On June 20, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m., detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations were requested by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO) to investigate a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on St. John Street in Winnfield.

The preliminary investigation revealed that WPSO deputies were investigating a domestic violence complaint involving an armed subject on St. John Street. Upon the deputies’ arrival at the residence, the male subject had barricaded himself inside a room. Deputies and Winnfield Police Department Officers attempted to negotiate with the subject. As negotiations continued, the subject exited the room armed with a handgun. 

As a result, a Deputy shot the subject. Immediately after the shooting, deputies rendered aid until EMS arrived on the scene. EMS then transported the subject to a local hospital for treatment. On July 2, 2025, detectives were notified that the subject had succumbed to his injuries.

Louisiana State Police is the lead investigating agency in this deputy-involved shooting incident. The investigation remains ongoing, with further information to be released in coordination with the Winn Parish District Attorney’s Office at the appropriate time.

Anyone with information and/or pictures and video is urged to share that information with LSP Detectives. You may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

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District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on May 29, 2025:

OSHAY YAMAR BOOKER: Defendant entered guilty plea amended charges manslaughter and home invasion. Sentence manslaughter – serve 15 years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, credit for time served. Home invasion – serve 10 years hard labor Louisiana Department of Safety and Corrections, sentence consecutive, sentence suspended, placed on 5 years supervised probation with special condition upon release. 

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on June 9, 2025:

DAJA. R. BONNER: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal trespass. Serve 30 days in the custody of Winn Parish Sheriff, credit for time served.

CHARLENE MICHELLE HARPER: Defendant entered guilty plea attempted possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies. Sentenced to serve seven and one half years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Sentence suspended, defendant placed on three years supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

EDGAR E. ROGERS: Defendant entered guilty plea simple battery. Sentenced to serve 3 months in the custody of Winn Parish Sheriff, credit for time served.

LATISHA SHAREE WAGES: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal trespass. Sentenced to serve 30 days in the custody of the Winn Parish Sheriff, credit for time served.

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on June 10, 2025:

ADRIAN LESHA CARTER: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal mischief. Serve 6 months in jail, concurrent.

HENRY O. PATRICK: Defendant entered alford plea theft between $1,000.00 and $5,000.00. Sentenced to serve 5 years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Sentence suspended defendant placed on 3 years supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. 

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on June 12, 2025:

ADRIAN THOMAS CORMIER: Defendant entered guilty plea simple battery. Imposition sentence suspended, 2 years supervised probation will not terminate, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and fee to Office of Public Defender.

BYRON O. LUC: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal mischief. Sentenced to serve 45 days in jail, credit for time served.

XAVIER DANDRE WYATT: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal trespass. Sentenced to serve 30 days in custody of Winnfield Police Department, credit for time served.

SHANE DAVID YOUNG: Defendant entered no contest plea simple battery. Sentenced to 30 days, credit for time served.

FRINKLE D. JACKSON: Defendant entered guilty plea careless operation of a motor vehicle. Imposition sentence suspended, 2 years probation, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and fee to Office of Public Defender.

LEAH CAROLINE LONG: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal mischief. Imposition sentence suspended, 2 years unsupervised probation with condition does not terminate, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and cost of prosecution fee.

JARED KYLE MARTIN: Defendant entered guilty plea violation of protective order first offense. Sentenced to serve 90 days in the custody of Winn Parish Sheriff, credit for time served.

HARRY J. McKINNEY: Defendant entered guilty plea operating a vehicle while license suspended/revoked/cancelled. Sentenced to pay fine and court cost.

CHRISTOPHER L. VINES: Defendant entered guilty plea battery of a dating partner. Sentenced to serve 6 months. Sentence suspended, 2 years probation with conditions does not terminate early. pay fine, court cost, probation fee and fee to Office of Public Defender. 

NICHOLAS TREYVEZ WILSON: Defendant entered guilty plea operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense. Imposition of sentence deferred. defendant placed on 24 months supervised probation, pay fine, court cost, probation fee and ordered to satisfactorily complete 16 hours community service, drug and substance and driver improvement programs. 

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on June 13, 2025:

JACORI AMIR BOOKER: Defendant entered guilty plea obstruction of justice. Defendant sentenced to serve 5 years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution 5 years suspended, defendant placed on 3 years supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. 

FRANKLIN DAVIS, JR.: Defendant entered alford plea illegal possession of stolen things between $1,000.00 and $5,000.00. Defendant sentenced to serve 5 years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution 5 years suspended, defendant placed on three years supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. 

EDWARD D. EVANS: Defendant entered guilty plea criminal mischief. Defendant sentenced to serve 6 months, suspended, placed on 2 years unsupervised probation, pay fine, court cost, probation fee, fee to Office of Public Defender and cost of prosecution.

KEVIN LEE HUMPHREY: Defendant entered guilty plea possession of SCH II controlled danger substance: Defendant sentenced to serve 1 year hard labor with custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, sentence consecutive.

MARTAVIOUS JOHNSON: Defendant entered guilty plea negligent injuring. Sentence deferred, defendant placed on 2 years probation, does not terminate early, pay fine, court cost, probation fee, fee to Office of Public Defender and cost of prosecution fee. 

BRANDIE NICHOLE MENDIETA: Defendant entered guilty plea illegal possession of stolen things $25,000.00 or more. Imposition sentence deferred, defendant placed on 3 years supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

DAMICHAEL LESEAN PERRY: Defendant entered guilty plea alteration or removal of motor vehicle identifying numbers. Defendant sentenced to serve 2 years hard labor with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Execution 2 years suspended, defendant placed on three years supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

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During a short meeting of the Winnfield City Council on July 8, Chief of Police Johnny Ray Carpenter reported that late-night noise and music which had brought complaints from residents near the fairgrounds did not result for functions on the site, as supposed, but rather from an individual who was camping out there.

The chief reported that the camper has moved on and that the department is working with the city and city marshal to prevent that problem in the future.

Mayor Gerald Hamms had opened the July session by offering condolences from the council on the recent losses by Asst. Chief Charles Curry for his son, to former Asst. Chief Russell Jones for his son and to City Attorney Clay Carroll for his mother-in-law.

The council also set the city’s 2025 millage rate at 7.28 mills, unchanged from the 2024 rate.

And the council approved the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to hire Darren Adams as a fulltime patrolman with the Winnfield City Police Department.

Council member Matt Miller asked the mayor on updates of several ongoing projects:  On the St. John Street overlay by the library, the mayor confirmed work is continuing but has no exact date.  On the Civic Center air conditioning, City Hall has contacted the vendor and work should be done soon.  On the Main Street stoplight by City Hall, the superintendent had reached out to find a motor but the mayor was uncertain of the timeframe (now repaired). 

Miller also requested some drainage projects in his district concerning several large canals that are overgrown.

Council member Teresa Phillips also asked for an update on various leaking fire hydrants.  Hamm’s replied that there are so many and they’re so old that parts are hard to find.

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Winnfield Rotarians heard from NSU Assistant Professor of Biology J. D. Cox at its meeting on July 9 about the Advanced Remote and Geospatial Operations [ARGO] Lab at Northwestern. Cox is the coordinator of the program, teaches some of the classes offered and participates in providing services offered to the public by the University.

The lab integrates remote unmanned and uncrewed systems, most commonly known as “drone,” technology into education and the work force. Not only does the lab teach hands-on systems operations to NSU students and the public, it provides aerial imagery, data processing and training services to the public. Other services available include drone photography, videography, mapping, remote sensing, geospatial analysis and geodata hosting. “We offer customizable training on drone operation, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and preparation for the FAA drone licensing exam,” says Cox.

NSU’s certificate in Remote Systems Science and Technology (RSST) program consists of 12 credit hours of core classes which cover the fundamentals of unmanned systems operation including hands-on training with remote systems, laws, policy and ethics related to UAS operation and applications best practices. The remaining six hours of the certificate consist of specific course work from each student’s area of study. This approach creates an integrated approach to remote systems integration across disciplines and better prepares students to enter the workforce in their area of interest.

Classes include Geographical Information Systems, which involves using computer systems to capture, store, analyze and display geographic data, and create visual representation of the information, math skills, drone operations, as well as the legal and ethical rules of the Federal Aviation Administration. Anyone can take the university’s program to prepare for the FAA licensing exam as a drone operator.

ARGO systems technology can enhance the services of law enforcement and fire prevention and repression, particularly in the area of search and rescue. A drone’s thermal camera can be used for detection over a surface of 2000 acres before having to retrieve and relaunch it. It increases efficiency of the search as well as improving decision-making in the course of a search and rescue operation.

NSU performs ARGO training both on and off-campus. The lab also trains agencies to self-certify operators of the technology.

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The Winn WMU/Women on Mission Quarterly Associational meeting will be held Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m. at Laurel Heights Baptist Church on San Pedro St. in Winnfield. The meeting will begin with a meal and a business session. 

“We will have backpacks available for the Christmas Backpack ministry and will discuss participation in the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women hygiene packs,” said Winn WMU co-director Margaret Coon. 

“Our guest speaker will be Laura Holeman Trahan, 1998 graduate of WSHS and daughter of Bob and Diane Holeman of Winnfield. She will be speaking about her family’s journey to become missionaries to Panama.”

All women’s mission groups are invited to attend. 

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On Thursday, July 10, beginning at 5 p.m., the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame opened its doors to the family, friends, colleagues, students, and loved ones of the late educator and community member Ellen Howe Russell.

Within the hour, the museum’s main room was filled wall to wall as arriving guests mingled, embraced, and reminisced. The service began with a short but heartfelt prayer delivered by Joel Carter, pastor of First United Methodist Church at the time of her recent passing. Following the invocation, Russell’s eldest child, Mary Scott Ranger, took the stage, welcoming the crowd and introducing the immediate family.

Ranger expressed the family’s deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support they’d received so far and offered a quick but touching tribute to the woman at the heart of so many lives and memories. “E nurtured so many,” Ranger remarked in closing. “And somehow, even though she’s gone, she continues to do so. That’s just who she was.”

Far from the quiet solemnity of a typical memorial, Russell’s service was marked by the echo of laughter and shared stories, a true “celebration of life.”  Although the event was scheduled to end by 7 p.m., guests lingered well into the night, reluctant to say goodbye to the warmth and remembrance that continued to fill the space that evening. 

Ellen lived a life rooted in care and connection inside and outside the classroom. Whether she was tending her garden, entertaining guests, serving at her church, or doting on her grandchildren, she found joy and purpose in nurturing others. That legacy lives on in every life she’s touched and will continue to bloom in the hearts of those she’s left behind.

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Toni McAllister, Executive Director of Louisiana Loggers Association was guest speaker at the July 15 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Winnfield where she spoke about McManus Timber Co., Inc. and her involvement with the logging industry on a statewide scope.

In 2018, McAllister began advocating for Louisiana loggers amid a commercial insurance crisis.  Over seven years, this work led to key industry wins such as weight limit increases and logger relief policies.  However, little progress has been made on insurance reform.  McAllister points to a cultural climate in the state that promotes “jackpot justice” and excessive big truck claims, harming the working class.  She now collaborates with an insurance workforce group pushing for legislative policies that would curb frivolous lawsuits and reduce abuse of the system.  

The 2025 auto insurance reforms passed were Housely Presumption (Rep. Melerine); which eliminates the judicially created rule that assumes a relationship between an accident and an injury without evidence of causation.  No pay no play $100K cap (Rep. Dewitt); which increases the recovery of uninsured motorist to $100K.  Unauthorized Alien recovery (Rep. Firment); which prohibits recovery of certain damages by unauthorized aliens.  Medical Transparency (Sen. Reese); Eliminates recovery of phantom damages and ensure plaintiffs are compensated based on the amount actually paid for reasonable and necessary medical care.  

The bill McAllister feels is the only one to affect commercial insurance is the Modified Comparative Fault (Rep. Chenevert); which limits damage recovery if the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault.  She gave an example of an accident that occurred at the intersection of 167/84E that at no fault to the driver, caused the shut down of an entire logging job.  

“Timber is the largest agricultural crop in the state and we are the boots on the ground that moves this product.  We have two of the largest mills in the world, right here in Louisiana.” 

McAllister also shared her recent trip to Washington D.C. to speak on behalf of Speaker Mike Johnson, sharing her support for the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”  McAllister shared about the call that came in inviting her and how she had little time to write her speech, and get the logistics worked out.  Thanking her husband, Sheriff Josh McAllister, for coming along on the trip even while going on little to no sleep the previous days.  

“It was an absolute honor to just be asked to speak on Speaker Johnson’s behalf.” She shared a story about Speaker Johnson recounting a time when he had a very important vote to make, and how his wife flew to meet him and they fervently prayed for hours for guidance and wisdom from the Lord.  “This is our congressman, the Speaker of the House, the third man in charge of the United States, and I can’t think of anyone better to have representing us in the Louisiana’s 4th District.”

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The 2025 Dugdemona Friends of NRA Event in Winnfield is just a week away, announced chairman Edward Harrell.  The popular gathering will be held on Thursday, July 24, in the Winnfield Civic Center, 2000 South Jones Street.

“Early Bird” tickets are available, but “just,” since that sale ends tomorrow, July 17.  Cost is $40 (single) and $60 (couples), with Table Sponsor starting at $400.  As extra incentive, there will be an Early Bird Drawing Prize.  Beginning Friday, tickets will be $50 (single) and $80 (couples), with Table Sponsor starting at $450.

Harrell also announced that the 2025 Gun of the Year (exclusive to Friends of NRA Events) is a Henry Lever-Action Supreme 5.56/.223 with “Friends of NRA” logo.

The chairman reports that all proceeds from the local event go into a state NRA Fund from which grants are written by organizations like 4-H and law enforcement groups doing shooting range improvements…all promoting shooting sports.  “It helps everybody out.”

Contact information for Edward Harrell is 318-413-1533.  Learn more about the organization at friendsofnra.org.

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The gym of Winnfield First Assembly of God was the scene of Winn’s Annual Back to School Bash on Friday, July 11, 2025, with school and hygiene supplies, information about local health and educational services, snacks and fun on water slides provided for all in attendance. Local musician and DJ Franklin Williams provided musical entertainment and background for the event.

This annual event is organized and sponsored by local charitable organization Caring & Sharing in Unity in collaboration with the Winn Parish Healthy Initiatives Coalition. 

154 persons in attendance received supplies and information from the following exhibitors and organizations: Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, Strengthening Families family training program, Winn Community Health Center, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance and Connie Health-Medicare, the Winn Parish Library, Winn Parish School Board, Louisiana Mental Health Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Lagniappe Law Lab and Justice Bus, Eckerd Connects, Louisiana Human Services District, the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Department of Health WIC program, Winn Parish Medical Center and its clinics, Winn Wellness Center and Winn Rural Health, the Pilot Club of Winnfield, the Lion’s Club of Winnfield, the Domestic Abuse Resistance Training program and Caring and Sharing in Unity for Our Community.

Two water slides proved a big hit with the children in attendance and everyone enjoyed nachos, hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones.

“Winnfield First Assembly of God has been a huge support for Caring & Sharing in Unity in every event we organize and sponsor. We are especially grateful for their allowing us the use of their multi-purpose gym free of charge for this event,” said organizer Mary Lou Blackley, a member of Caring & Sharing and the Winn Healthy Initiatives Coalition. “We could never thank them enough for all they do for us and this community!”

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East Winnfield Baptist Church will hold a “Lava Lava Luau” Vacation Bible School for area youngsters nightly from July 21 through 25.  The event is open to all children ages Pre-K through Grade 12.

Pastor Jeff Shows explains that this VBS could as well be named, “Keeping Cool when Things Get Hot!” Promotional materials say, “Emotions are like a force of nature, but with God’s help, we can learn to take control of our emotions before a storm hits! In Lava Lava Luau 5-day VBS curriculum, kids will learn Biblical ways to express and deal with their emotions.”

This 5-day program puts a unique spin on the Hawaiian Vacation Bible School theme. During a fun week at the Lava Lava Luau, children participating in this EWBC Vacation Bible School will see what God’s Word says about anger, sadness, jealousy, developing a kind attitude, and frustration. They’ll also learn how to respond to others who may be feeling these emotions as well.

This exciting VBS is open to the community with nightly sessions from 6 until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 21-25.  To allow family members and friends to see what the children have learned, a Commencement Night will be held Sunday, July 27 at 5 p.m.

A pre-registration will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, July 19.  For a little fun at that time, organizers announced that there will be a fire truck onsite and Shannan Chevallier from LSU AgCenter will be there with games.  

East Winnfield Baptist Church is located at 6584 Hwy 34 North, just past the flashing light on Hwy 84 East in Joyce.  For inquiries, call 628-5998.

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Natchitoches, LA — There’s never been a better time to support mothers and babies in our community. The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is now officially eligible for Louisiana’s Maternal Wellness Center Tax Credit, a new initiative offering generous financial benefits to individuals and businesses who invest in maternal health services.

This state income tax credit of 50% applies to any donation made to an approved center like WRC. That means when you give, half your donation comes back to you at tax time—while the full amount goes to support life-changing services for women and families in need.

“This program is a blessing,” says Nicole Woods, Director of WRC. “It allows community members to make a powerful impact on local families while receiving meaningful tax relief. Everyone wins—especially the moms and babies we serve.”

To help explore the financial and community benefits of this new tax credit, WRC Director Nicole Woods recently met with Rodney Boswell of The IHS Group in Natchitoches, a firm that provides insurance and financial services to individuals and small businesses. “Rodney’s insights on how local donors—both individuals and companies—can strategically take advantage of this credit were incredibly helpful,” Woods shared. “We’re excited to work with local professionals to ensure that this opportunity is well understood and widely utilized.”

The Women’s Resource Center has been a trusted nonprofit in Natchitoches for over 30 years. As a Christ-centered ministry, WRC provides free pregnancy testing, counseling, parenting classes, material support, and referrals. In 2024 alone, the Center served women from 10 different parishes, walking with each client in compassion, truth, and grace.

Key Highlights of the New Tax Credit:

• 50% Louisiana state income tax credit for donations to WRC

• Available to both individuals and businesses

• No cap on donation size (statewide credit pool applies—act early)

• Easy and secure ways to give via www.wrcnatchitoches.org

The funds raised will help expand parenting education programs, provide critical baby items, and ensure every woman who walks through WRC’s doors receives the care and support she needs.

Donors are encouraged to consult their tax advisor to understand how to claim the credit and maximize their giving potential.

“By participating in this program, you’re not just giving to a cause—you’re helping transform lives,” says Woods. “We invite you to partner with us as we continue to equip parents and empower families in Jesus’ name.”

To make a donation or learn more about the tax credit, visit http://www.ProLifeTaxCredit.com or call (318) 357-8888

About the Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center in Natchitoches, Louisiana, is a Christ-centered nonprofit serving women through free, confidential pregnancy services, parenting education, and compassionate support. WRC is committed to equipping parents and empowering families with practical help and hope in Jesus’ name.

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The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of Natchitoches is proud to announce its new classification as an official Maternal Wellness Center by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). This recognition affirms WRC’s longstanding commitment to supporting women through all stages of pregnancy and early motherhood with holistic, compassionate and life-affirming care.

As a designated Maternal Wellness Center, WRC meets the state’s expanded standards for providing comprehensive support services, including:
Pregnancy testing and options counseling
Prenatal and parenting education
Emotional and spiritual support
Referrals to local medical care and community resources
Material assistance with baby items, diapers, and essentials

“We are honored to receive this designation,” said K. Nicole Woods, Executive Director of WRC. “This is a powerful affirmation of the work our staff and volunteers have been doing for years—walking alongside women in our community and ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive.”

The Maternal Wellness Center classification allows the Women’s Resource Center to continue building stronger partnerships across healthcare, faith-based and community sectors, ensuring that every woman who walks through its doors is seen, heard and supported—physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Located in the heart of Natchitoches, WRC has served thousands of women and families since its founding. With this new designation, the center is poised to expand its reach and deepen its impact throughout the region. “What began in 1989 as a mission to serve women in the Natchitoches community has grown into a volunteer-driven mission serving clients from across the state,” says Woods.

For more information about our services, volunteer opportunities or to donate, please visit http://www.wrcnatchitoches.org or call 318-357-8888.

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Native American material culture artists shared their traditional knowledge with attendees at a free interactive crafts workshop on July 12 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches. Sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University, the event was a prelude to the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held on the NSU campus on July 19.

The Native American tradition bearers who served as workshop instructors included Rhonda Gauthier, a member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, who taught basketry and beadwork, Becky Meziere, a member of the Clifton Choctaw Tribe, who taught applique beadwork & pine needle basketry, and Deborah West, a member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, who taught the making of Native American dream catchers. 

Said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University, “We are so grateful to these tradition bearers who so generously gave the priceless gift of sharing their cultural knowledge. It was wonderful seeing the smiles on so many people as they tried their hands at making traditional crafts under the tutelage of these artists.” 

In celebration of this year’s Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival theme, Crafting Louisiana, seventy traditional crafts people will demonstrate and vend their work. Held in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus, the festival will feature three stages of live music with Cajun, zydeco, blues, Celtic, and country music, free Cajun, zydeco, and line dancing lessons, and traditional food vendors. The festival will also include blacksmithing, KidsFest, a free musical spoons workshop, narrative sessions, and the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship from 1-4 PM. Events will include Cajun music by Amis du Teche, zydeco by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, dancing blues by D.K. Harrell, son jarocho dancing by the Armadillos Tejanos, Americana music by Smithfield Fair, western swing by the Kristyn Harris Band, and swamp pop by the Has Beans. The entire festival is wheelchair accessible with children 12 and under admitted free. 

The event was sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Support for the festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, and the State of Louisiana. The festival is sponsored by Atmos Energy, C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, Exchange Bank, the Family Doctors of Natchitoches, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company, and Young Estate, LLC. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program did not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. 

For information on pre-registering to compete in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu or go to nsula.edu/folklife.  

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Thick as thieves. They knew it was a lie.  The whole time.  Every one of them.  But they still framed Trump.  

I was greatly encouraged this past week to see news that former FBI Director, James Comey, and former CIA Director, John Brennan, are now facing a criminal investigation into their wrongdoing in the Russia Hoax.  Former Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, was also complicit in this lie and I believe his time is coming. These thoroughly corrupt unelected officials schemed to smear Trump with one of the dirtiest tricks in political history.  

Current CIA Director, John Ratcliff, recently declassified and released an internal agency review of the machinations that helped fuel the Russia Hoax.  In a statement posted on social media, Ratcliffe stated, “All the world can now see the truth: Brennan, Clapper and Comey manipulated intelligence and silenced career professionals—all to get Trump.”  (Gregg Jarrett, Fox News, July 9, 2025). 

Jarrett continues, “… the review concluded that Brennan, in particular, pushed for the phony Steele dossier to be included in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) to catalyze a false narrative against Trump. Senior CIA experts on Russia objected but were sidelined and silenced.  The CIA’s deputy director for analysis warned Brennan in writing that including the discredited dossier in any capacity jeopardized ‘the credibility of the entire paper.’  Brennan didn’t care. The fiction penned by the ex-British spy (Christopher Steele) conformed to the director’s preconceived fable that Trump colluded with Russia.” 

Comey then leaked classified information to falsely create the appearance of a need for a special counsel.  This involved the infamous Steele dossier lie—the false and misleading information funded by Hillary Clinton with campaign donations and used to secure FISA warrants—resulting in the fraudulent and hugely distracting two-year, $32 million taxpayer-inquisition by Robert Mueller that ‘found no collusion between President Trump’s campaign and Russia’—a pathetic episode of lawfare that Trump accurately and continually refers to as the “Russia Hoax.” 

Under Comey, the FBI ignored evidence that it was being used by the Clinton campaign.  This included intelligence the government received in July 2016 alleging that Mrs. Clinton had approved “a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisors to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security services … as “a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server ahead of the 2016 presidential election.”    

In that July 2016 briefing, Brennan informed former President Barack Obama (truly the ringleader) about the Clinton campaign plan to engineer the Russia Hoax.  Comey, then-Vice President Joe Biden, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Clapper were in the briefing.

Further, the House Intelligence Committee, in 2017, conducted depositions of top Obama intelligence officials, including Clapper, National Security Advisor, Susan Rice, and Attorney General Lynch, among others.  These Obama-era intelligence officials acknowledged that they had no “empirical evidence” of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election but continued to publicly push the “narrative” of collusion.  (Brooke Singman, Fox News, July 10, 2025). 

Sadly, what our nation did not know until much later was the stunning fact, noted by Kimberly Strassel in the Wall Street Journal, that “the FBI rushed to meet with Mr. Steele in early October 2016.  It had undertaken no due diligence on its source and had been unable to verify a single dossier claim (and never would).   At that meeting, it nonetheless took the astonishing step of offering Mr. Steele “up to $1 million” in taxpayer dollars to verify his own information.  Usually, Ms. Strassel notes, the FBI pays another party to verify a source report.”  (WSJ, 10-14-2022.)

Steele never has and never could verify anything!  And yet, the information in the dossier would continue to be used by the FBI to fabricate probable cause to obtain four secret FISA warrants used to tap Trump Tower and spy on a Trump campaign staffer. (Id.)

This is why the American people have lost faith in their national institutions.  

There is an expression that “the wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.”  I hope they grind to a just result here.  When asked last week about the investigation of Comey and Brennan, President Trump expressed a similar view. “… I will tell you, I think they’re very dishonest people.  I think they’re crooked as hell. And maybe they have to pay a price for that.” May it be so.

Royal Alexander

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