Good morning, Shreveport.

Shreveport will host the Council Connects Neighborhood Leadership Institute on Sept.

19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help residents learn how local government works and build community ties + interested residents must apply by Tuesday as space is limited.

Local music lover David 'Skeeter' Snider died on Aug.

29 at 8:47 a.m. and his funeral will be held Saturday, Sept. 12 at Shreveport Community Church (visitation starts at 11:00 a.m.); his heartfelt singing, passion for cars, and kind spirit left a lasting mark on his community.

The annual Ray Forcier Memorial Rodeo returns to Benton tonight and tomorrow at Willie Waggoner Memorial Arena behind Benton Middle School, featuring bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, calf roping, and a calf scramble for young fans while raising funds for the Bossier Parish Riding Club.

The US Air Force Band of the West will hold a free Labor Day concert on Sept.

7 at 7 p.m. at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium — part of its Steel of Resolve Tour honoring American unity 25 years after 9/11.

Chimp Haven completed a $5.6 million expansion that added a wing with 12 bedrooms and four outdoor play yards near Keithville.

Chimpanzees have begun moving into the new space, which adds 3500 sqft indoors and 14000 sqft outdoors — thanks to private donations.

SporTran dedicated its new Gateway Hub at Shreveport Regional Airport today at 4821 Hollywood Avenue, offering restroom facilities and shelter for airport staff + riders.

The hub officially opens next Tuesday with six routes to ease commutes across the west side.

A USA Today report details six Louisiana areas with high tick populations, including Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area and Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge.

Visitors should check for ticks (especially lone star and blacklegged species) and take precautions when exploring these natural sites.

Calvary defeated Huntington 48-22 at Independence Stadium on Thursday as Jacob Tibbett scored his first defensive touchdown and Hudson Price threw four TD passes, leading the team to a season-opening victory.

Centenary football kicks off its third season today at 6 p.m. at Atkins Field – the team, featuring 15 local players from Shreveport-Bossier, will face Westgate Christian University as it looks to contend for a conference title.

High school football is kicking off with Week 1 matchups in Shreveport and Monroe as Evangel takes on West Monroe tonight at Independence Stadium with local teams seeking to end long title droughts and build momentum for the season ahead.

Louisiana Downs will launch Labor Day weekend events — starting Monday at 11 a.m. with a Family Fun Zone and Wiener Dog Charity Races at noon; thoroughbred racing runs Monday through Wednesday before the 44th Super Derby on Saturday, Sept.

12.

Byrd High School’s Christian Maxie broke the single-game rushing record with 429 yards on 40 carries in a game against defending champion Ouachita (in Monroe) on Thursday.

Despite a 44-37 loss, he nears breaking his school career mark and needs 754 more yards.