Louisiana Central will host Rally the Region, a collaborative initiative aimed at bridging the gap between education, workforce readiness, and economic development across a 10-parish region.

The event features nationally recognized workforce expert Mark C. Perna and Nathan Ohle, president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council. Local leaders from the Rapides Parish School Board, Central Louisiana Technical Community College, and the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce will join regional stakeholders to discuss creating stronger pathways from the classroom to the local workforce.

WHAT: Rally the Region: Business & Industry Partners Session

WHEN: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: England Airpark Community Center Alexandria, Louisiana

WHO:

• Chris Masingill, president and CEO, Louisiana Central

• Mark C. Perna, author and workforce expert

• Nathan Ohle, president and CEO, International Economic Development Council

• Jeff Powell, superintendent, Rapides Parish School Board

• Dr. Heather Poole, chancellor, Central Louisiana Technical Community College

• Deborah Randolph, president, Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Regional business leaders, educators, and community stakeholders

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The Alexandria Senior High track and field teams headed into last Saturday’s state championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium among the favorites, based on their impressive Region 1-5A triumphs.

It was on display in Baton Rouge. The ASH girls won the team championship going away, with 85 points. It was the school’s first state track and field team title since the 2007 Lady Trojans took state.

There were four event champions for the ASH girls:

• Brielle Texada, javelin

• Nyla Stewart, discus

• 4×100, and 4×200 relays (Jamaria Byrd, Amari Dupar, Devan Williams, Ja’Nya Gray)

Other pivotal performances included a second in the triple jump and third in the long jump by Noelle Williams; third in the 4×400 relay (Evelyn Wold, Dupar, Byrd, Madeline Davis); Alyssa Skipper’s third-place shot put; a 3-4 finish in the 100 meter dash by Gray and Dupar; Gray taking fourth in the 200; and fourth in the 4×800 relay (Makiera Keys, Wold, Davis, Sophia Reish).

Rapides Parish produced six more state champions.

ASH’s Joseph Carter Rivet took the 5A boys discus with a 186-7 mark, winning by over 25 feet.

Tioga’s Shawniya Dixon won the 4A girls high jump with a 5-3 ¾ clearance.

Lady Indians teammate Naomi Dishman was the 4A girls 400 meter champion, clocking 56.85.

In Class 2A, Menard’s Carly Menard was the girls discus winner with a 112-5 throw.

Grace Christian’s Ben Stokes was the Class B boys discus king, marking 119-1.

Audrey Tarver of Grace Christian took the Class B girls 100 meter hurdles in 16.83.

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LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Louisiana Christian weathered an eighth-inning go-ahead rally by Marian and got a walk-off, pitch-hit two-run home run by Gavin Vordick Monday to win 4-3 in the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Baseball Opening Round.

The Wildcats, ranked 24^th nationally and seeded second in the regional, advanced to a 2 p.m. (CT) winner’s bracket battle with host Georgia Gwinnett, ranked fourth nationally and seeded first in the regional.

Marian, No. 23 nationally and the third seed at the regional, will play today at 10 a.m. in an elimination game and if it survives, will face elimination again in the third and final game today.

LCU (36-13) got a solo homer in the second inning by Matthew Cody, but Marion tied the game in the fourth on an RBI double. The Wildcats quickly regained the lead on Harrison Waxley’s double scoring Drake Aldridge, who had singled to open the bottom of the fourth.

With the Wildcats three outs from advancing, the Knights found their offense. A lead-off walk was sacrificed over to second, and then a RBI single and a RBI double on back-to-back hits gave Marian its first lead of the game at 3-2 before reliever Owen Simoneaux came on to put out the fire, retiring the two batters he faced. 
Caleb Brown led off the bottom of the ninth by dropping a base hit into left-center. Waxley laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Brown into scoring position. Vordick was called on to pinch hit and took a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left, into the LCU bullpen for the walk-off home run.

Vordick’s blast was his fourth home run of the season.

TENNESSEE WESLEYAN 7, LSUA 0: In Kingsport, Tenn., the third-seeded Generals (33-17) managed just two hits and struck out 10 times against the second-seeded winners (41-14).

LSUA will meet fifth-seeded William Woods at 10 a.m. (CT) in an elimination game. The winner will play again tomorrow at 5 in an elimination contest against top-seeded Webber International, upset Monday by No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan 10-6.

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Second-seeded Glenmora is the last Rapides Parish team standing in the LHSAA baseball playoffs, after another parish team, Grace Christian, went down in a tough 5-4 loss Friday averting a possible all Rapides semifinal game in Class B.

Grace Christian was edged by visiting Family Community. On Thursday, Glenmora run-ruled Stanley10-0.

Glenmora and Family Community, the sixth seed, meet at 2 o’clock Tuesday in Sulphur at McMurry Park on Field 37.

Baseball playoff results, schedule

Class B (quarterfinals, single-elimination)

Glenmora 10, Stanley 0

Family Community 5, Grace Christian 4

(Tuesday’s semifinals at McMurry Park, Sulphur) 

Glenmora vs. Family Community, 2:00

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BOM Bank is proud to sponsor the Midstate Arts & Athletics Golf Tournament!

Midstate Homeschool Organization is a Christian nonprofit serving homeschool families in the greater Alexandria area, providing Christ-honoring opportunities for social, physical, and educational growth through sports, classes, and special events.

Pictured left to right: BOM’s Titan Marler and Dylan Stokes.

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The Rapides Parish Police Jury announced an emergency relocation Friday for two voting precincts ahead of the May 16 election.

Voters in Precincts C11 A and C11 B, who previously cast ballots at 1402 Reed Ave., will now VOTE in a  new location to vote. The change is effective immediately.

The new polling site for these precincts is located at:

Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Life Center
11 16th St. Alexandria, LA 71301

For additional information, voters may contact the Rapides Parish Police Jury office or the Registrar of Voters.

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Update:

Rapides Parish Schools announced Thursday that Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School and Alexandria Middle Magnet School will officially reopen Friday, May 8.

The campuses were previously forced to close on Thursday, May 7, due to significant flash flooding and heavy rainfall that caused drainage issues across the district. District officials confirmed that maintenance teams and contractors worked throughout the day to resolve the issues and ensure the facilities were safe for occupancy.

“Thanks to the hard work of our school and district maintenance teams and contractors, both campuses are ready to safely welcome students and staff back,” the district stated in a release.

Parents or guardians with further questions may contact the district at 318-487-0888 or via email at contactus@rpsb.us. Additional updates can be found on the official district website at http://www.rpsb.us.

ORIGINAL

Following significant flash flooding across the district today, Rapides Parish Schools has announced the closure of two campuses for tomorrow, Thursday, May 7, 2026. Heavy rainfall caused drainage issues at both locations, preventing the schools from opening safely.

Maintenance teams and contractors are currently on-site working to resolve the issues. District officials will provide updates as more information becomes available.

WHAT: School Closures due to flash flooding and drainage issues WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2026 WHERE:

• Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School

• Alexandria Middle Magnet School

CONTACT:

For questions or further information, the district can be reached at:

• Phone: 318-487-0888

• Email: contactus@rpsb.us

• Website: http://www.rpsb.us
  

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Second-seeded Glenmora rolled into the Class B state tournament semifinals Thursday with a run-rule win, and might face another parish team, Grace Christian, next Tuesday in Sulphur.

Grace Christian is home today in another Class B quarterfinal.

The Plainview Hornets ran into a powerful Family Christian team and was ousted from the Class C quarterfinals Thursday.

Glenmora and Grace Christian are the only parish baseball teams still standing.

Baseball playoff results, schedule

Class B (regional round, single-elimination)

Glenmora 10, Stanley 0

Family Community (6) at Grace Christian (3), today, 6:30

Class C (regional round, single-elimination)

Family Christian 12, Plainview 2

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BOM Bank is proud to support the Bolton Academy PTO with a recent donation! The PTO’s mission to strengthen and enhance the achievement of every child—by supporting students, teachers, and staff—makes a lasting impact on the entire school community. We also love their plans for a totally 90’s themed Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate their amazing faculty! Pictured left to right: Tori Lynn and BOM’s Emily Gintz.

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Phonetic: /DUJ-un/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

• Dudgeon is typically used in the phrase “in high dudgeon” to describe someone who is angry and offended by something they perceive to be unfair or wrong.
  
  The customer stormed out of the store in high dudgeon after the manager refused to give them a refund for their purchase.

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Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

The Louisiana Christian Wildcats, with a No. 24 national ranking, were a pretty fair bet to receive an at-large invitation Wednesday when the field was revealed for the NAIA Baseball Opening Round regionals.

LCU is in. And for the first time since 2022, so is LSU Alexandria.

The Wildcats are bound for Lawrenceville, Ga., after playing in Kingsport, Tenn., last May in the NAIA postseason.

The Generals are going to Athens, Tenn., for their action.

Both double-elimination regionals begin Monday.

It’s LCU’s third straight appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Coach Mike Byrnes’ club is the second seed in the Lawrenceville Bracket.

Louisiana Christian (35-13) will open Monday against the bracket’s three-seed, nationally-ranked (No. 23) Marian. The Knights (35-16) also earned an at-large spot out of the Crossroads League. Game times have not been set.

The five-team Lawrenceville Bracket is being hosted by national No. 3 ranked Georgia Gwinnett (43-6), who is the regional No. 1 seed and receives a bye into the winner’s bracket. The Grizzlies will take on the winner of the fourth-seeded  Racers of Northwestern Ohio (36-16) and the No. 5 seeded Talladega Tornadoes (31-17).

LSUA earned an at-large bid after posting a 33-15 overall record and 20-7 mark in conference play. Coach Kody Gautreaux’s Generals took two games, in three-game series, from both nationally-ranked conference foes Texas A&M-Victoria and LCU before closing the regular season with a series win over Our Lady of the Lake.

Three-seeded LSUA joins regional host No. 2 seed Tennessee Wesleyan, top-seeded Webber (Fla.), fourth-seeded Indiana Wesleyan, and fifth-seeded William Woods (Mo.). Webber is ranked eighth nationally with a 35-15 record.

The Generals take on Tennessee Wesleyan (37-14), ranked 16^th nationally, in their opening game Monday.

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Proposal sparks discussion on experience, longevity, and the future of Louisiana’s courts

By Journal Staff

Voters across Louisiana will consider Amendment 5 on the May 16, 2026 ballot, a proposal that would increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75.

If approved, the change would allow judges to complete full terms—some as long as 10 years depending on the court—provided they have not reached their 75th birthday at the time of service.

A Shift Reflecting Longer Lifespans

Supporters of the amendment point to a broader societal trend: Americans are living longer and remaining professionally active later in life than when the current retirement limit was established decades ago.

Under the existing system, judges who reach age 70 are required to step down, regardless of their health, performance, or desire to continue serving. Proponents argue that this can lead to the loss of experienced jurists at a time when institutional knowledge and continuity are valuable to the court system.

Continued Service Beyond the Bench

Even under current law, many retired judges remain involved in the legal system, often serving in temporary or ad hoc capacities to assist with caseloads. Backers of Amendment 5 say the proposal would formalize and extend that opportunity, allowing qualified judges to remain in full-time roles longer rather than transitioning to limited assignments.

Broad Support Across Legal Circles

The amendment has drawn backing from various members of Louisiana’s legal community, including attorneys, judicial organizations, and others who cite the benefits of experience and stability on the bench.

Advocates emphasize that the proposal does not eliminate voter oversight. Judges would still be required to stand for election, meaning the public retains the ability to decide whether a candidate—regardless of age—should continue serving.

Considerations for Voters

As with any constitutional amendment, the decision ultimately rests with voters. Amendment 5 raises broader questions about balancing experience with generational turnover, as well as how best to structure long-term service in the judiciary.

Voters will have the opportunity to weigh those factors when they head to the polls on May 16.

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The First United Methodist Church of Alexandria (FUMCA) Art Ministry, led by Artist-in-Residence Rev. Jean Sanders, continues to offer free art experiences and education in the Alexandria–Pineville area.

Next up is the Pop-Up Art Party, a hands-on art session designed to make creative expression accessible, communal, and un-intimidating. “Paper Mâché with Rev. Jean,” will be held Monday, May 11 at 5:30 PM on the FUMCA campus (2727 Jackson Street). Using newspaper, paste, and basic supplies, participants will build sculptural forms from ordinary materials. No prior art experience is required, and all supplies are provided.

These parties are intentionally simple in structure and generous in spirit. Participants work with everyday materials, often recycled or easily found, and are invited to explore without pressure to produce finished or “polished” work. The focus is on making, sharing space, and discovering creativity in real time. Registration information at fumca.org/art. 

Alongside these campus-based events, the Urban Sketching group continues to grow as it brings creative practice into public life. Rather than focusing on studio work, participants draw directly from experience—streets, markets, events, and community spaces—capturing what is unfolding in real time. The public is always invited to participate in free creative sketch gatherings throughout the Alexandria–Pineville area. Through partnerships with local community spaces and events, the group creates welcoming opportunities for people of all experience levels to draw, observe, and connect. 

The next meet-up will take place Saturday, May 16, at 10 AM, as Urban Sketchers meet at The Original Holi Fest Cenla in downtown Alexandria. Participants will gather at the intersection of 2nd Street and DeSoto Street, with free parking available by the levee across 2nd Street from the Hotel Bentley. From there, sketchers will take to the streets to capture one of downtown’s most vibrant and unique cultural celebrations. Urban Sketchers will be capturing The Original Holi Fest Cenla, a community-wide celebration centered on unity, diversity, and cultural awareness. The event benefits the Children’s Advocacy Network, supporting its mission to help heal and champion abused and neglected children throughout Central Louisiana. Hosted in partnership with local organizations, the festival features a 4K color walk/run, live music and dance, family-friendly activities, and Indian cuisine, culminating in a public “play colors” experience. The event offers a dynamic setting filled with color, movement, and community; an ideal environment for urban sketching. Participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them, though materials and guidance will be available for those who are new. As always, the event is free and open to all.  No registration required to sketch.

At its core, urban sketching is the practice of drawing on location—indoors or outdoors—capturing what the artist sees through direct observation. It is about recording time and place: something happening, somewhere, at a specific moment. Urban sketchers may use any medium, and the goal is not a polished, expertly executed finished piece. Instead, the focus is on capturing the essence of the moment. A drawing might be quick and loose with a short caption, or it may be developed more fully while remaining on site. As long as the drawing is created from firsthand observation and reflects lived experience, it qualifies as urban sketching. 

While including the date or location is not required, written notes often help strengthen the storytelling aspect of the work. Unlike plein-air painting, which typically emphasizes aesthetic outcome, urban sketching prioritizes witnessing, documentation, and narrative. Urban sketching does not have to take place in a city. It can occur in urban, rural, or natural environments. The defining element is simply drawing on location to tell the story of a place in real time. In its narrative form, sometimes called reportage, urban sketching combines drawing with short written commentary to provide a visual account of events, culture, and everyday life. 

FUMCA’s Urban Sketching Art Ministry continues to build momentum through these kinds of community collaborations. Recent meet-ups included a pop-up session at the Alexandria Farmers Market on the FUMCA campus, coffee and sketching at Tamp & Grind Coffee, and a gathering at the Alexandria Museum of Art. Since launching in October 2025, the group has emphasized accessibility, welcoming participants of all skill levels to engage in drawing as a practice of observation, presence, and community connection. All events remain free, with community partnerships helping remove barriers to participation. 

Through showing up to support the Original Holi Fest Cenla and other community events throughout the year, the FUMCA Urban Sketching Art Ministry continues to foster accessible spaces for creative expression while making connections between art, spirituality, and community life.

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She’s not just a nervous flyer anymore—she’s dreading every trip. With family and work pulling her cross-country, is it time to face her fears or stay grounded for good?

 See what Ida says 

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