Good morning, Shreveport.

Students and families at Southfield School have collected over 18,000 diapers and wipes for local families through Basic Necessities of Louisiana during a campus drive marking National Diaper Need Awareness Week — donations will be accepted through Monday, Sept.

21.

Cohab, a nonprofit hub for entrepreneurs, opened a second location at the Highland Center on Sept.

18 in the Highland neighborhood, offering six private offices and a common space called The Malsch Pit.

Louisiana offers four exciting fall festivals including New Iberia's Sugar Cane Festival running Sept.

24 through 27, and Shreveport hosting the Red River Arts Festival on Oct. 8–11 and 15–18, along with the State Fair starting Oct. 29 and Festival Acadiens et Créoles on Oct. 8–11. These events bring music, food, and cultural heritage to the community.

Centenary College opened the Davis C.A.R.E.

Center on Thursday, Sept. 17 to provide essential support for student needs. The center offers counseling, health services, and emergency aid through community partnerships in one accessible space.

The Louisiana Department of Health said 290,000 Healthy Blue Medicaid members must choose a new insurer from Oct.

15 to Nov. 16 as Elevance Health ends its Medicaid coverage on Jan. 1. Officials say the four remaining plans will continue to cover doctor visits and medications.

Caddo Parish Animal Control said a Shreveport dog tested positive for rabies, the fifth confirmed case in the state since 2000, and urged pet owners to vaccinate their pets immediately.

Vaccines start at 3 months old with boosters given every 3 years.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will play Baylor today at 3 p.m. in Waco while Northwestern State Demons face Weber State in Logan at 7 p.m. and Centenary’s Gents meet East Texas Baptist Tigers at Ornelas Stadium at 6 p.m. today (Grambling will use the weekend to prepare).

Captain Shreve Gators overcame Northwood 42-28 Thursday at Jerry Burton Memorial Stadium, with Gabe Lockett running 161 yards and scoring twice — a turning point for the team.

They will carry their momentum to their District 1-5A opener next Friday at Haughton.

Booker T. Washington and Green Oaks will face off in the 53rd Annual Soul Bowl on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Shreveport, engaging the community with a college-style tailgate atmosphere (a tradition that fuels local rivalry) as both teams remain undefeated.

Louisiana Cup Day at Louisiana Downs Saturday features quality mounts & races with $75K purses, while $4K in scholarships go to active college students through the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and track officials.

Registration is from 2:35 to 3:35 p.m. at the booth, with the drawing after the fifth race.

North DeSoto’s freshman quarterback Mason Smith threw three touchdown passes and ran for another on Friday as his team beat Byrd 38-20, moving to a 3-0 record while Byrd dropped to 0-3.