Inmate flees while awaiting transport, rapid response leads to immediate capture
The Avoyelles Communications Center dispatched deputies to a report of an inmate escape from APSO grounds in Marksville on Tuesday, July 28, at approximately 10:40 a.m.
While in the process to be transported, the inmate, Rachel Nichole Malbrough, pushed a female officer and fled on foot. Ms. Malbrough was quickly located just off of APSO grounds, while wearing an orange jump suit, along with handcuffs and shackles. The escapee was safely apprehended at approximately 10:44 a.m.
Choudrant couple’s vow renewal goes viral, drawing millions of views and national headlines
CHOUDRANT — Sometimes, it’s wonderful to go viral on the Internet.
Choudrant residents David and Beckie Roach are experiencing that right now, and it’s for a great reason: celebrating nearly six decades of wedded bliss.
When grandson Philip Winham recently brought his grandparents back to the church where they were married in 1967, he thought he was making a memory for his family and had no idea what was coming next: nearly 17 million people have watched it since thanks to social media and now TV.
Winham, a portrait photographer from College Station, Texas, planned a surprise vow renewal on July 10 for the Roaches, the Choudrant couple who married at First Baptist Church of Choudrant back in November 1967. Videos of the vow renewal has drawn close to 12 million views on TikTok and roughly 5 million on Instagram, and the story has been picked up by Newsweek and People magazine. The family has also taped an interview with NBC’s “Nightly News,” though it has not yet aired, and have recently been contacted by ABC News, as well.
DeSoto Parish substitute teacher arrested following investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct with juveniles
DESOTO PARISH — A former substitute teacher has been arrested following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct involving juveniles, according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested Michelle Thomas, 37, of Logansport, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on July 31 following an investigation that began after the DeSoto Parish School Board reported information to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, evidence gathered during the investigation resulted in an arrest warrant charging Thomas with:
Four counts of Prohibited Sexual Conduct Between a Teacher and a Student
Two counts of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile
One count of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile (Grooming)
DOTD to begin $1.1 million striping, rumble strip project across Central Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced a $1.1 million project to install new pavement striping and rumble strips along numerous routes throughout the Alexandria region.
Work is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 3, weather permitting, starting on LA 1 and LA 29 in Avoyelles Parish.
Construction will begin on LA 1 from W. Bon Temps Street in Marksville to LA 114 in Echo and on LA 29 from Dora Road to Dupuy Crossing in Avoyelles Parish. Motorists are advised to watch for advance warning signs, crews and equipment in the work zone.
This portion of the project is expected to take approximately five months and is dependent on weather conditions.
Victim dies following Campti shooting, investigation now a homicide
Natchitoches Parish Coroner Steven Clanton has informed Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives that the 27-year-old Montgomery woman who was critically injured in last night’s shooting in Campti has died as a result of her injuries.
The victim was pronounced deceased at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria at 12:48 p.m. today.
NPSO Detectives are continuing the investigation and are aggressively pursuing leads in this senseless act of violence, which is now being investigated as a homicide.
Pitkin man arrested in connection with insurance fraud, arson investigation
The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) has arrested 37-year-old Justin Ware of Pitkin in connection with a February residential fire that investigators determined was intentionally set as part of an insurance fraud scheme. SFM deputies arrested Ware on July 30, 2026, on two counts of insurance fraud and one count of arson with the intent to defraud. The investigation began after the Plainview Fire Department requested assistance from the SFM Fire Investigations Unit following a house fire in the 400 block of Hopewell Road in Pitkin.
At approximately 3 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2026, the Plainview Fire Department responded to the house fire.
Bally’s Completes $30 Million Purchase of Sam’s Town; Rebrand Coming
Bally’s Corporation has completed its $30 million purchase of Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport from Boyd Gaming, following Louisiana Gaming Control Board approval in July.
Sam’s Town briefly closed at 10 p.m. July 31 and reopened under Bally’s ownership at noon August 1. The property — a 29,000-square-foot casino, 514-room hotel, multiple restaurants, and live entertainment venue — will be rebranded under the Bally’s name.
The acquisition gives Bally’s unified ownership of two neighboring riverboat casinos on the west bank of the Red River for the first time. Combined, the two properties now represent nearly a quarter of the Shreveport-Bossier gaming market.
President Trump Approves All Requested Federal Disaster Assistance for Louisiana Following Tropical Storm Arthur
Baton Rouge, LA—Today, Governor Jeff Landry and Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced that President Trump has now approved all of Louisiana’s requests for support in parishes impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur. This now includes all assistance requested for Avoyelles, Pointe Coupee and St. Landry parishes. It also adds St. Charles and Winn parishes for Public Assistance support.
Escaped Madison Parish prisoner apprehended
Madison Parish – At approximately 4:10 a.m. Tuesday, 37-year-old Shannon Morris of Lake Charles escaped from a Riverbend Detention Center transport van while the van was stopped at the Love’s Travel Stop located at 227 US 165 North in Tallulah. On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report, from a motorist, of an individual attempting to flag down passing vehicles on Interstate 20 east of Tallulah. Thanks to the assistance of the public, Morris was quickly located and taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Madison Parish Detention Center, where he was booked.
Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrests Baton Rouge police officer for sharing protected law enforcement information
Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) arrested a Baton Rouge Police officer for sharing protected law enforcement information.
41-year-old Joanell K. Robinson, of Club View Court in Zachary, was arrested on August 4, 2026, and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Correctional Center on:
20 counts – Trespass Against State Computers (La. R.S. 14:73.12)
20 counts – Malfeasance in Office (La. R.S. 14:134)