Settle Talk

Dana Fergins-Hawthorne

Experience. Accountability. Results. A Commitment to Caddo’s Future.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

By Dana Fergins-Hawthorne I am running for Caddo Parish School Board District 6 because our children’s futures deserve experienced leadership, thoughtful decisions, and consistent follow-through.

Shreveport Skyline

DDA Only Pays 11% Of Downtown Retail Strategies Consulting Contract

John Settle

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

The Shreveport Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has an annual budget of approximately $1.65 million, and it pays Cedric Glover its executive director, over $110 thousand per year.

Sanctuary Apartments sign

DDA’s Glover: More Hot Air/No Substance On KEEL Radio

John Settle

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Erin McCarty on her 710 KEEL radio show interviewed Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Executive Director Cedric Glover this morning (Wed.) and questioned him on his highly touted but to be delivered private downtown security patrol.

Correction: Caddo Commission To Hand Out $1.4 Million To Local Groups In 2027

John Settle

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

As always, Settle Talk regrets having ANY incorrect copy—and when learning of the same, promptly corrects the same. The source of the funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is from the Riverboat Gaming revenues and the Oil & Gas revenues received by the Parish, --not taxpayer dollars.

Shreveport at night

Downtown Shreveport At A Crossroads: Survey Results Reveal Uncertainty Over Its Direction

The Inquisitor

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

By Darren Svan, KTBS Senior Investigative ReporterSHREVEPORT, La. -- New survey results reveal that people who are passionate about the future of downtown Shreveport and those who work there say it’s going through an identity struggle and the path forward is not clearly defined.

cartoon of overwhelmed tax payer

Caddo Commission To Hand Out $1.4 Million To Local Groups in 2027

John Settle

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The Caddo Commission approved a $10 million pickleball complex WITHOUT voter approval and is now asking voters to approve a $60 million bond issue for a planned $70 million sports complex.

DDA Tax Renewal Promises Broken

Glover/DDA Renege On Promised Downtown Security Patrol

John Settle

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Twenty (20) days ago—Oct.1—Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Executive Director Cedric Glover held a well-publicized press conference promising the implementation for 90 days of a private downtown security patrol to curb downtown violence. No contract has yet to be signed.

Caddo Parish Has Pot Of Gold, But Wants More

John Settle

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Police car

Suspended Judge Sims Almost Runs Over SPD Officer's Foot

John Settle

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

It was almost midnight on Oct. 3, 2026 when a Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officer attempted to stop suspended Shreveport city judge Sheva Sims at Milam and Spring Street because she was driving her Jeep without its headlights on.

Downtown Development Authority

Why Renew The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Tax

John Settle

Monday, October 19, 2026

Fool's Gold

Caddo Parish Commitments To Shreveport Chamber For Sports Complex Endorsement

John Settle

Monday, October 19, 2026

The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce issued an endorsement of the proposed sports complex in a 4 page letter titled “We Did the Homework: The Caddo Sports Complex Earns a Yes”.

Jim Taliaferro

Taliaferro Raises Big Bucks But Spends More On Council Race

John Settle

Friday, October 16, 2026

Jim Taliaferro is the incumbent councilman for District C and he has an opponent in his re-election bid. Jim started the year off with $4600 in his campaign account. Since January he raised $19,800 through the reporting date of Sept. 24, 2026. As of the September 24th filing date, he had $2,400.

Ursula Bowman

Ursula Bowman Has Healthy Cushion In Campaign Finances

John Settle

Friday, October 16, 2026

Ursula Bowman is the incumbent council member for District G. She is running for re-election and has two opponents. Ursula started the year with less than $500 in her campaign account. One fundraiser raised her over $42,700.

Caddo Parish Has Pot Of Gold, But Wants More

John Settle

Friday, October 16, 2026

Cartoon about sports complex

OMG—ARE THE SPORTS COMPLEX PANTS TOO SMALL ALL READY

John Settle

Thursday, October 15, 2026