A U.S. Air Force Base that houses B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons detected “multiple unauthorized drones” in its vicinity earlier this month, a base official confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“Barksdale Air Force Base detected multiple unauthorized drones operating in our airspace during the week of March 9th,” a Barksdale AFB spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday.

The spokesperson added: “Flying a drone over a military installation is not only a safety issue, it is a criminal offense under federal law.”

Base officials are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the drone sightings, the spokesperson said.

MYSTERY DRONES FLY NEAR DC-AREA MILITARY BASE AS IRAN TENSIONS ESCALATE

“The security of our installation and the safety of our people are top priorities, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” the official added.

Barksdale is east of Shreveport in Louisiana and encompasses 22,000 acres with a population of around 15,000. 

The drone detections come amid heightened security at Air Force bases in the U.S. as the war in Iran continues.

A shelter-in-place order was issued on March 9 at the base that was lifted shortly after, but the drone sights continued through the week.

US DIPLOMATIC FACILITY IN IRAQ STRUCK BY DRONE

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Mick Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, told ABC News it didn’t look like an average drone enthusiast.

“It looked like this was deliberate and intentional to see just how they would react,” he said. “Seeing this probe on a base in the United States is very troubling.”

After dropping its opening Sun Belt Conference series, Louisiana softball is eager to get back to Lamson Park.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (17-12, 1-2) are back home this week searching for some more consistency and to get back into the win column, hosting Texas State for their final SBC series against the Bobcats. Last time out, UL struggled offensively, getting outhit against Southern Mississippi. Second-year head coach Alyson Habetz is hopeful that being in front of Cajun Nation will help her team get back to playing to UL standard.

For the Bobcats, this marks their second SBC series after taking their first against the University of Louisiana Monroe. Texas State (19-10, 2-1) followed that up with a non-conference win over Houston, then a five-inning run-rule loss against Lamar. With both squads coming into the series with a loss, each game will be close between the Cajuns and Bobcats.

Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajun softball in its SBC series vs Texas State this weekend, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information.

Watch Louisiana softball vs Texas State on ESPN+

Louisiana softball vs Texas State live score updates

What channel is Louisiana softball vs Texas State on?

Livestream: ESPN+

Louisiana vs. Texas State will be available live on ESPN+ for the teams’ second SBC weekend of play in the 2026 college softball season. Dan McDonold and Yvette Girouard will provide commentary from Lamson Park. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.

What time does Louisiana softball play Texas State today?

• Date: Friday, March 20, Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
• Start time: 6 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday

The Louisiana vs. Texas State game starts at 6 p.m. Friday at Lamson Park in Lafayette, followed by its second game on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cajuns and Bobcats will close out the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Louisiana softball vs Texas State history

Series record: Louisiana leads 40-10

In Lafayette: Louisiana leads 17-4

In San Marcos: Louisiana leads 14-6

Louisiana’s last win: April 27, 2025 (4-3)

Texas State’s last win: April 26, 2025 (3-2)

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

MONROE & Ruston, La. (KNOE) – Indivisible North Louisiana announced the speakers for both of their upcoming ‘No Kings’ rallies on Saturday, March 28 in Ruston and Monroe.

Ruston Rally

Time: 10–11 a.m.

Location: Railroad Park, 101 E. Park Ave, Ruston, LA

Speakers:

• MC: Joel Sharpton
• Veda Brown Emerson (Indivisible North LA Co-Director)
• Rev. Terence Flucas
• Dustin Granger (Louisiana State Democratic Party Treasurer)

Monroe Rally

Time: 2–3 p.m.

Location: Ouachita Parish Courthouse, 300 St. John St, Monroe, LA

Speakers:

• MC: Joel Sharpton
• Opening Prayer: Pastor Quincy D. Knox
• Amber Perez (President and Community Accountability Network)
• Lynnetta Whitehurst (Vice President and NAACP LA State Conference)
• Betty Ward-Cooper (Indivisible North LA and Citizen advocate)

Organizers of the event note that the theme this year is:

“They’ve Gone Too Far. Enough is Enough. Vote, Volunteer, Do Something”

Attendees will be able to register to vote, check their status, and get info about the May 16 primary.

“Louisiana isn’t a red or blue state, it is a non-voting state,” said organizer Joel Sharpton. “We want to give people the tools and education they need to express themselves through their vote.”

Indivisible North Louisiana says it is made up of non-partisan group of volunteers and concerned citizens, they host:

• Rallies
• Meet-Ups
• Voter education events

For more information on the event, click here.

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