Winn Parish School Football Week 1 – Sept. 4, 2026

Winnfield 20
Glenbrook 6

Other area games

Mangham 12
Jena 26

Lakeside 8
Jonesboro-Hodge 14

Montgomery 20
Rosepine 48

Ringgold 22
Block 16

August 26, 2026
Cleatis White, 39, of Winnfield, was arrested for aggravated battery and violation of a protective order.

August 27, 2026
Serenity N. Bush, 20, of Campti, was arrested for direct contempt of court.

August 29, 2026
Nicholas Jewitt, 28, of Winnfield, was arrested for resisting an officer, careless operation, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, possession of an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, and turning movements and required signals (x2).

August 31, 2026
Jakobi Sherman, 22, of Winnfield, was arrested for battery of a dating partner.

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Arrest Report

8/26/26 Selena Horton W/F 53- Battery of a Dating Partner

8/29/26 Alayna Woods W/F 21- DWI 1st Offense, No Seat-belt, Open Container

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NATCHITOCHES – As James T. Genovese completes his second year as president of Northwestern State University, the institution is reporting gains in student persistence, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs, private support and athletics while continuing to address enrollment and graduation challenges.

Since taking office in 2024, Genovese has organized the university’s work around five strategic focus areas: the Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Market Responsiveness, Community Enrichment and Athletic Prominence. University officials said those priorities have guided efforts in recruitment, retention, academic programming, capital projects, technology and external partnerships.

“Our first two years have been about strengthening the foundation of Northwestern while keeping our attention fixed on the future,” Genovese said. “We have made significant progress because our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and partners believe deeply in this University and in the role Northwestern plays in Louisiana.”

Student recruitment and retention have remained central to that work.

Overall enrollment declined from 8,523 in Fall 2024 to 8,402 in Fall 2025, but entering freshman enrollment increased to 1,065. Preliminary Fall 2026 figures provided by the university show approximately 1,120 entering freshmen, which will represent the university’s largest freshman class in three years when the official 14-day enrollment count is finalized.

The Fall 2026 entering class arrived with one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years, posting an average ACT score of 21.7 and an average high school GPA of 3.4. The class’s average ACT score is well above Louisiana’s average, reflecting the continued strength and academic quality of Northwestern’s incoming students.

Northwestern’s first-to-third semester retention rate reached 70 percent, exceeding the Louisiana average of approximately 64 percent and placing NSU among the strongest-performing institutions in the region. NSU has responded to retention and graduation challenges by strengthening early intervention, proactive financial-aid communication, academic mapping, stop-out recovery and support beyond the first year.

Student satisfaction provided another measure of progress. In the first year of Genovese’s presidency, 70 percent of students reported overall satisfaction, compared with 52 percent nationally, according to university survey data. Seventy-four percent said they intended to re-enroll, compared with 60 percent nationally.

The survey data showed gains in campus services, student-centeredness, registration and recruitment, financial aid, counseling, safety and campus conditions. Northwestern exceeded University of Louisiana System and national norms across most measures included in the survey.

Student involvement also increased. Membership in recognized student organizations grew from 823 to 1,292, while participation in living-learning communities increased from 68 to 168 students. The university also expanded or improved spaces supporting accessibility services, collegiate recovery and eSports.

Career preparation grew through Handshake, which connected a network of more than 30,000 students, alumni and employers. NSU approved 1,610 new employers during 2025-26. Among graduates responding to the university’s First Destination Survey, 93.3 percent reported employment, continued education or military service.

“Students should feel that Northwestern knows them, supports them and is preparing them for a meaningful life and career,” Genovese said. “The gains in satisfaction and persistence are encouraging, but we know our work must continue until more students who begin at Northwestern complete their degrees.”

Academic programs also expanded in areas tied to workforce demand.

The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, which serves nearly 2,500 students across Alexandria, Leesville and Fort Polk, Natchitoches, Shreveport and online, added new nursing pathways and launched the Master of Science in Allied Health.

Allied Health enrollment increased 19 percent, from 412 to 491 students. Radiography enrollment rose from 100 to 182, while Diagnostic Medical Sonography increased from 86 to 115.

Student outcomes included nursing graduates exceeding state and national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, a 96 percent certification pass rate for Radiography graduates and 100 percent pass rates on the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination for the 2025 and 2026 Diagnostic Medical Sonography classes. Radiography also received the maximum eight-year accreditation term from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

External awards are supporting additional healthcare education and workforce development. A $4 million Louisiana Department of Health award and a $2.597 million federal Health Resources and Services Administration award are supporting rural healthcare education, clinical training, student assistance and workforce expansion. More than $1.3 million in scholarships, stipends and traineeships assisted 239 students during 2025-26.

Other academic areas reported growth as well.

The Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development received nearly $8 million in grants during fiscal year 2025-26 supporting education, behavioral health, child welfare, early childhood development, workforce preparation and student success.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, new Computer Science and Sport Analytics concentrations within the Mathematics degree program helped increase Mathematics enrollment by more than 400 percent since 2024, according to university data. The college also engaged more than 5,600 K-12 students through School of STEM outreach events, camps, festivals and recruitment activities.

The College of Business and Technology expanded opportunities in applied technology, cybersecurity and workforce preparation. The School of Business received an extension of its accreditation from AACSB International, while Hospitality Management and Tourism maintained its status as Louisiana’s only four-year hospitality program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

The college also opened the Sandbox Application Development Lab and established the Cyber Demons Tech Club. A Computer Information Systems team competed for the first time in program history in the International Collegiate Programming Contest North America South Central Regional.

Across the university, 78.1 percent of academic programs have been created or updated within the past five years. NSU also offers 37 certificate programs in areas ranging from healthcare and education to strategic communication, leadership and professional ethics.

Programs launched or advanced during Genovese’s first two years include the Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Allied Health, new Mathematics concentrations, an online Master of Music in Music Education and redesigned pathways in nursing and criminal justice. The university also expanded options in event management, hospitality, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

Industry engagement accompanied those academic changes. In 2025-26, students participated in 416 documented interactions with business and industry through career fairs, guest speakers, field experiences, interviews and service-learning projects. University administrators completed 56 additional engagements with industry partners.

Technology investments included creation of a continuously monitored Security Operations Center in partnership with the Louisiana Optical Network Infrastructure and other state agencies, increased internet capacity at the Alexandria and Leesville sites and modernization of the university’s network, data center and disaster-recovery systems.

Major facility investments also changed the learning environment. The $45 million Alost Hall opened with classrooms, laboratories, simulation spaces, a cafe and faculty offices. Iberville Dining Hall underwent a $2 million renovation, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium received improvements, and classrooms, laboratories and instructional technology were upgraded across campuses.

Eligible faculty and staff received a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment on Jan. 1, 2026, following a 2.5 percent adjustment in January 2025.

State support in the 2026 legislative session included approximately $2.54 million in additional operating funding. Capital outlay legislation included $6.9 million in Priority 1 funding for Innovation Park and $7 million in Priority 1 funding for Warrington Hall in Shreveport.

Private support also increased. The NSU Foundation reported $8.04 million in fiscal year 2026 revenue, up 6.9 percent, while restricted endowment assets grew to $87.26 million university wide. Major gifts supported scholarships, professorships, academic programs and facilities, including a $1.5 million private gift supporting the David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center, which is scheduled to open on October 23.

Community engagement remained another focus. NSU reported at least 228,378 hours of professionally based service with 194 campus and community partners in 2025-26. That work supported healthcare, education, public safety, economic development, the arts and environmental stewardship.

Athletics posted gains in academics, competition and facilities.

Student-athletes maintained an overall GPA above 3.2 in both reporting years. In 2025-26, 211 earned Dean’s List or President’s List recognition, 216 were named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and the department’s multiyear Academic Progress Rate rose for the third consecutive year to 970.

Seven teams earned perfect single-year Academic Progress Rate scores of 1,000. Women’s track and field won a third consecutive Southland Conference outdoor championship, soccer captured the conference regular-season championship, as did tennis, and six varsity teams finished in the upper third of the league.

Athletic facility improvements included approximately $1.9 million for artificial turf at the baseball and softball facilities, $593,000 in scoreboard upgrades and $1.7 million for a new track surface and lighting.

Looking ahead, Genovese said NSU will continue focusing on enrollment growth and degree completion, high-demand and flexible credentials, faculty investment, emerging technology, experiential learning, private support and partnerships. Work also will continue on Innovation Park, Warrington Hall and projects intended to support the student experience.

“These accomplishments belong to the entire Northwestern family,” Genovese said. “We have built momentum, but we are not finished. Our responsibility is to honor Northwestern’s history, respond to the needs of the present and prepare Louisiana for the future.”

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What if one concert could bring together people who love classic hymns, contemporary Christian music, love country music by artists like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Brooks & Dunn & Jelly Roll, those who love  Southern Gospel and traditional Black Gospel, along with those who grew up listening to the Eagles, the Beatles, James Taylor, STYX and classic rock?

There’s one that can.

It’s an Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (ARD) concert.

The Disciples’ mantra is “Familiar Music. Timeless Message.” They like to describe their concerts as seven very accomplished musicians with very diverse backgrounds coming together to make “A VERY Joyful Noise!”

ARD was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in the fall of 2024, when seven musicians who also happened to be friends came together to play music, have fun and praise God—and ended up forming a unique music ministry.

“It all came together very quickly and very organically,” said bassist Keith “Don’t call Me Shirley” Shirley. “We were just jamming around and having fun. We would play a Southern Gospel song, then a contemporary Christian song, then a country song, then a classic rock song. Sometimes we would almost accidentally mash them together, look at each other and say, ‘Hey, that works!’”

Shirley gives credit where he believes it belongs.

“We knew the good Lord had His hand in this from the get-go,” he said. “The blending of the various musical styles—or ‘mashups,’ as we call them—came together so naturally and so quickly that we knew God was doing something.”

Don’t let all the joking fool you. There is an extraordinary amount of musical experience on an ARD stage.

Among the Disciples are four members of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, current and former church music directors and ministers, and musicians holding at least five music degrees, including a doctorate. Violinist Andrei Kurti studied at the Moscow Conservatory and has performed at Carnegie Hall and in concert halls throughout Europe.

Altogether, the group stopped counting after passing 300 years of combined musical performance experience.

But ARD is difficult to put into a musical box.

“I don’t think you can pigeonhole us as a Gospel group or even simply a Christian music group,” said vocalist Julia Brown. “What we see happening over and over at our concerts is that folks who don’t normally listen to Christian music hear us play a classic rock song or even a current country song reinterpreted through the lens of faith, and they think, ‘Hey, I know that song!’ Before they know it, they’re hearing a contemporary Christian song or a Southern Gospel song and finding that they like it, in spite of themselves.”

“Familiar music is the bridge, and Jesus is where the bridge leads.”

The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples have performed at churches of various denominations, non-denominational churches, festivals and other events. Along the way, they have watched people of different generations, races, backgrounds and faith traditions come together to laugh, cry , praise and sing along while hearing a message centered unmistakably on Jesus Christ.

“We take music people know, along with humor and fun, and use it to open the door,” said one of the Disciples. “Then we walk through that door with them. And no one receives a bigger blessing than us.”

That connection is at the heart of an ARD concert.

“We’re constantly striving to connect with someone in the audience and convey the message that no matter what problems you’re having in your life, you don’t have to face them alone. There’s strength and hope in Jesus. If we reach one person, it’s all been worth it.”

After a recent Disciples concert at a church, an elderly lady approached the group with just one word to describe what she had experienced:

“Joyous.”

The band couldn’t have asked for a better description.

ARD believes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to be somber. There can be laughter. There can be great music. There can be familiar songs, unexpected arrangements, stories, memories and plenty of fun.

And there can be joy.

That’s why the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples plan to keep doing exactly what they set out to do:

Making a VERY Joyful Noise!

THE AMAZING! RHYTHM DISCIPLES
Familiar Music. Timeless Message.
Making a VERY Joyful Noise!

For appearances and hosting information:
www.amazingrhythmdisciples.com

Paid Content

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August 16, 2026
Annie Gooder, 37, of Campti, was arrested for possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to manufacture, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

August 17, 2026
Nonchala R. Smith, 35, of Winnfield, was arrested for disturbing the peace and simple criminal damage to property. Ronda Williams, 49, of Winnfield, was arrested for domestic abuse battery. Charles Wilkerson, 51, of Winnfield, was arrested for possession of Schedule II (methamphetamine) and no proof of insurance.

August 18, 2026
Kaela Sapp, 22, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court.

August 19, 2026
Jason T. Small Sr., 51, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court.

August 20, 2026
Kevin Lewis Harren, 30, of Calvin, was arrested for shoplifting.

August 21, 2026
Martin E. Hutto, 68, of Tullos, was arrested for direct contempt of court. Rachel M. Bishop, 36, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court. Tony Phillips, 55, of Winnfield, was arrested for driving under suspension.

August 22, 2026
Dominique Walker, 24, of Winnfield, was arrested for false communication with intent to cause an emergency response. Jeremiah Smith, 45, of Winnfield, was arrested for illegal possession of stolen things.

August 23, 2026
Alan Zimmerman, 37, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court. Bryan Lamaz Morgan, 32, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court.

August 24, 2026
Kevin Herrell, 27, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court (failure to appear).

August 25, 2026
Domonique D. Walker, 24, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court.

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Arrest Report

8/17/26 Kerri Washington B/F 29- Auto Insurance Fraud

8/18/26 Martin Hutto W/M 69- Obstructing Public Passage, Littering, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstruction of Justice

8/18/26 Deteria Davis B/F 28- Failure to Appear

8/19/26 Jason Small B/M 51- Failure to Appear

8/19/26 Rachel Bishop W/F 36- Unauthorized Entry of Building, Criminal Trespass, Damage to Property

8/21/26 April Hanson W/F 43- Improper Supervision of Minor, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile

8/21/26- Heather Urena W/F 56- Speeding, Aggravated Flight from Officer, Reckless Operation of Vehicle, Improper Lane Change, No Seat-belt, Special Restrictions on Lamp

8/21/26- Gerson Luna H/M 43- Driver Must be Licensed, Obstruction to Drivers View

8/21/26- Bryan Morgan B/M 32- FTA x2

8/22/26- Benjamin Brookins Jr B/M 37- Fugitive from Justice (FBI Dallas)

8/23/26- Timothy Robertson B/M 23- Speeding, Flight from Officer, Driving Left of Center, Switched License Plate

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Winnfield Senior High School football coach Byron Keller has seen the highs and lows in his head coaching career at Natchitoches Central, Lakeview, Red River and with the Tigers last year.

His debut season at WSHS wasn’t what he or anyone else had in mind, but now that he’s had a chance to firmly establish his program and has an experienced team back, the optimism is high.

Winnfield plays Menard of Alexandria Saturday afternoon at 5 in the Second Annual Battle on the Bricks NRMC Jamboree in Natchitoches at Turpin Stadium on the Northwestern campus. The Tigers, Keller said at a Monday press conference in Natchitoches, have the right mindset and have prepared to succeed.

“From this time last year, to where we are this year, is a night and day difference. I’m truly proud of the kids, how much hard work and dedication that we’ve seen out of them, to get to the point where we’re looking forward to a great season,” he said.

Keller is confident that his second season in Winnfield will see a significant upswing from last year’s 3-8 performance and a first-round playoff loss.

“Coming in last year, we had a large junior class, and they weren’t the most experienced, and we took our lumps. Now those guys have grown by leaps and bounds and are doing great things for us right now. Offseason was great. In fall camp, you want to schedule scrimmages against somebody so we can see all aspects of offense and we’ve done that with Lincoln Prep and Grant. We got a really good test last Friday and came out healthy and playing well. We are very excited,” he said.

There’s no doubt that the Winnfield job carries expectations unlike any other place he’s been, rivalled by only a few schools around north and central Louisiana. Keller wasn’t blindsided by that fact and he loves it.

“Living in and anywhere around Winnfield, the talk is Winnfield football. They love the tradition, the legacy, and understandably so. Anytime you stop in town, somebody wants to talk about what happened back in ’82 and the group that was there in ’13.  Those are teams who have played for state championships, not the only ones from here. We are proud to try to rise to that standard. Our guys now might have been 5-year-olds in 2013, but they’ve heard the stories and had dads and granddads, older brothers or uncles who played here.”

It’s the second straight Natchitoches jamboree for the Tigers, who have a rematch with the Alexandria-based Eagles.

“It’s always fun to play in a big stadium, like what they have at Northwestern, and to play on Saturday. We’re saying our prayers right now, hoping for overcast skies and a breeze at 5 o’clock because we know how hot it will be on the turf, but the kids are excited and they’re ready for it,” said Keller.

“Going back to last year, playing against Menard, that game coming down to the last play, and we ended up being able to win the game. I know Coach (David) Perkins. His team’s going to be fighting, ready to get some redemption this year. So it’s going to be another battle.

“I like the test. I like to be able to put the guys in the fire before we get into the actual season, to see how they respond. And so far, we have responded great.”

How important is a jamboree outcome?

“It’s huge,” said Keller. “It’s their last warm up, a dress rehearsal before the season. It’s the kickstarter, and last year was such a boost for us going in week one with that confidence of being able to have a defensive stand, and solidify a game that was hard for us to win. When it came down to it, for the guys to band together and toughen up to come up with their stands at the end, that was beautiful going into the start of the season.

“A year later, these guys can remember being able to feel that, and understanding that every Friday night, there’s probably going to be the chance to feel that way when the clock is on zero. That was great.”

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August 13, 2026
Steven Randolph, 40, of Robeline, was arrested on an arrest warrant. Derrick Rainey, 30, of Natchitoches, was arrested for aggravated kidnapping, armed robbery, and aggravated second-degree battery. Matthew Daniels, 41, of Natchitoches, was arrested for prohibited acts (Schedule II), obstruction of justice, evidence tampering, and prohibited acts. Deontay Driver, 26, of Natchitoches, was arrested for possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a felon. Blacina Santiago, 57, of Natchitoches, was arrested for failure to appear.

August 14, 2026
Alexander Brown, 17, of Little Rock, Ark., was arrested for possession of stolen things and theft of a motor vehicle. Clayton Pittman, 23, of Glenwood, Ark., was arrested for illegal possession of stolen things, theft of a motor vehicle, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

August 16, 2026
Corey Thomas, 37, of Winnfield, was arrested for driving under suspension, illegal tint, simple possession, and resisting an officer.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Arrest Report

8/14/26 Zion Johnson B/M 20- Possession of CDS Sch I With Intent to Distribute,. Possession of Firearm in Presence of CDS

8/14/26 Austin Denis W/M 24- Domestic Battery, Battery of a Police Officer, Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Aggravated Assault With Firearm, Simple Battery, Disturbing the Peace, Resisting Arrest

8/15/26 Daniel Lundey W/M 50- Fugitive

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Texas has a documented long-term water problem and is aggressively planning future supplies. Louisiana has major new industrial and data-center water demands of its own. Because the two states share interconnected river systems, Louisiana should conduct and publicly release a comprehensive study of the cumulative effects before major water commitments are made.

Opinion submitted by a Journal reader


𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗪𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁?

Louisiana citizens ought to start asking a question before somebody else answers it for us:

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗱, 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?

That question matters because Louisiana citizens have watched enormous economic-development projects negotiated under NDAs, public authorities become major players in private industrial development, fights over eminent domain and permanent underground CO₂ injection, massive transmission projects, thousands of acres targeted for solar development, rapidly expanding data centers, and even discussions involving nuclear development and radioactive-waste disposal.

And then there is water.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Researchers at the University of Texas reported in May 2026 that Texas data-center growth could eventually account for 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝟵% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟰𝟬 under a high-growth scenario.

Louisiana is facing many of the same questions as enormous data-center and industrial projects move into our state.

So while everybody asks:

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗲?

Maybe Louisiana should also be asking:

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺?

𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗦 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗠.

The Texas Water Development Board adopted its 2027 State Water Plan on July 23, 2026.

Texas estimates that implementing more than 3,000 recommended water-management projects through 2080 will require nearly $174 billion in capital investment.

Even if Texas builds all of those projects, its plan still projects approximately 𝟭.𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟴𝟬.

Texas also warns that without the recommended strategies, roughly one out of every four Texans in 2080 could have less than half of the municipal water supply needed during a drought of record.

Call it pressure, need, shortage, or desperation.

𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁.

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧.

North Texas already takes water from 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿, and additional Texoma conveyance infrastructure is being developed.

Texas planning also identifies additional supplies involving 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 and the proposed 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿 on the Sulphur River; 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢’ 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, which feeds Big Cypress Bayou toward Caddo Lake; and 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱 on the Sabine River.

These are not all one project. Some are operating, some proposed, and some are long-range strategies.

But Louisiana should not look at each one in isolation and ignore the cumulative question.

The Sulphur River belongs to the larger Red River drainage system.

Lake O’ the Pines controls flows into Big Cypress Bayou toward 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲, a Texas-Louisiana water system. The Corps of Engineers has documented that reservoir operations altered the natural downstream flow regime enough that special releases have been used to restore portions of that flow.

Texas planning identifies approximately 𝟳𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 from Lake O’ the Pines as a potential North Texas supply strategy and approximately 𝟭𝟮𝟮,𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 associated with Wright Patman.

𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗢 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗘 𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗞𝗘-𝗨𝗣 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟.

For decades, many Louisiana citizens probably would have laughed if somebody suggested Louisiana might someday discuss selling Toledo Bend water to Texas.

Then it became a real public-policy discussion.

Residents pushed back. Public meetings were held. Controversy followed.

Louisiana law expressly gives the Sabine River Authority power to enter contracts involving the sale, distribution, or consumption of water within or outside Louisiana, subject to required approvals.

So when somebody says:

“Oh, they would never sell our water.”

Louisiana citizens have every reason to ask:

𝗜𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀?

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥?

Nobody has shown us a document saying Texas is going to reroute the Red River.

We are not claiming one exists.

But Texas already takes water from the Red River system and is planning or studying additional supplies from tributaries connected to that regional drainage.

So what happens when you add all of those withdrawals together?

What happens at Shreveport?

What happens at Alexandria?

What happens during drought?

And what happens underground?

The 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 is hydraulically connected to the river in significant areas. When the river rises, water can move into surrounding alluvial sediments and contribute to groundwater recharge and bank storage.

If major upstream withdrawals materially alter river levels, flow duration, or high-water periods, Louisiana needs to know whether recharge could decline, groundwater levels could fall, hydraulic gradients could change, or poorer-quality groundwater could move differently.

Those are not accusations.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗲.

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗧?

USGS mapping shows that the 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

That does not mean the Red River simply pours directly into the Chicot.

It does mean Louisiana’s groundwater systems are not isolated underground tanks.

USGS data show that approximately 𝟱𝟭% 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 comes from the Chicot aquifer system.

And even if Texas water transfers never directly lower Chicot water levels, another concern remains:

𝗜𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

Cities, agriculture, industry, data centers, and power plants all still need water.

One substitute is more groundwater pumping.

More groundwater pumping means more pressure on the Chicot.

𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢𝗢.

Toledo Bend sits on the Sabine River.

If significant quantities of water are transferred from Toledo Bend or elsewhere in the Sabine system, the concern does not stop at the reservoir shoreline.

The Sabine continues south toward Sabine Lake and the Gulf. Freshwater flow affects salinity, wetlands, fisheries, ecosystems, municipalities, and industry.

Change the amount and timing of freshwater long enough, and downstream systems can change with it.

The Calcasieu is a separate basin, but southwest Louisiana’s water resources do not exist in isolation. If one source becomes less dependable, demand can shift elsewhere.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬.

Louisiana officials may not like citizens asking these questions.

But they created the atmosphere that makes us ask them.

When citizens repeatedly watch public business conducted under NDAs, they stop assuming silence means nothing is happening.

When enormous projects are negotiated before communities understand them, citizens stop accepting:

“Don’t worry about it.”

Louisiana citizens have watched eminent-domain battles, permanent underground CO₂ injection, huge transmission projects, enormous solar developments, data centers beside rural communities, nuclear and radioactive-waste discussions, and actual discussions about sending Toledo Bend water to Texas.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

That does not mean every rumor is true.

It means:

𝗪𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗔’𝗦 𝗖𝗨𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬?

Texas is identifying reservoirs, pipelines, interbasin transfers, drought strategies, and future supplies while planning for population growth, industrial expansion, and data-center demand.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀’𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀?

Where is the cumulative analysis combining Lake Texoma, the Red River, Wright Patman, Marvin Nichols, Lake O’ the Pines, Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend, the Sabine, the Red River alluvial aquifer, the Chicot, industrial growth, data-center demand, and drought?

Maybe such a study exists.

𝗜𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰.

If it does not exist, why not?

𝗪𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗢𝗥𝗬. 𝗪𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗦.

Maybe every one of these projects is independent.

Maybe Texas can develop all of these supplies without materially harming Louisiana.

Fine.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

Model it.

Put the numbers on the table.

Show us what happens to the Red River at Shreveport and Alexandria, Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend, the Sabine, the Red River alluvial aquifer, and the Chicot.

Show us what happens under drought conditions.

And model it while accounting for the unprecedented growth in AI data centers, power generation, and industrial development across both states.

Because Louisiana citizens should have learned one lesson by now:

𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝘁.

Texas is planning for Texas.

Texas is protecting Texas.

Texas is searching for water.

𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮.

Our water feeds our rivers, aquifers, farms, industries, wetlands, wildlife, fisheries, and communities.

It is not simply another commodity.

It belongs in Louisiana’s future.

𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄—𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁, 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮, 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗼𝘅

𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 & 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦

Gulf States Newsroom / WWNO — Louisiana NDAs and major economic-development projects:

https://www.wwno.org/local-regional-news/2026-03-27/a-muzzle-on-elected-officials-ndas-cloak-louisianas-biggest-business-developments

Louisiana Illuminator — Louisiana nuclear-energy campus and radioactive-waste discussion:

https://lailluminator.com/2026/07/29/louisiana-nuclear-campus

University of Texas — Texas data-center growth and projected water demand:

Data Centers Are Growing in Texas, But Big Questions Remain About Water Use

Laredo Morning Times — Laredo water concerns involving data centers:

https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/trevino-laredo-data-center-opposition-neeb-city-22385565.php

Gulf States Newsroom / WWNO — Independent air and water monitoring around Meta’s Louisiana data center:

https://www.wwno.org/public-health/2026-04-13/were-monitoring-the-air-and-water-around-metas-data-center-in-louisiana-heres-why

KALB — Applied Digital Delta Forge water-related documents and Rapides Parish concerns:

https://www.kalb.com/2026/06/25/fact-check-what-early-documents-confirm-about-applied-digitals-data-center-coming-rapides-parish

Texas Water Development Board — 2027 Texas State Water Plan:

https://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/swp/2027/index.asp

Texas Water Development Board — 2027 State Water Plan, projected projects, costs and unmet water needs:

https://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/swp/2027/docs/DraftSWP27-Water-For-Texas.pdf

Region C Water Planning Group — North Texas water-management strategies, including Lake Texoma, Lake O’ the Pines, Wright Patman, Marvin Nichols, Toledo Bend, Red River off-channel storage, and other potential supplies:

https://regioncwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025_01_06-Region-C-Combined.pdf

North Texas Municipal Water District — Texoma Two-Step program; additional pipelines designed to add approximately 90 million gallons per day of Lake Texoma conveyance capacity:

https://www.ntmwd.com/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/126

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Big Cypress Bayou / Caddo Lake Sustainable Rivers Program; documents the downstream connection between Lake O’ the Pines, Big Cypress Bayou, and Caddo Lake:

https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/sustainablerivers/sites/bigcypress

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Lake O’ the Pines environmental pulse releases designed to reproduce portions of the natural flow regime downstream:

https://www.swf.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/480266/corps-conducts-environment-release-at-lake-o-the-pines

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Lake O’ the Pines / Ferrells Bridge Dam Water Control Manual and environmental-flow information for Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake:

https://water.usace.army.mil/cda/documents/wc/3332/FERRELLS%20BRIDGE%20DAM%20AND%20LAKE%20O%20THE%20PINES%20AND%20WATER%20CONTROL%20MANUAL.pdf

U.S. Geological Survey — Hydrogeologic framework of the Red River alluvial aquifer and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in northwestern Louisiana:

https://www.usgs.gov/publications/hydrogeologic-framework-red-river-alluvial-aquifer-and-carrizo-wilcox-aquifer

U.S. Geological Survey — Detailed hydrogeologic framework and conceptual model of the Red River alluvial aquifer and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer system:

https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/sir20255054/full

U.S. Geological Survey — Relation of water levels in the Red River alluvial aquifer to the Red River, documenting river/aquifer hydraulic relationships:

https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1996/4053/report.pdf

U.S. Geological Survey — Water Use in Louisiana, 2020; approximately 51% of Louisiana groundwater withdrawals came from the Chicot aquifer system:

https://www.usgs.gov/publications/water-use-louisiana-2020

U.S. Geological Survey — Louisiana groundwater withdrawals dataset; approximately 960 million gallons per day, or about 51% of Louisiana groundwater withdrawals, came from the Chicot aquifer system:

https://www.usgs.gov/data/water-withdrawals-louisiana-2020

U.S. Geological Survey — Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System; background on the Chicot aquifer in southwestern Louisiana:

https://pubs.usgs.gov/ha/ha730/ch_f/F-text3.html

KALB — Public opposition and discussions involving possible Toledo Bend water sales to Texas:

https://www.kalb.com/2025/07/25/residents-push-back-possible-toledo-bend-water-sale-texas

Louisiana Legislature — Sabine River Authority powers involving water sales, distribution and consumption:

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=95019

E&E News — Texas water planning and rapidly growing data-center demand:

https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-water-plan-ignores-data-center-surge-2

Reuters — Meta expansion in Richland Parish:

https://www.reuters.com/business/meta-expands-louisiana-data-center-5-gigawatts-compute-capacity-2026-07-13

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

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Can an abuser truly change? According to advocates at the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART), the answer depends entirely on whether an individual is willing to confront ingrained patterns of power and control and actively choose accountability.

Founded in 1994, DART provides support and resources to domestic abuse survivors while working to address the root causes of relationship violence. Advocates emphasize that lasting behavioral change is not driven by affection, promises, or temporary reprieves, but by sustained accountability over time.

Excuses vs. Root Causes

In examining domestic violence, DART notes that public perception often mistakenly links abusive behavior to external factors such as mental illness, substance abuse, combat trauma, or childhood abuse. However, advocates clarify that these circumstances are excuses rather than root causes.

While issues such as alcohol or substance dependency can elevate the risk of abuse, resolving addiction does not eliminate abusive tendencies on its own. As DART points out, treating substance abuse in an abusive individual simply results in a “sober abuser,” as most people facing similar life challenges never abuse their partners.

Instead, abusive behavior stems from a belief of entitlement to power, control, and discipline over a partner.

The Role of Intervention Programs

A common path toward accountability involves Batterer Intervention Programs (BIPs). However, the vast majority of participants enter BIPs under a court order following an arrest for domestic violence, often utilizing the program as an alternative to jail time.

Because many domestic violence offenses occur privately and are never reported to law enforcement, advocates warn that relatively few abusers are subjected to court-mandated intervention. Voluntary enrollment in BIPs remains exceptionally low, leaving many abusers outside the reach of formal accountability measures.

Guidance for Survivors

DART offers three core reminders for survivors and the community:

• Accountability over affection: Abusers do not change simply because they are loved enough; change occurs only when they choose personal accountability.
• Actions over words: Promises are not proof of reform. Lasting change is demonstrated only through consistent behavior over time.
• Trust instincts early: Survivors do not need to wait for abuse to escalate again before trusting their instincts or seeking assistance.

Resources and Assistance

Individuals seeking support or guidance regarding domestic abuse can contact the DART Winn Parish Office:

Address: 301 W. Main St., Suite B 216, Winnfield, LA 71483

Phone: (318) 648-0559

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By Dustin Granger / Reader-submitted opinion

Louisiana has a long history of officials cutting deals with private interests at the public’s expense. During the oil and gas boom, the state left severance tax revenue on the table while enforcement gaps let industry pollute our air, water, and land for decades. Governor Jeff Landry has accelerated that pattern faster than any of his predecessors. He installed an unqualified Secretary of Environmental Quality, then reorganized the Department of Natural Resources into something even statehouse reporters can’t fully explain. This year the legislature signed off on tax breaks and NDAs for AI data centers, keeping voters in the dark about what those companies are getting and what they’re using.

Now it’s SpaceX’s turn, and it’s the biggest giveaway yet.

The Landry administration is negotiating to hand over roughly 130,000 acres on Pecan Island, in Vermilion Parish, for a rocket blast pad, not a research facility, the kind Boca Chica, Texas is still fighting over. That land is reportedly tied to Exxon’s punishment, part of a coastal damages settlement for decades of polluting our marshes, though the settlement itself is sealed by court order. If that reporting holds up, instead of restoring the land, the state is routing it straight to Elon Musk.

Pecan Island is about the worst possible place for this. The coast there has been sinking and washing away for decades, and hurricanes are speeding it up. The site borders two wildlife refuges and some of the best hunting and fishing water left in this state, the kind “Sportsman’s Paradise” was supposed to protect. If this goes through, we can stop pretending coastal restoration is a real priority in Louisiana.

The legislature already greased the wheels this session, passing tax breaks and liability shields for unnamed “aerospace” companies and exempting them from public records requests. So, when something goes wrong, and something eventually will, Louisianans may not have the right to sue, and may not even have the right to know. Now Trump’s FAA wants to waive thirteen federal environmental and health laws, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, so Musk doesn’t have to deal with “regulatory burden.”

We don’t even know the full extent of what Musk stands to gain. We know the eligibility thresholds in the tax break bills, not the actual value of what’s being handed over. Given how this Republican-controlled legislature has handled every other corporate giveaway this year, there’s little reason to think this deal is any different.

Local officials keep telling us we must accept this to “compete.” I don’t buy it. A state that can only land these deals by throwing out the rule of law and hiding negotiations behind NDAs is giving Louisiana away, one 130,000-acre parcel at a time.

Most Louisianans haven’t been told what this deal actually involves. That’s worth being angry about. Ask your legislators what they voted for this spring, and whether they’ll say so publicly.

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Qualifying for the upcoming election cycle has officially concluded, setting the field of candidates who will appear on the local ballot. Across the parish, voters will consider candidates seeking office at every level of leadership, from key judicial seats and school board positions to municipal offices and parish-wide boards.

To help keep our readers informed, Journal Staff has compiled a complete roster of candidates who have qualified for contested races. Below is the official list of candidates, organized by office, along with their political party affiliation and direct contact details to help you connect with those seeking to represent our community.

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