š± How could 25 proposed school layoffs affect Natchitoches students and staff?
Hey hey Natchitoches! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. āļøļø
In today's newsletter:
- How could 25 proposed school layoffs affect Natchitoches students and staff?
- How Natchitochesā shrinking enrollment could affect local schools and families
- Which Natchitoches student is leading NSUās prestigious Purple Jackets society?
Also on today's calendar: NPL - Justice Bus (mobile legal resource center) and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? š¤ (Answer below!)
- Friday: Very warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 89 and low of 67 degrees. š¶ Hot!
- Saturday: Cloudy, humid; a p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 82, low: 49.
- Sunday: Breezy in the a.m.; some sun, with a high of 73 and low of 47 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. School Board discusses implementing second round of layoffs amid funding loss (natchitochesparishjournal.com) ā Natchitoches Parish School Board leaders are weighing a second round of staff layoffs for the 2026-27 school year after losing a major federal grant and tax revenue from the IP mill closure. About 25 positions could be cut, with final votes on layoffs, a new bond issue, NSU Lab School agreements, and fee payment policies set for the April 21 board meeting. 
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2. Natchitoches parish schools report drop in enrollment amid statewide population shift (ktbs.com) ā Families in Natchitoches Parish are seeing shrinking class sizes as school officials report enrollment declines at nearly every campus, mirroring a broader statewide drop in public school students. Leaders blame a demographic shift, with more residents leaving Louisiana for neighboring states, and stress that the trend reflects population loss rather than school quality concerns. Ā Ā Ā
3. NSU welcomes new members of Purple Jackets, Blue Key including two Mindenites (websterparishjournal.com) ā Northwestern State University in Natchitoches is kicking off Honors Week by welcoming new members into its historic Purple Jackets and Blue Key service societies. Local readers may recognize Natchitochesā own Madelynn Misuraca, who is serving as Purple Jackets president alongside student leaders from across Louisiana. Ā Ā Ā
4. Baseball Playoffs: Fontainebleau, Mandeville, Northshore, Northlake Christian among winners Thursday (crescentcitysports.com) ā Natchitoches Centralās baseball team dropped a tight 1-0 playoff opener at Northshore, with Daygen Johnson collecting two of the Chiefsā three hits. The roundup also highlights other LHSAA playoff results and todayās game times across south Louisiana, including follow-up games in several best-of-three series. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Natchitoches
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š
Upcoming Events in
Natchitoches
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
ā Featured events ā
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Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival
Melrose On The Cane, 3533 LA-119, Melrose
9:00 am
Saturday April 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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NPL - Justice Bus (mobile legal resource center)
Natchitoches Parish Library , 450 2nd St , Natchitoches
11:00 am -
āShe Loves Meā
A. A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center , 150 Central Ave , Natchitoches
7:30 pm -
She Loves Me
A. A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center , 150 Central Ave , Natchitoches
7:30 pm -
āShe Loves Meā
A. A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center , 150 Central Ave , Natchitoches
7:30 pm -
She Loves Me
A. A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center , 150 Central Ave , Natchitoches
7:30 pm -
Little Eva Pecan Company Annual Spring Event
Little Eva Pecan Company-Natchitoches Pecans , 16508 LA-1 , Cloutierville
9:00 am -
āShe Loves Meā
A. A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center , 150 Central Ave , Natchitoches
7:30 pm
Tuesday April 21
Thursday April 23
Friday April 24
Saturday April 25
š£ Natchitoches Shout Outs!
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š Events Nearby
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Lunchtime Lagniappe - āGoing to miss this Navy lifeā¦ā Louisiana Women in WWI & WWII
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum , 800 Front St , Natchitoches
12:15 pm -
Lucas Jagneaux
Mama's Oyster House , 608 Front St , Natchitoches
7:00 pm -
Bayou Kubota Ribbon Cutting
BAYOU KUBOTA , 5632 LA-1 , Natchitoches
11:00 am
Friday April 17
Friday April 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Bealls, Inc. - Burkes Outlet posted a job opening for bealls Store Associate in Natchitoches. Apply here.
- Department of Veterans Affairs posted a job opening for Medical Support Assistant (Advanced) in Natchitoches. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Natchitoches here.
Ok Natchitoches! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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