Louisiana

Louisiana woman grew a cabbage the size of a small child, setting record for massive produce

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

Louisiana woman grew a cabbage the size of a small child, setting record for massive produce

A Louisiana woman set a record for growing the state’s largest cabbage, weighing more than 44 pounds.

Home gardener Jenny Bourg, a resident of Bourg, about an hour southwest of New Orleans, grew the giant Sapporo cabbage in her backyard, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry,

Bourg, who has been a gardener all of her life, said she cannot remember a time she was not planting fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Growing up in a family where gardening was a way of life led me to never imagine life without a garden. As a young child I can remember being the garden helper!” Bourg told Humans Who Grow Food in an Instagram post. “My mother lived to the age of 90 and I was very fortunate to be able get her wise gardening advice for many, many years.”

Giant cabbage seed planted in July

Bourg grew the giant cabbage from a seed she planted in July 2023.

When it was harvested on Dec. 21, 2023, the Department of Agriculture measured the cabbage, which weighted 44.115 pounds with a circumference of 7 feet, 2 inches.

The previous Louisiana state record holder was, Macyn Bertucci a New Orleans third grade student, who won the competition with a 28-pound cabbage in 2018, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

“It was huge! I was really surprised,” Bertucci told The Market Bulletin.

The Bulletin reported that Bertucci won a $1,000 savings bond from Bonnie Plant, a greenhouse facility that provides gardeners with fresh fruits, vegetables and succulents.

138-pound cabbage still holds record

Although Bertucci and Bourg have grown the biggest cabbages recorded in their state, the world record holder for the heaviest cabbage remains in Alaska.

Scott Robb, a farmer from Palmer, Alaska, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage, holds the Guinness World Record for the heaviest cabbage, weighting at 138.28 pounds in 2012.

“There are many reasons to grow a garden. I call it therapy! When I am in my garden, I find myself at peace, and far away from all the business of the world,” Bourg told Humans Who Grow Food. “There is nothing that tastes better than your own homegrown vegetables.”

To honor her win Bourg turned her record-setting cabbage into casseroles and served it with ham, according to a report from the Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Bourg said she is officially “tired of eating cabbage,” after sharing her prize with her neighbor, the Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet reported.

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Louisiana

This Japanese partnership will advance carbon capture in Louisiana

Published

6 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes.

The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.

The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.

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Louisiana

Fed’s ‘Catahoula Crunch’ finished its first week in Louisiana

Published

18 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.

The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.

Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.

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Louisiana

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.

Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.

Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.

“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.

Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.

“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.

Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.

“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”

The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.

“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”

Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.