Columns

Zigler made a fortune from ‘worthless’ wells

George B. Zigler went to Jennings in 1901 thinking he had only months to live. Instead of dying, he built an enduring legacy as an astute businessman and beloved philanthropist.

Where are the plans from the candidates?

The Louisiana gubernatorial election is less than two weeks away with six major candidates for governor showering television stations across the state with TV ads. One candidate is a Democrat and the other five are all Republicans. Here’s what looks to happen.

School choice exploding in conservative states

In January, Iowa became the first state to pass a universal school-choice bill in 2023. Last week North Carolina became the tenth state to approve universal school-choice, despite their Democratic Governor Roy Cooper veto threat.

‘Bidenomics’ is a hard sell to Americans

Every presidential campaign requires a slogan – a pithy message in six words or less to convey a candidate’s vision, principles and qualifications to serve as leader of the free world.

The newspaper that never was

National Newspaper Week (October 1-7) compels me to acknowledge my journalistic catastrophe of fifth grade. Based on my passion for reading Nashville’s two dailies, Miss Bunch handed me the plum assignment of launching a newspaper for our class.

The hospital and the cucumber truck

A scary accident in October 1945 is at least partially responsible for the establishment of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Lafayette.

My alma mater turns into a leftist re-education camp

When my father proudly mentioned to one of his colleagues that his firstborn child had just been accepted to Bryn Mawr College, he responded: “Let’s hope she doesn’t stop shaving her underarms.” This quip was relayed to me years later by that same gentleman, with a half apology.

Searching to find the good Lord and my legacy!

Regular readers of my weekly columns know that I write about a cross-section of issues, from politics to good eating, insurance issues, heroes, the joys of living in the country, and even who I think killed JFK. I don’t often write about spiritual issues. But hey, give me a little leeway here.

Things I’ve never done

A few days ago, my wife and I were taking our evening almost-senior-citizen power stroll, and the subject of Hooters came up. Yes, Hooters. And I’ll tell you why (even if you wish I wouldn’t).

Are you obsessed with spicy foods?

Hot peppers bring tears to my eyes, but so does a family anecdote from my young adulthood. I was living with my parents and slept during the day because I worked graveyard shift. One day my mother and brother brought home some pork barbecue for lunch.