At 2:00 am on Sunday, November 1st, Louisiana residents must set their clocks back one hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. Known as the time to “Fall Back” it is the second clock adjustment made each year to shift an hour of sunlight from the morning to the evening, aligning natural daylight with normal human waking and working. On March 8, residents “Spring Forward” and set their clocks ahead one hour.
While the United States implemented temporary daylight saving measures during World War I and World War II, and Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, records show that the first time that started recognizing Daylight Saving Time was in 1970. Louisiana passed Act 133 in 2020 to make Daylight Saving Time permanent year-round, but the change cannot take effect until Congress amends the federal Uniform Time Act
Early voting for the Nov. 3, 2026, election officially closed in Avoyelles Parish on Tuesday, Oct. 27, with 3,768 ballots cast during the seven-day early voting period.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s final early voting statistical report, 3,220 voters cast their ballots in person, while 548 absentee ballots were recorded.
With early voting now closed, voters who have not yet cast their ballots may vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at their assigned polling locations.
Voter Demographics
The demographic breakdown for Avoyelles Parish’s seven-day early voting period is as follows:
Race:2,789 White voters, 883 Black voters, and 96 voters identified as Other.
Sex:2,104 Female voters and 1,662 Male voters, as reported by the state.
Party Affiliation
Republicans represented the largest turnout group during the early voting period:
Republicans:1,721
Democrats:1,393
Other/Other Parties:654 (634 No Party/Independent voters and 20 affiliated with other parties)
Final Seven-Day Early Voting Recap
With the seven-day early voting period complete, a total of 3,768 ballots were recorded in Avoyelles Parish.
Category
Total
Total Votes
3,768
In-Person
3,220
Absentee
548
Republicans
1,721
Democrats
1,393
Other Parties
654
Note: The Other Parties category combines voters registered with no party affiliation and those registered with other political parties.
Election Day Information
Although early voting has ended, the election is not over.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Voters who have not already voted should report to their assigned Election Day polling locations, which may differ from early voting locations.
For eligible absentee voters, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Friday, Oct. 30, at 4:30 p.m. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the parish registrar of voters by Monday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m., except for certain military, overseas and other qualifying voters.
The 3,768 ballots reported represent Avoyelles Parish’s recorded turnout through the close of early voting. Additional eligible absentee ballots may still be received before Election Day.
Bankruptcy Judge John Hodge finds the Diocese of Alexandria’s disclosure statement for Chapter 11 resolution falls short of requirements.
He ruled Monday that he believes the statement has “significant legal defects, not deficiencies that additional disclosure can cure.”
Consequently he denied the diocese motion for approval of the disclosure statement and its motion regarding solicitation procedures and other relief.
The disclosure statement outlines how a debtor proposes to settle its affairs emerging from bankruptcy. Solicitation procedures outline the how’s and when’s for voting on the plan by eligible parties.
“Soliciting votes on the plan as currently drafted would be futile and needlessly expend estate resources,” Hodge said.
Several plaintiffs objected early this month to the proposed statement. A hearing was held last week.
A major sticking point appears to be perceived restrictions on plaintiffs’ rights to pursue claims against parishes formerly part of the diocese.
Documents indicate there are about 50 such petitions involving parishes shifted from the Alexandria Diocese to the Shreveport one 40 years ago.
Sexual abuse allegations involving clergy were the catalyst for the bankruptcy filing a year ago this week.
Two years ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Bankruptcy Code doesn’t permit a Chapter 11 plan to release claims against non-debtors (third parties who have not filed for bankruptcy) without explicit consent of the claimants.
Monday’s ruling appears to put on hold a timetable that envisioned November-December voting, resolution and reorganization.
Local readership creates opportunities for businesses, organizations and community events across Louisiana
Every day, residents throughout Northwest and Central Louisiana turn to their Parish Journals to find out what’s happening in their communities.
They read about local government, schools, high school sports, community activities, public announcements and the people who make their hometowns special.
Some arrive through their free email subscriptions. Others have bookmarked their favorite Journal and visit directly. Still others discover articles through internet searches or social media.
Regardless of how they arrive, these readers share something important: An interest in the communities their Parish Journals serve.
And among those readers are business owners, managers, professionals, nonprofit leaders and people responsible for promoting local events.
Many may not have considered that the same Parish Journal they read for local news can also help introduce their business or organization to potential customers and supporters.
Local Readers Are an Important Audience
The Parish Journals of Louisiana operate 16 digital publications serving 17 parishes across Northwest and Central Louisiana.
During the seven weeks ending Sept. 30, 2026, the network recorded more than 2.3 million articles read, averaging approximately 333,000 article reads each week.
Those numbers represent actual reading activity, not simply the number of times a social media post appeared on someone’s screen.
More importantly, each Journal serves readers interested in a particular Louisiana community.
For a local business, that distinction matters.
A business in Winn Parish may want to reach people interested in Winn Parish. A business serving several neighboring parishes may benefit from advertising across multiple Journals.
The Parish Journals provide opportunities for both.
No Paywall. No Paygate.
Readers never have to pay to open an article in the Parish Journals.
There are no paywalls or paygates, and email subscriptions are free.
That means an article can be shared with a friend, neighbor, customer or family member without requiring the recipient to purchase access.
Local advertising helps support this free and accessible approach to community news.
An Opportunity Worth Considering
Businesses have always needed ways to introduce their products and services to prospective customers.
Nonprofit organizations need to communicate their missions and programs. Community events need attendance. Public organizations need to reach the people they serve.
The Parish Journals offer advertising opportunities designed around the communities those organizations want to reach.
And for many business owners, the introduction to the Parish Journals has already happened.
They are readers themselves.
The next time you open your Parish Journal to catch up on local news, consider something else:
The publication helping you stay connected to your community may also be able to help your community discover your business.
The Parish Journals of Louisiana are operated by Journal Services LLC. To learn more about local and regional advertising opportunities, visitwww.journalservicesllc.com or text: 318-500-3366.
Early voting for Louisiana’s November 3, 2026 election continues giving registered voters statewide the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day.
In nearly all Louisiana parishes, early voting takes place at the local Registrar of Voters office, which is typically located inside the parish courthouse. Some larger parishes may also operate additional branch sites to accommodate local turnout.
Polling locations statewide are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily throughout the early voting period, excluding Sundays and state-recognized holidays.
Election officials urge voters to review their sample ballots in advance. Because ballots frequently feature a combination of candidate races, constitutional amendments, and local propositions, preparing ahead of time helps keep lines moving smoothly. Louisiana law limits voters to six minutes inside the voting booth, unless assistance has been authorized in advance.
To cast a ballot in person, voters must present a valid photo identification—such as a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana Special ID card, LA Wallet digital ID, or another generally recognized picture identification card containing the voter’s name and signature. Those without a photo ID may still vote by signing an official voter affidavit.
Voters can check their registration status, review customized sample ballots, and confirm their designated polling places through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Voter Portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov or via the free GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app.
Gather your bravest friends and head to Timber Ridge Adventure Park in Natchitoches for two haunting experiences in one location. Venture into the sinister Louisiana woods of Deadfall Trail, then step into Alice’s Madhouse in 3D, where Wonderland takes a terrifying turn.
Make it a night out with friends, a date night with a little more screaming, or the Halloween tradition your crew looks forward to all year. Just decide who’s going first before you arrive.
Dark Woods opens select Friday and Saturday nights in October 2026 at Timber Ridge Adventure Park, 4343 University Parkway in Natchitoches.
The last scream you hear may be your own.
Choose your night and buy tickets at DarkWoodsHaunt.com.
Early voting for Louisiana’s upcoming election officially opens next week, giving registered voters statewide the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day.
In nearly all Louisiana parishes, early voting takes place at the local Registrar of Voters office, which is typically located inside the parish courthouse. Some larger parishes may also operate additional branch sites to accommodate local turnout.
Polling locations statewide are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily throughout the early voting period, excluding Sundays and state-recognized holidays.
Election officials urge voters to review their sample ballots in advance. Because ballots frequently feature a combination of candidate races, constitutional amendments, and local propositions, preparing ahead of time helps keep lines moving smoothly. Louisiana law limits voters to six minutes inside the voting booth, unless assistance has been authorized in advance.
To cast a ballot in person, voters must present a valid photo identification—such as a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana Special ID card, LA Wallet digital ID, or another generally recognized picture identification card containing the voter’s name and signature. Those without a photo ID may still vote by signing an official voter affidavit.
Voters can check their registration status, review customized sample ballots, and confirm their designated polling places through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Voter Portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov or via the free GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has released its comprehensive guide analyzing the 10 proposed constitutional amendments scheduled for the fall statewide ballot.
The independent, nonpartisan review is designed to explain the legal background, arguments for and against, and practical effects of each measure so voters can make informed decisions at the polls.
Seven of the 10 proposed changes address Article VII of the Louisiana Constitution, focusing on state and local tax policy, assessment rules, and public finance:
Amendment 1: Permits the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who qualified for a special property tax exemption to transfer that exemption to a new home in a one-time move.
Amendment 2: Grants local taxing bodies greater flexibility and time to determine whether to roll forward to their maximum authorized property tax millage or retain a lower rate.
Amendment 3: Prohibits bail for individuals convicted of certain aggravated offenses against children under state law.
Amendment 4: Establishes a lifetime limit of two four-year terms for Louisiana governors, replacing the current consecutive-term limit.
Amendment 5: Gives the Louisiana Legislature and state retirement systems discretion over the order in which state surplus funds are applied toward retirement debt.
Amendment 6: Authorizes parishes and municipalities to increase property tax exemption levels for qualifying senior homeowners ages 65 to 81.
Amendment 7: Clarifies that public funds can be used to identify and replace lead drinking water service lines extending from public mains onto private residential property.
Amendment 8: Prohibits private corporations affiliated with designated foreign adversaries from exercising expropriation powers over private property.
Amendment 9: Increases the household income eligibility ceiling for property tax assessment freezes from $100,000 to $150,000.
Amendment 10: Authorizes parishes to create optional property tax exemption programs for the rehabilitation of blighted or derelict properties.
