South Baton Rouge Journal

09/06/2026

YOU ARE INVITED TO MEET THE CANDIDATES
For Justice of the Peace
From Central, St. George, and South Baton Rouge
— The Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon will hold a forum for candidates for Justice of the Peace from Central, St. George, and South Baton Rouge at 12 noon on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 at Café Américain, 7521 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge. The public is invited. See district lines in comments.

All but two of the 11 candidates have accepted the invitation to speak.

Lunch is $25 payable to the restaurant. The event is open to everyone. It will be broadcast live at Central City News on Facebook.

08/30/2026

08/28/2026

YOU ARE INVITED! Come Meet Our Five Republican Candidates for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board! 6-8 p.m., Sunday, August 30, 2026. Admission is Free, but please order something to eat from the great Dearman's and please bring your checkbook or card in case you decide to contribute to any or all of our fine candidates! You are going to love them! See you this Sunday 6 to 8 p.m. at Dearman's, 7633 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, corner Jefferson Highway at Old Hammond Highway! We will leave by 8 for sure!
— From Republican Party of East Baton Rouge parish

08/26/2026

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

07/27/2026

MEET JUDGE MIKE McDONALD AND CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT JUDGE AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LUNCHEON TUESDAY— Have lunch with Court of Appeals Judge Mike McDonald (senior status) and candidates for District Judgeships to be filled in the 19th Judicial District this fall at the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish luncheon at 12 noon this Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The Chamber EBR luncheon is held at Cafe Americain, 7521 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge.

Judge McDonald will discuss some of qualities citizens should look for in evaluating candidates for District Judge. Residents of East Baton Rouge Parish will face one of the longest election ballots in history this fall, including 15 seats on the 19th Judicial District Court. Other candidates are welcome to attend and be recognized. The meeting is open to the public, and everyone is invited to meet the candidates this Tuesday.

The Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon had a number of District Judge candidates speak on July 14. The Chamber forum will be open to candidates who were not able to attend the July 14 forum.

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.

07/15/2026

CRUSHING THE JOY OUT OF THE MIDDLE CLASS — Standing last night for nearly 3 hours while videoing and listening to public testimony before BREC on the plans to create a “Conservancy” to take over control of the green area between City Park and University Lake, all of which currently belongs to the public, I thought to myself, “How tone deaf can those in government be? Can’t they see the people are against this?” But, on the other hand, maybe they just don’t care what people want. They have their own ideas and plan to do whatever they want. I looked at the people sitting out there in opposition to their grand plans. Hard-working, middle-class people who get almost nothing from government. They pay most of the taxes, but what real benefits do they get? One of the few things is they get is to live near a beautiful golf course in a green area that stretches from City Park to the University Lakes. It is a source of pride and joy to them every day. But those cloaked with a little power have for this moment the chance to steal that joy. Not out of necessity, but because they have plans for more concrete and steel and commercial development in this beautiful, almost pristine area. There are only two golf courses left in the city that are open to the general public. These are places where you don’t have to be wealthy or a member of the country club to participate. Even poor kids from the neighborhood can go there and play golf now. The middle class has had a lot taken away from them in this town — good public schools, decent roads, and safe streets. The last thing seems to be this golf course and this green space. Once these things are gone, they can never be replaced. This is a real test, not just for BREC, but for this community.
By Woody Jenkins, editor,
Central, City News and St. George Leader

07/10/2026

MEET CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT JUDGE AT RONALD REAGAN NEWSMAKER LUNCHEON TUESDAY — Have lunch with candidates for 15 District Judgeships be filled in the 19th Judicial District this fall at the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon at 12 noon this Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The Reagan luncheon is held at Cafe Americain, 7521 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge.

Residents of East Baton Rouge Parish will face one of the longest election ballots in history this fall, including 15 seats on the 19th Judicial District Court. You are invited to meet some of the candidates this Tuesday.

Lunch is $25 payable to the restaurant. Reservations are not required. The event is hosted by former Rep. Woody Jenkins, who is chairman of the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish. The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Republican Assembly. It will be broadcast live at Central City News and St. George Leader on Facebook.