Louisiana
Louisiana launches doula registry to expand access to care
ST. LANDRY PARISH — A new initiative by the Louisiana Department of Health is set to make doula services more accessible to families across the state. The Louisiana Doula Registry allows doulas to be reimbursed for up to $1,500 per pregnancy by insurance providers, including Medicaid.
Shawana Johnson, the owner of Wild Child Doula Services, sees the registry as a step in the right direction. “It makes services more accessible,” she says. “It’s an excellent start. We service women locally right here, and some insurance companies are making strides to get things in line so that clients can hire doulas as providers. The goal is that all insurance providers do the necessary paperwork so we can provide services to our community.”
Johnson, based in Opelousas, provides doula services throughout the area and has already registered for the program.
Kiara Ford, a mother of three, is one of many who have benefited from doula services. She hired Johnson for her third pregnancy and says the experience made a significant difference. “It just provided me with a lot of emotional and physical comfort,” Ford says. “It led to me having an awesome birth, an awesome labor. I was super excited that I had Ms. Shawana to help me.”
The Louisiana Department of Health highlights numerous studies that demonstrate the benefits of doula care, including:
- Fewer cesarean sections
- More spontaneous vaginal births
- Shortened labor durations
- Higher maternal satisfaction postpartum
- Increased breastfeeding rates
- Lower rates of preterm labor and low birth weight
For doulas seeking inclusion in the registry, the Louisiana Department of Health requires the completion of an application available on their website.
This initiative is expected to expand the reach of doula services, improving maternal and child health outcomes across Louisiana.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A driver died from a gunshot wound after a Louisiana State Police car chase in New Orleans Saturday evening (June 20), but troopers say they did not fire the gun.
Troop NOLA confirmed the car chase ended near Franklin Avenue and North Miro Street Saturday. Troopers said they found the driver shot and brought them to the hospital, where that person died.
The driver’s identity has not been released.
A Troop NOLA spokesperson said he could not confirm if anyone else was in the car, if anyone has been arrested, or if troopers found a gun.
A spokesperson said more details will be released as a state police force investigation continues.
Troop NOLA is a special investigation unit tasked with proactive policing, traffic enforcement and crime reduction.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Shelby Bordelon of Iberville Parish was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Saturday night in Monroe, earning the title and a $15,000 scholarship. Bordelon, a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the role is about more than pageantry, emphasizing the yearlong service mission tied to the crown.
“Part of the mission of this organization is the service behind it,” Bordelon said. “And the service is so important, you are serving your state for a year… having the opportunities to connect with others… to continue making an impact and leaving my mark on others as well.”
Bordelon, who finished first runner-up in last year’s competition, said the moment her name was called as the winner still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“It was every emotion you could think of that was running through my mind at that moment,” she said, adding she focused on preparation and perspective this year. “I really wanted to go into this year with no regrets… just really trusting in that mindset and that plan.”
Bordelon said she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit, Claire’s Promise, which focuses on combating drunk driving.
You can learn more about the nonprofit here. She will now represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant, which begins in late August in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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