BATON ROUGE (AP) — A proposed Louisiana congressional map with a second majority-Black district, which could deliver another U.S. House seat to Democrats, received bipartisan support and advanced through a legislative committee Tuesday.During the second day of Louisiana’s special redistricting session, lawmakers took their first in-depth look at proposed congressional boundaries, backed by newly inaugurated GOP Gov. Jeff Landry. Under …

State lawmakers have passed a series of new laws that took effect Jan. 1. Many of them may not seem to impact your daily life but could in the months to come.Louisiana Political Analyst Jim Engster said the marquee item as far as new bills that went into effect at the first of the year is the bill banning gender-affirming …

By Luke BrittEditorThe Union Parish School Board voted at its regular monthly meeting last week to change how a planned expansion of the Union Parish High School stadium is funded, and in so doing, freed up money to purchase a new building for its Information Technology department.The new funding plan was made possible by the sale of land and buildings …

Bettye Jean Bennett Nolan of Farmerville, LA, was born March 2, 1939, and passed from this life on January 16, 2023, after a sudden decline in her health. Bettye was 84 years old.  Bettye attended Farmerville High School where she was homecoming queen her senior year and was voted “Most Beautiful”.   After high school, Bettye married her high school sweetheart, …

Syble Williams Thomas Farrar’s Funeral Home Farmerville, LA Syble Thomas, 88 years old of Spearsville, Louisiana died January 19, 2024 after a brief illness.  The daughter of James and Verna Williams was born August 22, 1935.  She was an active long-time member of Canaan Baptist Church where she served as treasurer, custodian, and for many years as grounds-keeper.  After retirement, …

Funeral Services for James Lucian “Jimmy” Long of Farmerville, LA will be held Sunday, January 21 at 2:30 PM at the First Baptist Church of Farmerville. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:30. The service will be under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Funeral Home and be officiated by Justice Jay B McCallum and Kurt Auger. Jimmy was born May …

Funeral services for Mr. LJ Laster, age 96 of Crossroads, LA, were held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 20, 2024at Crossroads Baptist Church with Bro. Jeff Freeman officiating. Burial followed at Crossroads Cemetery under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. LJ served in the Navy during WWII and retired from IMC in Sterlington, LA. He was a founding member of …

Funeral services for Mrs. Henryetta Shankle, age 79 of Farmerville, LA, was held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 20, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Farmerville, LA. Burial followed at Conway Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. Mrs. Henryetta was born in Stephens, AR on January 31, 1944 to the late Clarence and Billie Lewis. She …

Staff Report A unusually large polar vortex will bring below freezing temperatures to Union Parish on multiple days during the coming week, including a forecasted low of around 10 degrees on Monday. The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. During winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex …

Staff Report The first meeting of the newly elected police jury took place on January 9, 2023, with President Brenda Abercrombie passing the gavel to incoming President Glen Hutto.  Abercrombie was elected in 2019 and  took office in January 2020 making history  during her first term as the first female president of the jury during 2022 and 2023. She was …