Louisiana

‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide

Published

3 months ago

December 23, 2025

‘One suicide is too many;’ Man runs across Louisiana to raise awareness for veteran, teen suicide

La. (KPLC) – A run across Louisiana has come to an end, but the conversation it sparked is far from over.

Jeremy Adams, a Louisiana veteran who served in Afghanistan, completed the run to raise money for a public high school while drawing attention to veteran and teen suicide.

The run began Friday, Dec. 18 at the Texas state line at Bon Weir and stretched more than 100 miles across the state, ending in Natchez, Mississippi.

“Finished around 10 o’clock last night (Dec. 21) in Natchez. I got a police escort by the Vidalia Police Department over the river bridge,” Adams said.

Adams says the run was not easy and hopes this inspires others to keep moving forward, no matter what battle they may be facing.

“I was tired. I ran at night. My feet are hurting; I got screws in my feet. I kept moving forward; I didn’t quit. That’s what I wanted to teach veterans and kids (contemplating) suicide, don’t quit. There’s somebody out there that cares. Don’t end the story before God gives you a chance to show you his plans,” he said.

Adams says the run raised money for East Beauregard High School, the school that Adams says gave him a second family.

“In 2017, a good friend of mine there died of a drug overdose, and that’s what got me running. I quit drinking that year, quit smoking the following May, and then I decided to start running,” Adams said.

Adams is a veteran himself and has overcome his own battles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to be interested in running.

“In 2011, the Lord changed everything. I got wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. It shattered both my heel bones. They said it was a 50% chance I would walk again,” he said.

Although the run is over, Adams says the mission continues, urging people to talk, listen, and take action.

“One suicide is too many; there are gentlemen out there who went to battle, saw combat, and came home and still see that combat on a daily basis. If they need help, reach out and get help,” Adams said.

Adams says all proceeds from the run will go toward supporting students at East Beauregard High School.

If you’d like to donate to Adams’ cause, you can do so through his GoFundMe.

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Louisiana

Louisiana DOTD starts final pass for storm debris cleanup

Published

12 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana DOTD starts final pass for storm debris cleanup

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The winter storm took a toll on North Louisiana, leaving debris scattered across roadways and yards.

Contracted debris removal for the storm began on Feb. 9, 2026, and has been mostly completed.

To ensure all hazards on the rights-of-way are picked up, crews will be doing one final pass to remove any final debris.

Crews will be going along state routes in the following parishes:

East Carroll
West Carroll
Richland
Morehouse
Jackson
Madison

Louisiana DOTD stresses that this pass is only for naturally occurring debris from the winter storm.

“We really don’t want people going into their backyards and finding debris to put out there. That’s not really the purpose of this, really is supposed to be naturally occurring storm debris. So, you know, don’t put your household debris and waste and things out on the right of way” said Erin Buchanan, Public Information Officer, Louisiana DOTD.

Crews will not be passing through local or parish-owned roads.

If you are unsure what the rights-of-way is on a state route, the best rule of thumb is to place it on the roadside of the utility pole.

Buchanan says she hopes the final pass will be finished by the end of April.

Any debris placed on state roadways after the completion of final pass will have to be removed through normal waste management means or by the property owner.

If you want to find out if your route is part of the final pass, Louisiana DOTD asks you to call their hotline at 850-849-6726.

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Louisiana

La. Tech professor from Clnton receives award

Published

24 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

La. Tech professor from Clnton receives award

V. Elaine Thompson, associate professor of history and undergraduate coordinator for the School of Human Inquiry at Louisiana Tech University, has received the Garnie W. McGinty Lifetime Meritorious Service Award from the Louisiana Historical Association.

The prize honors Garnie McGinty, a longtime professor of history at Louisiana Tech University, and is the organization’s highest honor. The honor is awarded annually to those who have made significant contributions to scholarship in Louisiana history, to the historical profession in Louisiana or to the association.

Samuel Shepherd, professor emeritus at Centenary College of Louisiana, praised Thompson’s lifelong dedication in his nomination of her for the award.

“Louisiana history has radiated through Dr. Thompson’s entire life,” Shepherd said. “Her passion about the state’s past has been matched by her extensive knowledge and deep understanding of it. She has enriched the minds of students and scholars, as well as the general public, and stimulated them to discover more about Louisiana and its people. She richly deserves her McGinty honor.”

Thompson’s honor completes a trio of distinctions within the Louisiana Historical Association, as she has also served as president and been elected to the Company of Fellows.

“It has been my privilege to serve the members of the LHA, my colleagues, and my students during the past two decades,” Thompson said. “ I’m honored and delighted to be recognized for my efforts, and I look forward to many more years of diligent work in researching, teaching, and promoting Louisiana history. I’m so grateful to the Louisiana Historical Association and to the McGinty Trust for this award.”

Thompson, who grew up in Clinton, has been a member of the Louisiana Tech faculty since 2004.

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Louisiana

Louisiana House passes bill to fine parents for children’s school threats

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana House passes bill to fine parents for children’s school threats

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The Louisiana House passed a bill that would hold parents financially responsible when their children threaten schools.

House Bill 137 would allow courts to fine parents up to $5,000 if a child under 14 is convicted of making a school threat. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The convicted children could also face a mental health exam, up to a year of probation or six months in juvenile detention, and mandatory counseling in a back on track youth program.

Supporters say the measure will deter threats, while critics call it a dangerous precedent.

The proposal is making its way through the legislature as part of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, which must adjourn no later than 6 p.m. on Monday, June 1.

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