Celeste Lay
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Student at the University of Mississippi studying MultiMedia Journalism, Weather Anchor - NewsWatch Ole Miss, and Promotions Chair for the School of Journalism
Articles by Celeste Lay
15-year-old awaits adoptive family
LOUISIANA (KSLA) - Malik, a 15-year-old boy, is the child featured in October’s Welcome Home as he awaits adoption. Malik is described as soft-spoken but known for his kindness and personality. He enjoys music and dancing, including a signature move he calls “the scuba.” “Malik is just so joyful. So happy. Such a great kid. Such a sweet spirit about him. Just in the time that I’ve worked with him and I’ve been able to see him, absolutely fell in love with this kid. Phenomenal personality.
Louisiana churches asked to help foster children through new state initiative
BATON ROUGE, La. (KSLA) - The Department of Children and Family Services joined forces with churches statewide to bring a new initiative to foster families across Louisiana. An initiative built on community The initiative, “A Home for Every Child,” is built around the idea that communities, including churches, can help make sure no child has to wait alone for care, connection and support.
Welcome Home: 12-year-old Sherrie hopes for forever family
LOUISIANA (KSLA) - Sherrie, a 12-year-old girl described as bubbly and affectionate, is September’s featured child in the Welcome Home series, which highlights children in the foster care system who are legally freed for adoption. Sherrie is heading into middle school. She says she enjoys reading and helping her friends. “I like to read. I’m a really good reader. And I help my friends when they need help,” Sherrie says. Sherrie attends Living Faith Church, where she was recently baptized.
YMCA stair climb challenge honors 9/11 first responders
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - The BHP YMCA hosted its ninth annual Stair Master Climb Challenge to honor first responders who answered the call at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The goal was to climb 110 flights, or 1,900 stairs, the amount it took to reach the top of the center. One family came together to complete the challenge to remember those who sacrificed everything. “It was great...
Miss Louisiana 2026 named first runner-up for Miss America 2027 competition
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Miss Louisiana 2026, Shelby Bordelon, is the first runner-up in the Miss America 2027 competition, according to the Miss America organization. She was also one of three participants who got the Portia & Scarlett Preliminary Evening Gown Award during the night of the Sept. 9 Miss America Preliminary Competition, says the Miss Louisiana Organization. This award earned her a 3 thousand dollar scholarship.
Miss Louisiana’s Teen departs for national competition
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Miss Louisiana’s Teen departed from Shreveport Regional Airport on Friday afternoon, heading to West Palm Beach, Florida, to compete for the national title of Miss America’s Teen. Ava Martin spoke before her flight about the opportunity. “I am so excited to go and represent the great state of Louisiana and my hometown and all the people that have helped me on this journey to Miss America’s Teen, and I just can’t wait to get there and meet all my new friends,” Martin said.
Miss Louisiana's Teen departs for national competition
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Miss Louisiana's Teen departed from Shreveport Regional Airport on Friday afternoon, heading to West Palm Beach, Florida, to compete for the national title of Miss America's Teen. Ava Martin spoke before her flight about the opportunity. “I am so excited to go and represent the great state of Louisiana and my hometown and all the people that have helped me on this journey to Miss America's Teen, and I just can't wait to get there and meet all my new friends,” Martin said.
Miss Louisiana heads to Miss America competition
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Shelby Bordelon has left Louisiana and arrived in West Palm Beach, Florida, for an experience she said she has dreamed of since she was four years old. “My mom and I always watched Miss America whenever I was younger and Miss Louisiana. And so the fact that this is actually happening for me is something that I don’t think I’ll ever fully be able to wrap my head around. But just channeling that childhood dream and bringing that with me.
Meet Cohen, a 12-year-old waiting for a forever family
(KSLA) - Every third Thursday of the month, KSLA News 12 introduces a child who is legally free for adoption and waiting for a family. The Welcome Home child of August is 12-year-old Cohen. Cohen is a resilient boy with a gentle spirit, and his wish is to have a loving family of his own. About Cohen Cohen says his favorite subject in school is science, especially learning about trees and the solar system. He loves animals and would like to have a dog someday.
Extreme heat forces changes to Bossier Parish Schools' outdoor activities
BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KSLA) - Extreme heat is forcing Bossier Parish schools to adjust their back-to-school plans. With temperatures reaching triple digits, administrators are barring students from going outside during peak hours. Schools monitor multiple groups for heat safety Administrators and coaches in Bossier Parish are closing outdoor play windows during peak hours.
Extreme heat forces changes to Bossier Parish Schools’ outdoor activities
BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KSLA) - Extreme heat is forcing Bossier Parish schools to adjust their back-to-school plans. With temperatures reaching triple digits, administrators are barring students from going outside during peak hours. Schools monitor multiple groups for heat safety Administrators and coaches in Bossier Parish are closing outdoor play windows during peak hours.
Shelby Bordelon crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Original
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Shelby Bordelon, who represented Shreveport as Miss Louisiana Port City, was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 on June 20, earning the opportunity to represent the state on a national stage. Shelby Bordelon was crowned June 20, 2026 as Miss Louisiana 2026. Bordelon said the moment her name was called brought a rush of emotions as she thought about the year ahead and the people who supported her along the way.
Welcome Home, Braylin!
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Braylin is a quiet and gentle girl whose kindness shines through in the way she cares for others. She moves through life with a calm spirit, often putting the needs of those around her before her own. “I think I’m the most loyal person ever,” Braylin says. She is patiently waiting for her forever family. “I just want someone to understand me,” Braylin says.
Minden organization supports families through pregnancy and infant loss
MINDEN, La. (KSLA) - Pregnancy and infant loss affects thousands of families every year, but many parents say it’s a grief that’s rarely talked about. Hearts & Halos, an organization in Minden, is bringing families together for a community cookout designed to offer support, understanding, and hope. “We are hosting an event June 27th called Daddies with Angels Cookout,” said Neisa Murray, co-founder and mother.
YMCA holds Walk of 8 to honor child victims of deadly Shreveport mass shooting
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Community members gathered early Thursday morning at the Lash Family YMCA for the Walk of 8 to honor the lives lost in the Cedar Grove mass shooting Sunday, April 19. Shannon Mikucki, executive director of the Lash Family YMCA, said the walk was meant to show care and remembrance for the children who died.
Les Boutiques de Noel Christmas market being held to benefit Shreveport Opera Guild programs
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - One of Shreveport’s largest Christmas markets opens this weekend at the Shreveport Convention Center. Les Boutiques de Noel returns for its 51st year supporting the Shreveport Opera Guild. The market serves as the main fundraiser for the organization.
Krewe of Centaur raises $13,560 for Operation Santa Claus through annual cake auction
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - The Krewe of Centaur held its annual cake auction this month, raising $13,560 for Operation Santa Claus to help local families during the holiday season. The fundraiser took place during the krewe’s monthly meeting, where members bid on homemade cakes and other items to support the charity, which provides gifts to children and assistance to families in need.
SporTran bus wrapped with info to save SWEPCO customers money on their power bill
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - SWEPCO and SporTran have partnered up to help customers save money on their power bills. The two companies have unveiled a newly wrapped SporTran bus designed to give people energy saving tips and customer support. To celebrate the launch, SWEPCO employees are riding certain SporTran routes Thursday (Nov. 13) to talk to bus riders, answer questions, and share info about billing assistance programs, energy saving tips, and other resources.
Shreveport musician inducted into Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame after long career
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - A longtime Shreveport-Bossier area resident was inducted into the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame in October, recognizing a musical career that has spanned decades. Diana Lee Joyce moved to the Shreveport-Bossier area in 1981 with her brothers to pursue their music career. Forty-three years later, their band was inducted into the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame.
Teenage boy, Aaron, loves to cook, play his clarinet, and read
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Every month, KSLA News 12 and Unite Ministries highlight children looking for a place to call home. This month’s Welcome Home segment features a young man with a love for the simple things in life. Aaron, 14, loves spending his time playing video games, enjoying the outdoors, building Legos, and playing clarinet in his school band. But behind his quiet demeanor, he has a passion that brings him joy. “I love cooking, you know. I love cooking in general.
Teenage boy, Aaron, loves to cook, play his clarinet, and read
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Every month, KSLA News 12 and Unite Ministries highlight children looking for a place to call home. This month’s Welcome Home segment features a young man with a love for the simple things in life. Aaron, 14, loves spending his time playing video games, enjoying the outdoors, building Legos, and playing clarinet in his school band. But behind his quiet demeanor, he has a passion that brings him joy. “I love cooking, you know. I love cooking in general.
Krewe of Centaur in Shreveport celebrating decades of history while preparing for next year's parade
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - What began as a vision shared by four individuals in 1989 has blossomed into one of northwest Louisiana’s largest Mardi Gras organizations, bringing millions of dollars in economic impact to the Shreveport-Bossier area. The Krewe of Centaur now boasts more than 780 members and operates more than 30 throwing floats, making it a cornerstone of the region’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, which draws thousands of spectators to the streets.
Just a Minute: Dating Life at Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. (WJTV) – Most Ole Miss students said they’re not dating for various reasons. Some said dating is too time consuming. “Dating is hard. You got to put in a lot of work, and it doesn’t always pay off,” said one student. “I’m fixing to transition into this new era of life as I prepare to graduate from the university. So, I’m taking it kind of cool right now,” said another student.
ETBU awarded federal grant for economic development in East Texas
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - On May 10, East Texas Baptist University received a $475,000 grant from the United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Scott McCurdy, Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Administrative Affairs at ETBU, expressed how much of an impact this award will have on the East Texas community.
Mississippi’s Record Drought Raises Questions
Reading Time: 3 mins read In the heart of Yazoo County, Clay Adcock has dedicated his life to farming, but this year has been especially difficult. “I’ve already told everyone, in 37 years of farming, I’ve never had it this hot and this dry,” Adcock said. “We’ve had either one independent of each other.
Ole Miss Cat Finds Home on Campus
By Celeste Lay Journalism Student Students at the University of Mississippi might be unaware of the many feral cats that have quietly made themselves a part of the Ole Miss community, and among them, one feline stands out – Gary, the Guyton Cat. Guyton Hall, home to the School of Education, has become Gary’s unofficial residence. He has earned a special place in the hearts of many students. Elle D’Angelo, an Ole Miss student, admits, “I’m out here every weekend with Gary.
Ole Miss Football Season Fashion
By Olivia Wright and Celeste Lay School of Journalism and New Media Students The Ole Miss Rebels are gearing up for their first game day of the season this weekend against the Mercer Bears. While the team already knows what to wear, freshmen and their families may need a little fashion advice. At Neilson’s, the oldest department store in the South, employee Abigail Clement says there are some new trends for women to wear in the Grove this year.
Oxford and Ole Miss See COVID Cases Rise
By Celeste Lay and Hallie Grace Withrow School of Journalism and New Media Students COVID-19 is rising again in Mississippi, but the state health department says hospital admissions are still low in Lafayette County. However, that doesn’t mean that students, faculty and staff aren’t getting sick. Sophomore Sheridan Garbe tested positive right before classes started during sorority recruitment. “Luckily, my only symptom was a headache and a little bit of congestion.
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