Louisiana
Inside a Louisiana NPR station threatened by federal cuts:
Before the sun comes up in Shreveport, Louisiana, Jeff Ferrell arrives at the city’s National Public Radio station and turns on the lights.
Ferrell is the news director of Red River Radio and its only full-time news employee. He’s also the on-air host, field reporter, writer and sound editor. Everything that happens in KDAQ’s control room, he does it solo.
From the time he wakes up at 4 a.m., Ferrell spends 15-hour days covering the news in three states. The radio station is part of a network that serves East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Recently, the House approved President Trump’s request to cut funding to NPR.
NPR stations like KDAQ are some of the few sources of news left in the rural region. Often referred to as “news deserts” because of the lack of local news organizations, they would suffer the brunt of the Trump administration’s planned federal funding cuts to public television and radio.
“There are a couple of parishes in Louisiana that have nothing, not even any kind of newspapers,” Ferrell told CBS News. “They’re empty completely. And it’s just like a food desert in an urban area where people can’t get fresh fruit — with us, they can’t get the news.”
Ferrell and Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith say these cuts could have a vital impact on rural communities, especially during the hurricane season when residents rely on public radio broadcasts for life-saving information.
About 19% of Louisiana residents live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census, and 15% don’t have access to the internet. Ferrell said public radio is how many Shreveport residents stay connected to the world. If his station’s funding is cut, there will be less local news service in their area.
“You can’t afford satellite TV, you can’t buy cable, and they’re alone. And so it is a lifeline. And what’s great about this is that they feel connected,” Ferrell said. “Public radio saves lives. The Emergency Broadcast System, without it, people would die.”
Red River Radio General Manager Kermit Poling said the network gets about $160,000 each year from the government. It’s about 15% of their $1 million budget.
“It’s kind of like any nonprofit. You’re always in one form or another asking for donations,” Poling said.
The federal money that Red River Radio receives is part of the $1.1 billion total in proposed cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds to NPR and PBS. NPR and three local stations have joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration over these cuts. A rescissions package to claw back funding for NPR, PBS and international aid approved by the House earlier this month is now headed to the Senate.
The cuts to public broadcasting have been touted by the Trump administration and Republicans as an effort to slash taxpayer funding for news media outlets they accuse of being “liberal” or politically biased in their content. But according to a congressional report obtained by CBS News from Senate Democrats, approximately 60% of the hundreds of radio and television stations that could suffer funding cuts are in Trump-won states.
Rural broadcasters have a harder time raising private funds, and it makes them more vulnerable to the proposed federal funding cuts, the co-chairs of the Public Broadcasting Caucus said earlier this month.
“Public broadcasting represents less than 0.01% of the federal budget, yet its impact reaches every congressional district,” Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei and New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman said in a joint statement. “Cutting this funding will not meaningfully reduce the deficit, but it will dismantle a trusted source of information for millions of Americans.”
Louisiana
Louisiana Outdoors Forever Technical Advisory and Project Selection Board to Meet November 10
The Louisiana Outdoors Forever Technical Advisory and Project Selection Board will meet at 2:00 PM, November 10, at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, located at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge.
AGENDA:
- Call to Order – Bryan McClinton, Chair
- Roll Call – Angela Morejon
- Project Selection Board Approval of April 14, 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Technical Advisory Board Approval of October 21, 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Approval of November 10, 2025 Agenda
- Updates on 2023 Funded Projects – Angela Morejon
- Technical Advisory Board presents full application scores to the Project Selection Board
- Project Selection Board selects funding for projects for the 2025 Application cycle
- Receive Public Comments
- Adjournment
A live audio/video stream of this meeting will be available via Zoom. To view via webinar, register at: https://wlf-la.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_keZmM260RO6Ch5WcRlqPaQ
The Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program provides funding for outdoor conservation projects in the state. For more information regarding Louisiana Outdoors Forever, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/louisiana-outdoors-forever.
WATCH: 2024 Christmas Parade lights up downtown San Angelo
The 2024 Christmas Parade lights up downtown San Angelo.
Louisiana’s fall festival season is in full swing, and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy food, music, arts and culture across the region before the holidays arrive.
From long-running community traditions to niche cultural celebrations, residents can expect a mix of live entertainment, family-friendly activities and regional cuisine as communities showcase the best of Louisiana.
Whether you love zydeco music, crave a plate straight off the pit or want to stock up on handmade gifts before the holidays, there’s a festival for every interest. Many events also highlight fundraisers for schools, churches and nonprofits, bringing families and community members together.
Here are 10 festivals still ahead on the calendar this fall across Acadiana, with opportunities to dance, dine and discover the region’s heritage before the season winds down.
10 Louisiana fall festivals you can still catch
- Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Nov. 13‐16, 2025. A festive four‑day event featuring cracklin’ cooking competitions, carnival rides, parades, and live music. Address: 129 Park St., Port Barre, LA 70577
- Christmas on the Bayou Festival
Nov. 7, 2025. A holiday‑themed fest with lights, vendors and seasonal treats. Address: Bryan Street, Cottonport, LA 71327
- Bayou Teche Brewing Fall Fest Nov. 15 – Dec. 25. Craft beer, wood-fired pizza and local music set the mood for a relaxing autumn weekend. Address: 1002 North Ln., Arnaudville, LA 70512
- Christmas in the Park
Nov. 30, 2025. Holiday lights and community gatherings to wrap up the fall season. Address: Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503
- Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General
Nov. 20‑22, 2025. Multi‑day celebration of lights and holiday activities (still within fall‑to‑holiday transition). Address: 8585 Picardy Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- Reindeer Trails
Nov. 20‑22, 2025. A local holiday‑themed festival with family activities and trails of lights. Address: 629 Spring St., Shreveport, LA 7110
- Holiday Light Safari
Nov. 27‑28, 2025. A night‑time festival of lights, food vendors, and family fun. Address: Alexandria Zoo 3016 Masonic Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Logansport Christmas Festival
Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026. An extended festival, including the tail end of fall and the start of the holiday season. Address: 192-198 Elm St., Logansport, LA 71049
- Light Up the Lake Christmas Festival
Nov. 28, 2025. A one‑night event with fireworks, lights and local vendors; still in the broader fall festival window. Address: 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Noël Acadien au Village
Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, 2025. An evening market/festival celebrating Acadian heritage and holiday spirit. Address: 200 Greenleaf Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506
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
- Massachusetts.
- Connecticut.
- Minnesota.
- Vermont.
- New Hampshire.
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