Good morning, Baton Rouge.

A student at Istrouma High School is planning a walk during the homecoming parade on Sept.

26 at 11 a.m. at Howell Park on Winbourne Avenue to honor fellow students Ja'Derrius Minnieweather and De'Vonte Coleman.

Sisters Soul Food Cafe in Port Allen is a family-run restaurant built on a lifelong dream by four sisters.

The Brown sisters serve daily-changing soul food and home-cooked favorites that bring their community together.

Iberville native Shelby Bordelon finished first runner-up in Miss America 2027 and will host Court for a Cause (a pickleball fundraiser for Claire’s Promise) on Oct.

3 at Court to Table in Baton Rouge.

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Contemporary Art Gallery will host the 2026 Visual Art + Design Faculty Exhibition through Sept.

24, showcasing faculty work in diverse media. A lecture series (with talks on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. and Sept. 16 at 4 p.m.) is planned at the East Strawberry Stadium gallery on campus.

Ascension Public Schools honored 25 Partners in Education providers at the Aug.

27 Chamber Business Expo, naming Pelican Credit Union as Small Business Partner of the Year and CF Industries as Large Business Partner of the Year. The district is seeking new school partners for the 2026-27 year.

East Baton Rouge Parish schools started Sept.

1 with 36,026 students at 74 schools, down from 38,244 last year—a 5.8% plunge affecting state funding. Many schools, including Woodlawn High which lost 139 students, saw steep drops while BASIS Materra grew by 86 amid shifting enrollment patterns.

Southern University canceled classes on Tuesday due to power outages that disrupted campus operations; employees worked remotely while crews restored electricity and residents in Bethune, Grandison, Reed plus White halls were directed to alternative housing at the event center.

Three LSU football players earned SEC Player of the Week honors following a 51-10 win over Clemson on Saturday + quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, and defensive lineman Jordan Ross made their first start after transferring from other schools.

After LSU’s win on Sept.

5, some fans could not secure rides at Tiger Stadium+ one visitor said she paid up to $400 after a bidding war for a ride. LSU officials announced a designated rideshare spot at Lot 406 on Skip Bertman Drive for future games.

The Bulldogs opened strong with quarterback Greg Fernandez scoring on the initial drive before the defense shut down Episcopal for a 36-0 win.

Linebacker Raif Melancon led with a fumble return and a rushing touchdown (coach Taylor James praised his team’s effort).

Slaughter Community Charter lost 28-22 to Baker in double overtime as they opened the season, struggling with four turnovers and penalties — they will host St. Michael on Friday.

Meanwhile, West Feliciana won 56-20 and East Feliciana lost 53-20 in their season openers.