Louisiana
Letters: Manufacturing power fuels Louisiana’s future
October is Manufacturing Month, which is a time to celebrate an industry that often hums quietly in the background but powers nearly every part of our daily lives. From petrochemicals and industrial machinery to food processing and plastics, Louisiana’s manufacturing industry is central to our prosperity.
In Louisiana, we don’t just make things, we make things that matter. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, Louisiana manufacturers add roughly $59.4 billion in value, accounting for about 18.1% of the state’s GDP. At the same time, more than 140,000 Louisianans, with thousands more working in the supply chains and transportation networks, are employed in manufacturing. These are good-paying, high-skill jobs that sustain families and communities from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge to Monroe.
Manufacturing in Louisiana is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about the people and pride. It’s the welders, technicians, engineers and operators who show up every day to turn raw materials into products that move the world forward.
Even with our scale, challenges remain. For example, while manufacturing jobs have hovered in the 140,000-145,000 range in recent months, the sector lost a net 1,470 jobs in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number suggests headwinds such as supply chain pressures or talent gaps are real. We need to continue investing in education, training and partnerships that help students see the range of careers available in this field. Every parish in the state has a role to play in building that future.
This October, as we celebrate Manufacturing Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate the impact this sector has on our communities. Louisiana has always been a state that knows how to build, refine, and create. That’s something worth celebrating, not just this month, but every month of the year.
NATALIE KACZYNSKI
lead of strategic communications, The TJC Group
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A driver died from a gunshot wound after a Louisiana State Police car chase in New Orleans Saturday evening (June 20), but troopers say they did not fire the gun.
Troop NOLA confirmed the car chase ended near Franklin Avenue and North Miro Street Saturday. Troopers said they found the driver shot and brought them to the hospital, where that person died.
The driver’s identity has not been released.
A Troop NOLA spokesperson said he could not confirm if anyone else was in the car, if anyone has been arrested, or if troopers found a gun.
A spokesperson said more details will be released as a state police force investigation continues.
Troop NOLA is a special investigation unit tasked with proactive policing, traffic enforcement and crime reduction.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Shelby Bordelon of Iberville Parish was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Saturday night in Monroe, earning the title and a $15,000 scholarship. Bordelon, a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the role is about more than pageantry, emphasizing the yearlong service mission tied to the crown.
“Part of the mission of this organization is the service behind it,” Bordelon said. “And the service is so important, you are serving your state for a year… having the opportunities to connect with others… to continue making an impact and leaving my mark on others as well.”
Bordelon, who finished first runner-up in last year’s competition, said the moment her name was called as the winner still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“It was every emotion you could think of that was running through my mind at that moment,” she said, adding she focused on preparation and perspective this year. “I really wanted to go into this year with no regrets… just really trusting in that mindset and that plan.”
Bordelon said she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit, Claire’s Promise, which focuses on combating drunk driving.
You can learn more about the nonprofit here. She will now represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant, which begins in late August in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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