Louisiana
Louisiana strawberry farmers hope to rebound after winter storm
SPRINGFIELD, La. (WVUE) – After much of South Louisiana finally thawed out after Tuesday’s historic winter storm, many farmers throughout Livingston and Tangipahoa Parishes are assessing the damage done to their crops.
At Harris Strawberry Farm, co-owner Trey Harris says he’s lucky that 10 inches of snow didn’t destroy his 13 acres.
Sheets on top of his strawberry beds could hold most of the snow and ice and kept conditions warm enough for the plants to survive.
“It’s just something that caught us off guard, but God prevailed here,” Harris said. “(The snow) put insulation under our blankets and kept the heat in.”
Harris says some of the sheets ripped due to the weight of the snow, killing the plants and fruit underneath. His crews spent Friday assessing which plants were unsalvageable and which strawberries didn’t survive days of freezing temperatures.
After that, his team worked in the afternoon to put sheets on all the beds in anticipation of a final round of freezing temperatures this weekend.
“We’re just trying to catch up, clean up and spray. Get ready for the peak of the season,” he said.
Harris exclusively grows strawberries for Rouses Supermarkets and was able to do a regular shipment of crops on Friday despite the weather conditions this week.
He says other farms had trouble recovering after the storm and assessing the damages’ extent.
“Support all of your local Louisiana strawberry farmers. It’s a dying industry right now,” Harris said.
And despite the issues farms faced this week, Harris anticipates a better crop from the region compared to years past, especially for the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival in April.
“These plants are going to rebound. They are going to come out of this and they’re going to put a lot of blooms on and hopefully they’re going to make it,” he said.
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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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