Louisiana

3 takeaways from South Alabama’s 26-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe

Published

4 weeks ago

November 16, 2025

3 takeaways from South Alabama’s 26-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe

South Alabama picked up its third victory of the year on Saturday, winning 26-14 at Louisiana-Monroe.

The Jaguars (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt Conference) trailed 14-0 in the first quarter before scoring four unanswered touchdowns. Bishop Davenport and Kentrel Bullock each ran for two touchdowns for the victors.

South Alabama plays its final home game of the season next Saturday, welcoming Southern Miss to Hancock Whitney Stadium. Before that, here are three takeaways from the Jaguars’ 12-point win over the Warhawks:

1. After woeful first quarter, Jaguars dominate

A combination of special teams breakdowns and poor ball security led South Alabama to fall behind 14-0 in the first quarter. Anthony Eager muffed a fair catch on the opening kickoff, meaning the Jaguars began with the ball on their own 2-yard line. After a three-and-out, Aleksi Pulkkinen’s line drive punt was returned to the USA 29-yard line. ULM scored on the next play. South Alabama’s Davenport later fumbled, and the Warhawks returned it for a touchdown. After that, however, the Jaguars played a clean game and more or less had their way with the home team. Any notion that South Alabama’s players had “quit” or that the coaching staff had “lost the team” after a 2-7 start went out the window with how the Jaguars played hard and executed over the final 3 ½ quarters Saturday.

2. South Alabama defense played its best all year

ULM has serious limitations on offense, but South Alabama’s defense continually made plays when it counted to keep the Warhawks off the board in the final three quarters. The Jaguars totaled six tackles for loss, two sacks and five pass breakups, and limited ULM to 154 total yards and one offensive touchdown. The Warhawks hurt themselves with penalties, but averaged only 3.8 yards per play. ULM also went 1-for-11 on third and fourth down in the game. Safety Ty Goodwill pulled off one of the Jaguars’ defensive highlights of the season early in the fourth quarter, an acrobatic interception during which he juggled the ball two or three times before pinning it against his shoulder and helmet with one hand before falling to the turf in the end zone.

3. Jaguars continue to own the Warhawks

South Alabama has now beaten ULM four straight times, including twice consecutively at Malone Stadium, where it had never won prior to 2023. The Jaguars also dealt the Warhawks their seventh loss of the season, meaning they will not be bowl-eligible. South Alabama won’t make it to a bowl game this year, either, but has a chance to enter the offseason with a bit of momentum. The Jaguars host suddenly vulnerable Southern Miss next Saturday before finishing up at Texas State. A 5-7 or 4-8 final record wouldn’t exactly be a success, but after a 1-6 start would at least be encouraging.

NEXT UP: South Alabama vs. Southern Miss, Nov. 22 (2:30 p.m., ESPN+)

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Louisiana

Fed’s ‘Catahoula Crunch’ finished its first week in Louisiana

Published

12 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.

The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.

Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.

Read the full story.

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Louisiana

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

Published

24 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.

Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.

Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.

“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.

Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.

“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.

Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.

“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”

The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.

“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”

Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.

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Louisiana

This Louisiana bank is planning to expand its Baton Rouge footprint

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Press Room

This Louisiana bank is planning to expand its Baton Rouge footprint

(iStock)

Houma-based Synergy Bank is planning to construct a second Baton Rouge location.

The bank is proposing a roughly 9,200-square-foot branch with a drive-thru on a 1.63-acre tract in the Towne Center Business Park, adjacent to Cadence Bank.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the final development plan at its January meeting. Rusty Bourg, Synergy Bank’s chief operating officer, filed the application. The property is owned by Summa Professional Office Park LLC. According to the development plan, the 9,236-square-foot building would sit on 1.07 acres, leaving about a half-acre of open space.

Formed in 1998 by a group of local business leaders in the Houma-Terrebonne area, Synergy entered the Baton Rouge market in 2023 after acquiring People’s Bank and its branches in Baton Rouge, New Roads, Central and Livonia. The bank’s Baton Rouge location is on Mourning Dove Drive near Jefferson Highway.

The bank also operates six branches in the Houma-Thibodaux area and reported assets of roughly $1.2 billion and deposits of $1 billion as of Sept. 30, according to the FDIC.

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