Month: November 2026

NSU hosts Applied Digital rep for briefing on Boyce data center construction

/ Miranda

NSU hosts Applied Digital rep for briefing on Boyce data center construction

NATCHITOCHES – Gail Adams, community engagement coordinator for Applied Digital’s $3.6 billion Delta Forge 1 data center campus, spoke to several groups at Northwestern State University on Nov. 2 to present an overview of the project taking place on a 672-acre Rapides Parish site next to I-49 near Boyce.  

The forum was sponsored by NSU’s Office of Economic Development and University Advancement to provide an opportunity for community leaders, students, faculty and staff to learn about how the Delta Forge 1 project will impact job creation, workforce needs and infrastructure in the region. 

Applied Digital is a technology landlord that builds large data center campuses and leases the space inside them to major tech companies.  The customers use the space to run artificial intelligence, cloud and other digital infrastructure.  Applied Digital provides services to keep the site running that include power and backup power generation, cooling systems, security, site maintenance and operations.  

“People are very surprised to learn that data centers are not new,” Adams said.  “They’ve been around for decades, but what is new is the speed and the size in which we are building them and that is why it’s getting so much attention.” 

The largest concentration of data centers is in Virginia because of proximity to the federal government, which has been using data centers for years, Adams said. More recently, streaming television entertainment, cell phones, text messaging and Chat GPT all use data centers, which are built for three different purposes. 

Traditional data centers are general purpose facilities that serve cloud, enterprise and internet workloads such as those used for banking, commerce and the medical field. Specialized blockchain facilities house computing hardware for cryptocurrency.  AI factories, such as the Delta Forge 1 facility in Boyce, are designed to turn large scale power into operational AI capacity. It provides the power, cooling, security and operations needed to keep modern AI systems running. Applied Digital projects that local taxing bodies will get $575.5 million in cumulative payments over the next 27 years. 

Power for the Boyce facility will be coordinated by a partnership with CLECO that is building a substation for the site. Water will be circulated through a closed-loop system that circulates through the system and is reused.  The company uses setbacks and sound studies to understand sound impact and make adjustments. 

Construction of the facility began this past January and is expected to be complete in November 2027 with operations possibly beginning in the spring of 2028. The construction phase is projected to employ a peak of 1,000 workers and when complete support about 200 permanent jobs for engineers, electricians, plumbers and security personnel.

Information on Applied Digital is available at www.AppliedDigital.com.  

Gail Adams:

Gail Adams, community engagement coordinator for Applied Digital, talked to NSU students, faculty and staff about the AI factory currently in development in Boyce. 

Applied Digital presentation:

NSU’s Office of Economic Development and University Advancement hosted Gail Adams, community engagement coordinator for Applied Digital, at a public forum to discuss the $3.6 billion Delta Forge 1 data center underway in Boyce.  From left are NSU Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Drake Owen, Executive Director for Economic Development and University Advancement Laurie Morrow, Adams, NSU President James Genovese and Gwen Fontenot, director of Institutional Engagement and Economic Development at NSU.

Researcher Reports Progress Toward Blood-Loss Treatment Alternative

/ Miranda

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A researcher says he may have discovered a potential alternative treatment for severe blood loss that could someday supplement traditional blood transfusions.

Dr. Cutberth Simpkins, founder of Vivacelle Bio, said experimental testing of the treatment has produced promising results in animals experiencing hemorrhagic shock.

According to Simpkins, survival rates in testing have approached 100% when the treatment was administered through arteries during severe blood-loss events.

The treatment remains experimental and would require additional testing and regulatory approval before becoming available for use in people. Researchers say future patients could potentially receive up to two liters of the treatment if it ultimately gains approval.

Dreo Recalls More Than 340,000 Space Heaters Over Fire Hazard

/ Miranda

WASHINGTON — A nationwide recall has been issued for approximately 340,000 Dreo space heaters due to concerns that the units can overheat and pose fire and burn hazards.

The recall affects Dreo model DR-HSH015 space heaters sold through the company’s website and major retailers including Best Buy and Home Depot from September 2025 through October 2026.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the company has received 17 reports involving the heaters, including three incidents that resulted in property damage and one report of a burn injury.

Consumers who own affected units are encouraged to stop using them and follow recall instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Releases Recent Arrest Report

/ Miranda

NATCHITOCHES, La. — The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has released information regarding recent arrests.

Those listed in the report include:

  • Richard Moody, 73, charged with possession of marijuana, possession of Schedule II narcotics and driving on the roadway lane designated for traffic.
  • Kevin Pryor, 35, charged with four counts of failure to appear.
  • Brianna Peir, 25, charged with failure to register as a sex offender.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Election Results Certified Across Natchitoches Parish

/ Miranda

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Despite rainy conditions on Election Day, voters across Natchitoches Parish turned out to cast ballots in a number of local races.

Among the local winners were Robert Ousley for Natchitoches City Court judge, Randy Williams for Natchitoches City Court marshal, Barbara Page for School Board District 1, Chris Bush for School Board District 8, Dwayne Spillman for Justice of the Peace Ward 3 and Lynwood “Monte” Layfield for Constable Ward 2.

In municipal races, Katrina Evans won the mayor’s race in Campti, while Gordon Ocon was re-elected mayor of Robeline. Tom Ouzts Jr. won the chief of police race in Ashland, and Eric Upchurch was elected chief of police in Provencal.

Voters also weighed in on statewide races and 10 proposed constitutional amendments.

Men’s Basketball — Demons battle before falling at Baylor in season opener

/ Miranda

WACO, Texas – Down by a sizeable margin early and facing a sizeable difference in height in its season opener at Baylor, the Northwestern State men’s basketball team did what fourth-year head coach Rick Cabrera asks.

The Demons fought.

Northwestern cut into a large Baylor lead a couple of times in the second half before ultimately falling to the Bears, 87-65, at Foster Pavilion in the season opener for both teams.

“That’s our identity – to fight and compete,” Cabrera said. “That’s one thing I don’t have to worry about with this group. I don’t like the mistakes we made defensive, but it’s our first game under the big lights. Some of the guys haven’t played in this type of atmosphere. I’m proud of them. I’m upset we lost. There are not moral victories, but that’s a team (Baylor) that can be playing in April. They’re really good, and we’re really good, too. I’m proud of where we’re at.”

Baylor (1-0) stung the Demons (0-1) with a sizzling offensive start that saw the Bears sink eight straight shots after missing their initial attempt of the game.

That hot start helped the Bears build a 19-point lead less than seven minutes into the game. The lead grew to 21 before Northwestern began to find itself offensively.

Doyle Brown, one of the 11 newcomers on the Demon roster, came off the bench and knocked down 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to slice the lead to 13 with 10:40 to play in the first half.

While Baylor took an 18-point lead into the halftime break, the Demons regathered themselves on the defensive end.

After the Bears shot 60 percent from the field in the first half (18-for-30), Northwestern ratcheted up the defensive pressure and held Baylor to 37.1-percent shooting in the second half.

The Demons limited Baylor to 4-for-19 aim from beyond the arc in the second half after the Bears sank five of 10 first-half 3-pointers. The majority of the long-range damage came from Liberty transfer Brett Decker Jr., who hit all three of his first-half 3-pointers and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.

“Decker is arguably the best shooter in the country,” Cabrera said. “We lost him a couple of times, and the margin for error is so small on shooters. You can’t lose them. He gets open, and he makes them. He shot 47 percent last year (from 3). We need to do better on that, but I’m proud of our guys.”

The Demons were able to close with 15 on three different occasions in the second half – the last coming on a Nathan Ojukwu runner with 8:05 to play.

Ojukwu (13 points), Kai Simpson (17 points) and Isaiah Vick (12 points) carried the Demon offense – a group that saw all 65 of its points come from players who were not wearing a Northwestern State uniform a season ago.

“In the recruiting process, we wanted guys who had a personality that wanted to compete and step on the biggest stage against the best,” Cabrera said. “All summer and all fall, we competed and we defended. We didn’t rebound today, and that’s normally what we do. Kai was feeling good. Nathan played well. Isaiah Vick played well. Antoine was a defensive demon. Doyle shot the ball well. I’m really proud of those guys.”

The Demons return to action Thursday night at Mississippi State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. inside Humphrey Coliseum.

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Photo: Isaiah Vick had 12 points in his Northwestern State debut Monday night at Baylor. Credit: Madi Morris/North Texas Athletics 

Natchitoches Police announce arrests

/ Miranda

Natchitoches Police announce arrests for October 25 – 31, 2026

The Natchitoches Police Department has arrested the following individuals over the past week:

  • Cylie Braud – Two counts of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog biting a human, running at large and issuance of license certificate
  • Darrell Davis – Second degree murder
  • Lawanda Hasley – Failure to appear
  • Chansy Jefferson – Hit and run, flight from an officer, schedule II, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and suspended license
  • Juante Lacour – Resisting an officer and peeping tom
  • Shelbi Rachal – Theft
  • Daren Vaughn – Second degree murder, obstruction of justice and illegal use of weapons

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101.  Remember all information given shall remain confidential. 

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers: 

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.  All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender.

NSU Jazz Orchestra to present concert Nov. 9

/ Miranda

NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Jazz Orchestra will present a concert on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A livestream of the concert will be available at www.nsu.la/CAPA-LIVE. Associate Professor of Music. Galindo Rodriguez will conduct the orchestra.  

The concert will feature  “Crusin’ For a Bluesin'” by Andy Weiner and arranged by Peter Blair and featuring Rafael Melgar on drum set, Wolfgang A. Otero on trumpet and Jarrett Thomisee playing tenor saxophone “High Clouds and A Good Chance of Wayne Tonight” by Tom Kubis featuring Otero, “A Midnight in Paris” by Billy Strayhorn and transcribed by Mark Lopeman and edited by Christopher Crenshaw and “Snowflake Joys” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and arranged by David Berger and featuring Thomisee and Jacobo Florez on tenor saxophone. 

The Jazz Orchestra will also perform “I’ll Be Home for Christmas 2010 AC” by Kent/Gammon and arranged by Scott Arcangel featuring Ayden Hymel on vocals and Otero, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Frank Loesser and arranged by Paul Murtha featuring Gabe Williams on vocals and Thomisee, “A Swingin’ Little Christmas Time” arranged by Tony Guerrero with Jeremiah McKiney and Claudette Cruz on vocals “Winter’s Never Cold (When You’re Around)” arranged by Guerrero with Cheyenne Carbaugh on vocals and “Jingle Bells” by J. Pierpont and arranged by John Clayton with Josue Bustillo on vocals. 

LDH Issues Warning on Tap Water Use Following Rare Amoeba Infections

/ Miranda

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents not to use tap water in nasal irrigation devices or for cleaning contact lenses following a series of rare but serious amoeba infections reported in the state.

According to LDH, 10 cases of Acanthamoeba infection have been identified in Louisiana since 2024. Eight involved eye infections, seven occurred in contact lens wearers and five resulted in permanent vision loss.

Health officials also identified two serious infections in 2026 among patients with weakened immune systems. One involved the sinuses and the other involved the brain and proved fatal. Both patients reported using tap water in nasal irrigation devices. Officials stressed that tap water has not been confirmed as the source of the infections.

LDH recommends using distilled, sterile or previously boiled and cooled water in neti pots and other nasal-rinsing devices. Contact lens users are also advised never to clean or store lenses in tap water

Open Enrollment Begins for Affordable Care Act Coverage

/ Miranda

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans is now underway, giving consumers an opportunity to select or update coverage for the coming year.

The enrollment period opened Sunday and will continue through Jan. 15. Consumers shopping for coverage may encounter changes this year, including higher premiums, fewer coverage options in some areas and revised eligibility requirements.

Officials also note that some financial assistance programs that previously helped reduce premium costs have changed, potentially affecting eligibility for certain individuals and families.

Residents are encouraged to review plan options carefully and complete enrollment before the Jan. 15 deadline.