Louisiana
Louisiana outpaces national average in several economic sectors, report says
BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE) – Nearly 20,000 nonfarm jobs were added in Louisiana between August, 2024 and August, 2025 according to a new report from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
According to the lobbying group’s annual report, Louisiana added 19,100 nonfarm jobs, marking a 0.96% job growth rate and placing the Pelican State 24th in the nation during that time frame.
“This reflects a notable improvement from prior years, when Louisiana consistently ranked near the bottom nationally, and indicates that recent economic momentum is translating into measurable employment gains,” said the report.
The Monroe region had a 0.7% job growth rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other Louisiana metros ranked include:
- Alexandria: 1.0% growth
- Baton Rouge: 0.2% growth
- Hammond: 0.2% growth
- Houma-Thibodaux: 0.9% growth
- Lafayette: 1.2% growth
- Lake Charles: 0.8% growth
- New Orleans-Metairie: 0.6% growth
- Shreveport-Bossier City: 1.3% growth
- Slidell-Mandeville-Covington: 1.6% growth
Louisiana beat the national average in several industry sectors:
- Total job growth:
- Louisiana: 1.0% growth
- National: 0.9% growth
- Manufacturing:
- Louisiana: 2.6% growth
- National: -0.6% growth
- Leisure and Hospitality:
- Louisiana: 4.5% growth
- National: 3.2% growth
Based on the report, Louisiana also placed 24th in the nation for wage growth during the same time frame. Louisianans saw a 3.52% wage growth compared to a 3.45% increase for the middle third of the nation. Between 2019 and 2024, Louisiana saw wage growth of 1.25% compared with 3.60% for the middle third of the nation.
Education on the rise
End-of-year reading literacy has seen a 17 point increase for K-3 students during the 2024-2025 school year, the report said.
- Kindergarten: 33-point increase
- First grade: 19-point increase
- Second grade: 11-point increase
- Third grade: 8-point increase
Crime going down
Crime and public safety are also improving across the state.
Violent crime is down 12.5%, while the property crime rate is down 13.3% from 2021.
To read more information on the report, click here.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Gov. Landry declares state of emergency after flooding, severe weather across Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Governor Landry has officially declared Louisiana under state of emergency.
The state emergency declaration covers Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.
The declaration was issued Thursday following the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur, which brough rainfall and strong storms to parts of the state on June 17 and 18.
Officials said the National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes tied to the storm system.
Officials also reported record or near-record rainfall totals in Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes over a 12-hour period.
The order allows the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to coordinate resources and provide assistance to local governments if needed.
Certain state purchasing and bidding requirements have been temporarily suspended to speed up emergency response efforts.
The declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place through July 18 unless it is lifted or extended.
State officials are urging residents to stay weather aware, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from local emergency managers.
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Louisiana
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Louisiana
North Louisiana Crime Lab warns of cyclorphine cases, counterfeit pill “footprint”
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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