Louisiana
Landry administration suspends all work on Louisiana’s largest coastal project
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) — Governor Jeff Landry’s administration took a major step Friday toward downsizing or killing Louisiana’s largest coastal project, the $3.1 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion in Plaquemines Parish.
In a letter to the contractor, Gordon Dove, head of the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities, ordered a 90-day suspension of all work on the project.
Mid-Barataria had been the centerpiece of Louisiana’s ambitious plans to restore its coast, an effort to channel Mississippi River sediment into the bay to mimic the river’s land-building powers.
However, critics argue that the diversion, which would take up to 75,000 cubic feet of river water each second, would devastate shrimp and oyster fisheries and other marine life, including Barataria Bay’s population of bottlenose dolphins.
“We’re still doing an evaluation,” Dove said Friday night. “We don’t want to pay for cranes sitting out there.”
The order to cease activity will allow for the removal of equipment, according to Dove.
A limited amount of construction work has been performed over the last year, but six large cranes have sat idle.
Dove said the ultimate decision on the project would be “based on a decision we can afford.”
An Environmental Impact Statement estimated that Mid-Barataria would build 21 square miles of land over 50 years. However, Governor Landry complained that the project cost had skyrocketed from an estimated $750 million to $3.1 billion over the last decade.
“It’s to a point you cannot afford to build the large diversion,” Dove said.
Funding for the project flows primarily from fines and settlements associated with the 2010 Gulf oil spill. However, Landry has argued the state would have to cover any shortfall as the project costs increase.
Dove said the downsized project could combine a few features, including a diversion of 2,500-25,000, a 23.5-mile-long land bridge stretching from Buras in Southern Plaquemines Parish to Lafourche Parish, and a long-distance sediment diversion pipe.
While critics have accused the administration of abandoning a science-driven approach to coastal restoration, Dove said the land bridge is already included in the state’s coastal master plan.
“What water can you divert that doesn’t kill the shrimp and oysters and bottlenose dolphins,” Dove said.
Supporters of the diversion have argued that the scope of Louisiana’s coastal land loss requires a large-scale project. However, Dove argued that the sediment pipeline could build 19,000 acres of land over a 12-15-year period.
The diversion was granted the required federal permits in December of 2022 after a years-long evaluation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies.
Any revision would require an environmental evaluation by the Corps, which could lead to a full-blown Environmental Impact Statement, a process that could take years.
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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.
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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
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