Truth in Journalism

By Dr. Kirkpatrick Williams
February 8, 2026 | Editorial Desk

In today’s fast-moving news environment, journalists are under growing pressure to publish stories quickly while still being accurate and fair. Social media and nonstop news updates have made competition for attention more intense. As a result, dramatic headlines and unverified claims can spread faster than carefully reported facts, making responsible journalism more important than ever.

Good journalism is built on honesty, fairness, and independence. Reporters are expected to check their facts, use reliable sources, explain issues clearly, and avoid language that misleads or stirs unnecessary emotion. These practices help readers understand what is really happening instead of being influenced by rumors or speculation.

Misinformation does more than confuse individual readers. Inaccurate reporting can weaken trust in public institutions, increase political divisions, and damage meaningful public discussion. According to early reports from media watchdog groups, many people say they value accuracy and openness when choosing which news outlets to trust. This shows a growing demand for news that focuses on facts rather than attention-grabbing stories.

Readers also play a role in separating truth from sensationalism. Schools and community programs are working to improve media literacy, helping people learn how to evaluate sources, spot bias, and recognize misleading content. These efforts encourage informed reading and stronger trust between journalists and the public.

As technology continues to change how people get their news, the commitment to truth remains essential. By maintaining strong reporting standards, journalism can continue to inform the public, hold leaders accountable, and support healthy public debate.

Caddo Parish Heads into the 2026 Election Year

By Dr. Carla Buntyn
January 25, 2026 | Editorial Desk

The 2026 elections in Caddo Parish will include races for Mayor, City Council, District Attorney, Caddo Parish School Board, Public Service Commissioner, U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. As the election season gets closer, more people are talking about their communities. Some will vote, while others may not, but many share their opinions about what is going well and what needs to change. Some people speak loudly in public, and others quietly, but all want their voices to be heard.

I have seen firsthand how uncertain elections can make people feel. Why do elections make Americans anxious? We need leaders who have already shown they can lead, no matter their party or race. People are often disappointed, and in Louisiana, this has made some not care about voting.

Leadership is not only about having a job or office; it starts with getting involved and having a chance to help. Politics can be complicated, but it is important for citizens to participate. Every voter’s voice matters.

In 2024, Caddo Parish had about 224,893 people. The City of Shreveport has gone down from 187,593 in 2020 to 176,578 in 2024. No matter how people speak up loudly or quietly, their concerns show the same needs.

Power belongs to the people, and elections are the way to make sure our voices are heard.

National focus on mass shootings renews concern over gun violence

By Dr. Kirkpatrick Williams
January 11, 2026 | Editorial Desk

National news coverage of recent mass shootings has renewed attention on ongoing gun violence in the United States, underscoring persistent concerns among policymakers, law enforcement and communities about public safety.

According to publicly available data from federal and nonprofit tracking organizations, mass shootings continue to occur at a pace that draws frequent national scrutiny. Recent incidents in multiple states have prompted emergency responses, investigations and vigils, while details in several cases remain under review by authorities. Officials have emphasized that information released in the early stages of investigations is often preliminary.

The renewed attention has brought gun policy back into public discussion, particularly as lawmakers prepare for the new legislative session. Advocates on all sides of the issue point to national coverage as evidence of the human and societal costs of gun violence. At the same time, elected officials have noted the complexity of addressing the issue amid differing views on public safety, constitutional rights and enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies have reiterated the challenges of preventing mass violence, citing factors such as illegal firearms access, mental health concerns and the speed at which attacks unfold. Federal agencies continue to support state and local departments through grant programs, intelligence sharing and training initiatives designed to improve threat detection and emergency response.

The impact of mass shootings extends beyond the immediate loss of life. Communities affected by such incidents often face long-term trauma, economic disruption and demands for additional support services. Schools, workplaces and public venues nationwide have increased security measures and emergency preparedness training in response to continued threats.

National coverage has also focused on the role of data collection and reporting in shaping public understanding of gun violence. Experts note that while high-profile mass shootings receive intense attention, they represent only a portion of broader firearm-related deaths, which also include suicides and everyday acts of violence. Accurate reporting and transparent data remain central to informing policy debates.

As investigations into recent shootings continue, federal and state leaders say they are reviewing existing laws and prevention strategies. According to early reports, several committees are expected to revisit gun violence prevention measures in the coming weeks. For now, national attention remains fixed on the issue as communities seek ways to reduce future tragedies and improve public safety.

U.S. Actions in Venezuela Highlight the Complexities of Regime Change

By Dr. Kirkpatrick Williams
January 6, 2026 | Editorial Desk

Recent U.S. involvement in Venezuela underscores the enduring debate over the role of American power in promoting political change abroad. The removal of President Nicolás Maduro, while hailed by some as a step toward restoring democratic governance, raises broader questions about the benefits and consequences of foreign intervention.

Regime change is often framed as a tool to promote stability, human rights, and economic recovery. Supporters argue that removing entrenched authoritarian leaders can open the door for democratic institutions, reduce corruption, and create opportunities for regional partnerships. In theory, successful interventions can enhance U.S. influence and signal a commitment to defending democratic principles on the global stage.

Yet history demonstrates that such actions carry significant risks. Foreign interventions can destabilize nations, produce power vacuums, and place civilians in harm’s way. The logistical, financial, and diplomatic costs are substantial, and poorly planned operations can undermine both the intended objectives and America’s reputation abroad. Beyond strategy, ethical considerations loom large: U.S. engagement in regime change must balance national interests with the responsibility to minimize human suffering.

The recent events in Venezuela highlight the need for careful deliberation. Congress, the executive branch, and international partners must weigh potential gains against long-term consequences, ensuring that any action is legally grounded and strategically sound. Oversight and transparency are essential to maintain public trust while safeguarding both American and regional interests.

Ultimately, the Venezuela episode is a reminder that power carries responsibility. The United States must consider not only what it can achieve through intervention, but also what it should, and how best to support lasting stability. As policymakers review the aftermath, one lesson is clear: regime change is never simple, and the costs; human, political, and financial, must be considered as carefully as the potential rewards.

Child Tax Credit Cuts Signal Hard Times Ahead for Louisiana Families

By D.D. Reese
December 28, 2025 | Editorial Desk

American families must take a closer look at the new Child Tax Credit (CTC) changes for the 2025 tax year. Under the revised tax structure, the credit is projected to range from $2,000 to $2,200 per qualifying child, representing a reduction of roughly $1,000 to $1,200 per child compared to current CTC levels. For decades, many parents, particularly working families, have relied on the expectation that child tax credits would increase over time to help offset the rising cost of living. These changes signal a red alarm for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Single parents filing as heads of household are especially vulnerable. For the 2025 tax year, the maximum income thresholds for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) eligibility are estimated at $50,434 for one child, $57,310 for two children, and $61,555 for three or more children. Families whose incomes exceed these limits, even marginally, will no longer qualify for the EITC, despite facing the same economic pressures as those just below the cutoff.

At the same time, poverty benchmarks remain stark. In 2025, the federal poverty threshold is approximately $15,650 for a single individual and $32,150 for a household of four. In Louisiana, 18.9% of residents live at or below the official poverty level, far exceeding the national poverty rate of 10.6%. These figures highlight a persistent gap between wages, tax policy, and the real cost of survival for working families.

Historically, the Child Tax Credit has trended upward since its introduction in 1975, largely due to annual inflation adjustments tied to cost-of-living increases. However, inflation indexing alone does not address the structural economic challenges facing low- and middle-income families, especially in states like Louisiana.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate currently stands at 4.4%, meaning roughly four out of every 100 people are unemployed or actively seeking work, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.6%. While these numbers appear relatively close, they mask deeper issues such as underemployment, stagnant wages, and the disproportionate impact of reduced tax credits on families already living paycheck to paycheck.

As policymakers debate fiscal priorities, the reduction in child tax benefits risks pushing more working families closer to the poverty line. For many Louisiana households, these changes are not just numbers on taxes; they are the difference between stability and crisis.

Louisiana parents and caregivers must prepare by saving as much as possible and cutting back on spending once refunds are received, because state and federal policy decisions, combined with inflation, are increasingly disconnected from the daily realities of our families. When working households are strained, the impact is felt beyond the kitchen table, affecting our schools, churches, small businesses, and neighborhoods across Louisiana that rely on family stability to survive and thrive.

Domestic Violence and Mental Health in Louisiana

By Dr. Carla Buntyn
December 21, 2025 | Editorial Desk

Mental health can play a role in domestic violence, but it is not the sole cause, and it does not excuse violent behavior. Domestic violence has become the nation’s leading public interest. In the state of Louisiana, domestic violence is spiraling as a controversial crime committed by men. Men make up the vast majority of the state’s prison and jail populations, while women represent a small fraction, around 4–6%.

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections’ public data dashboards do not break down incarcerated people by specific charges like “domestic violence.” There is no reliable statewide published number specifically listing how many men are incarcerated in Louisiana for domestic violence alone. If we do not have a published number, how do we know if domestic violence is a leading public interest?

Domestic violence often intersects with other societal issues: homelessness, substance abuse, criminal justice involvement, and mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 4 women experience severe intimate partner physical violence, while about 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence. Men are more often the perpetrators of severe physical violence, but women also perpetrate abuse, particularly psychological, emotional, and sometimes physical abuse.

Men are typically the aggressors, while women can be psychologically and emotionally abusive. According to the Louisiana Department of Corrections, as of September 30, 2025, there were 29,947 incarcerated individuals in total: 28,114 men and 1,833 women. National and state criminal justice reports often group domestic violence under broader violent offense categories, making it hard to extract a precise count of people incarcerated for domestic violence in Louisiana. Of the incarcerated population, 96.1% are male, 73.2% are Black, and 62.2% are serving time for violent crimes. The African American community is approximately 31.2% of the population in Louisiana.

There are more men incarcerated for domestic violence than women; however, both play a role in violence, males as the aggressors and females as psychological aggressors. How does the state determine the violent crime committed by both genders and who is incarcerated? There are three forms of crime, aggression, deception, and manipulation, that share convictions according to law. Among women, 6.1% of the incarcerated population are women, 64.38% are Black women, and 55.1% are incarcerated for violent crimes. Once again, domestic violence is reported under violent offense categories.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an estimated 715,000 Louisiana adults have a mental health condition. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 28% of incarcerated people have mental health issues, with 10% having serious mental health issues. Mental health is typically assessed three times while incarcerated. The numbers of mental health and violent crimes have no direct correlation; however, mental health conditions can affect anger management, frustration tolerance, impulse control, irritability, emotional volatility, impulsivity, difficulty interpreting social cues, and sensory overload.

Men are typically liable for domestic violence because they can inflict serious physical injury. Women may also be liable through verbal, emotional, and psychological aggression. The numbers of violent crimes comparing women and men based on the three crime types do not correlate. Research consistently shows that, on average, women report higher rates of mental health conditions than men. Domestic violence can be a result of underdiagnoses or diagnoses later in the lives of Black women and men in Louisiana.

Has the NAACP Lost Touch With the People It Was Built to Serve?

By Dr. Carla Buntyn
December 14, 2025 | Editorial Desk

In the African American community, conversations about oppression, racism, and systemic inequities remain constant. These discussions echo across social media, in churches, barbershops, classrooms, and political spaces. Yet, despite the persistence of these concerns, membership in the NAACP, once the backbone of organized Black resistance, has steadily declined since its height in the 1960s. The question we must ask is not whether racism exists, but whether traditional civil rights organizations are still meeting the needs of the people they claim to represent.

Generational change is often cited as the primary reason for declining membership. Younger Black Americans tend to organize differently, favoring digital activism, grassroots movements, and decentralized leadership over legacy institutions. But this explanation alone feels incomplete. Many Black Americans are politically aware, socially engaged, and outspoken, just not through the NAACP. That disconnect deserves honest examination.

The tension between activism and economic empowerment is not new. Even W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the NAACP’s founders, grew disillusioned with the organization in his later years. He believed it had become dominated by a Black elite and had lost touch with the common Black worker. Du Bois argued that integration without economic power was insufficient, and that true liberation required self-sufficiency, ownership, and structural transformation. His resignation in 1934 should not be viewed as a footnote in history, but as an early warning.

Today, the NAACP continues to fight legal battles and issue public statements on racial injustice. While these efforts matter, many in the community question whether they translate into tangible improvements in everyday life. Too often, activism feels reactive, designed to provoke outrage rather than build solutions. Meanwhile, economic disparities persist, Black-owned businesses struggle, and working-class families are left without meaningful institutional support.

This raises a difficult but necessary question: Are we facing racism alone, or are we also facing a failure of advocacy to evolve? In 2025, we understand what systemic racism looks like. We can name it, document it, and debate it endlessly. But naming the problem is no longer enough. The focus must shift toward building systems that work for Black Americans, systems rooted in economic development, workforce pipelines, entrepreneurship, and community investment.

The NAACP was founded at a time when Black Americans had little to no legal protection. Today, while some rights feel threatened and others unevenly enforced, we live in a vastly different reality. That reality demands a broader vision, one that prioritizes economic empowerment alongside civil rights litigation, and one that includes not just the educated or elite, but the everyday Black worker.

If the NAACP is to remain relevant, it must reconnect with the people at the margins of its mission. It must move beyond symbolism and return to substance. Fighting the system has its place, but building our own may be the work that finally closes the gaps that activism alone cannot.