May 29, 2026
Month: May 2026
Louisiana Legislature passes new Congressional map
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.
Parish Journals of Louisiana
Louisiana Congressional Districts
As established under SB 121 — HFA SB121-5695 (Beaullieu)
May 28, 2026
| District | Parishes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, Terrebonne |
| 2 | Orleans, St. Bernard |
| 3 | Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jeff Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion, Vernon |
| 4 | Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster |
| 5 | Avoyelles, Caldwell, Carroll (East), Carroll (West), Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Rapides, Richland, Tensas, Union, Winn |
| 6 | Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana |
Source: HFA SB121-5695 Congressional Map — Louisiana Legislature, May 28, 2026
Man arrested after disturbance at Shreveport Walmart
Officers with the Shreveport Police Department working security at a Walmart on Shreveport-Barksdale Highway arrested a man after he allegedly returned to the store just days after being banned and caused a disturbance.
According to store management, the suspect became disorderly after being told to leave. He allegedly ran through the store throwing merchandise from shelves and knocking over clothing racks before officers intervened.
Police said the suspect refused lawful commands, physically resisted officers and repeatedly attempted to flee when they tried to detain him. Officers ultimately used multiple taser deployments before taking him into custody.
No officers were seriously injured during the incident.
The suspect faces charges including:
- Resisting an Officer by Force or Violence
- Criminal Damage to Property
- Remaining After Being Forbidden
Congressional map passes Louisiana House, advances to Senate for concurrence
A new Louisiana congressional map passed the state House overwhelmingly Wednesday and now moves to the Senate for concurrence ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
The map was drawn in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the state’s previous congressional districts were unconstitutionally drawn. State Representative Mike Johnson noted the revised plan complies with legal requirements following that ruling and keeps Rapides Parish whole within the Fifth Congressional District alongside much of Central Louisiana.
Supporters say the map keeps communities of interest together, pointing to shared economic, educational, transportation, agricultural and cultural ties across the region. The proposal now heads to the state Senate for final consideration before moving to the Governor for signature.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal will continue to monitor the map’s progress and its implications for Caddo and Bossier Parish voters.
Myra Myrtis Road at Big Branch to close beginning June 1 for tree removal
Beginning Monday, June 1, Myra Myrtis Road at Big Branch in northern Caddo Parish will close to allow the Caddo Parish Department of Public Works to conduct tree removal in the area.
Motorists are asked to use Wynn School Road and Hosston Rodessa Road as detour routes.
The closure is expected to remain in place for approximately three weeks.
Officials said the tree removal work is part of preparations for a larger project planned later this year.
Nighttime ramp closures planned at I-220 and I-20 interchange in Bossier City
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is advising motorists of overnight ramp closures at the I-220 and I-20 interchange in Bossier City beginning Monday, June 1.
The following ramps will be closed nightly on Monday, June 1, Tuesday, June 2, and Wednesday, June 3:
- I-20 westbound to I-220 westbound (Exit 26)
- I-20 eastbound to I-220 westbound (Exit 26)
Closures are scheduled from approximately 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night to allow crews to complete permanent roadway striping operations as part of the $128 million I-20 major rehabilitation project.
Westbound motorists will continue on I-20 westbound. Drivers needing access to I-220 are advised to use the LA 782-2 (Industrial Drive) exit to U.S. 80 (East Texas Street) to I-220.
Officials said the overall I-20 rehabilitation project, which rebuilt a 3.5-mile section of interstate through Bossier City, is nearing completion. Permanent roadway striping remains one of the primary ongoing activities and will require intermittent lane and ramp closures for safety and efficiency.
DOTD also noted that the commercial motor vehicle ban through the work zone has been lifted.
Motorists are encouraged to drive cautiously through the construction area and remain alert for workers and equipment.
There’s something special about summer
In terms of being a great time of year for sports, maybe it doesn’t hit the tape at the same time as other seasons. It’s not the weekly grind of football season or the Masters/Final Four/Opening Day troika.
But there’s just something about summer.
Every season has its own charm but give me summer every single time. Life is so much better/easier/relaxing/ when the days get longer and collective blood pressure goes down.
There may not be that must-see sports event that other times of the year have, but there is plenty to keep us occupied.
From the College World Series to the U.S. Open.
From Wimbledon to World Cup (this year).
From the NBA Finals to the MLB All-Star game.
You may not love all of them, but there is a little something for everyone.
(It should be noted that any discussion of the NFL is deliberately being ignored. The relentless coverage of OTAs, Hall of Fame Game and the charade of pre-season games do nothing to move the needle, but that doesn’t stop ESPN from daily “breaking news.”)
But summer’s real joy isn’t about big events to watch on TV. It’s more about what to do when you are not watching TV.
Think about all the things you can do in the summer that you typically can’t do during other times of the year. And by the way, major shout out to Daylight Saving Time, which substantially adds to the vibe. Though I wouldn’t be opposed to the year-round DST, in some ways that might take away the specialness of it. Not sure if we really need much daylight at 6:30 on a January night. Seems like a waste.
Sure, the temperature might feel like it’s 147 degrees in July, but is that any worse than -5 and not being able to get out of your driveway?
Nobody is busting out the Slip-N-Slide in February.
But it’s the other three seasons that make summer great. No way I’d sign up for Arizona or Florida and endless days that all seems the same. I need those little indicators that summer is upon us. Sporting events like the Indianapolis 500 and the Kentucky Derby, but also things such as golf course fairways turning from brown to green or the morning dew.
There’s no doubt that having a seasonal job adds to the love of summer. Teachers, for example, who get a chance to get away from the grind and reset. You can give me all the reasons in the world why year-round school is a good idea, but there’s a whole lot of education (re: life experiences) that go on during the summer than far exceed LEAP scores.
Algebra and July simply don’t mix. Little League baseball and June do.
We are in the early days of Summer ’26. The weather is still tolerable, the cicadas are chirping, and almost every MLB team still has a shot.
Take it one day at a time, but more importantly, appreciate it one day at a time. It’s 90 to 100 days (depending on how you measure it) where there’s always another adventure awaiting, whether it’s a golf course you’ve never played before, a trip to see your favorite baseball team or deciding to get involved with an activity you’ve never done before.
Summer was made to be enjoyed.
So go enjoy it.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Cannon exhibit at LSHOF enthralls guests at opening reception
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 remarkable career 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
LSUS baseball documentary to be released Saturday via social media
By MATT VINES, LSUS Communications Specialist
One year to the day of a national championship dogpile, LSU Shreveport baseball fans can relive the Pilots’ historic 2025 perfect season with a social media rollout of a mini-documentary.
On Saturday at 5 p.m., fans can tune into the LSUS and LSUS Athletics social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to watch the 15-minute documentary titled “Impossible Season.”
A watch party with LSUS baseball program personnel will be at Marilynn’s Place, which will splash the documentary on their big-screen televisions.
The Pilots put the exclamation mark on the first-ever perfect season in college baseball history with its 13-7 comeback win against Southeastern (Fla.) to claim the NAIA World Series. The comeback happened on May 30, 2025, securing LSUS’s 59-0 record and the university’s first ever national championship in a sanctioned NAIA sport.
Melissa Goslin, LSUS alumna and one of the top directors at the 2025 Louisiana Film Prize, spearheaded the documentary in conjunction with PrizeFest founder Gregory Kallenberg.
The documentary features insight from LSUS baseball players and coaches as well as local figures like former MLB infielder Todd Walker and sportswriter Roy Lang III.
The project dives into how the team was formed, when they first thought a “zero” in the loss column was actually possible, and how they both embraced and distanced themselves from the possibility of perfect.
The season rewarded the team with trips to the White House, where they joined with NCAA College World Series champion LSU Tigers to be saluted by President Trump, and the Louisiana state capitol, along with a downtown celebration and an exhibit at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.
Get a sneak peek at the documentary trailer on the LSUS Athletics Facebook page.
The project came together with support and collaboration between LSUS Athletics, the LSUS Foundation and Louisiana Film Prize.
Contact Matt at matt.vines@lsus.edu
Remembering Julianne “Julie” Kyle
Julianne “Julie” Kyle, 67, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Julie was a proud graduate of Southwood High School, Class of 1976, and spent many years as the office manager of the family business, Water Moccasin Outdoors.
She had a deep love for animals, enjoyed listening to Def Leppard, and was a devoted NASCAR fan. Julie enjoyed spending time with family and friends and touched the lives of many people throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Elvin Fogleman.
Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Mary Fogleman; her brothers, Lynn Fogleman and wife Vanessa, Brian Fogleman and wife Rhonda; her niece, Jennifer; her nephews, Derek and wife Payton, Dalton, and Dakota; and her great-nephew, Liam, along with many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Reily Harris, who helped care for Julie throughout her illness, as well as Dr. Anil Veluvolu, the staff at Willis-Knighton Medical Center and Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, and the compassionate caregivers at The Carpenter House.
A memorial service will be set at a later date.
Julie’s memory will continue to live on through the people who loved her.
Remembering William Dale Gore (Billy)
William Dale Gore (Billy), age 73, of Stonewall, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 6:53 PM, after a long battle with heart disease.
Billy was born on Saturday, November 21, 1953, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to William H. and Dorothy (Dunn) Gore. He graduated from Fair Park High School in 1972. After high school, Billy became a talented carpenter, mainly building homes throughout the area.
He was known for his sense of humor, his deep love of family, and his unwavering loyalty to his friends. To everyone in the neighborhood, Billy was affectionately known as the community watch. He patrolled the street daily, kept up with everyone around him, and somehow always knew what was going on with his people. Each morning, neighbors could find him in his motorized wheelchair, coffee in hand, surveying his domain.
Throughout Billy’s life, he had a love of sports, especially LSU and Saints football, making Lesa a “football widow”. As a child, he was the athletic one in the family. He was constantly running, turning flips, and doing cartwheels. As a result, there is not a part of his body that was not sewn up in the emergency room. He played football in junior and senior high school and baseball each spring. He took boxing lessons at the boys’ club when he was about 10 years old.
Billy especially loved being on the lake with family, fishing, swimming, and cooking over an open fire. That was his happy place.
Billy is survived by his mother, Dorothy Jean Gore; Lesa Trichel Gore, who for 38 years, shared a bond marked by love, laughter, and unwavering devotion with Billy; his son, William Henry Gore; his daughter, Kasey Gore; his daughter, Krystal Gore; his son, William Dale Gore (Jerica); sisters, Dr. Helen M. Gore-Laird (Glenn), Doris Gore Johnson (Gary), Susan Rebecca Johnson (Kenneth), brother, Robert Evans Gore, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Henry Gore; paternal grandparents, Edgar Emmett and Maybelle Gore; maternal grandparents, Allen and Anna Dunn.
Billy never met a stranger and leaves behind countless memories of laughter, love, and shenanigans. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Full Gospel Temple at 5606 Bumcombe Rd. Shreveport, LA, Gerry Woolman, officiating
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors and staff at Willis-Knighton Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, for their expertise and compassionate care during Billy’s numerous stays and procedures. Special thanks are also extended to the nurses, therapists, and staff at Shreveport Rehabilitation for their dedicated service and care of Billy during his stays there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org) or a charity of your choice.
Word of the Day: Catercorner
Phonetic: /KAT-ee-kor-ner/
Part of Speech: Adverb
Definition
- Catercorner is used to describe two things that are located across from each other on opposite corners. It is a less common variant of kitty-corner.
The store is catercorner from the park, making it the perfect location to grab snacks for our picnic.
Your Daily Crossword/Sudoku
Notice of Death – May 28, 2026
Patricia Dianne Howard
October 22, 1948 – May 26, 2026
Service: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 10am at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
William “Billy” Dale Gore
November 21, 1953 – May 23, 2026
Service: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 2pm at Full Gospel Temple, Shreveport.
Druecilla Ivy
June 27, 1930 – May 21, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1pm at New Zion Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Brian Daniel Watson
September 16, 1977 – May 21, 2026
Service: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 2:30pm at First Baptist Church, Keithville.
Joyce Marie Anderson
February 14, 1956 — May 20, 2026
Service: Friday, June 5, 2026, 11:30am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport.
David “Doe” Loy Hale
May 16, 1941 — May 20, 2026
Service: Friday, June 12, 2026, 11am at Woodridge Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Charles “Chuck” Wesley Hardwick
April 10, 1957 — May 20, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:30am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
Bobby Lee Tiller CMSGT
September 20, 1935 – May 20, 2026
Service: Monday, June 1, 2026, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Aaron George Kirkendoll Sr.
March 21, 1974 – May 19, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1pm at the St. Luke CME Church, Shreveport.
Michael “Mike” Augustus Davis
June 24, 1951 — May 18, 2026
Service: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11am at Couch Chapel at First Methodist Church, Shreveport.
Robert Jacobs
September 17, 1954 – May 18, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Arthur Lee Jones
August 5, 1962 – May 18, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at Carver Cemetery, Shreveport.
Treamell Gibson
February 13, 1956 – May 17, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at Paradise Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Julie Boston Lester
May 11, 1941 – May 17, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at St. Paul AME, Shreveport.
Pearlie Caldwell Burns
July 10, 1937 – May 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at the Kingdom Hall, Shreveport.
John Kenneth Miller
March 9, 1962 – May 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2pm at Barron Road Baptist Church, Keithville.
Beverly Sade’ Strawther-Alford
July 12, 1986 – May 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Raymond Cotton Jr.
September 25, 1966 – May 14, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 12pm at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Shreveport.
Carole Denise Casares
February 15, 1960 – May 12, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 3pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Stephen Earle McGrath
July 4, 1964 — May 12, 2026
Service: Friday, May 29, 2026, 11am at Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport.
Deane “Buddy” Flett
June 26, 1953 — May 10, 2026
Service: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 1pm at Elks Lodge 122, Shreveport.
Lois Karline Ford
December 13, 1951 – May 9, 2026
Service: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 2pm at First Methodist Church, Plain Dealing.
Bobby Johnson, II
March 19, 1975 – May 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11am at Carver Memorial Cemetery, Shreveport.
Roger Ray Logan
July 4, 1964 — May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
Rita Roberta Poling
? – May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bossier City.
Mary Nell Fratello Miller
January 9, 1942 – April 16, 2026
Service: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 3pm at Ellerbe Rd Methodist Church, Shreveport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com.)
May 28, 2026
Bossier City Council approves final payment in long-running federal consent decree
The Bossier City Council this week approved $1.2 million in spending expected to represent the final financial obligation required under a federal consent decree that has shaped development in South Bossier for more than 15 years.
The funds cover long-term redevelopment work in South Bossier projected to begin in March 2027 and run through 2032. The consent decree has been under the oversight of U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. City Attorney Charles Jacobs described the appropriation as the last phase of an obligation that predates the current council.
The original lawsuit, filed in 2008 by U.L. Coleman Companies, a Shreveport-based commercial real estate firm, centered on a dispute over development access to Arthur Ray Teague Parkway near what is now Brookshire Grocery Arena.
Sources: Bossier City Council, U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana
Shreveport Police clarify details surrounding underage incident at Marshall Street bar
The Shreveport Police Department is issuing the following statement to clear up misinformation circulating regarding an incident at a bar located in the 1600 block of Marshall Street.
Just before 1:00 a.m. on May 24, 2026, Shreveport Police officers responded to 1605 Marshall Street in reference to reports of underage individuals inside a bar at that location. Upon arrival, officers observed several underage individuals inside the business.
Contrary to information being circulated by multiple media outlets and on social media, this incident was not as clear-cut as initially portrayed. Investigators determined the location had hosted a permitted event, which had reportedly concluded prior to officers arriving. However, several individuals under the age of 21 still remained inside the establishment afterward.
Due to the fact the location was operating under two separate business licenses and because the event involved permitted activity, the case was forwarded to the Shreveport Police Department’s Alcohol Beverage Ordinance Office for further review and investigation.
Following that investigation, on May 26, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the owner of the establishment was issued a citation for violation of City Ordinance 10-102(a)(3), which prohibits any retail alcohol permit holder, employee, or representative from intentionally enticing, aiding, or permitting persons under the age of 21 to visit or loiter in a place where alcoholic beverages are the principal commodity sold, handled, or given away.
This is not typically the type of incident the department would issue a press release about. However, due to the overwhelming amount of misinformation surrounding this matter, it is important that accurate information be provided to the public.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional action may be taken if warranted.
NSU Rodeo Team is back and signing competitors
Northwestern State University’s Rodeo Team signed its first two members for the coming academic year.
Sydnie Romero of Welsh, a graduate of Jeff Davis Homeschool, is transferring to NSU from Texas A&M Commerce as a psychology major. Romero is a specialist in the breakaway roping event and represent NSU in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association – Southern Region.
Alyssa Culpepper, a graduate of Lakeside High School, is also signed. She competes in barrel racing, goat tying and breakaway roping events. She will major in veterinary technology.
Cody DeMoss, a 14-time NFR bronc rider, will be coaching the Rodeo Team, which is open to all full-time NSU students with a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Male competition events will include saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling and team roping. Female competitions will include barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying and team roping.
The team will compete through the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), representing NSU against top programs across the Southern Region and the United States. The Rodeo Team will provide an opportunity for students to continue their rodeo careers while earning a degree, gaining experience and representing NSU at a competitive level.
Evangel product Morris earns return to nationals for NSU after PR in long jump
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Some said Roy Morris was rather lucky last year to make the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as a freshman.
A year later, there was no denying the Northwestern State sophomore from Evangel Christian was just simply good.
As a result, Morris can become an All-American for the second straight season with a top 16 performance in a 24-man field at the NCAA Outdoors in two weeks.
Morris earned the opportunity Wednesday night at the NCAA East Regional Championships on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
He posted a personal record of 25-7 1/4 in the long jump to make his second appearance in nationals in as many seasons on the strength of a sixth-place finish in a 48-man field of regional qualifiers. Florida’s Temoso Maskiane won with a 26-5 mark; LSU’s Jordan Turner was third at 25-11 ½.
Also Wednesday, Louisiana Tech’s Oscar Smith moved closer to a spot at the national meet, when he was the ninth-fastest runner in the first round of the 110 meter hurdles. His 13.45 time advanced him among a field of 24 to the regional final/national quarterfinal Friday night in Lexington, while 24 other regional qualifiers didn’t make the cut.
The Bulldogs had another runner move forward, and narrowly missed a third advancing. In the 100, Tech’s Lukundo Kapambalala’s 10.28 time was 23rd and good enough to run again Friday. Just behind was teammate Carl Murray IV, but his 10.29 was shared by two others, and with the times extended, he was 25th at 10.288 behind Laken Beckwith of Charleston Southern and Jordan Urritia from Ole Miss, both with 10.282 marks.
Running events Wednesday qualified sprinters for Friday’s action. Field events were regional finals.
Morris was ecstatic and thankful to qualify for the national meet.
“It feels great to make it back,” Morris said. “I am very excited to get this chance again. I came into this meet focused on doing my best and making it to nationals again. To PR again this meet just pushes me to keep working. I always pray and ask God and my Pop Pop to help me make it and finish strong. I focus only on myself and what I need to do.”
Despite his previous best leap of 25-4 being ranked No. 23 among 48 qualifiers in the NCAA East, and 47th nationally, he will be among 24 jumpers – 12 from the East, and 12 more from the West Region – at the NCAA Championships in Oregon.
Morris once again performed his best when it was needed, especially against a strong group of competitors.
Last season at the East regional, Morris posted a jump of 24-8 ¼ on a rainy day to finish ninth and earn his trip to nationals.
“We’ve heard comments about how we were lucky and the weather helped him get in last year,” NSU assistant coach Alex Wills said. “So, we definitely had some motivation going in this year.
“But really, Roy is just a gamer and knows how to keep a level head when it’s go time. For him to come out and jump over 25 feet on all three attempts was amazing to see. Now it’s time to get back to work and see what we can do in Eugene.”
It is his second personal best in as many meets, as he PR’d to take the gold at the Southland Championships.
He aims to become a two-time All-American as a freshman and sophomore in an outdoor open event for the first time by a Northwestern competitor since Cody Fillinich in the javelin back in 2005 and 2006.
On the track, NSU’s Will Achee narrowly missed advancing in the 400-meter dash with a 26th-place finish. The sophomore from Parkway crossed in 45.92. The top 24 in running events moved on to Friday night regional finals/national quarterfinals.
Women’s opening round competition is today, with their finals on Saturday.
Northwestern State’s Jonathan Zenk contributed to this story.
Heng, again: Airline alum wins second straight college softball Gold Glove
JOURNAL SPORTS
RUSTON — Airline product Elena Heng became just the fourth player to win multiple Rawlings Gold Glove awards, presented by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, after the Louisiana Tech sophomore was honored as the nation’s top collegiate softball centerfielder in 2026.
Heng won her first Gold Glove in 2025 as a freshman leftfielder.
Heng is the first player to win the award at multiple positions and the first mid-major player to earn two Gold Gloves. She joins Ciara Briggs (LSU, centerfield, 2022-23), Jocelyn Erickson (Florida, catcher, 2024-25) and Kendra Falby (Florida, centerfield, 2024-25) as repeat winners.
Named the 2026 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Heng is one of three mid-major players to earn a Gold Glove this season. Since the award’s inception, only 10 Gold Gloves have been awarded to mid-major players, with two going to Heng.
The Bossier City native started all 56 games in center for the Bulldogs this spring and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with seven outfield assists and 141 putouts. In two seasons at Tech, Heng has totaled 248 putouts, 14 outfield assists and no errors.
“Elena Heng didn’t just win back-to-back Gold Gloves, she has already built her legacy with grit, loyalty, and pride,” said Tech coach Josh Taylor. “She has stayed true to Louisiana Tech, proving that greatness shines brightest when it’s rooted in commitment. Two seasons. Two Gold Gloves. One Bulldog forever.”
At the plate, Heng batted .326 with 56 hits and 10 RBIs while leading the team with 35 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.
The top nine defensive players from all collegiate divisions (NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, NAIA, NJCAA DI, NJCAA DII, NJCAA DIII, Cal JC, NWAC) are recognized with the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA. In 2022, the inaugural recipients from NCAA Division I were announced at the NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. In 2023, the award expanded to include all the collegiate divisions.
Recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, presented by the NFCA, were selected by the NFCA’s NCAA Division I All-America Committee, following regional voting to identify the finalists at each position. The group utilized fielding statistics and school-submitted video (available at LaTechSports.com) to closely examine finalists and select the winners at every defensive position.
Local NFF chapter’s top scholar-athlete reaps national recognition
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
The north Louisiana chapter of the National Football Foundation makes difficult choices each winter to narrow a field of roughly two dozen high school senior scholar-athlete nominees to a select group of nine $1,000 scholarship winners.
Then it really gets tough. The Shreveport-based S.M. McNaughton Chapter’s board of directors reconsiders the nine chosen from schools covering the north half of the state, and splits hairs to pick just one as its Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Tuesday, this year’s winner, Hudson Smith of North Webster High School in Springhill, received national recognition.
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame included Smith as it unveiled 63 members of the 2026 NFF Team of Distinction, honoring the nation’s top high school scholar-athletes who have excelled at the very highest levels in the classroom, on the field and by making an impact in their communities. They represent 29 states.
“These remarkable young men have pushed themselves to succeed in every arena imaginable: in the classroom, on the field, and in service to their communities,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “Together, they have compiled an extraordinary record that includes valedictorians, all-state selections, Eagle Scouts, team captains and community leaders.”
Selected from a nationwide pool of 3,500 outstanding candidates identified through the NFF Chapter Network, the members of the team all played their final high school football season last fall. Each NFF chapter is permitted to nominate only one player annually, making inclusion on the Team of Distinction one of the highest honors awarded at the grassroots level of amateur football. Criteria to make the team include (but are not limited to) academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement.
Smith, a two-time all-district center for the Knights, was nominated by his coach, Christopher Wilson.
Nicknamed “the Governor,” Smith was in fact elected as governor of 2025 Louisiana Boys State. He was North Webster’s student council vice president, and earned salutatorian honors with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Smith was named Springhill’s Mr. Main Street for 2026. He was National Honor Society president and vice president of the student council at North Webster, and was a state tournament qualifier in tennis. Smith was in BETA and the Christian Youth Club.
He credited his teaches, coaches, and most of all, his parents for his success.
“They’ve been a huge motivation for me. I’ve wanted to strive to be like them, because they’ve pushed me forward so much,” Smith said in a KTBS TV interview last fall.
He was among 43 National Honor Society members recognized by the NFF, and 42 multi-sport athletes.
NFF officials said this year marks the ninth year of the NFF Team of Distinction, continuing a 73-year tradition of the NFF Chapter Network honoring the nation’s top scholar-athletes at the grassroots level. Since 1954, NFF chapters have served as the driving force behind the Foundation’s mission to build leaders through football, recognizing excellence while strengthening communities across the country.
The NFF Chapter Network includes more than 12,000 members and positively impacts more than 500,000 student-athletes at 5,000 high schools annually. At the center of that mission are the chapters’ annual scholar-athlete awards banquets, which collectively honor more than 3,500 outstanding high school football players each year while providing more than $1 million in scholarships to support their academic futures.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Cannon exhibit opens this evening at free reception in LSHOF museum
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Some of the best things are, indeed, free.
That’s certainly true for sports fans and especially LSU fans this evening in Natchitoches, at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.
An extraordinary exhibit showcasing an expansive array of material from the life of one of Louisiana’s best known and most accomplished sports figures has its opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. Attire is casual, with light finger food and refreshments available.
“Billy Cannon – They Called Him Legend” shares the life story of LSU’s first football superstar, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner.
The display debuted with a 14-month run at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. The Louisiana State Museum curatorial staff has brought nearly all of that expansive exhibit to Natchitoches. The Cannons – Billy’s parents, then his wife Dot – kept everything of any significance from his Istrouma High School days forward. Example: the telephone that fielded a phone call from coach Paul Dietzel offering young Billy a football scholarship at LSU.
There’s much more, from every stage of Cannon’s 80 years: the early days, his LSU career including his pivotal role in the Tigers’ 1958 national championship, his 11-year pro career, family life, and yes, his tumble from grace — and redemption in his later years.
Cannon is remembered for his fabled 1959 Halloween night punt return that beat No. 1-ranked Ole Miss, counterbalanced by a brief in federal prison in the early 1980s for his involvement in a counterfeiting scheme.
What is less known is how Cannon, a dentist who had a successful practice in Baton Rouge, shunned in his hometown upon his release. He eventually channeled that isolation into a deeply impactful role as a dentist and counselor for inmates at Angola State Prison.
Reluctant to accept acclaim for his football accomplishments lest it overshadow the team’s glory, Cannon shied away from the spotlight even before his arrest and guilty plea. But as he entered his later years, friends helped him ease into the role of an LSU football statesman who represented the most celebrated days of the program – just as Nick Saban arrived to fuel the rise of the Tigers into one of the nation’s premier teams.
Cannon engaged fans and reunited with LSU in this century, to mutual delight.
All of the ups and downs of his life are reflected in the exhibit in Natchitoches.
Following this evening’s free reception, the exhibit will be in Natchitoches until next April along with over 23,000 square feet of permanent exhibits in the world-renowned two-story structure.
The most expensive ticket to the museum at 800 Front Street (at the traffic circle) is just $6, with discounts for senior citizens, military and students. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday weekly from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Remembering Norma Dee Murphy Hickman
On December 18, 1943, the world welcomed a baby that would grow up to be one of the finest artists to ever hold a paint brush. Norma was the daughter of Lillie Mae Murphy. As a child Norma Dee loved to dance, sing and spend time making incredible art with her siblings.
After marrying at a young age to the man she loved with All her heart Perry Hickman Jr. she became a mother to the light of her life, Heath Hickman. Norma Dee held a special place in her heart for her lifelong best friend, Maude James of Minden, Louisiana. She loved to tell stories about her childhood memories and talk about how proud she was of Deb and her family.
In Normas’ early years she used her incredible talent in singing to entertain the crowd throughout the Shreveport and Bossier City area. This became a passion that she would never give up. She also taught art to her students and had a passion for singing while teaching. She is known for her wildlife paintings that are so realistic and that are spread throughout the United States. West Lake Baptist Church in Doyline, Louisiana proudly displays a 4′ x 8′ mural in their baptistry that she painted in the early 1990’s. It is often said no one paints a sky scene like Norma Dee. The baptistry mural is proof of that.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, at the age of 82 years old, God called Norma Dee Hickman home. She is survived by her close friend that was more like a daughter to her Ashley Knotts Wallace. She was proceeded in death by her parents, siblings and her beloved cat “Billy.”
Special thanks and love are extended to the staff at Willis Knighton Bossier and her special friends that were by her side.
“Norma said when you look up to the clouds think of me”. In Lieu of burial, Norma has requested to be cremated.
Remembering Charles Wesley “Chuck” Hardwick
Charles Wesley “Chuck” Hardwick, 69, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born on April 10, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Shirley and Carl Hardwick.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Chris Willcutt of Grawood Baptist Church will officiate, assisted by Pastor Kathy Sanders of Vineyard Church of Shreveport. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana.
Chuck grew up in Shreveport and graduated from Southwood High School in 1975. He lived in Dallas and Austin as a young adult, then returned to Shreveport. On May 26, 1995, he married the love of his life, Carol Sue (Zimmerman) Flynn. They lived in Okinawa, Japan for three years, then moved to San Angelo, TX for 14 years before returning to Shreveport again in 2013. While in San Angelo, Chuck attended Howard College, earning an associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems in 2008.
Chuck worked in the computer, electronics, and video arcade industries. He had a passion for photography and loved spending time with children, especially his grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as “Papa.”
Mr. Hardwick was preceded in death by his mother and his brother, John Hardwick.
Left to cherish his memory are his father, Carl Hardwick; his loving wife, Carol Hardwick; daughter, Stephanie Flynn; grandsons, Brian Flynn (Miriam) and Chris Shaffer (Emma); sister, Cindy Hardwick (Greg Reeves); brothers, Larry Hardwick (Sandi) and Randy Hardwick; bonus great-granddaughters, Lillian and Zharra, along with twin girls due this fall; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Stephen Boutin, Rebekah Boutin, Stephen Scott, Matt Parmalee, Aaron Smith, and Marc Kurup. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Hardwick, Randy Hardwick, Brian Flynn, Chris Shaffer, Marcel Boutin, and Warren Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Food Pantry, or to the charity of your choice.