WASHINGTON, D.C. – A blood test designed to help identify signs of Alzheimer’s disease could provide doctors with a less invasive option for evaluating patients experiencing memory problems.
The test measures biomarkers associated with amyloid plaques in the brain, a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
Traditionally, doctors have relied on specialized brain imaging or spinal fluid testing to help identify Alzheimer’s-related changes. Blood testing could reduce the need for some of those procedures.
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized blood tests for use in evaluating patients with symptoms of cognitive decline, including tests intended for adults ages 55 and older.
Research involving one recently cleared test found that results agreed with brain imaging findings in approximately 88% of patients with cognitive impairment and 91% of those without cognitive impairment.
The FDA emphasizes that blood test results should be evaluated alongside a patient’s medical history, symptoms and other assessments, including cognitive testing.
The tests are not intended to serve as stand-alone screening tools for people without symptoms, but could help physicians determine whether additional Alzheimer’s testing is necessary.
NATCHITOCHES, La. – Entergy Louisiana has partnered with United Way organizations across the state to provide financial assistance to qualifying households struggling with rising utility costs.
The program offers eligible residential customers a one-time $100 credit toward their Entergy Louisiana utility bill.
The initiative is funded through a $2 million investment from Entergy Louisiana shareholder dollars and is designed to assist households experiencing financial hardship.
Priority assistance includes households classified as ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These households earn above the federal poverty level but may still struggle to afford basic living expenses.
United Way of Northwest Louisiana is administering the program for eligible customers in Natchitoches, Bienville, Sabine, Red River, Webster and other participating parishes.
Applicants must provide identification and proof of household income. Approved credits will be applied directly to customers’ Entergy Louisiana accounts.
Applications through United Way of Northwest Louisiana close Friday, November 13, at noon, unless funding is exhausted earlier. Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance.
Eligible residents can apply through the United Way of Northwest Louisiana website at unitedwaynwla.org.
LASALLE PARISH, La. – A 72-year-old Natchitoches woman is facing multiple charges following her arrest by Louisiana State Police in LaSalle Parish.
Janice Inaz Rashelle faces charges of prohibited acts involving Schedule II controlled dangerous substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.
She also faces traffic-related charges of driving on a roadway laned for traffic and improper lane usage.
All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
CAMPTI, La. – Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA) and the Natchitoches Parish Library will partner to offer free and low-cost pet health services on Saturday, November 14.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the library’s Northeast Branch in Campti.
Free vaccinations will be available for dogs and cats. Dogs can receive the DAPP vaccine, which protects against distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Cats can receive the HCP vaccine, which protects against several common feline illnesses.
FAUNA will also offer rabies vaccinations for $10 and microchip implantation for $15 per pet.
Rabies vaccinations are required under Louisiana law for dogs and cats three months of age and older. Microchips can help veterinarians and animal shelters identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners.
The event is intended to help local pet owners access affordable preventive care for their animals.
Jack Aaron Nichols, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away at his home surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on March 23, 1942, to Melvin and Eler Nichols. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Tommie Woods, Irene Fabian, and Mildred Conley; and his brothers Doc, Webster, Claude, and Melvin (Brown) Nichols. He also mourned the loss of his son-in-law, Lawrence Dunn, and his daughter-in-law, Lanette Brossett Nichols.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Janice Mil Nichols. He was a proud father to his sons Brian, Steve, and Aaron Nichols (Suzi), and his daughter Jackie Dunn.
His legacy lives on in his grandchildren: Eric Dunn (Kelly), Dakota Nichols (Laramie), Darien Kotzin (Evan), Hannah Nichols (Andrew), Dustin Nichols, and Tyler Nichols. He was also a cherished grandfather to his step-grandchildren, Harley Desai and Sonny Nichols Davis. His joy multiplied with the arrival of his great-grandchildren, Jace Dunn, Leary Nichols, and Leland Nichols, and his great-step-grandchildren, Layla Thrash, Emi Thrash, and Neo Desai.
He leaves behind his sisters Maggie Kocher and Dolly Martin, and his brother Bob Nichols, along with a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.
Jack was a Mason and a Shriner but was most proud of being a Marine. His favorite pastimes were gardening, fishing, and making file’.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 10th from 5-8pm at Blanchard St. Denis funeral home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 11th at 11am, Brother Michael Dubois officiating. Burial will follow directly after at Emmanuel Family Cemetery in Chopin, Louisiana.
Those honored to serve as pall bearers include Nick Nichols, Rand Kerry, and grandsons Eric Dunn, Dakota Nichols, Dustin Nichols, and Tyler Nichols.
NATCHITOCHES – Craftspeople from throughout the region will display, demonstrate and sell their arts and crafts at the Annual American Indian Crafts Day at Northwestern State University on Saturday, Dec. 5. Crafts Day is from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Williamson Museum in Room 208 of Kyser Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The event is held each year on the same day as the Natchitoches Christmas Festival.
Basketry, file’, beadwork, wood carving, drums, leatherwork and other handmade items will be for sale. Craftspeople are expected from several Louisiana tribes.
For more information, contact Dr. Pete Gregory at [email protected].
NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State men’s basketball team opens its home schedule Tuesday night in a position it has yet to find itself in 2026-27.
After three games against mid- and high-major competition to open the slate, the Demons return home to Mike McConathy Court at Prather Coliseum to face Division III member Millsaps in the first meeting between the programs.
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. with the game airing on ESPN+. It also marks the beginning of the Northwestern State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s food drive to benefit the Natchitoches food pantry.
“It was a gauntlet of a three-game road swing,” fourth-year head coach Rick Cabrera said of opening the season against Baylor, Mississippi State and Murray State. “We don’t cry about spilled milk. I scheduled it that way, and I think we learned a lot about what it takes to be locked in every possession, every game, to try to win on the road.”
The Demons (0-3) enter Tuesday’s matchup as the higher-division team for the first time this season.
The three-game road trip allowed Northwestern to see how it measured up against teams with superior size.
“I’ll be honest, going into those games, I thought our frontcourt would have an issue, because they’re on the smaller end of those bigger guys,” Cabrera said. “They held their own. DT (Dionjahe Thomas) and Kordrick (Turner) rebounded at a high clip. Kordrick scored when he was able to score. Kordrick made the passes out of the post against the bigger guys. DT had some spots where he’s getting to that next level of what we expect from him.”
Turner, a senior from Sulphur Springs, Texas, leads the Demons in rebounding at 5 per contest. He matched his career high with eight rebounds in Saturday’s loss at Murray State, the preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorite, while adding a season-best eight points on 4-for-6 shooting.
Turner, a 6-foot-6, 240-pounder, turned in those numbers against a Racers’ front line that featured a pair of 6-9 defenders and two others who stand 6-8. Turner’s physical transformation has been on display in the Demons’ first three games as well.
“He really committed himself from March until now,” Cabrera said. “He really tightened his body up. He plays with a good pace. He’s never fatigued. He’s a second-year JUCO player, so he’s one of those guys who aren’t rattled in the situations we’ve been in.”
Millsaps (2-0) swept two games at the Rhodes College Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, scoring wins against Eureka College and Austin College by an average of 21.5 points.
Jaxon Toney powered the Majors, averaging 11.5 points and 11 rebounds per game after notching a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double in Sunday’s win against Austin.
Four Majors enter the game averaging at least eight points per game after the weekend sweep.
“We’re excited to play a really good team in Millsaps,” Cabrera said. “They had a good year last year (15-11), and they’re off to a 2-0 start this year. They’re a very athletic, disciplined-type team, but our guys are hungry for a win.”
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Photo: Kordrick Turner has enjoyed a solid start to the 2026-27 season. Credit: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services
SHREVEPORT, La. (Nov. 5, 2026) – HealthCARE Express is inviting the Shreveport-Bossier community to help neighbors stay warm this season through its Cozy Winter Supply Drive, running now through Nov. 30.
The HealthCARE Express Blanchard clinic is serving as a drop-off location for gently used winter supplies, including coats, gloves, hats, blankets, sweaters, socks and winter shoes. Every item collected will be donated to Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission to help individuals experiencing homelessness stay warm as temperatures drop.
Donations can be dropped off during regular clinic hours at HealthCARE Express Blanchard, 4526 Northport Blvd., Shreveport, La.
Clean out a closet, gather what you no longer need, and bring it by before the end of November. Let’s keep our community warm this winter.
About HealthCARE Express Founded in Texarkana in 2006, HealthCARE Express provides walk-in urgent care and occupational medicine at clinics across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. For locations and hours, visit gohce.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service has announced inflation adjustments for the 2027 tax year, including increases to federal income tax brackets, standard deductions and certain tax credits.
The adjustments are intended to account for inflation and will generally apply to income earned in 2027, with tax returns filed in 2028.
Under the new guidelines, the standard deduction for single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately will increase by $500 to $16,600.
For married couples filing jointly, the standard deduction will rise by $1,000 to $33,200. The standard deduction for heads of household will increase to $24,925.
The IRS also announced increases to income thresholds across federal tax brackets. The top federal income tax rate will remain at 37%, applying to single taxpayers with taxable income above $661,375 and married couples filing jointly with taxable income above $793,650.
Other tax brackets will also be adjusted upward to account for changes in the cost of living.
The maximum Child Tax Credit will increase by $100 to $2,300 per qualifying child in 2027. The maximum refundable portion of the credit will rise to $1,800.
The Earned Income Tax Credit will also see adjustments, with the maximum credit for qualifying taxpayers with three or more children increasing to $8,496.
The annual adjustments are designed to help prevent inflation-related income increases from pushing taxpayers into higher tax brackets without corresponding increases in purchasing power.
The new figures will not apply to 2026 income tax returns filed in 2027.
Additional information about the 2027 tax adjustments is available at irs.gov.
NATCHITOCHES – In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University recognized the military service of Staff Sergeant (SSG) Rebecca Maurer as the honorary captain during its football game against the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley Nov. 7.
Maurer was born and raised in Bossier City and enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard in 2020. Following Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, she then successfully Advanced Individual Training as a 68W, combat medic specialist at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Her first assignment was to 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment in Shreveport, where she served as a Squadron Aid Station medic, responsible for daily medical operations, emergency trauma and medical readiness.
In 2023, SSG Maurer was selected for the competitive Active-Guard-Reserve (AGR) program and was assigned to Detachment 2, A Company, Recruiting and Retention Battalion as recruiter for the Louisiana National Guard. Currently, she supports her battalion as a National Guard Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer focused on recruiting the best candidates Louisiana has to provide from Northwestern State University.
SSG Maurer:
Staff Sergeant (SSG) Rebecca Maurer, center, was guest captain at the NSU Demons’ Nov. 7 football game. She was escorted on field by U.S. Army Captain Armando Lopez, head of NSU’s Department of Military Science, and NSU President James Genovese.
