“Obviously, the property had fallen into severe neglect,” said Cole Guthrie, vice president of development for U.L. Coleman. “This particular owner saw the opportunity of reinvesting into the Shreveport core. The location was extremely important in this decision-making.

Officials from the city of Shreveport, SporTran, Biomedical Research Foundation, LSU Health, Ochsner LSU Health Academic Center and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced Aug. 15 that Shreveport received a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant.

“It’s an extraordinarily busy time in terms of economic development activity and cargo movement,” said Executive Port Director Eric England. “The citizens’ investment in the port has paid off, and what we’re seeing are the dividends of their commitment years ago as well as present day.

“Louisiana’s wealth of timber resources has made it a prime destination for lumber and sawmill business operations for many years,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said at the groundbreaking. “We’re gratified that Teal Jones has chosen to become a part of that long tradition.

Fuller said the variations on the district maps that the city council considered were only made available for public review on the city’s website the Friday before the council’s vote. She said that in the past, the council held several open public conversations leading up to redistricting.

One building with 68 apartments is completed and welcoming residents. Another 68-unit building is completed, pending inspection and a certificate of occupancy, Tracey Graham, bureau chief of special programs and Choice Neighborhoods Implementation manager for the city of Shreveport, said.

"We have built a fabulous festival this year," Matthews said. "In addition to exceptional music and food, every inch of the festival site will be full of exciting vendors and programming, including interactive sponsor booths, tasting booths, cornhole tournament and a beer garden.

Breakfast is an ancient memory. You're starting to droop, and your mind is wandering like a lost dog. Suddenly, through the fog, the warm aroma of cayenne pepper wafts through your mind. You hear that sizzle that emanates only from a deep fryer. Involuntarily, you begin to salivate, like Pavlov's dog.