BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A new study from the personal-finance company WalletHub ranks Louisiana among the worst states in the country for job seekers in 2025.

The report places Louisiana 49th overall out of 50 states in WalletHub’s annual Best & Worst States for Jobs ranking.

WalletHub said the national unemployment rate sits at 4.3%, and its labor force participation is at its lowest level in the past couple of years.

To help job seekers find better opportunities, WalletHub compared all 50 states using 34 key indicators of job-market strength and economic vitality. The study looked at factors such as employment growth, job opportunities, median annual income and average commute time.

WalletHub said that states ranking higher tend to have stronger economies, higher wages, and more stable employment conditions.

Louisiana’s rankings in major categories include:

• 40th – Job opportunities.
• 27th – Employment growth.
• 28th – Monthly average starting salary.
• 42nd – Unemployment rate.
• 48th – Median annual income (adjusted for cost of living).
• 47th – Average work week (in hours).
• 33rd – Average commute time.
• 50th – Job security.

Best states to find a job, according to WalletHub

1. Massachusetts.
2. Connecticut.
3. Minnesota.
4. Vermont.
5. New Hampshire.

Latest News

Two young girls were injured after they were thrown from a Ferris wheel at a Louisiana festival Saturday.

The two girls, around the age of 11, fell off the ride at the Harvest Festival in New Roads just before noon Saturday, Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux said.

Both were taken to the Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge for their injuries. Though the extend of injuries were not disclosed, they are expected to survive.

After the incident all the rides at the Harvest Festival were temporarily shut down.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshals inspected the rides, and all were reopened except the Ferris wheel, which remains shuttered.

Video of the incident suggests that a mechanical failure in the part holding the children in their seat may be to blame, the sheriff said.

The fire marshals are conducting an investigation into the incident.

The festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday is to celebrate agriculture and community and includes food, live music and rides, according to its website.

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 1, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 1 drawing

02-26-43-44-62, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 1 drawing

3-8-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 1 drawing

6-0-9-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Nov. 1 drawing

2-8-9-1-3

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Easy 5 numbers from Nov. 1 drawing

11-12-18-19-21

Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto numbers from Nov. 1 drawing

04-11-15-30-40-41

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:

1. 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).
2. Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
3. Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
4. 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.