Istrouma Journal

MEET WEST FELICIANA PARISH PRESIDENT KENNY HAVARD AND LEARN ABOUT AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO DATA CENTERS AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LUNCHEON TUESDAY — Have lunch with West Feliciana Parish president Kenny Havard at the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish luncheon at 12 noon this Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The Chamber EBR luncheon is held at Cafe Americain, 7521 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge.

President Havard will discuss the new data center project in West Feliciana, which has minimized some of the problems of data centers elsewhere. He will also discuss other news from West Feliciana Parish.

Kenny Havard is a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee. As a legislator, he introduced a flat income tax proposal for Louisiana.

With more than 25 years of private-sector experience in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and industrial sectors, Havard has made economic development, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility central to his public service.

As Parish President, he has worked to position the River Bend industrial corridor for major investment, including Hut 8’s data center development, while advancing the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth. In 2026, Havard supported HB 466, giving West Feliciana an additional locally-controlled economic development tool through property-tax credits for West Feliciana residents and businesses.

His approach focuses on leveraging West Feliciana’s energy and industrial assets to attract private investment, strengthen infrastructure, expand the tax base, and create economic opportunity while protecting the parish’s quality of life by managing development.

Lunch is $25 payable to the restaurant. Reservations are not required. The event is hosted by Cecil Cavanaugh, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish. For information, text Chamber president Woody Jenkins at 225-921-1433. The event will be broadcast live at Central City News and St. George Leader on Facebook.

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH REGISTRAR OF VOTERS TO OBSERVE LOUISIANA VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK – SEPTEMBER 21 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25

To commemorate Voter Registration Week, Registrar of Voters Steve Raborn is reminding citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to make sure they are registered to vote and to either register or update their registration as needed before the fall elections.
The Registrar of Voters Office will also be conducting voter registration drives during Voter Registration Week, September 21st through September 25th. Citizens who need to register to vote or update their registration may do so online at www.GeauxVote.com or in person at the Registrar of Voters office or at the voter drive conducted at branches of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.

In order to provide East Baton Rouge Parish citizens an opportunity to register to vote near their home or workplace, the Registrar’s office will visit library branches during the week of Sept 21 through Sept 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Sept 21 - Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library – 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd.
Sept 21 - Scotlandville Branch Library – 7373 Scenic Hwy.
Sept 21 - Central Branch Library – 11260 Joor Rd.
Sept 22 - Carver Branch Library – 720 Terrace St.
Sept 22 - Delmont Gardens Branch Library – 3351 Lorraine St.
Sept 22 - Zachary Branch Library – 1900 Church St.
Sept 23 - River Center Branch Library – 250 North Blvd.
Sept 23 - Fairwood Branch Library – 12910 Old Hammond Hwy.
Sept 23 - Main Library – 7711 Goodwood Blvd.
Sept 24 - Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library – 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Rd.
Sept 24 - Eden Park Branch Library – 5131 Greenwell Springs Rd.
Sept 24 - Jones Creek Regional Branch Library – 6222 Jones Creek Rd.
Sept 25 - Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch Library– 11300 Greenwell Springs Rd.
Sept 25 - Baker Branch Library – 3501 Groom Rd.
Sept 25 - South Branch Library – 2210 Glasgow Ave.

Applicants registering to vote in person should bring valid identification that establishes identity, age, and residency. You must submit your current Louisiana driver’s license, if you have one, or your birth certificate or other documentation which reasonably and sufficiently establishes your identity, age, and residency. If you have no driver’s license, special Louisiana ID or social security number, you may provide a picture ID, a utility bill, payroll check or government document that shows your name and address.

To cast a ballot in the upcoming November 3, 2026 election, the last day to register to vote in-person or by mail is October 5, 2026. October 13, 2026 is the last day to register to vote online through the GeauxVote.com website. Early Voting will be held October 20, 2026 through October 27, 2026.

Voters may check the status of their registration at www.GeauxVote.com or by calling the Registrar of Voters Office at 389-3940.

Elections & Voting Visit Become a Candidate for information about qualifying, campaign finance, running for office or contact information for candidates and officeholders throughout the state.

FOOTBALL. FAME. REDEMPTION.
LPB premieres original documentary,
Circles: The Life of Billy Cannon
(LOUISIANA STATEWIDE – Sept. 1, 2026)
A new documentary from Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB)
explores the remarkable rise, devastating fall, and ultimate
redemption of one of Louisiana’s most iconic sports figures, Billy Cannon. CIRCLES: THE LIFE OF BILLY CANNON premieres on Monday, September 14 at 7:00 PM on LPB’s statewide network. WLAE-TV will simulcast the premiere in New Orleans at 7:00 PM, with WYES-TV airing the documentary at 9:00 PM.

Every generation of LSU fans knows the play that made Billy Cannon a household name. On Halloween night in 1959, one electrifying punt return against Ole Miss made him a college
football legend. But that unforgettable play was only the beginning of an extraordinary life marked by remarkable success, devastating failure, and ultimately redemption.

Cannon seemed to have everything: a Heisman Trophy, a professional football career, and eventually, a successful orthodontic practice. Then, a federal counterfeiting conviction
brought a stunning and very public fall from grace. But that would not be Cannon’s final chapter. Through candid interviews with family members, friends, teammates, and others who knew him best, the documentary explores the man behind the legend and the lasting impact of his remarkable journey.

“My father was a complicated man who made mistakes, paid a tremendous price for them, and then spent the rest of his life working to become a better person,” says Billy’s daughter,
Bunnie Cannon. “His story is one of extraordinary achievement, very public failure, personal accountability, redemption, and the opportunity to rebuild a life with purpose.”

"Louisiana loves a comeback, and LPB loves to tell Louisiana stories. This film is a natural fit for us," says LPB President and CEO Clarence "C.C" Copeland. "For generations, Louisianans have known Billy Cannon as a football legend. This documentary goes beyond the highlights to tell the complete story of a remarkable life, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the man behind one of Louisiana’s most enduring legends."

LPB’s Linda Midgett and Jay Dardenne reunite for the project, following the success of their first LPB documentary together, Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else!

“Billy refused all film requests to tell his story during his lifetime, but his family believes the story should be told,” says Dardenne, who serves as both Executive Producer and Producer on the project. “It is a behind-the-scenes look at how and why it happened and the impact on his family and those he touched.”

“The Cannon family trusted LPB to tell the full story fairly and sensitively. They gave us total editorial control of the project, and all family members are participating. That says a lot and adds so much depth to the storytelling,” says Midgett, the project’s Director and Executive Producer. “Billy’s story of football, fame, and redemption is about as Louisiana as it gets, and as Louisiana’s storyteller, LPB is uniquely positioned to share it.”

Beginning September 14, Circles: The Life of Billy Cannon will be available to stream free for two weeks on LPB Passport. After the two-week window, the film can be streamed on demand as an LPB Passport member benefit. Learn more at lpb.org/billycannon.

Major production funding for Circles: The Life of Billy Cannon is provided by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, the Louisiana Rural Hospital Coalition, LA Cap Federal Credit Union, Turner Industries, Gordon & Shannon McKernan, and Terrell Brown, with additional support from Kleinpeter & Kleinpeter and special thanks to DOCCU.

The Advocate Found Guilty of Defamation
In Suit by Supreme Court Justice Jeff Hughes

Please join us!

LEARN ABOUT BRAF-PROPOSED CHANGES TO CITY PARK, BROOKS PARK, AND CITY PARK GOLF COURSE — The Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish invites you to learn more about plans for the City Park area at the Chamber EBR meeting at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Speakers will include:
• Architect Coleman Brown
• Peter Davis and Stan Spring of Friends of City Park
• Brittany Marshall of the Old South Baton Rouge Development Group

The meeting will be held at Café Americain, 7521 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge. Lunch is $25 payable to the restaurant. Lunch is complimentary for working media.

The Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish is dedicated to the free enterprise system, limited government, limited taxation, safe streets and neighborhoods, and traditional family values.

Chamber EBR chairman is Cecil Cavanaugh, and president is Woody Jenkins. For further information, send a message to [email protected]