Julian Franklin Howell Jr.
July 24, 1945 — July 19, 2026
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2pm at Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield.

Randy Cotten
November 26, 1949 — July 16, 2026
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 12:15pm at Mars Hill Cemetery, Atlanta, LA. 

Winn Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or bill@journalservicesllc.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to WinnNewsLa@gmail.com

July 4, 2026 Tyler Evans, 25, of Natchitoches, was arrested for battery of a dating partner and disturbing the peace (simple assault).

July 8, 2026 Marcus Booker III, 39, of Natchitoches (homeless), was arrested for criminal trespassing.

July 9, 2026 Alvin D. Hall, 49, of Natchitoches (homeless), was arrested for direct contempt of court. Garland Walker, 36, of Natchitoches (homeless), was arrested for criminal trespassing and disturbing the peace (language). Dekarian D. Starks, 28, of Natchitoches (homeless), was arrested for criminal trespassing and disturbing the peace (drunkenness). Christopher Jefferson, 18, of Winnfield, was arrested for simple burglary, illegal possession of stolen firearms, theft, and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

July 11, 2026 William J. Sanford, 65, of Goldonna, was arrested for direct contempt of court. Dorothy Hewitt, of Natchitoches, was arrested for theft (shoplifting), prohibited acts (Schedule II), and drug paraphernalia.

July 12, 2026 Derrick Roberson, 42, of Winnfield, was arrested for theft (shoplifting).

July 13, 2026 John A. Caskey, 47, of Natchitoches, was arrested for battery of a dating partner (minor injury – burning).

July 14, 2026 Marcus Booker, 39, of Natchitoches (homeless), was arrested for theft and resisting an officer.

7/8/26 Victoria Ramsey W/F 26- Warrant, Misdemeanor Probation Violation

7/8/26 Kelvin Sepulvado W/M 27- Probation Violation

7/9/26 Jared Sanders W/M 48- Aggravated Second Degree Battery

7/10/26 Keith Smith W/M 34- Domestic Abuse Battery

7/10/26 William Sandford Jr W/M 65-DWI 2nd , Open Container, Careless Operation, Failure to Appear

7/12/26 Rekita Fountain B/F 40- Failure to Appear

7/11/26 William Sandford Jr W/M 65- Failure to Appear

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.

Cara Barnes, executive director of the Winn Council on Aging, spoke to the Winnfield Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, July 14, highlighting significant growth and upcoming changes at the senior center.

Barnes, who will celebrate her two-year anniversary in her position this October, shared how daily attendance has nearly doubled during her tenure.

“When she took over as director there were 12 to 15 people there on a good day,” Barnes said, noting that bingo days historically drew the largest crowds. In recent months, average daily attendance has climbed to 25 people, with even higher numbers on bingo days.

The center, which serves residents aged 60 and older, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to noon. Popular activities include bingo at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, alongside arts and crafts, board games, word games and puzzles. While the center remains open until mid-afternoon, Barnes noted that activities typically wind down after lunch as participants return home to rest.

The Winn Council on Aging has a busy schedule of upcoming activities, including movie and popcorn days, an ice cream tasting party, a picnic, a trip to the Alexandria Museum of Art, and a visit to the Columbia Council on Aging.

Beyond on-site activities, the agency provides vital support services, including local transportation for errands, appointments and trips to the center. The center also organizes regional excursions, including a monthly trip to the NOW Church in Pineville.

For homebound residents who are unable to drive, the center operates the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers frozen meals to homes in Winnfield, Dodson and Sikes. The program currently serves 52 residents.

The agency is housed at 200 N. Church St. but plans to relocate by October to a new facility at 6285 Hwy. 167 N., situated to the right of Subway. Barnes said she hopes the new location will feature dedicated storage space to house library books for visitors and emergency food pantry items for seniors in need.

The center is currently hosting its annual fan drive, asking community members to donate new box fans. The agency also received grants from Entergy and Weyerhaeuser to purchase additional fans for local seniors.

“The Winn Council on Aging is a place to connect, engage and thrive,” Barnes said. “They support seniors and strengthen the community. Stay active, stay connected, stay independent.”

WINN PARISH, La. — Winn Parish residents can expect only a slight chance of afternoon showers on Wednesday before a prolonged stretch of hot, sunny weather takes hold through early next week.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will steadily climb through the forecast period, reaching the upper 90s by Monday. Combined with Louisiana’s summertime humidity, heat index values are expected to feel even hotter during the afternoon hours.

Wednesday

Wednesday will feature partly sunny skies with a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms developing after 1 p.m. High temperatures will reach around 90 degrees, with calm winds becoming west around 5 mph during the afternoon.

Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 70 degrees as light southwest winds become calm.

Thursday

Thursday brings mostly sunny skies and a noticeable warm-up, with afternoon highs climbing to 94 degrees. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low around 73 degrees.

Friday

The heat continues to build Friday under sunny skies, with a high near 96 degrees. Overnight temperatures will remain warm, falling only to 73 degrees.

Weekend Outlook

A classic Louisiana summer weekend is in store with abundant sunshine and hot temperatures.

Saturday: Sunny and hot with a high near 96 degrees. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 73 degrees.

Sunday: Sunny and hot with a high near 97 degrees, followed by a mostly clear night and a low around 73 degrees.

Looking Ahead

The hot weather intensifies even further on Monday, with sunny skies and a forecast high of 98 degrees, making it the hottest day of the extended forecast.

Five-Day Forecast at a Glance

Wednesday: Partly sunny, high 90° | 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, low 70°

Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 94°

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, low 73°

Friday: Sunny and hot, high 96°

Friday Night: Mostly clear, low 73°

Saturday: Sunny and hot, high 96°

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, low 73°

Sunday: Sunny and hot, high 97°

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, low 73°

Monday: Sunny and hot, high 98°

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during the extended period of hot weather by staying hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon, wearing lightweight clothing, and checking on elderly neighbors, young children, and pets.

Anyone spending extended time outdoors should take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning as heat-related illnesses become more likely with prolonged exposure.

Winn Community Health Center is expanding its specialty care services with the addition of Dr. John Kevill to its medical team, bringing expert neurology services directly to the Winnfield community.

The addition of neurology services aligns with the health center’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality care to patients close to home, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to see a specialist.

“Access to specialty care shouldn’t require a long drive,” representatives for the health center said in a statement. “We’re excited to offer comprehensive neurology services right here in Winnfield!”

Community members are invited to welcome Dr. Kevill to the Winn Community Health Center family.

About Trinity Community Health Center

Since 2009, Trinity Community Health Center (CHC) has provided affordable access to quality healthcare for residents in and around Central Louisiana.

Trinity CHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), receiving partial funding from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to serve areas with documented unmet medical needs. FQHCs were specifically created to meet the healthcare needs of individuals with limited access to care due to income, medical conditions, or regional shortages of healthcare professionals.

Supported by a strong community response since its inception, Trinity CHC has steadily expanded its medical offerings and staff. The organization provides primary care, oral health, and behavioral health services, and has expanded its footprint to cover six parishes and more than 30 schools across Central Louisiana.

Local supporters of the shooting sports and the Second Amendment are invited to the annual Dugdemona Friends of NRA Banquet on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Winnfield Civic Center.

This family-friendly event raises funds to support local, state, and national youth shooting sports programs, hunter education, and conservation efforts.

Event Details

• What: Dugdemona Friends of NRA Banquet

• When: Thursday, July 23, 2026

  • Doors Open: 6 p.m.

  • Dinner Served: 7 p.m.

• Where: Winnfield Civic Center (Winn Parish Fairgrounds), 2000 S. Jones St., Winnfield, Louisiana

• Why: To raise money for shooting sports programs. Friends of NRA is a grassroots fundraising program that returns 100% of its net proceeds to qualified local, state, and national programs.

Highlights and Activities

• Auctions and Games: The evening will feature a live auction, silent auction, specialized games, and raffles.

• Featured Firearm: Attendees will have a chance to see the 2026 Gun of the Year, the exclusive Daniel Defense H9 9mm with a Vortex red dot.

• Exclusive Drawings:

  • All individual ticket holders will be entered into a drawing for a Smith & Wesson SD9 9mm (must be present to win).

  • All table buyers will be entered into a drawing for a Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport .22 LR semi-automatic rifle with a high-capacity red dot (must be present to win).

Ticket and Sponsorship Information

Tickets and customizable sponsor tables can be purchased in advance or at the door the night of the event.

• Single Ticket: $40

• Couples Ticket: $60

• Standard Reserved Table (8-person): $400

• Premium Sponsor Tables:

  • Revolution Table ($1,000): Includes choice of a Legacy Citadel Mariner 12-gauge, Taurus GX2 9mm, or Savage 64FXP .22 LR.

  • Independence Table ($1,500): Includes choice of a Beretta APX Carry 9mm, Savage Axis 2 Gray Compact 6.5, or Winchester SXP Camp/Field 12-gauge.

  • Spirit of 1776 Table ($1,776): Includes choice of a Sig Sauer P365X 9mm, Diamondback DB15 5.56 NATO, or Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge.

  • USA Anniversary Table ($2,500): Includes choice of a Browning X-Bolt 2 Hunter Composite .270 Win, Mossberg 940 Pro Super Bantam Sporting 12-gauge, or Kimber Nightstar 1911 .45 ACP.

Note: Custom firearm and caliber table options are available based on current inventory.

Media & Ticket Contact

To purchase advanced tickets, reserve a specialty table, or request media credentials, contact:

Ed Harrell

Phone: 318-413-1533

By Jim Rhodes, Special to the Journal

We all honor the events of June 6, 1944. It was a monumental task and should be recognized for the bravery and sacrifices of all involved on that day. It was the beginning of the end of Hitler’s Thousand Year Reich. It would be another year to finish it but we did and the world rejoiced. But there was another completely different war taking place in the Pacific theatre.

The United States military, along with Australia, England and a few others were fighting the Imperial Japanese in the Pacific. Beach landings such as Normandy were happening on a more frequent basis. At Normandy 160,000 soldiers hit the beaches on that famous day. Casualties were horrendous. Too many killed, maimed and injured (2,500 killed in action, 5,000 injured and an untold number of missing). In comparison on July 21, 1944, 65,000 hit the beach on Guam, spearheaded by the United States Marines, United States Army and our allies. The staggering results of that landing were 1,718 killed and 6,000 wounded.

I take up this comparison not from a historical perspective but from a personal one. You see I happened to be quite familiar with a participant in the Pacific Theatre. He was Private First Class Joseph Bernard Rhodes USMC Co D 1St Bn (Pioneers) 19th Marines Third Marine Division.

He was never one to talk about those days, as many of “Our Greatest Generation” participants, chose not to. On one particular day back when nothing was digital I had received my National Geographic magazine with its coveted fold out map. This particular issue was entitled “The Pacific Theatre”. As I had the map spread out on the kitchen table my Father walks in the side door asking what I was doing. I explained in short detail; he walked up standing behind me and started detailing his 3 year adventure. He pointed to each island that he had been to and explained very briefly what had happened and why he was there. When he got to Guam his only comment was “and that’s when I got to come home.”

There were no other comments after that. I sensed that there would be no questions or answers after that. Everything had gotten put back in that mental box and locked away.

Guam, what was so important about that island, aside from the strategic placement, it was an American Territory until December 10, 1941 when the Imperial Japanese captured it.

Later in life I started doing a little research on my Dad’s role in this part of history. The most intriguing part was trying to understand what one particular word meant “PIONEER”. There is no clear meaning as it is no longer used. But following that trail the best I could manage was that in today’s military jargon he was a combat engineer. Ask today’s military people and they give you this description that has no bearing on the 1940’s. Basically from what I could piece together here is my definition.

USMC PIONEER (n): Operates as member of crew of specially trained troops in constructing and repairing roads and bridges, removing natural and man-made obstacles to facilitate movement of friendly forces, executing demolitions, and creating man-made obstacles to prevent or slow advance of enemy force. My Dad’s training records indicate that he was qualified on most heavy equipment and specialized in putting potable water systems in place. His actual classification was part of the 3 man crew for heavy machine gun Browning M1919.

My Dad hit the beaches of Guam on the initial wave on July 21st. He was wounded on July 22nd and evacuated to a hospital ship to start his journey home to begin building a “normal” life. But he was reminded every day that he took a step of that hidden part of his life. I could see the physical pain that stayed as a reminder but I often wonder about the mental pain so many of those guys carried with them. I thought us as a family lived a normal life. That perspective changed as I grew older. I know I was loved as a child and throughout my life. But the words were never spoken by him or me until too late in life. I remember the phone call as clear as yesterday. He apologized for the personal troubles his actions had cased in my life and said he wanted me to know that he loved me. After shedding tears with a sense of relief I told him that I was proud to have been by his side and that I had always loved him and even more now. He passed shortly after that and finally found peace after the early 1940’s.

So when we pause to honor those who gave more than enough for us please honor all who have defended us and our way of life not just the ones from that particular event. REMEMBER THEM ALL.

A Brief History of the Invasion of Guam

The Battle of Guam, codenamed W-Day, commenced on July 21, 1944, as a vital piece of the American campaign to recapture territory lost to the Japanese Empire early in World War II. Japan had captured the U.S. territory on December 10, 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, subjecting the local Chamorro population to a brutal occupation.

Reclaiming the island was strategically paramount for the Allies. Guam’s large size and deep-water harbors made it an ideal base for upcoming operations against the Philippines and Taiwan, while its airfields would put Japan within range of the new American B-29 Superfortress bombers.

The assault began with an intense, multi-day naval and aerial bombardment to soften Japanese defenses. When the 3rd Marine Division, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, and the Army’s 77th Infantry Division finally hit the western beaches on W-Day, they faced fierce resistance from roughly 18,500 dug-in Japanese defenders. Despite steep limestone cliffs and heavily fortified machine-gun positions, Allied forces secured the beachheads. After weeks of brutal, close-quarters jungle warfare, heavy nighttime counterattacks, and massive casualties on both sides, the island was officially declared secure on August 10, 1944.

As summer temperatures climb, the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) is sharing critical research that connects rising heat to a significant increase in domestic violence, particularly intimate partner abuse.

Since 1994, DART has worked to keep local families safe. By understanding how environmental factors like extreme heat act as behavioral triggers, the organization aims to empower the community to recognize warning signs and support survivors during high-risk seasons.

The Heat-Aggression Connection

According to recent studies, warmer weather acts as an environmental amplifier for domestic tension through several distinct channels:

• Physiological Stress: Extreme heat triggers physical discomfort, including sweating, dehydration, lethargy, and restless sleep. These stressors lower impulse control and increase irritability, reducing the threshold for violent behavior.

• Seasonal Surges: Research analyzing over 1 million assault reports shows that domestic violence rates peak during the summer months, rising by approximately 12% compared to cooler seasons. Unlike outdoor public assaults—which often decrease on extremely hot days as people seek shelter—domestic violence continues to climb both indoors and outdoors.

• Social Triggers & Alcohol: Summer months bring increased socializing, outdoor gatherings, and alcohol consumption. Alcohol impairs judgment and heightens aggression, serving as a notable contributor to volatile situations.

• Cooling Inequities: Low-income housing and homes lacking proper insulation or air conditioning trap families in stressful, overheated environments. This disproportionately impacts vulnerable households, compounding existing financial and social pressures.

Seeking Help

While hot weather does not cause domestic abuse, it serves as a powerful trigger for underlying control and violence. Increased community awareness, prevention, and active intervention are vital during the summer months.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available. You do not have to navigate this alone.

• Agency: Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART)

• Winn Parish Office: 301 W. Main St., Winnfield, LA 71483

• Phone: 318-648-0559

About DART

DART has been dedicated to helping keep families safe since 1994. Supported in part by the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services and the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, DART provides free, confidential advocacy, safety planning, and resources to survivors of domestic violence.

The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present a traditional music and dance informance with Native Nations Intertribal at on Friday, July 17 at 6 p.m. the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front St. in Natchitoches. The event will be free and open to the public. 

The event will feature members of Native Nations Intertribal, who will symbolically open the 46th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival with Native American music and dance. Native Nations Intertribal will engage in a discussion of their traditions with NSU Professor of Anthropology Dr. Hiram “Pete” Gregory, an expert on Southeastern Native American tribes and culture. 

“We are so grateful to Native Nations Intertribal for so generously sharing their cultural knowledge with us,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University. “Attendees at this event will have the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful music and dance traditions in the world.” 

Native Nations Intertribal is an all-Native American song and dance troupe dedicated to sharing the beauty, diversity and living traditions of Indigenous peoples across the United States. For over 25 years, it has proudly performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where the troupe honors their ancestors and educates audiences from around the world through the power of their songs, dances and stories. The group is composed of approximately 15-18 dancers and five singers, representing more than 10 tribal nations including Alabama-Coushatta, Coushatta, Southern Cheyenne, Mescalero Apache and Chickasaw, among others. Each performance is a celebration of these cultures, an opportunity to showcase the rich traditions that have been passed down through generations while building understanding and respect among all peoples. 

Native Nations Intertribal will participate in the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival on July 18. In honor of the 2026 Festival theme, “America the Beautiful,” the Festival will feature the traditional music of the nation – blues, gospel, Cajun, Celtic, country, bluegrass and zydeco on three stages of music as well as in the Magale Recital Hall. Over 70 traditional crafts persons from throughout the state will display their crafts, handcrafting their work during the festival. 

Held in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum, the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival features three stages of live music, Louisiana cuisine food vendors, the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, dance lessons, music informances, narrative sessions, on-site demonstrations and more. Admission to this family friendly event is $10 for an all-day all-event pass, with children 12 and under admitted free all day. For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to https://www.nsula.edu/folklife/. 

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest History Museum and is in partnership with the City of Natchitoches. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana. 

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. 

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office has officially welcomed its newest four-legged deputy to the team, introducing Ruby Gene, a highly trained narcotics detection K-9 who will assist deputies in combating illegal drugs throughout the parish.

Ruby Gene is a 4½-year-old Belgian Malinois born in Czechoslovakia. She is a certified narcotics detection K-9, specially trained to locate illegal narcotics and support law enforcement operations aimed at keeping Winn Parish communities safe.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Ruby Gene has spent the past several years training alongside Major Chad Chelette of the WPSO Chase Team, where she developed the skills and discipline needed for her new assignment.

Her training has prepared her to work closely with deputies during narcotics investigations and other law enforcement operations requiring specialized detection capabilities.

Belgian Malinois are widely recognized as one of the premier breeds used in law enforcement because of their intelligence, loyalty, athleticism, and strong work ethic.

The Sheriff’s Office says Ruby Gene’s exceptional training, determination, and drive make her a valuable addition to the department and an important resource in its ongoing efforts to protect the citizens of Winn Parish.

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office is inviting the community to join in welcoming Ruby Gene as she begins her service.

Officials expressed their excitement about introducing the newest member of the agency and the important role she will play in supporting deputies and enhancing public safety throughout the parish.

“Please join us in congratulating Deputy Ruby Gene on her new assignment and giving her a warm Winn Parish welcome,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “We look forward to the many ways she will serve and protect the citizens of Winn Parish.”

With Ruby Gene now officially on duty, the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to strengthen its commitment to public safety through specialized training, teamwork, and proactive law enforcement efforts.

What began as a routine animal rescue has become an extraordinary story of survival, resilience, and the urgent need for community support.

The Humane Society of Louisiana (HSLA) and the City of Winnfield Animal Shelter are asking for donations and supplies after rescuing Riley, a severely neglected Pit Bull who gave birth to her 10th litter of puppies just one day after arriving at the shelter.

The shelter is also caring for two additional sick mother dogs and their litters, placing further strain on already limited resources.

On June 1, the City of Winnfield Animal Shelter took custody of three adult Pit Bulls after their owner was incarcerated and family members declined to care for the dogs.

Two of the females were found to be severely malnourished and were immediately placed on nutritional plans before receiving veterinary care. Both dogs tested positive for advanced heartworm disease.

The following day, one of those dogs—later named Riley—went into labor.

Shelter staff soon discovered Riley’s heartbreaking history.

“At just a fraction of her ideal weight, Riley has spent her life as a ‘breeding machine,’ and this is her 10th litter of puppies,” said Camelia Bynog Shelton, manager of the City of Winnfield Animal Shelter.

A comprehensive veterinary examination revealed the devastating effects years of neglect have had on Riley.

Veterinarians diagnosed her with:

Critical malnourishment, with a body condition score of just 1 out of 9

Advanced heartworm disease, causing severe coughing and labored breathing

Broken and worn teeth

A chronic left eye injury believed to have resulted from an old dog fight

Enlarged mammary glands, including a visible tumor

Despite her condition, shelter staff say Riley has remained devoted to caring for her puppies.

“She has every reason to distrust humans and give up, but instead, she greets us with kindness and pours what little energy she has left into being a flawless mother,” Shelton said.

Tragically, the smallest puppy in the litter died shortly after birth.

Riley is now caring for her three surviving puppies, but veterinarians face another challenge.

Because medications used to treat heartworms can pass through a nursing mother’s milk and may be fatal to puppies, Riley cannot begin heartworm treatment until her puppies are fully weaned.

For now, she is receiving antibiotics and respiratory medications to help manage her condition while she continues nursing.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says Riley’s initial veterinary evaluation cost $218, but her medical expenses are expected to grow significantly as she undergoes additional treatment, tumor evaluations, and eventual heartworm therapy.

The organization is asking the public to assist in two ways:

Financial Donations

Donations may be made by check payable to:

Winnfield Animal Clinic

Mail to:
City of Winnfield Animal Shelter
508 S. Bevill Street
Winnfield, LA 71483

Needed Supplies

The shelter is also requesting donations of:

Puppy food

Puppy pads

Officials note that Riley is not the only dog in need. The shelter is currently caring for three nursing mother dogs and their puppies, while also housing more than 30 healthy, adoptable dogs that have been waiting more than six months to find permanent homes.

The Humane Society of Louisiana hopes Riley can recover from this final chapter of motherhood and eventually be placed in a quiet, loving foster or adoptive home where she can enjoy the life she has never had.

“Our colleagues who run the rural shelters around our state deserve everyone’s support, respect, and admiration,” said Jeff Dorson, executive director of the Humane Society of Louisiana. “They operate on less than a shoestring and still manage to save and improve the lives of thousands of animals each year. We hope people in the Winn Parish community will donate generously.”

Established in 1988, the Humane Society of Louisiana is one of the state’s largest animal protection organizations and continues to partner with local shelters to provide lifesaving care for animals across Louisiana.

Third-quarter financial report ranks NSU first in unrestricted liquidity and second in total cash among current University of Louisiana System institutions.

By Richard Searles

Northwestern State University entered the final quarter of fiscal year 2026 with the strongest unrestricted cash position among the current universities in the University of Louisiana System, according to a third-quarter financial report presented to the UL System Board of Supervisors.

The report shows Northwestern State averaging 148 days of unrestricted cash on hand through March 31 — nearly five months of unrestricted operating liquidity and the highest level reported among the system’s current universities.

Grambling State University ranked second with 99 days, placing Northwestern State 49 days ahead of the next-highest institution.

NSU leads the system in unrestricted liquidity

“Days of unrestricted cash” is a measure of institutional liquidity. It estimates how many days a university could continue paying unrestricted operating expenses using available unrestricted cash resources.

Unlike restricted money designated for grants, scholarships, capital projects or other specific purposes, unrestricted cash generally provides greater flexibility for meeting payroll, vendor obligations and other ordinary operating expenses.

The quarter-average rankings were:

• Northwestern State University — 148 days
• Grambling State University — 99 days
• Nicholls State University — 79 days
• McNeese State University — 64 days
• Southeastern Louisiana University — 48 days
• University of Louisiana Monroe — 27 days
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette — 17 days
• Louisiana Tech University — negative two days

Northwestern State reported nearly five months of unrestricted operating liquidity — more than any other current University of Louisiana System institution.

Louisiana Tech’s negative quarter average and UL Lafayette’s 17-day average indicate substantially tighter unrestricted liquidity than Northwestern State reported during the same period.

The report, however, does not establish that either university delayed vendor payments, experienced difficulty meeting payroll or transferred money between funds. Determining whether those practices occurred would require additional records, including accounts-payable aging reports, cash-by-fund schedules and payment-timing data.

NSU ranks second in total cash

The report also measured total cash on hand, which includes both unrestricted cash and funds that may be legally or contractually restricted for specific purposes.

McNeese State University ranked first in total cash with a quarter average of 163 days. Northwestern State ranked second with 120 days, followed closely by Grambling State with 118 days.

Nicholls reported 91 days of total cash, Southeastern Louisiana 68 days, UL Lafayette 37 days, UL Monroe 36 days and Louisiana Tech 12 days.

The distinction between unrestricted and total cash is important. A university can report a substantial total cash balance while having far less money available for general operating purposes because portions of the cash may be restricted.

Two measures show NSU among system’s strongest

Taken together, the two measures show Northwestern State entered the final quarter of fiscal year 2026 with one of the strongest liquidity positions in the UL System.

NSU ranked:

• First in unrestricted cash, at 148 days
• Second in total cash, at 120 days

The findings also provide important context for discussions surrounding Northwestern State’s projected fiscal year 2026 operating deficit.

A projected budget deficit and cash liquidity measure different aspects of an institution’s finances. The budget projection estimates whether revenues will cover planned expenses during the year. Days of cash on hand measure the university’s existing liquidity and its ability to continue meeting obligations from available cash resources.

While Northwestern State faces a projected budget imbalance, the third-quarter report shows the university maintained the strongest unrestricted cash position among the current institutions in the UL System.

The report was based on financial submissions from each university for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. It was presented to the UL System Board of Supervisors for discussion and required no board action.

Footnote: The University of New Orleans was included in the March 31, 2026, University of Louisiana System report but left the UL System effective June 30, 2026. UNO has therefore been excluded from the rankings in this article.

Source: University of Louisiana System, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third Quarter Financial Report, Page 7.

A $13.4 million figure that has fueled public concern about Northwestern State University’s finances was a projected budget shortfall, not a final accounting of the university’s fiscal year 2025-26 results.

The distinction is important as the figure continues to be discussed at civic meetings and in public conversations about NSU’s financial condition.

A July 1 article about a proposed North Louisiana law school reported that Northwestern State projected a $13.4 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30 and said the university had covered the cost by spending down its cash reserves.

The University of Louisiana System report cited for that figure, however, identified the $13.4 million as a projected surplus or deficit based on third-quarter financial information. The report was prepared before the fiscal year had closed and before all final revenues, expenses and year-end adjustments had been recorded.

That means the $13.4 million should not be described as NSU’s final deficit or actual year-end loss.

The final result could be substantially different from the projection because university budgets include salaries, benefits and operating costs that may not ultimately be spent. Vacant positions, delayed hiring, employee turnover and positions filled below their budgeted amounts can reduce actual personnel expenses. Departments also may postpone purchases or spend less than originally budgeted.

NSU’s final fiscal year result cannot be determined until the university and UL System complete their year-end accounting and release actual revenue and expenditure figures.

The same third-quarter report provides additional context that was not reflected in the public discussion surrounding the $13.4 million projection.

As of the quarter ending March 31, Northwestern State averaged 148 days of unrestricted cash on hand — the strongest unrestricted liquidity position among the current universities in the UL System. NSU also averaged 120 days of total cash, ranking second among those institutions.

The report separately projected that NSU would finish the fiscal year with $11.3 million in unrestricted reserves and $51.3 million in total reserves.

Those figures do not prove that Northwestern State avoided a year-end deficit. A university can spend more than it receives during a fiscal year while still maintaining substantial cash and reserves.

They do show, however, that the $13.4 million projection was not the same as an immediate cash shortage, an inability to meet payroll or a final documented loss.

Budget projections and cash measurements address different questions. A projected deficit estimates whether expected annual revenue will cover planned expenditures. Days of cash on hand measure how long an institution could continue meeting expenses using available cash resources.

Public concern over the university’s finances is understandable, particularly when a multimillion-dollar deficit figure is reported without a clear explanation of how it was calculated. But the available UL System documents do not establish that Northwestern State ended the year $13.4 million in the red.

A more precise description is that NSU was projected during the third quarter to end fiscal year 2025-26 with a $13.4 million budget shortfall. The university’s actual year-end result remains subject to final accounting.

Until those actual figures are released, the $13.4 million amount should be treated as a forecast — not as Northwestern State’s confirmed deficit.

The university’s year-end closing, expected within four weeks, should provide the first reliable answer to whether the projected $13.4 million shortfall was close to reality or substantially overstated.