Committee hears 3 bills on insurance

Louisiana lawmakers are moving forward with proposals they say could help reduce the cost of insurance in the state, which has some of the highest rates in the country.

JUST TALKIN’

JT read where there’s a bill to give the governor more input on 32 of the state’s occupational licensing boards and commissions. As it is now, the governor appoints some members to the board but from a list of recommended candidates supplied by their trade organizations.

Melrose Arts & Crafts

Blanket ceremony honors guest speakers for sharing tribal knowledge

Northwestern State University honored two visiting alumni with a blanket ceremony as part of the inaugural NSU Indigenous Studies Minor Award, following a lecture they presented on April 23.Historian Dr. Robert B. Caldwell Jr.

Opposition surfaces about proposed change to name of Amulet Street

While changing the City Organizational Chart and a salary raise took up much of the time at the City Council meeting Monday, there were several other agenda items.

SWEPCO utilizing new technology to trim trees with aerial trimmers

Residents in parts of Natchitoches, DeSoto, and Sabine Parishes may hear and see something exciting this month as Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power, takes to the sky to trim trees.

Medical Center earns ‘A’ grade for hospital safety

For the second consecutive period, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Following its Fall 2024 “A” recognition, NRMC has achieved the exemplary status for Spring 2025.

FDA making plans to phase out artificial dyes

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S.

Elizabeth Maynard named 2025 recipient of Lisa Chesser Borders Meraki Scholarship Award

Elizabeth Maynard of Natchitoches is the 2025 recipient of the Lisa Chesser Borders Meraki Scholarship, presented to a student pursuing a degree in Fine and Graphic Arts at Northwestern State University.

Northwestern State

Here is a look at the week of May 4-10 at Northwestern State University.May 3-8 - Spring final examinations May 4-10 – Summer and Fall 2025 semester registration available via NSU Connect May 4 – Percussion Alumni Concert, Magale Recital Hall, 2 p.m. # May 8-10 – Baseball vs.