Louisiana

Louisiana officials plan for road closures, power outages from winter weather

Published

10 months ago

January 20, 2025

Louisiana officials plan for road closures, power outages from winter weather

Icicles form on a mailbox during a rare freeze in Ponchatoula brought on by Winter Storm Uri on Feb. 15, 2021. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Sub-freezing temperatures and a high chance of snow have officials in Louisiana treating the approaching winter weather as an emergency, one in which they anticipate road closures and other impacts from the frigid conditions.

Gov. Jeff Landry took part in a conference call Sunday afternoon with state and local emergency officials and allowed the news media to listen in as they made preparations. Temperatures below the freezing mark are expected Sunday night lasting through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Beyond road hazards, the main concerns among state officials on the call are an increased risk of power outages and low water pressure.

In order to keep water in exposed pipes from freezing, some utilities recommend keeping a thin line of water dripping from a single interior faucet. But doing so could strain local water delivery systems.

“This is one of those hard freeze events that’s going to be complicated with snowfall,” Landry said during the conference call. “We could be looking at 24 to 48 hours with little water pressure.”

State climatologist Jay Grimes recommends people have at least two days of supplies on hand in the event the all-clear from the winter weather doesn’t happen Wednesday. Expect grocery store shelves to be lean through at least midweek because road closures will likely impact resupplies, he said.

Some parishes have already opened warming shelters for their residents as windy cold conditions set in Sunday, according to officials taking part in the call.

The biggest impacts are expected in south Louisiana early Tuesday when a wet weather system comes in from the west, creating a 70% to 90% chance for snow throughout the day. Snow accumulation amounts could reach 4-6 inches above Interstate 10 and Lake Pontchartrain, with 1-3 inches to the south.

Although the chances for snow are far less in the northern half of Louisiana, temperatures there will still dip into the teens early Tuesday.

State road crews were already pre-treating elevated roads and bridges Sunday and expected to continue working well into Monday in anticipation of icy conditions. Drivers are being encouraged to stay off streets and highways that see winter precipitation Tuesday and Wednesday – or as long as temperatures don’t increase enough to melt accumulated ice.

Motorists are encouraged to monitor 511la.org, where state officials will post updates on road conditions and closure status.

The Louisiana Fire Marshal urges residents to be mindful where they place space heaters in their homes, ensuring they avoid fire hazards. Its personnel will be inspecting warming shelters to ensure they remain safe.

The state health department is monitoring local water systems in case the need for boil water advisories arises from low pressure. It also recommends residents check the status of their carbon monoxide detectors. A gas furnace or heater that isn’t working property increases the chances for CO poisoning.

Although motorists are being discouraged from being on the road, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said there should be adequate fuel supplies provided power outages are not widespread. The state’s poultry operations, concentrated in central and north Louisiana, have natural gas-powered generators to deal with power outages, Strain said.

Jessica Kayuha, a utilities specialist supervisor with the Louisiana Public Service Commission, said power restoration crews will be staging Monday to respond to outages. They will only be able to reconnect service as long as roads are safely navigable and winds are below 35 mph.

Louisiana utilities have also stopped customer disconnections through the freeze, Kayuha said.

Utility companies have not voiced any concern about their ability to generate electricity being affected in the freezing weather, she said.

Troopers with Louisiana State Police will start working double shifts starting Monday evening, said Lt. Joshua Nations, executive officer with LSP’s Crisis Response Command. Officers have already started clearing potential road hazards, he said.

Motorists who need help should dial *LSP to be connected to the nearest troop for assistance.

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Related Topics:chance of snow Featured Jeff Landry Louisiana Power Outages road conditions Road hazards state officials water dripping Water Pressure

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Louisiana

10 must-attend Louisiana fall festivals you can still enjoy this year

Published

3 hours ago

November 5, 2025

Press Room

10 must-attend Louisiana fall festivals you can still enjoy this year

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

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Louisiana

Louisiana ranks near bottom in new report on best states for jobs

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana ranks near bottom in new report on best states for jobs

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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Louisiana

Two girls injured after being thrown from Ferris wheel at Louisiana festival

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

Two girls injured after being thrown from Ferris wheel at Louisiana festival

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.

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