Good morning, Shreveport.

The Louisiana Urban Gardening Initiative will host workshops on community gardens to help locals grow healthy food — partnering with local businesses and nonprofits to provide practical guidance — aimed at strengthening community health.

The sessions will offer step-by-step instructions and support for starting urban gardens.

On June 26 at 2:31 a.m., a passerby reported a house fire on the 3700 block of Milton Street and Engine 14 arrived at 2:36 a.m. to quickly extinguish the flames with no injuries reported—investigators are still determining the cause.

Shreveport police arrested four individuals for squatting from vacant homes on June 25 and June 26—part of their effort to remove trespassers and improve neighborhood safety.

Shreveport hosts the National Square Dancers Convention at the Shreveport Convention Center this week with dance events from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily—top callers like Tony Oxendine lead classes that show off modern square dancing styles while visitors watch the lively performances.

Ascentek is spending $50 million to build a new 270,000-square-foot facility and enhance its current center in Shreveport—this project will add 91 direct jobs, retain 105 current positions, and indirectly create 247 jobs, with groundbreaking scheduled later this year and construction taking up to two years. Local officials say the expansion supports growing demand and strengthens the region’s manufacturing capabilities.

The Shreveport Police Department will step up patrols and make more DWI arrests from July 2 to July 6+ to support the state campaign to cut traffic-related fatalities+ as part of efforts to keep roads safe.

Nick Saban is being inducted today into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches for reviving LSU football with a national championship and two SEC titles.

He changed the team’s culture—turning a struggling program into a winner—and his achievements defined his legacy before he moved to the NFL.

Four Calvary Baptist softball players earned spots on the NFCA All-Region VI team with junior pitcher Kynzee Anderson and second baseman Carlie Guile on the first team and Baylor Bockhaus and eighth grader Brynn Robinson on the second team (first team players may advance to All-America selection).

Tickets are now on sale for the Shreveport Kickoff Classic game between Grambling State University and Langston University, which will be played at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.

30 at Independence Stadium—organizers plan a weekend of family-friendly activities across Shreveport-Bossier to celebrate the heritage of both historic HBCU programs.

Visit Shreveport-Bossier Hospitality Breakfast

8-9 a.m. — Sam's Town Hotel & Casino — $15 admission — Network with local partners and learn about community programs over breakfast.

Sportspectrum Firecracker 5k Race for Research

7:30-10:00 a.m. — Mall St. Vincent — Check website for entry fees — Celebrate the 41st Anniversary of a community run supporting research and wellness.

Sir Charles Farewell Show

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Shreveport Municipal Auditorium — Check website for price — Celebrate the blues at this farewell performance.

Christmas In July 5K/10K/Half Marathon

7-11 a.m. — Walker Place Park — Entry fee required — Celebrate the holiday spirit in the summer with a festive run.

TMM Project: Color Our Culture

12 p.m. — Shreve Memorial Library - Atkins Branch — Free entry — Experience a vibrant celebration of global art with live music and dance performances.

Hairspray - Stage Center Production

7:30 p.m. — Marjorie Lyons Playhouse — $30 Adult / $25 Senior/Military / $22 Student — Enjoy the lively musical 'Hairspray' featuring a diverse local cast and upbeat 1960s tunes.

Shane Pons Unplugged

6:30-10 p.m. — Casa Jimador — Free entry — Enjoy a laid-back evening with live music and stories from Shane Pons and Nick Tingle.

Summer Soup's On!

5-7 p.m. — Marilynn's Place — $20-$30 — Cool off with refreshing summer soups and compete for the best recipe.