Saban, and doing something about what you’ve heard, is where the disconnect exists with the presidents who make up the NCAA hierarchy and lead the Power 4 conference schools.

They are hoping Congress will impose its will where they would not. The Hatfields and McCoys have been sniping at each other across conference lines for decades instead of collaborating for the common good.

Now a group of presidents, board members and donors calling itself “Saving College Sports” – there’s even a snazzy letterhead – has presented Cruz and pals with a letter of support signed by dozens. New LSU president Wade Rousse’s name is on the letter. He told Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports he didn’t authorize his name to be included. Now that’s a reform-minded group, randomly claiming converts to its cause.

Know what’s missing from Wednesday’s festivities? Anyone not at the top tier. There are more than 360 NCAA Division I athletic programs. The issues discussed under the Capitol Dome tomorrow are so far out of scale for almost 300 of them that the eventual outcome for the non-Gucci schools is painfully predictable.

We saw it last month when the NCAA basketball postseasons, men and women, were padded to 76 teams – strictly a money grab for the biggies to get more teams in March Madness.

It doesn’t matter what’s good for the masses. It just comes down to what’s best for the masters of the college sports universe.

And they’re counting on a blow-hard heavy Congress, dripping in money from PACs and lobbyists that dwarf their actual salaries, to make it better?

Odds on that rank right up there with Jimmy Kimmel playing a round of golf with President Trump.

The ultimate solution to this mess will be when it crashes, drained of cash from disillusioned donors. Then we can hope that with nearly divine intervention, or desperation,  university leadership from across the far-reaching landscape gets real and sorts it out into authentic tiers of economically-sound competition with real oversight and rules that get enforced.

As likely as Fox News and CNN merging.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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The opening of Rapides parish’s Louisiana Deserves Better recall petition drive at Bringhurst city park Saturday. May 30 saw over 50 voters standing in line waiting for the event to start.  Per Rapides parish lead, Erin Tracy, over 1,000 voters from Rapides and neighboring parishes came steadily throughout the day to sign petitions to recall Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Louisiana Deserves Better is a state-wide project begun in May to recall Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill. Voters in East Baton Rouge parish may also sign a petition to recall Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards. In order to be successful, around 600,000 signatures must be gathered by November 2026. Any active, registered Louisiana voter is eligible to sign the petition.

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Louisiana State University of Alexandria basketball coach Dimario Jackson has accepted a new opportunity with Paul Quinn College after leading the Generals to a 78-19 record over the past three seasons.

“On behalf of the entire LSUA Athletics Department, we want to thank Dimario for his positive impact on our men’s basketball program,” LSUA Assistant Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Tyler Unsicker said.  “He continued the tradition of success and excellence within the men’s basketball program and we are grateful for the passion and dedication he brought to the court each day. We wish him and his family all the best as they begin this new chapter.”

A national search for a new coach is underway, he said.

“While change is always difficult, we are deeply committed to hiring a head coach who not only shares our values but will continue our established tradition of success on and off the court,” Unsicker said.

Jackson compiled a mark of 59-9 against Red River Athletic Conference opponents. He was twice selected as the RRAC Coach of the Year and earned a pair of Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Small College Coach of the Year honors while guiding the Generals to three consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances. LSUA reached the Round of Eight in the 2024-25 season. In the Red River Athletic Conference, the Generals won two regular season titles and claimed the RRAC tournament championship title twice – all four titles coming in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

Under Jackson’s tutelage, LSUA had three NAIA All-American selections.  EJ McQuillan was named a second team NAIA All-American this past season, while Kashie Natt earned a pair of NAIA first team All-American selections in 2024 and 2025. Natt was also selected as the NAIA Player of the Year in 2025. The Generals also saw two RRAC Player of the Year selections in Natt, five first team All-RRAC selections, one second team All-RRAC honoree, and six All-RRAC honorable mention selections.

Paul Quinn, located in Dallas, has an enrollment under 600 students and is a private Historically Black College associated with the Methodist Church. The Tigers play in the NAIA’s HBCU Athletic Conference. The basketball team had a 9-17 record last season.

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The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office continued to be busy recording new leases as it filed 76 more oil and gas leases during the month of May 2026.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk David Stamey confirmed that activity remains steady in the area described as from Interstate 49 at Highway 6, along La. Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line and approximately 10 miles north into the Spanish Lake bottoms. However, leasing has now occurred south of La. Highway 6 and across I-49 on the east side of the interstate. There was one lease in the far northeastern portion of the parish near the Red River Parish and Bienville Parish lines, indicating activity is also occurring in neighboring parishes.

“This is wonderful economic news for our area,” Stamey said, “but it will be even better with every gas well that is drilled. Drilling has mostly been in the northwest portion of Natchitoches Parish, but indications are that production companies have been pleased.”

Stamey mentioned that his office has been busy with both in-person abstracting and online access for conveyances dating back to 1905. “We have been lucky to meet abstractors from companies new to the Robeline field,” Stamey said. “We thank them all for their business.”

The geographic expansion of leasing activity represents a significant shift, with operators now securing acreage beyond the traditional Robeline Field concentration and into previously untapped areas across parish boundaries. Activity across I-49 and into the northeastern portion of the parish suggests operators are assessing broader geological targets within the Haynesville Shale formation.

The seismic 3D graphing project, active across a 310-square-mile area mostly in Natchitoches Parish, supports this expanded exploration strategy. This extensive subsurface mapping work indicates operators are preparing detailed geological models across a much larger footprint than the initial Robeline Field concentration.

Landowners approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests should understand the complexity and long-term consequences of these agreements. If you are not an expert in oil and gas matters, strongly consider contacting a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing any documents. Mineral leases can have significant implications for mineral rights, royalty structures, surface rights and future property use. Professional legal guidance is essential to ensure fair terms and protect your interests.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 76 leases filed in May 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026: 279

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

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

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

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

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

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal will continue to monitor developments.

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By JIM BUTLER 

The Police Jury will hear a committee choice for parish public works director at a special meeting Monday. 

It will also hear a consultant study of the parish civil service pay plan at the 1 p.m. session and consider a recommendation to implement revisions. 

Ryan Elkins has been interim public works chief since jurors fired Cory Ashmore, without comment, in late February. 

Today’s recommendation, according to the posted agenda, is from the Hiring Committee. 

There is no such panel listed among the jury’s standing committees. There is a Personnel, Elections and Insurance.

Whether the two are one and the same could not be determined from information on the parish website. 

No “Hiring Committee” meeting notice and agenda has been posted. Personnel, Elections and Insurance has not taken up the subject, according to public postings, March-May. 

Information such as number of applicants, their names, who was interviewed when, is not reflected in any minutes on the jury site. 

The pay study by SSG Consultants, an acclaimed firm headquartered in Baton Rouge, has not been discussed in Personnel, according to minutes.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NATCHITOCHES – The Billy Cannon exhibit that opened a year-long stay Thursday night at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the glory days of LSU’s 1959 Heisman Trophy winning running back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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