Louisiana
Louisiana outpaces national average in several economic sectors, report says
BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE) – Nearly 20,000 nonfarm jobs were added in Louisiana between August, 2024 and August, 2025 according to a new report from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
According to the lobbying group’s annual report, Louisiana added 19,100 nonfarm jobs, marking a 0.96% job growth rate and placing the Pelican State 24th in the nation during that time frame.
“This reflects a notable improvement from prior years, when Louisiana consistently ranked near the bottom nationally, and indicates that recent economic momentum is translating into measurable employment gains,” said the report.
The Monroe region had a 0.7% job growth rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other Louisiana metros ranked include:
- Alexandria: 1.0% growth
- Baton Rouge: 0.2% growth
- Hammond: 0.2% growth
- Houma-Thibodaux: 0.9% growth
- Lafayette: 1.2% growth
- Lake Charles: 0.8% growth
- New Orleans-Metairie: 0.6% growth
- Shreveport-Bossier City: 1.3% growth
- Slidell-Mandeville-Covington: 1.6% growth
Louisiana beat the national average in several industry sectors:
- Total job growth:
- Louisiana: 1.0% growth
- National: 0.9% growth
- Manufacturing:
- Louisiana: 2.6% growth
- National: -0.6% growth
- Leisure and Hospitality:
- Louisiana: 4.5% growth
- National: 3.2% growth
Based on the report, Louisiana also placed 24th in the nation for wage growth during the same time frame. Louisianans saw a 3.52% wage growth compared to a 3.45% increase for the middle third of the nation. Between 2019 and 2024, Louisiana saw wage growth of 1.25% compared with 3.60% for the middle third of the nation.
Education on the rise
End-of-year reading literacy has seen a 17 point increase for K-3 students during the 2024-2025 school year, the report said.
- Kindergarten: 33-point increase
- First grade: 19-point increase
- Second grade: 11-point increase
- Third grade: 8-point increase
Crime going down
Crime and public safety are also improving across the state.
Violent crime is down 12.5%, while the property crime rate is down 13.3% from 2021.
To read more information on the report, click here.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US
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
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Louisiana
Thinking of retiring in Louisiana? These are 5 best places to do so
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
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
-
Entertainment58 seconds agoLarry David discusses ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ ‘Seinfeld’ legacies and new HBO series
-
Lifestyle7 minutes agoNine non-negotiable items for a well-designed life
-
Politics13 minutes agoSupreme Court weighs phone searches to find criminals amid complaints of ‘digital dragnets’
-
Sports25 minutes agoRyan Ward has a solid debut, but bullpen blows it again as Dodgers lose to Rockies
-
World37 minutes agoSchools, shops shut in northern Israel to protest the Lebanon ceasefire
-
News1 hour agoCommunities launch cleanup after severe weather and tornadoes churn across Midwest
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoGame 21: Tigers at Red Sox, Garrett Crochet battles both Detroit and the weather
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoWhy do gray whales keep dying in San Francisco’s waters?