Louisiana
Louisiana is facing a record surge in whooping cough cases. Here’s what to know.
Whooping cough cases are surging in Louisiana, a trend that “could result in a record high for 2025 — more than has been seen annually in the state for at least 35 years,” according to a news release Friday from the Louisiana Department of Health.
LDH said it has identified 164 cases in just the first four months of the year, while there were 153 cases during all of 2024.
“Two deaths have occurred among young infants hospitalized with whooping cough,” LDH said. “These were the first whooping cough deaths reported in Louisiana since 2018.”
One of those deaths occurred in the latter half of 2024, and one occurred in the first two months of 2025, a spokesperson for the health department said.
Louisiana’s increase in cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, mirrors national trends, according to the health department. The spread of the illness is also leading to an increase in reported hospitalizations and deaths.
“Since September 2024, 40 people in Louisiana have been hospitalized with whooping cough,” LDH said. “Seventy percent of those hospitalizations have occurred among babies younger than 1 year old.”
Whooping cough is a respiratory illness that’s very contagious. It’s caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person in the air through coughing, sneezing and close contact.
Early symptoms may look the like common cold and include a runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever and mild cough, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. A week or two after symptoms begin, coughing fits can start. Coughing fits can last as little as one week and as long as 10 weeks.
In babies, early symptoms may include life-threatening pauses in breathing, and whooping cough may appear like the common cold for the entire illness, according to the CDC.
Pertussis can spread from person to person once symptoms start and “for at least 2 weeks after coughing begins,” according to the CDC.
“Infants under the age of 1 year are most affected by whooping cough, showing the highest reported rates of infection and the greatest likelihood of severe complications and death,” according to the Louisiana Department of Health. “The bacteria that cause whooping cough are often unknowingly spread to infants by close family or caregivers.”
LDH has offered some tips on how to handle whooping cough:
This is a developing story.
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.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 20 drawing
1-8-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 20 drawing
1-4-7-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
6-6-2-7-9
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Easy 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
01-06-18-25-33
Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto numbers from June 20 drawing
09-13-16-17-33-41
Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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