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”July 31, 2026”

Fish & Fuel Celebrates Grand Opening in Toledo Town

Foster Father Arrested in Death of 18-Month-Old Girl

Jasper County Fugitive Arrested in Arkansas

Memorial Softball Tournament Scheduled in Grand Cane

NSU student Cannon Hatcher wins cornhole world championship

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University student Cannon Hatcher is not only a champion in the sport of cornhole. He is now considered royalty.

Hatcher was recently named “King of Cornhole” after winning the World Singles title at the American Cornhole Organization World Championships in Owensboro, Kentucky. Hatcher, a computer information systems major from Goldonna, was ranked number 1,027 in the world standings going into the championships but kept winning and advancing before claiming the title.

“It was an interesting experience,” said Hatcher. “I was so locked into the game that whenever it was over I felt like I had another game ready to play. Though once the moment set in, it was awesome to see my success of over the week.”

Cornhole is a popular lawn game and competitive sport where players take turns throwing fabric bean bags at an inclined wooden board to hit the target or go through the hole. Wooden boards are placed 27 feet apart with bags landing on the board scoring one point and three points if it goes in the hole.

Hatcher has played competitively for almost six years

“I’ve participated in major competitions since I started but didn’t find any success until after about one to two years of consistent playing and practice,” said Hatcher.

 

NSU has created a cornhole club team to give students the opportunity to play, compete, and earn a scholarship after competing in the collegiate nationals. Hatcher is the team’s president.

 

“People prefer the sport of cornhole over other sports due to the camaraderie and sportsmanship that many of the players have,” said Hatcher. “The social aspect of the game is what keeps it enjoyable.”

 

Information on NSU’s cornhole team is available at https://www.instagram.com/nsulacornhole/. To learn about any of the 12 club sports at Northwestern go to https://www.nsula.edu/wellness-and-recreation/wrac/.

Pickleball Tournament to Benefit NSU Rodeo Team

Sabine Parish Back-to-School Rally Set for Saturday

School of Kinesiology name reflects nationally recognized field at Northwestern State

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s transition from the Department of Health and Human Performance to the School of Kinesiology reflects the school’s growth and aligns its identity with terminology commonly used throughout the profession.

The University of Louisiana System and the Louisiana Board of Regents approved the name change earlier this year. University officials said the term “kinesiology” more accurately reflects the study of human movement and is more widely recognized by employers, graduate schools and professional organizations.

Haley Blount, assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology, said the new name better aligns Northwestern State with terminology already used throughout the profession.

“The School of Kinesiology is more consistent with the widely recognized terminology used by our peer institutions and employers nationally and internationally,” Blount said. “We’re hoping it’s really going to help students get jobs when they graduate because the term ‘kinesiology’ is more widely recognized in the fields our students are going into.”

While the school’s name has changed, degree requirements, faculty, courses and student pathways remain the same. University officials said the transition reflects the school’s existing academic focus rather than a change in curriculum.

In recent years, the school has expanded its academic offerings with the addition of a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management, a minor in coaching and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. The school is expanding its graduate offerings with a proposed doctoral concentration in Human Performance.

Janiel Moore, a graduate assistant in the School of Kinesiology pursuing a master’s degree in Sport Administration, said her assistantship has provided opportunities beyond the classroom.

“I get to work with Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith on her nutrition and physical activity program for older adults,” Moore said. “That’s an amazing opportunity because it relates to grants and overseeing a grant, and that’s going to look really good on a résumé.”

Moore said the School of Kinesiology exposes students to a variety of career paths.

“You get a lot of opportunities to pursue careers in athletics, whether you want to be an occupational therapist, athletic trainer or pursue sport business,” Moore said. “I would say this school makes it possible.”

The School of Kinesiology offers undergraduate programs in Health and Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education, Grades K-12, and Sport and Recreation Management. Graduate students can pursue concentrations in Sport Administration, Public Health and Exercise Science.

Lalaina Wood, a senior Sport and Recreation Management major, said she has seen the transition to the School of Kinesiology firsthand through her involvement with the program.

“I’ve been involved in numerous organizations, including the Health and Human Performance Leadership Club, and I’m an ambassador for the School of Kinesiology,” Wood said. “Last week, I went on a radio show with Dr. Lauren Mitchell and some other students to help get our name out there.”

Wood said she believes the new name will help prospective students better recognize the program.

“I feel like the change will bring more students in because ‘kinesiology’ is more universally known,” Wood said. “You’ll be able to get real-life experience. You’re going in the gym, you’re seeing what muscles work and you’re seeing how to do these certain things.”

Additional information about the School of Kinesiology is available at www.nsula.edu.

Silsbee Motorcyclist Dies Following Lumberton Crash

Six-Hour Standoff Ends Peacefully in Hardin County

Sobriety Checkpoint Scheduled for DeSoto Parish

DeSoto Parish – Louisiana State Police has zero tolerance for impaired drivers. To enhance safety on the roadways in our area, Louisiana State Police Troop G, in collaboration with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, will conduct a sobriety checkpoint. The sobriety checkpoint will occur on Saturday, August 1, 2026, weather and traffic conditions permitting, in DeSoto Parish.

 

The mission will be to intercept and incarcerate impaired drivers before they can cause injury or death to themselves, their passengers, or members of the public. Drivers are less likely to be impaired when they recognize the increased probability of law enforcement action.

 

We urge the public to make the responsible choice and designate a sober driver. Remember, “You drink, You drive, You lose!”

 

To report aggressive or impaired driving, call *LSP (*577) from your cellular phone or contact your local law enforcement agency.

Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Pageant Deadlines Approaching

”July 30, 2026”

Fuel Spill Quickly Contained at Jasper Walmart Gas Station

Highway Striping and Rumble Strip Project Announced for Central Louisiana

 

 

Man Arrested After Woman Allegedly Held Against Her Will

Registration Rally helps nontraditional students return to college at NSU’s CENLA campus

NATCHITOCHES – Students preparing to begin or return to college completed enrollment steps, met with university staff and connected with campus resources during Registration Rally at Northwestern State University’s CENLA campus July 28. While the event served students from a variety of academic programs and backgrounds, many nontraditional students took advantage of the one-stop enrollment opportunity.

The event, held from 9 a.m. to noon, brought together representatives from Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Student Accounting and Cashiering, Admissions, academic colleges and other university departments to answer questions and guide students through the enrollment process. By hosting Registration Rally in Alexandria, NSU provided students across central Louisiana with an opportunity to complete enrollment closer to home before classes begin.

Vanner Erikson, director of Enrollment, said Registration Rally helps students complete every step of the enrollment process in one visit.

“Registration Rally is a fantastic event for students of all types,” Erikson said. “We will help you through every process that you need, and that begins with simply applying and goes all the way through registration, finishing, of course, with an ID.”

Erikson said the event gives students confidence that they are ready to begin the semester.

“I think today’s event gives them the finality of, ‘Hey, you’re ready to roll,'” Erikson said. “I think that’s what’s cool. There are so many smiles when they walk out the door knowing that in three or four weeks, they’re going to be starting classes with us.”

Erikson said NSU’s satellite campuses serve many College of Nursing and School of Allied Health students, along with nontraditional students and those pursuing accelerated programs.

“Our satellite campuses are unique,” Erikson said. “We see a lot of our College of Nursing and School of Allied Health participants here, but you also see a lot of nontraditional students, which I love. I think there’s really no point in time that is not a good time to start school.”

Ebony Casey of Pineville attended Registration Rally as she prepares to return to college through an accelerated nursing program while raising her son.

“I joined the military my first summer to pay for college, and my plan was to do nursing,” Casey said. “I started nursing, but I got pregnant with my son during nursing school, so I didn’t finish the program. Life happened, parenting happened, and I just kind of steered away from it. I finally decided, ‘I’m going to go back to school full time,’ and I realized they had accelerated programs. It’s right here in Alexandria, it’s local, and they have everything I need.”

Casey said Registration Rally allowed her to complete multiple enrollment steps in one visit instead of trying to navigate the process on her own.

“I just haven’t had the time to get up here and make sure my stuff was in order,” Casey said. “I got an email about Registration Rally, and I thought, ‘Man, that’s perfect.’ You can do everything in one place. Financial aid, admissions, everything, and get it knocked out. You can just be complete and walk away feeling accomplished. It’s helped me see it through, things that I’ve been putting off that I should have already done and not leave until it’s finished.”

Erikson said students at NSU’s Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville campuses have access to accelerated programs and other pathways designed to help them complete their education and enter or return to the workforce.

“There’s also a lot of students on our Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville campuses that are doing some accelerated programs, fast tracks or unique ways to get back enrolled so that they can contribute to the workforce,” Erikson said. “I think it’s really important. There’s such a big role that our satellite campuses serve in who we are as Northwestern.”

Registration Rally is open to new and returning students and provides an opportunity to complete multiple enrollment steps during one visit before the semester begins.

Registration for the fall semester will continue through Aug. 16. Late registration, during which additional fees apply, will continue through Aug. 25. Information about registration is available at vic.nsula.edu.

Shreveport Police Investigating Morning Shooting

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