Blanchard Mayor Race Down to Two After Court Rules Against Nowatzke

A Caddo District Court judge ruled last week that Donald Nowatzke was ineligible to run for Blanchard mayor due to residency requirements and ordered him to pay incumbent Mayor Jim Galambos approximately $4,500 in legal costs. Nowatzke subsequently withdrew from the race. The Blanchard mayor’s race is now a two-candidate contest between incumbent Mayor Jim Galambos and Steve Umling ahead of the November 3 general election.

Caddo Commissioner to Introduce Data Center Tax Moratorium Today

Caddo Parish Commissioner John-Paul Young is scheduled to introduce a resolution today at the Caddo Parish Commission work session calling for a two-year moratorium on new tax incentive agreements for data center projects in unincorporated areas of the parish. The measure would not affect the Amazon Web Services campus already under construction near Blanchard. A study committee would be established to assess environmental, water, utility, and community impacts over 18 months before a final commission vote. The full commission regular meeting follows Thursday, Aug. 20.

Shreveport Water Takes Second in Regional Taste Test

Shreveport’s municipal water supply took second place in a surprise regional taste test held Thursday, Aug. 14, topping several competing water systems in the area. City officials said the result reflects ongoing improvements to the Shreveport water treatment system. The test was conducted blind, with no participants knowing the source of each sample in advance.