Louisiana
Louisiana readies for arctic blast with crop and road safety efforts
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – An arctic blast is expected early next week. Now, preparations are underway to protect plants and ensure roads stay open.
At Harris Strawberry Farm in Pontchatoula, sheets flap in the wind as workers make sure the 12 acres of crop are protected.
Rachel Harris said harvest has been slow.
“It takes a couple of days to prepare for a freeze like this,” Harris said. “It’s very, very hard on Louisiana farmers.”
Harris is concerned the freezing weather will burn the blooms. Her team is also battling the wind to cover the strawberries.
“You combat that and you pray,” Harris said. “You pray to God that the plants make it, that the blooms, the strawberries make it. It’s a lot. It’s a lot of work.”
After extreme heat this summer and now extreme cold, gardeners are also worried about how stress will impact plants.
“It could stunt growth. It could cause some malnutrition,” said Wayne Soniat with The Plant Gallery. “In order to keep them healthy and promote more growth health, you definitely want to protect your plants going into the winter.”
Soniat says bed sheets can also be used to cover plants, but he recommends removing all coverings when the sun comes up.
“Let them breathe and get that air circulation,” Soniat said.
It’s best to water plants before freezing temperatures; moist soil stays warmer than dry soil. The threshold before plants are damaged or killed by a freeze depends on the type of plant.
In Bridge City, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is stocked with the material and tools to keep roads open during a freeze.
“We have to respond to the needs of the motoring public and ensure that conditions are safe,” said Scott Boyle, District Engineer Administrator for LA DOTD District 02.
Sand and more than 250,000 pounds of salt are available for the New Orleans region. Boyle said his team is modifying equipment to treat roads.
“These are very similar to a spreader you might use on your lawn where it disperses a material,” Boyle said. “We use dump trucks, very big agricultural spreaders.”
Before temps reach freezing, brine, a highly concentrated mixture of salt and water will be applied to roads.
“If we wait until the ice is on the roads, it is much more challenging to address and mitigate,” Boyle said.
DOTD will begin mixing brine on Sunday. Once the mixture is created, the solution is good for roughly four to five months.
Boyle said, “We keep it in a safe storage location and if it’s determined to not be needed or utilized, we dispose of it properly with consultation with the city or the parish.”
DOTD will continue watching the forecast and will have employees checking bridges and overpasses.
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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.
Louisiana
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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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