Free Republic

<p>Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's ethics and religious liberty commission, will tackle issues ranging from pornography to the moral dilemma of war during a four-day lecture series beginning Sunday at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston.</p> <p>The forums will be held daily at the church, with additional sessions scheduled for college students on Louisiana Tech University's campus.</p>

<p>RUSTON - For the first time in more than 60 years, the senator from District 35 will come from somewhere other than Jackson, Lincoln or Union parishes.</p> <p>Official returns confirmed that former 2nd Circuit Court Judge Robert Kostelka defeated incumbent Sen. Bill Jones. Kostelka, R-Monroe, tallied 17,321 votes, while Jones, D-Ruston, totaled 16,122 votes.</p>

<p>JONESBORO - Louisiana Tech University English instructor Stephanie Pepper Sims died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, law enforcement officials in Jackson Parish said Friday.</p> <p>As first reported at www.thenewsstar.com, Jackson Parish Sheriff's Office chief deputy Andy Brown said at a Friday morning press conference that investigators haven't found a weapon, but they are searching for Sims' personal gun.</p>