Good morning, Shreveport.

Bill Blakely was a dedicated Methodist minister who served in the Louisiana Methodist Conference for nearly 40 years and was known for his humble beginnings and commitment to family.

A funeral service in his honor will be held today at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport at 2 p.m. and his interment will begin in Ponchatoula at 10 a.m. Tuesday — his life was marked by devoted service to God and community.

A Shreveport district is being revived by local artists who are planning projects to update public spaces + boost local growth.

The initiative will start soon and aims to refresh the area.

Louisiana community colleges have seen more students enroll since the pandemic, with nearly a third of 280,000 students working toward two-year degrees or technical certificates and graduates nearly tripling over the last decade—while the colleges watch closely for future federal funding for adult education programs and expand classes in high-demand areas like health care and IT.

The Louisiana Department of Health warned residents to avoid Botox injections from providers who are not licensed to give them after two residents were hospitalized from unsafe injections.

The agency said one person received an injection using a product ordered online while another was treated in a setting that was not a medical office—officials urge verifying that injections are performed in a licensed facility.

Grambling State lost 21-20 to Texas Southern at Eddie G.

Robinson Memorial Stadium as missteps, injuries and red zone fumbles cost the team a narrow homecoming win — the injured quarterback and running backs struggled and Grambling will face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a conference road game next Saturday.

Voting for the Week 7 Top 10 showed unbeaten Parkway and Evangel with a 5 to 1 record in first and second place, while Calvary, Northwood and Loyola tied for third.

Captain Shreve fell after its blowout loss to Evangel and Benton broke into the poll after a second straight win — the rankings reflect key changes in team performance.

Centenary football lost 55-27 to Texas Lutheran on Saturday night at Atkins Field — the Bulldogs built a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter as the Gents rallied late but fell short, with key plays from both teams marking the game.

Fifteen Shreveport-Bossier athletes are on the Week 6 Football Player of the Week ballot as fans can vote on the Shreveport Times website until Thursday evening.

The top player will receive a backpack, meal card and swag from sponsors + coaches will keep nominating new athletes for the season.

Week 7 high school football in the area will have key games on Thursday, Oct.

16 and nine games on Friday at 7 p.m.—three matchups were moved to Thursday while teams from Benton, Bossier, North Webster, Union Parish and Destrehan prepare to host local contests.

On Thursday night, Parkway's receiver Josh Coleman scored a 17-yard touchdown to begin scoring against Airline in a game with nine lead changes, and four games remain in the season as both Evangel and Parkway stayed unbeaten in District 1-5A—showing local prep football is heating up.

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Update Meeting

9:15-11:45 a.m. — Sam's Town Hotel & Casino — Free parking, breakfast, and lunch provided — A vital gathering for hospitality professionals to discuss regional tourism initiatives.

Shreveport Bowfishing Tournament

All night fishing — Red River South Marina & Resort — $300 per team — Compete to eliminate invasive species and win cash prizes in this exciting carp tournament.

Louisiana Legends: Battle at the Boardwalk

2 p.m. — Under Armour Factory House - The Outlets of Louisiana Boardwalk — Free entry — Experience the excitement of live amateur boxing at this community event.

An Evening with Josh Gates

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Shreveport Municipal Auditorium — Tickets required — Explore thrilling stories and unseen footage from world-renowned explorer and TV personality Josh Gates.

Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert

7:00-8:30 p.m. — The Strand Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless hits of the iconic Glenn Miller Orchestra live in concert.

Kill Tony Golden Ticket Winners Show

6:30-8:00 p.m. — East Bank Theatre — Cost not specified — Enjoy a night of comedy after the Louisiana Classics Trunk Or Treat event.

State Fair of Louisiana

11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Weekdays) & 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Weekends) — Louisiana State Fairgrounds — Admission varies — Experience 17 days of thrilling rides, live entertainment, and delicious fair food at Louisiana's largest fair.

Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon

8:30 a.m. — Walker Place Park — Free for veterans — Honor our heroes with a spirited race honoring all veterans in the community.

Fall Afternoon Tea

3-5 p.m. — The Bell — Limited seating — Experience a cozy and elegant afternoon tea with a festive fall twist in downtown Shreveport.

TASTE 2025: A Festival of Food and Art

6-10 p.m. — Shreveport Convention Center — Tickets available July — Enjoy a delightful evening of food, wine, and entertainment at one of Shreveport's most anticipated events.