By Garry Blanson “The education of the Negro has become the perfect device for control (by the American government) from without.” — Carter G. Woodson What if I told you that the very system Black people in Monroe, Louisiana, have…
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2026 will be a game changer for school standards
With the rollout of the 2026 “Grow. Achieve. Thrive.” accountability system, Louisiana schools can no longer afford to approach academic progress as “business as usual.” This new era requires careful re-evaluation of how student achievement is recognized, how grades are…
“Black Power” advocate H. Rap Brown dies in prison, at 82
H. Rap Brown, once among the most powerful and provocative voices of the 1960s Black Power movement, has died in federal custody at age 82. His widow, Karima Al-Amin, confirmed Monday that he passed away Sunday at the Federal Medical…
Three Local Women to be remembered for lives of Faith and Family
The community is mourning the recent passing of three beloved women whose lives touched families and friends across Northeast Louisiana. Funeral arrangements have been announced through McFarland Funeral Companies for Estelle Jackson, Katie Powell, and Beatrice Harris. Estelle Jackson, 86…
Sharp sets aside “junk science” conviction, man wrongfully imprisoned for 30 years has bail
Jimmie Duncan was wrongfully convicted in 1998 and can now go free; Gerald Manning was wrongfully convicted in 4th District court in 1978 and set free in 2018 after 40 years. Both were set free by DNA evidence and the…
School report cards show gains, plus challenges for Richwood, Carroll and Carroll Jr. High
The Louisiana Department of Education released 2025 school performance scores this week, accompanied—uniquely this year—by simulated letter grades under the tougher “Grow. Achieve. Thrive.” system set to take effect in 2026. While many schools are projected to have lower letter…
Snaps of the City
Between November 13 and November 19, 2025, our friends were busy on social media, including these snaps.