Louisiana

Local leaders seek federal aid after storm damage plagues north Louisiana

Published

1 month ago

January 30, 2026

Local leaders seek federal aid after storm damage plagues north Louisiana

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Local and state leaders are mobilizing resources and reaching out to Washington for support following the devastating storm.

President Donald Trump has already signed a Federal Disaster Declaration, a critical first step that opens the door for the state to access federal resources and recovery funds. This declaration sets the recovery process in motion and signals the federal government’s commitment to supporting affected areas.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis has been working the phones, staying in contact with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congresswoman Julia Letlow to ensure his city gets the support it needs.

A significant development: the necessary paperwork has been filed to get the disaster classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation is crucial for local communities because it means recovery efforts will be reimbursable at a higher rate—stretching federal dollars further and easing the financial burden on municipalities.

According to FEMA, Category A Emergency Work is focused primarily on debris removal, one of the most immediate and pressing needs following major storms.

Congressional Leaders Respond

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has made it clear that disaster response is a priority. Her office reports she has been focused on providing informational resources to constituents and maintaining open lines of communication with local leaders about the storm’s impacts.

Speaker Mike Johnson is also actively engaged with local officials. His office emphasizes that while aid is forthcoming, the approval process takes time—a reminder that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

Senator Bill Cassidy announced a major development today: nearly half a billion dollars in support from previous hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 is being directed to help Louisiana recover. He’s also personally committed to working with local leaders in the region.

“Today I spoke with West Monroe Mayor Stacey Mitchell and learned of their needs,” Cassidy said. “I’ve committed to work together with them. A delegation from the City of Monroe also spoke with us about what we can accomplish on the federal level.”

Efforts to secure additional support continue across the board, with local delegations meeting with federal representatives to outline specific community needs and identify federal resources that can be deployed.

The coordination between local and federal leaders demonstrates that when disaster strikes, government at all levels can work together to support recovery and rebuilding efforts.

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Louisiana

Louisiana delegation responds with mixed reaction to leadership change at DHS

Published

3 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana delegation responds with mixed reaction to leadership change at DHS

WASHINGTON (WAFB) — President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her. Noem will take on the role of Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation responded to the change in leadership.

FILE – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)(J. Scott Applewhite | AP)

FILE - Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing,... — FILE – Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Jan. 14, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.(Jacquelyn Martin | AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Kennedy clash preceded removal

Noem led DHS since the beginning of Trump’s second term. One of the most noted controversies of her tenure was the department’s spending of $220 million on television ads across the country, which drew scrutiny from Sen. John Kennedy during a committee hearing.

“Did the President know you were going to do this?” Kennedy asked during the hearing.

“Yes,” Noem replied.

Kennedy said the spending and other issues had weighed on him.

“You just add all of this up and the other turmoil and it’s been stuck in my craw,” Kennedy said. “I want to secure the border and I want to enforce our immigration laws, but I’m tired of trying to explain behavior that is inexplicable to me.”

wafb — (Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS, POOL, U.S. SENATE TV, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT)

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Louisiana

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.

New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says

These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order:

West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000;
Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000;
Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000;
West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000;
Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000;
Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000;
East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000;
East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000;
East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000;
Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000;
St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000;
Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000;
and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000.

These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order:

Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000;
Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000;
Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000;
Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000;
Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000;
Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000;
Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000;
St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000;
Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000;
Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000;
Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000;
Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000;
Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000;
Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.

Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.

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Louisiana

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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