Louisiana
Louisiana ranked No. 2 in US for STI rate, No. 1 for chlamidyia rate
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – New research shows that sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in Louisiana.
The CDC ranks Louisiana seventh in the U.S. for cases of congenital syphilis, number three for gonorrhea and No. 1 for chlamydia cases.
Overall, the Bayou State sits at No. 2 for the highest STI rate in the country.
To put it in perspective, per 100,000 people, more than 1,200 have been diagnosed with one or more sexually transmitted infections.
“At Access, we see gonorrhea, chlamydia testing every single day. It’s actually way more frequent than most people actually realize,” Access Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner Samantha Marceaux said.
Marceaux and her team have treated thousands of patients for these infections.
“Two to five per day, we’re open seven days a week. I mean, it’s a pretty significant number, especially for how small Southwest Louisiana is,” Marceaux said.
Marceaux believes one of the main reasons Louisiana has continued to climb the ranks is due to the lack of education like in other states such as Vermont, which has the lowest rate of STIs.
“I think you know some people just truly understand STDs. I think we take maybe the lack of education for granted. I think, you know, that education should start in school-age kids because kids are having sex at a very young age right now, and I don’t think they’re mature enough to do so,” Marceaux said.
Some of the symptoms aligned with these infections are visible or physical, but that’s not always the case.
“You can be completely asymptomatic and not necessarily know that you have it,” Marceaux said.
Medical professionals said don’t let the stigma around these issues prevent you from treating them.
“You can get very serious, very serious infections, you know, women or men, from sexually transmitted diseases, so it’s definitely something that you want to treat as soon as you have those initial symptoms or as soon as you know about the exposure,” Marceaux said.
These infections are mostly preventable with the appropriate measures. Untreated STIs can lead to complications that may be deadly.
Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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