Home About Articles Awards Contact

My Latest Work

The Current Sauce •

“Hot Sauce” Column – September Print Edition Vol. 127, No. 1

Editor’s Note: Back in the 1970s, The Current Sauce ran a recurring column called “Hot Sauce,” where any student could submit a question directly to NSU’s president, and he would them answer them in the following print edition. The Current Sauce staff decided to open submissions to Natchitoches community members. NSU’s President James Genovese decided to help us bring this column back. 
Q: Are rising costs around the university correlated with or caused by the new Innovation Park plans?
A: No....
The Current Sauce •

Letter from the Editor: Bringing back intentionality to the newspaper

Time is a weird thing. I am not necessarily a nostalgic person, but I do like to reflect every once in a while. As I enter my last year with The Current Sauce, I am mourning the past three years while looking forward to the short time I have left with this newspaper. 
I told myself that in the first year, I needed to gain a sense of who I wanted to be as editor. I knew that I was a good reporter and somewhat good editor, but I did not realize how daunting it would be to become a leader. One thin...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Learn More About Essence Fest 2026's Friday Night Music Headliners

This Fourth of July weekend, the annual Essence Festival of Culture will return to the Big Easy as one of the country's largest celebrations of Black culture music and community.

On July 3 at the New Orleans' Caesars Superdome, there will be performances from several popular performers and contemporary artists to kick off this year's 2026 event.



A Bronx, NY, native, Cardi B is a highly influential American rapper, singer, and media personality who rose to fame through social media and...
Where Y'at Magazine •

WorkNOLA.com Relauches New Website for Employment Opportunities

The Greater New Orleans Inc. (GNO, Inc.) announced their relaunch of WorkNOLA, a platform designed for job seekers and employers, with a fully redesigned and rebuilt website.

Drawing tens of thousands of monthly users, the website will feature over one thousand regional employers and represent the first complete overhaul of the site in seven years.

WorkNOLA is part of the GNO, Inc.'s broader strategy to attract, retain, and grow talent across Southeast Louisiana. The site relaunch is par...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Celebrate Independence Day at NOLA's Go 4th On The River

Are you ready to be mesmerized by the city's brightly colored sky this Independence Day?

New Orleans' Go 4th on the River event will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m. The event will be held over the Mississippi River, with the firework display stretching between the Gov. Nicholls St. Wharf and the Canal St. Dock.

This is a free, family-friendly event that offers a wide variety of attractions throughout the day. This event is produced by the Riverfront Marketing Group in partnership w...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Where To Stay In New Orleans For Every Type Of Traveler

The Big Easy is home to a wide array of blended cultural heritages that showcase the diversity of a lively city. From the highly immersive historical experience known as the World War II Museum to the boisterous Bourbon Street, New Orleans is the type of city to attract and accommodate all tourists despite differing interests.

If you want the city's full experience catered toward your interests when traveling, you need to know where to stay when visiting. Hotels serve as an extension of your...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Where To Find The Best Frozen Drinks in New Orleans Right Now

The Big Easy is the ultimate summer destination for frozen drinks because of it's sweltering heat, unique "open container" laws, and highly accessible refreshments in various locations across the city.

Frozen drinks aren't just a guilty pleasure—it is a way of life in New Orleans. Whether you're looking for a classic lime flavor or a mix of sweet strawberry and mango, this city will have something for you. Here is a list of where to find the best frozen drinks in New Orleans from daiquiris t...
Where Y'at Magazine •

26th Annual Mr. Legs to be Crowned for Bridge House/Grace House's Fundraising Event

You don't want to miss Bridge House/Grace House's 26th Annual Mr. Legs Competition, as male contestants strut their stuff on stage and show a little leg for charity.

This event, presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, is a beauty pageant where the man who raises the most money for charity will take home the title of Mr. Legs XXVI on Saturday, July 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Generations Hall.

Mr. Legs doesn't just serve as a parody of a beauty pageant. Contestants wear costumes and...
Where Y'at Magazine •

NOLA's Jazz & Heritage Center to Hold an Immersive African Drum And Dance Class

On June 26, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will hold a free community-wide African drum and dance class at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center.

Led by Myienie Caesar, an award-winning Executive Director of N'Fugola Sibo African Dance and Drum Company Inc., participants are introduced to West Africa's energy, movement, rhythm, and cultural traditions of dance and drumming. N'Fungola Sibo will share an experience that is rooted in cultural education, positive energy, co...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Three Powerhouse New Orleans Promoters Team Up to Bring Freaky Deaky NOLA

Looking for a new Halloween tradition in the Big Easy for this spooky season? This October 30 and 31, Encore Entertainment, Amps Events (Metropolitan NOLA), and Disco Presents are hosting Freak Deaky NOLA.

This two-night event will feature dance music, next-level outdoor production, and an unforgettable Halloween experience. This event is presented in partnership with Boys of the Boot Inc.

New Orleans is the perfect city for a festival built around Halloween festivities. The festival's i...
Where Y'at Magazine •

10 Best Places to Eat in New Orleans After Midnight

New Orleans has its reputation for being a party destination, where nightlife goes beyond the expected hours. Ranging from the untamed Bourbon Street to the Garden District's supernatural lore, the city offers an energetic and diverse scene. In the heart of the city, you can often find jazz clubs, theaters, cocktail lounges, dive bars, and more.

From classic gumbo to making your own pizza, New Orleans is sure to fulfill your every culinary craving. If your body is craving a late-night meal af...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Get Active this Father's Day During the Annual Richard Newcomb Memorial Race

On Sunday, June 21, the annual Richard Newcomb Memorial Father's Day Race will be held at Audubon Park to commemorate the holiday with fathers and grandfathers.

The race will follow Audubon Park's historic running and walking path, featuring Louisiana's live oaks and diverse wildlife. The race features a two-mile and a half-mile course open to all runners and walkers of all speeds, New Orleans Track Club members, and non-members alike. Team members can sign up with their dad or grandpa to com...
Where Y'at Magazine •

New Orleans Public Library to Host Summer Fun & Reading Challenge 2026

The New Orleans Public Library is holding its annual Summer Fun & Reading Challenge starting on June 1 this year.

According to the library's website, libraries across the country are hosting summer reading programs to raise awareness surrounding literacy and reading. Reading is a skill that children and teens have achieved throughout the school year, and the program hopes to increase interest in libraries.

All children, teens, and adults who complete all nine squares of their blackout bin...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Dive into the Music Scene at Nora Navra Library's Stage Bands of New Orleans Event

Preserving the culture, managing bands, and keeping a sustainable career is what fuels the New Orleans' historic music scene. "Inside the Music: Stage Bands of New Orleans" will take a closer look at what it takes to lead a stage band in New Orleans.

Presented by MaCCNO and in partnership with the New Orleans Public Library, this event will be held on Thursday, May 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nora Navra Library on 1902 St. Bernard Ave. and will dive into a powerful conversation involv...
Where Y'at Magazine •

Experience NOLA with Walking with the Gay Ghosts of New Orleans

Have you ever wondered what it's like to walk alongside the gay spirits and listen to the untold queer lore of one of the most notorious haunted and diverse cities in Louisiana? Well, Walking with the Gay Ghosts of New Orleans has you covered!

Returning for News Orleans Pride, tours will be available from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14 during select hours. The event's availability can be found online. The guided tour takes about an hour and 45 minutes and costs $33.46 per person....
Potpourri •

NSU Soccer reinforces team identity and adaptability to the demands of college athletics

The 2025-2026 NSU soccer season reinforced the team’s identity and improved the varying levels of understanding of the demands of college athletics.
For Kendall Hemperley, a freshman nursing major, the shift to Division I play was an immediate adjustment. She said this came in the form of the training schedule, which she described as a substantial change from what she was used to in high school. “Practicing, what, three times a day? In high school, it was only one practice a day and not nearly a...
Potpourri •

Sharye Belcher serves her first year as editor-in-chief of Potpourri, NSU’s student yearbook.

Potpourri, which runs from March to March each year, has served as the official yearbook of Northwestern State University since 1909, its staff dedicated to elevating the voices of students, faculty, staff and campus organizations each year.
Sharye Belcher, a junior nursing major, has served on the staff since her freshman year, and now, as Editor-in-Chief, she has continued her passion for creating a yearbook with this year’s theme, “Purple Reign.” The book’s cover features the iconic playbill...
Potpourri •

Lady Demon Volleyball looks forward to next season after finishing 2025 with a 1-29 overall record

Under the helm of first-year head coach Ben Kazeta’s leadership, Northwestern State University’s volleyball team finished its 2025 season with a 1-29 overall record.
Julia Whitfield, a freshman business administration major and middle blocker, committed to NSU to be close to her family and fell in love with the community’s support for the university. Ever since she started playing for NSU, the team has been nothing but supportive.
“This team just gives me a high. Every day I walk in here [Prathe...
Potpourri •

NSU’s Rowing Team prides itself on community and competitive spirit

Northwestern State University’s rowing team prides itself on community and competitive spirit. In the 2025-2026 season, the team has grown and fostered talent, making this season memorable for its members.
Sophia Witman, a sophomore biology major, decided to join the rowing team because she rowed for one year in middle school and for two years in high school. “I wanted to continue competing in a sport I love,” Witman said. “Our rowing team was actually one of the reasons I chose to attend NSU.”...
Potpourri •

NSU Club Volleyball blends competition and fun

Club volleyball at Northwestern State University of Louisiana blends competition and fun regardless of a student’s major or classification. Comforting and fun spaces like these attract students to return to the Wellness, Recreation and Activities Center courts for weeks.
The club draws a wide mix of players: former high school athletes, students who grew up playing multiple sports and others who miss the feeling of being part of a team. Members of the team have varying years of experience that a...
Potpourri •

Pi Kappa Alpha prides itself on scholarship, leadership, athleticism and their gentlemen’s ways

Joining Northwestern State University’s campus in 2014, Pi Kappa Alpha, a fraternity commonly known as PIKE, prides itself on its four core values: scholarship, leadership, athleticism and their gentlemen’s ways.
After rushing during his sophomore year, Christopher Richard, a senior communication major and former Fall 2025 president of PIKE, shared how he found his Greek home and what his leadership position meant to him. “I’ve really grown in the organization because of the opportunities that i...
PLUGGED IN •

Behind the ballot: How AI is shaping today’s political climate

Artificial Intelligence is currently reshaping modern politics, influencing everything from how campaigns target voters to how governments make policy decisions. Is the rapid growth of AI’s influence going to improve democratic participation if regulated properly, or instill mistrust and unavoidable biases come this year’s midterms?  Throughout 2025, the use of AI reshaped how consumers view the world on a global scale. According to an article published Jan. 16, 2026 by Atlantic Council experts,...
The Current Sauce •

NSU students react to tragic shooting in Shreveport

With many Louisianians struggling to grasp the reality of one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings in years, many Northwestern State University of Louisiana students are speaking out about gun and domestic violence.
On Sunday, April 19, Shamar Elkins, the 31-year-old gunman, fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in an attack on his family. According to the Associated Press, two women, one of whom was the gunman’s wife and mother of their children, were shot and critically...
The Current Sauce •

NSU Alumnus Sherman Desselle inducted into CAPA Hall of Fame

“It all started with a roast beef sandwich,” Sherman Desselle, Northwestern State University of Louisiana alumnus, recalled, remembering how one part-time job changed the trajectory of his whole life. Now, he has been inducted into the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts’ Hall of Fame. 
In 2007, Deselle moved back home to Alexandria, La., after graduating from NSU. He shared that when he worked part-time at a deli, he struggled with the idea of what he wanted his future to look like, whi...
Load More