NSU ET Symposium engages middle and high schoolers in hands-on physics & math activities
NATCHITOCHES - About 11 middle school and high school students participated in activities that put math and physics to practical applications during Northwestern State University's Engineering Technology and Symposium and Manufacturing Day Oct. 17. NSU's Department of Engineering Technology annually hosts the event in October in commemoration of National Manufacturing Month. Students met with regional industry professionals, explored career pathways and learned how math and science are applied in
Louisiana achieves top reading gains while spending far less per student
(The Center Square) − Louisiana spends less per student than most of the country, yet its fourth graders are outperforming peers in nearly every other state. Data released Jan. 29 from the Urban Institute ranks Louisiana second in the nation for reading when adjusted for race and income, despite per-pupil spending of just $13,800 – thousands of dollars less than what some states spend. Spending data is sourced from the World Population Review. By comparison, Vermont spends $33,000 per student but ranks
No Trick: Library Offers Free Halloween Costume Checkout
Natchitoches, LA, October 9, 2025 - The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) is excited to once again offer its popular Halloween costume checkout program this October, giving families and individuals the chance to enjoy the holiday without the extra expense. Costumes for all ages, from whimsical to spooky, are available at the Main Branch in Natchitoches and the Northeast Branch in Campti. Adult patrons may check out up to two costumes per card for up to six weeks. Costumes are available on a first-come,
LSMSA soars in 2026 Niche rankings
NATCHITOCHES - The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) has once again been recognized among the nation's elite in the newly released 2026 Niche.com rankings, earning an overall grade of A+ and improving in every major category from the previous year. In the national report, LSMSA was ranked #2 of 19,115 schools for Best Public High School Teachers in America and #46 of 20,262 for Best Public High Schools in America, placing the school in the top fraction of a percent nationwide. In
NSU celebrates opening of Alost Hall, new $45 M academic building
NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University and President James Genovese hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 3 in the atrium of Robert Alost Hall, the 73,200-square-foot academic building that opened this semester. Administrators from NSU and the University of Louisiana System, the Alost family, former presidents, faculty, staff, students, alumni, public servants and legislative partners were on hand for the ribbon-cutting that was scheduled as part of Homecoming festivities. The state-of-the-art
Exploration Day: LSMSA opens campus to future Eagles on October 13
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA), the state-supported residential high school for academically motivated Louisiana sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will host its next Exploration Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, October 13. Exploration Days - often scheduled to coincide with public school holidays - are "open house" -style events where prospective students and their families can tour campus, explore LSMSA's one-of-a-kind Living/Learning Commons, attend classes, and meet
Fine ForGIVING Returns to the Library in 2025
Natchitoches, LA, October 1, 2025 - The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) is excited to announce the return of its annual "Fine ForGIVING" program, running October through December. This initiative offers patrons the chance to reduce their library fines while giving back to the community during the holiday season. Through Fine ForGIVING, patrons can donate items in exchange for fine reductions, with all donations benefiting local organizations. Even if you don't have fines, you are encouraged to join in.
Museum Open for LHSSA Visitors with screening of the documentary ''The Ragin' 13''
The Museum will be open special hours on Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 4:00-7:00pm to give the LHSAA Cross Country State Championship participants and their families time to visit while in town. The museum recognizes nearly 500 Louisiana sports icons and ambassadors as well as providing a broad overview about the origin of our region's distinctive regional culture. At 5:00pm there will be a showing of the award-winning documentary "The Ragin'13." The University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Women's Resource Center Announces ''Fill the Boutique Challenge''
As we enter this season of gratitude and giving, the Women's Resource Center of Natchitoches invites you to join us in our "Fill the Boutique Challenge" - a month-long community effort to bless local families and restock our Baby Boutique with essential items for mothers and babies in need. Throughout November 2025, churches, civic groups, businesses, and campus organizations will collect baby items to help us serve the hundreds of women who turn to the WRC each year for compassionate care, parenting
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Honoring History, Family, and Country
Honoring History, Family, and CountryNatchitoches, Louisiana - BOM Bank President & CEO Ken Hale, along with his children and BOM Bank employees Ragan and Brake Hale, and Board Members Kay Foshee and Leanne Foreman, and Kay's granddaughter, Thea Foshee are pictured with the American flag that once flew over our Montgomery branch in the 1940s - before Alaska and Hawaii become states. This treasured flag has now been carefully framed to preserve it for generations to come. For our BOM Bank family, this flag
New England schools are failing. Time to take a lesson from Louisiana and Mississippi.
Ten years ago, New England's public schools were the envy of the country. On the Nation's Report Card, Massachusetts students led the United States across ages, subjects, and most demographic groups, despite wide achievement gaps. Vermont and New Hampshire were near the top. Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine were in the middle of the pack. On the other end of the spectrum, states in the Deep South, riven by poverty and the legacy of segregation and slavery, sat at the bottom. "Thank God for
Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade Opens Registration for Participants
Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade Opens Registration for ParticipantsNATCHITOCHES, LA - September 17, 2025 - The Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee is excited to announce that registration is now open for participants in the 2025 Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade. This year marks the 99th year of the beloved Natchitoches Christmas Festival, and the parade will once again bring joy, lights, and festive cheer to the heart of Louisiana on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The
BPCC NATCHITOCHES ANNOUNCES OPENING OF PETULA HOLDEN STUDENT SALON
NATCHITOCHES – Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) announces the opening of the Petula Holden Student Salon at its Natchitoches campus, 6587 Highway 1 Bypass. Beginning Tuesday, August 19, the salon will provide the public with affordable, professional-quality services performed by BPCC Cosmetology students under licensed instructor supervision. The Petula Holden Student Salon (Room 115) will be open to the public every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am to 2pm and will offer a full range
