News

The city of Shreveport has adopted changes for two of its largest Mardi Gras krewes. Mayor Arceneaux met with the Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Fire Department, SPAR and Public Works after the 2023 Mardi Gras season to determine how the city could best handle the public safety issues associated with the growth of the two of its largest Mardi Gras parades. “We cannot control what someone might do in a crowd,” said Mayor Tom Arceneaux. “We want to give those who might be disruptive less opportunity and to give SPD a better chance to patrol areas where problems might arise.”

Shreve Memorial Library asked, and patrons voted 'Nobody’s Magic' by Destiny O. Birdsong as the 2023 One Book One Parish title winner. Each year, Shreve Memorial Library’s One Book One Parish campaign unites Caddo Parish by promoting one book throughout the month of October, encouraging a parish-wide book discussion. Patrons were given an opportunity to choose one of three titles to be named this year’s One Book One Parish winner. 'Nobody’s Magic' received 113 votes, beating out 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens (86 votes) and 'Shreveport Sounds in Black and White' by Kip Lornell and Tracey E.W. Laird (78 votes) for the One Book One Parish honor. 'Nobody’s Magic,' set in Shreveport, tells the stories of Suzette, Maple and Agnes, three African American women with albinism. The novel is told in three parts, as each woman finds herself at a crossroads of her life. The novel is described as a searing meditation on grief, female strength, and self-discovery and a testament to the power of family. A complete summary of the book is included below, and copies of 'Nobody’s Magic' are available for checkout at Shreve Memorial Library branches.

Local sales and use tax receipts are higher than in 2022. The city of Shreveport garnered $13,464,023 in July, 2% over July 2022. This year Shreveport has tallied a 4.2% jump from last year. Its $95,368,801 is by far the highest seven-month total ever collected. Its sales tax rate is 2.75%. The Caddo Parish School Board levies a 1.5% sales tax. Its July total of $8,865,698 is only 0.5% more than 2022. It is the first month of its July 1 through June 30 fiscal year. The Law Enforcement District of Caddo levies a 0.35% sales tax. This is the sheriff's jurisdiction. Its $2,064,286 for July is just a little 0.4% bump from 2022. It is 7.3% greater than last year through seven months. It and the city of Shreveport employ the calendar year as the fiscal year. In seven months, its total sales tax receipts are $15,072,873. Bossier City levies a 2.5% sales tax rate. It's well over 2022, with $36,837,947 deposited, an 8.55% increase. Like Shreveport, it follows a calendar year fiscal year. The Bossier Parish School Board uses the July 1 through June 30 fiscal year, as do all Louisiana school boards. Since Jan. 1, 2023, its total of $40,232,620 is 10.57% over 2022. However, its July receipts of $5,850,075 show a 10.9% decrease from the $6,575,589 deposited in July 2022. This downturn might be due to the Louisiana motor vehicle sales taxes being delayed due to the 6/30 closing of the state's books in that Louisiana's fiscal year ends June 30. Bossier's schools have a 1.75% sales tax rate. The lower July receipts are quite an unusual happening.

Fire Station 20 (FS 20) is located on the corner of Youree Drive and Flournoy Lucas Road.

There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book, and for many, the local library is a great place to find the perfect reading material.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (CRI) is the external auditor for the city of Shreveport.

Shreveport's General Fund balance approved last year estimated that the unrestricted reserve fund balance as of year-end would be $74,434,900.

The life span of an NFL quarterback seems to be growing of late, thanks in large part to the numerous changes that have been made to help protect the franchise QBs in the league. That protection in the case of Cowboys QB Dak Prescott hasn’t helped him as much as he’s missed portions of two of the past three seasons with significant injuries. So, heading into his eighth season as the starter in Dallas, the pressure is mounting for Prescott to guide his ’Boys deep into the postseason, as opposed to one or two and done. So, is 2024 that season? Does this Cowboys roster, led by playmakers CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Tony Pollard and newcomer (and former Saint and Texan) Brandin Cooks, have what it takes to get through the NFC? Will new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer be able to guide the offense, who routinely was among the NFL’s best under former coordinator Kellen Moore, to new heights? Can the defense continue to create turnovers (welcome to corner Stephon Gilmore) and turn retiring the ball back to the offensive counterparts?