Louisiana

Webster Parish Library hosts workshop for Louisiana librarians |

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Webster Parish Library hosts workshop for Louisiana librarians |

Tuesday afternoon, the Webster Parish Library branch in Minden served as a host to librarians throughout northwest Louisiana to meet, share valuable insights, and best practices for librarians to make their summer programs more engaging and accessible.

To help other librarians enhance the impact of summer programs in libraries, Megan Thomas, Youth Consultant for the Louisiana State Library, emphasized the importance of adopting new and innovative ideas to better serve communities.

Thomas began by highlighting the primary objective of the session, stating, “So what we’re here to do today is to teach librarians best practices, ideas, and other general information on how they can make any kind of summer program at their library the best way to serve their community with new and innovative ideas.”

One of the key points Thomas emphasized was the need for librarians to step outside their branches and take their programs directly to the community. She stressed the importance of collaboration with other community agencies to expand the library’s reach to its local community. “One of the big things I push is getting outside of your branch. I really am encouraging children and teen librarians to take the show on the road. To go to where the citizens are, partner with other community agencies, to bring a whole realistic experience to our communities,” said Thomas.

She urged librarians to explore ways to make their programs more efficient and achievable for community members with limited time. “We talked about how to make programs more efficient, how to make it more achievable for other community members, people who maybe don’t have the time to come into the library and spend lots of time coming to programs,” explained Thomas.

Furthermore, Thomas encouraged residents to explore the diverse summer programs offered by libraries across different parishes. She highlighted the variety of initiatives libraries are taking in their youth programs to incentivize them to read more. “Any parish or any area you’re in, check out what your library is doing during the summer. Webster Parish is doing a discovery camp, other parishes are doing summer reading programs, summer reading bingo, summer reading adventures. There’s a lot of cool things going on that are accessible to people in the community and outside the community for people to attend,” Thomas added.

Thomas’s insights serve as a valuable guide for librarians looking to revamp their summer programs, ensuring they are not only engaging but also accessible to a wider audience within and beyond the community. The collaborative approach and emphasis on realistic experiences promise to make libraries vibrant hubs for learning and exploration during the summer months.

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Louisiana

This Japanese partnership will advance carbon capture in Louisiana

Published

3 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

15 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.