Local

Louisiana Rep. Patrick Williams (D-Shreveport) is trying to draw attention to the invasive aquatic weed giant salvinia that continues to clog many waterways in the state. He invited the inventor of the "WaterMower" to address the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment during a May 8 hearing. Williams said his constituents want to see results that go beyond chemical sprays and weed eating weevils raised in university research labs.

Hundreds of middle and high school students are preparing for regional and state competitions this month in their shooting sports program. In Texarkana, the Arkansas High School Razorbacks trap team will advance 60 students to the regional competition in Lonoke, Ark. Head coach John Wilson started the team six years ago. The 68-year-old is a volunteer and he said the sport is run by people just like him. He said grants keep the program going.

The results are in and we have the winners of the 2013 Young Artists Competition. We will present them to you this Sunday, May 5, at 4 p.m. at the LSU Shreveport University Center Theater.

This year's winners are:
Erik Eklund, age 15 from Ruston
Kelsi Cox, age 17 from Shreveport
Neil Nathan, age 15 from Shreveport
Sean Nathan, age 18 from Shreveport
Venkatesh Sivaraman, age 14 from Shreveport
Twila Gaston, age 18 from Baton Rouge

Works to be performed include Jeux d'eau by Ravel;  Movement No. 1 from the Horn Concerto No. 1 by R. Strauss;  Movement No. 1 from the Cello Concerto in G minor by Kabalevsky;  the Gypsy Aires by Sarasate;  the Rhapsodie in G minor by Brahms;  and the song "A New Life" from Jekyll and Hyde.

The concert is free and open to all. Come share in their music and support these young artists. The concert will be recorded and broadcast at a later time.