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
State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race
BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.
Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.
According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.
A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.
“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.
Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.
Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.
“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.
Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing
07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing
6-8-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing
3-6-7-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing
0-8-3-2-0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Louisiana
Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past
The brother of Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts — accused of raping her son’s teenage friend — is facing child sex crimes of his own.
Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, was accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years, KALB reported.
The alleged sexual abuse began when one of the victims was as young as 13, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford.
He was arrested in October.

That comes years after his big sister – ex-mayor of DeRidder, 43-year-old Misty Roberts – allegedly got hot and heavy with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a drunken party at their home.
Roberts was allegedly caught in the tryst by her own kids.
She was arrested months later, and is currently on trial for rape charges.
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin3 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Maryland4 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Florida4 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Oregon5 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling