Sat, 09/05/2026 - 6:01am
Feathered Friends
News
(The Center Square) — Louisiana is ending its Medicaid managed care partnership with Healthy Blue, a change that will force more than 290,000 people to move to another health plan by the beginning of next year.
A Block Off Broadway Community Theatre is holding auditions in search of its next big star. ABOB is preparing for its next production, “Knock ’Em Dead,” and is inviting area residents to audition for a chance to be part of the cast.
(The Center Square) — As the federal government faces hundreds of billions of dollars in estimated annual fraud losses, a bipartisan majority of voters want it to use artificial intelligence to help catch waste and abuse, a new poll found.
A false graphic circulating on social media claims that a new Louisiana law requires drivers under a certain height to use booster seats in their vehicles. Officials with the Louisiana State Police are warning residents that the information is not true.
(The Center Square) — Louisiana school officials are raising concerns about a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow local voters to give older homeowners larger property tax exemptions, warning the measure could reduce school funding without giving school boards a say.
Community
When I told a casual friend/former hairdresser that my dog had just been “put to sleep,” she reached over without hesitation and hugged my neck in a genuine expression of concern. “I am so sorry,” she said.
The accordion will be playing, the dance floor will be open and the Cajun Family Chapter is inviting everyone to come pass a good time at its latest celebration of South Louisiana music and culture. The Cajun Family Chapter of the Cajun French Music Association will host Dax Faulk et Les Vieilles Âmes from 7-10 p.m.
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Knights of Columbus 2012 recently met to discuss business, including honoring members of the organization. Grand Knight Mason LeJeune awarded Daniel Stretcher with Knight of the Month, while Preston and Janet Doucet received the Family of the Month distinction.
September, which is National Piano Month, is an opportunity to explore a wider range of music, build your skills and discover new ways to express yourself through playing. Here are a few ways to celebrate this month and beyond:
Sports
Foo F acts Foo Fact of the Game: The Class 3A Bulldogs offense turned two of three Broncos turnovers into touchdowns to give Jennings a 20-0 win over Class 5A Sam Houston in the Bolton Ford Jamboree. Captains: Ayden Guintard, Neyten Vargas, Joseph Sonnier and Niko Easton.
ELTON — In a game known to local high school football fans as “The Battle of the Bayou”, the Bearcats of Basile High School will invade Cleave Beard Stadium in Elton to take on the Elton High School Indians Friday night. The winner will claim bragging rights between the two schools separated by just six miles.
After a long summer of work by Jennings High players, coaches and staff, the wait is over. On Friday night, all that work will begin to pay off as the 2026 edition of the JHS Bulldog football team returns to Jerry Simmons Stadium when the hometown Dogs take on the Bears of Church Point. Friday night will mark the 13th meeting of these two teams, with the Bulldogs leading the series 9-3. The last meeting was in the second round of the 2019 playoffs in a game won by Jennings 14-13. The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive win against Sam Houston last Thursday in the Broncos Jamboree in Moss Bluff. The Bears, playing in the Erath Jamboree, lost to Kaplan by a score of 17-14.
LAKE ARTHUR — The Lake Arthur Tigers will kick off their regular season by traveling to face Holy Savior Menard Friday night. The Tigers, under the direction of new coach Cody Gueringer, will look to sustain the momentum from their jamboree win over Hanson Memorial last week. Menard posted a 7-5 record last season and made it to the regional round of the playoffs before losing to Newman.
WELSH — The Welsh Greyhounds will open their 2026 regular season on the road, as they will travel to face the Class 3A Abbeville Wildcats Friday night in a non-district clash. The Wildcats’ football fortunes have fallen on hard times recently, but a new face is directing Abbeville these days. “Brent Indest is their coach now, and he has been tremendously successful everywhere he goes,” commented Welsh Head Coach Ronnie Courville. “We are talking about a coach who someday soon will probably be voted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame as a coach. He is an extremely accomplished coach who absolutely knows football.”
Editorial
Many hospitals are destabilizing small businesses across America by exploiting a littleknown federal charity care program to drive healthcare costs up. The 340B Drug Pricing Program was supposed to help safety-net hospitals serve vulnerable patients by letting them buy prescription medicines at a discount.
ELTON — The Elton Town Council approved a new golf cart ordinance that brings the town's regulations into compliance with Louisiana law and sets local registration fees, following a detailed presentation by Town Attorney Michael Holmes. Holmes explained that the ordinance is based on Louisiana Revised Statute 32:299.4 and establishes the requirements for operating golf carts on public streets within the Town of Elton. Under the ordinance, golf cart owners must register their vehicles with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles if they intend to drive them on public roads. Operators must also provide proof of registration and liability insurance before receiving authorization from the town.
Ihave unpacked the suitcase. I have washed its contents and returned my clean clothes to closets and drawers.
As a legislator proudly representing Louisiana’s working coast in Terrebonne Parish, the impacts of lawsuit abuse continue to reverberate across not only my district, but the entire state.
The Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture just released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, resetting the federal nutrition advice that shapes how Americans eat.
Obituaries
Margaret Myers Mallett, a devout Catholic, was the second of nine children born to Luke, Sr. and Mamie Kinney Myers on April 17, 1936 in Jennings in Jeff Davis Parish. As a teen, she cared for her maternal grandparents, Elvina and Leo Paul Kinney. After graduating from Jennings High School, she attended SLI (now UL Lafayette) where she met Joseph “Joe” Mallett also from Jeff Davis Parish. On August 4, 1956, they were one of the first couples married at the newly formed Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jennings, of which her family was a founding member. Margaret and Joe began their family in Welsh before moving to Baton Rouge for Joe’s work. In Baton Rouge, they were a founding family of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Upon moving to Wilson in East Feliciana Parish, they joined Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Jackson where she was active with the Altar Guild and was affectionately known as the “Donut Lady”.
Mary Epperly passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the age of 83. She was born in Roanoke and resided in LaPlace.
Mary Epperly passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the age of 83. She was born in Roanoke and resided in LaPlace.
Ivy 'John' Gary, 79, of Jennings passed away peacefully at his home in Lake Charles on July 11, 2026. He was born on Aug.
Dwayne “Durwood” Lewis, 69, of Jennings, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family members on Thursday, July 23, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer. Visitation was held on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings beginning at 3 p.m.
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