The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers from Apr. 20 through Apr. 26.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Avoyelles Parish is looking at thunderstorms and showers followed by clouds in the coming week. Temps will start in the 80s, drop into the 70s then the 60s before climbing back into the 80s. Friday will see a 90% chance of rain – the highest chance for rain in the forecast period.
Wednesday will feature cloudiness early with thunderstorms developing later in the day. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Chance of rain will be 70%. The high will be 85°F and the overnight low will be 65°F. Night skies will feature scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Chance or rain will be 70%.
Thursday will see variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous in the morning. Chain of rain 50%. The high will be 72°F. Nighttime temperatures will be 59°F. The night will see rain – chance of rain 70% with rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Friday will feature rain with thunderstorms possible, mainly in the afternoon. Heavy downpours, frequent lightning with storms. Chance of rain will be 90%. The day’s high will be 65°F. Thunderstorms in the evening, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers – chance of rain 90% – and a low of 53°F and winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Rain showers early on Saturday with some sunshine later in the day with a 40% chance for rain. The high will be 72°F. Saturday night will see clear skies, winds N at 5 to 10 mph, and a low of 47°F.
Sunday skies will be sunny skies. The high will be 76°F. Night skies will be mostly clear. The low will be around 49°F with winds light and variable.
Monday’s skies will be partly cloudy skies. The high will be 80°F and lows around 56°F. Nighttime weather will feature mainly clear skies with winds light and variable.
Tuesday will get partly cloudy skies with a high of 83°F. Tuesday night will see a few clouds from time to time. Overnight lows will be 59°F with winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Avoyelles Parish starts this forecast window with temperatures ranging in the 80s, down into the 70s and 60s, then back up into the 80s. The whole period will see lots of thunderstorms and scattered showers with the greatest chance of rain occurring Friday with a 90% chance of rain.
Showers, thunderstorms, and rain followed by clouds will be the operative weather for this period.
BATON ROUGE — A measure that would remove liability protections for carbon capture companies advanced without opposition Monday from the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee, moving the legislation one step closer to a full House vote.
House Bill 79, sponsored by Rep. Robby Carter, D-Greensburg, would eliminate the current cap on damages that can be recovered in civil suits stemming from carbon capture release incidents. Under existing state law, carbon dioxide storage facility owners, operators, and pipeline operators face a limit of $250,000 per person for non-economic losses, rising to $500,000 per person in exceptional cases. A separate provision caps recovery at $1 million per person should those limits be found unconstitutional.
During committee discussions, Carter questioned why the carbon capture industry receives liability protections not extended to most other sectors operating in Louisiana, arguing the existing framework gives the industry an unfair advantage.
The bill, now engrossed and subject to call on the House floor, would repeal those limits entirely, leaving carbon capture companies exposed to the same civil liability standards that govern most other industries doing business in the state.
The legislation arrives amid a broader debate at the Capitol over how Louisiana should regulate carbon capture and storage technology. Proponents argue it is a critical tool for reducing industrial emissions, while opponents have raised concerns about long-term environmental risks, pipeline safety, and landowner rights. Several other bills in the current session seek to impose additional restrictions on carbon capture operations, including measures that would limit eminent domain authority and require environmental impact statements before certain injection wells can be drilled.
HB 79 is scheduled for consideration by the full House.
https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB7&sbi=y
Sources: Louisiana Legislature, HB 79 Engrossed, 2026 Regular Session; House Civil Law and Procedure Committee proceedings.
Please vote Yes for Constitutional Amendment 5 on the ballot for May 16. The amendment raises the age of retirement for Judges in Louisiana to 75 years, from the current 70-year retirement mandate. The reasons are simple.
While the amendment does not put an end to what can only be called age bias, it does soften its effect. Voting Yes to raise the age is simply the right thing to do. In this election cycle alone, some 60 Judges of the approximately 360 in the State are being forced to retire. While some are doing so voluntarily, many others have an earnest desire to continue to serve the people of this great state. They should have the opportunity to do so, and it should be up to the voters to decide if they can continue, not some arbitrary age limit.
Early voting starts May 2 and ends May 9.
For more information go to http://www.yeson5for75.com
Thank you for your consideration.
Judge Van H. Kyzar
The Mansura Volunteer Fire Department recently shared its monthly call report for March 2026.
| Fire Alarms | 2 |
| Structure Fires | 0 |
| Vehicle Crashes | 1 |
| Medical | 1 |
| Brush Fires | 3 |
| Landing Zone Request | 0 |
| Other | 1 – electrical/house |
| Total Calls | 8 |
The Avoyelles Parish Planning Commission will meet TODAY, April 29, at 5pm at the Parish Barn Meeting Room (2346 Valley St., Mansura). The purpose of this meeting is to review and consider matters related to the unincorporated areas of the parish regarding infrastructure and development policies.
This meeting is open to the public in accordance with Louisiana Open Meeting Laws.
By: Jason Pugh, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations
NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State athletic department and Rhodes Properties and Development have partnered to create a unique opportunity for fans and supporters of Demon athletics.
The two entities have combined to present the 2026 Rhodes Properties and Development Demon Dream Home giveaway – a raffle that will see the winner collect a brand-new Rhodes-built home in the Hidden Oak subdivision in Natchitoches, located along Louisiana Highway 3191.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $100 each beginning May 4 and can be purchased through Northwestern athletes or online through www.NSUDemons.com. The live drawing will take place Nov. 6 at Riverside Reserve in Natchitoches with additional prizes awarded at the event.
Proceeds from the raffle will go toward the Northwestern athletic department in support of its student-athletes.
“Working hand-in-hand with Rhodes Properties and Development to bring the Demon Dream Home to life was an easy decision,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Their support of Northwestern State athletics never has been in question, but it has reached another level with this partnership. We are far beyond grateful for Rhodes Properties and Development for their input and expertise in this process.”
The home, valued at $265,000, is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,450-square foot heated building in one of Natchitoches’ newest subdivisions that Rhodes Properties and Development and Rhodes Realty began developing in early 2026. Hidden Oak subdivision is located near Sibley Lake, west of Louisiana Highway 1 in Natchitoches.
“We at Rhodes Properties and Development, alongside Rhodes Realty, understand the importance of the Northwestern State athletic program to the Natchitoches community,” Rhodes Properties and Development owners and operators James and Justin Rhodes said. “We believe in the vision of Northwestern State athletics and where it is going. We presented this opportunity to Kevin as our way to support nearly 400 student-athletes as well as the coaches and staff members with whom we have developed relationships. The vendors who will help us bring this home to life share that same vision. Being involved in all facets of this project allows us to continue to demonstrate our commitment to Northwestern State and Natchitoches.”
Purchase Raffle Tickets: https://nsudemons.com/