Louisiana
Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted employment shows rise in unemployment, more job opportunities
Data released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment figure continues to add jobs as the number of unemployed individuals rise.
Nonfarm is a measure of the number of U.S. workers in the economy, excluding those in farms, private households, and non-profit organizations. The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for January 2024 increased by 7,600 jobs from December 2023, for a total of 1,958,400 jobs, a news release said. Compared to January 2023, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 6,200 jobs.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission uses seasonally adjusted data to provide a more valuable and telling picture of Louisiana’s jobs and employment situation.
The construction sector gained 2,400 jobs from December 2023, the release said. Other major industries showing the largest gains in the month include professional and business services, which gained 1,200 jobs, and government, which gained 1,200 jobs.
The Department of Labor defines seasonal adjustment as a measurement that removes the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment figures change from month to month. In the course of a year, the size of the labor force, the levels of employment and unemployment, and other measures of labor market activity undergo fluctuations due to seasonal events, including changes in weather, harvests, major holidays and school schedules. Seasonal adjustment reduces the impact of these changes, making it easier to understand trends.
The number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for January 2024 is estimated to be 85,129.The number of unemployed rose by 2,502 individuals from the December 2023.
Compared to January 2023, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals increased by 9,231. The number of employed decreased by 680 individuals compared to December 2023. Ultimately, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2024 is 4.1%, which is tied for the third-lowest rate in a series history for the month of January, according to the Bureau Labor of Statistics.
“With the help of our stakeholders, Louisiana added over 7,000 nonfarm jobs for January, with the seriesseeing 34 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain,” said Louisiana Workforce CommissionSecretary Susana Schowen. “We stand readily available and are committed to continuing to workalongside our partners to host hiring fairs and provide resources for job seekers.”
Among Louisiana’s MSAs in January 2024, seasonally adjusted data shows:
- Baton Rouge (421,200 jobs) added 1,500 jobs from December 2023 and gained 4,400 jobs fromJanuary 2023.
- Alexandria (61,200 jobs) lost 200 jobs from December 2023 and lost 200 jobs from January 2023.
- Hammond (49,900 jobs) added 200 jobs from December 2023 and gained 1,100 jobs from January2023.
- Houma (85,800 jobs) showed no change from December 2023, but gained 1,300 jobs from January2023.
- Lafayette (205,500 jobs) added 900 jobs from December 2023 and gained 1,000 jobs from January2023.
- Lake Charles (96,200 jobs) added 300 jobs from December 2023 and gained 300 jobs from January2023.
- Monroe (77,300 jobs) lost 200 jobs from December 2023 and lost 900 jobs from January 2023.
- New Orleans (559,200 jobs) lost 1,400 jobs from December 2023 and lost 7,700 jobs from January2023.
- Shreveport (177,400 jobs) added 600 jobs from December 2023, but lost 1,100 jobs from January 2023
WASHINGTON (WAFB) — President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her. Noem will take on the role of Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation responded to the change in leadership.
Kennedy clash preceded removal
Noem led DHS since the beginning of Trump’s second term. One of the most noted controversies of her tenure was the department’s spending of $220 million on television ads across the country, which drew scrutiny from Sen. John Kennedy during a committee hearing.
“Did the President know you were going to do this?” Kennedy asked during the hearing.
“Yes,” Noem replied.
Kennedy said the spending and other issues had weighed on him.
“You just add all of this up and the other turmoil and it’s been stuck in my craw,” Kennedy said. “I want to secure the border and I want to enforce our immigration laws, but I’m tired of trying to explain behavior that is inexplicable to me.”
Louisiana delegation reacts
Congressman Cleo Fields wrote on X that Noem “was not qualified to lead one of the most critical agencies in our federal government, and her tenure made it clear that she was not the right person for this role,” adding that “there is far too much at stake for anything less than exemplary leadership.”
Congressman Troy Carter, who held a congressional hearing in New Orleans regarding DHS issues, said that under Noem’s leadership, DHS and ICE “repeatedly carried out aggressive immigration operations without proper coordination with local leaders, disregarded due process, and created fear and instability in communities that deserve respect and protection under the law.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy said on social media that “securing the border is one of President Trump’s greatest achievements” and that he looks forward “to continue that success and ensure FEMA delivers for Louisiana families.”
As with all cabinet positions, Mullin will need to go through Senate confirmation to gain the cabinet seat. It is unclear when confirmation hearings will take place.
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Louisiana
Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.
New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says
These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order:
- West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000;
- Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000;
- Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000;
- West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000;
- Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000;
- Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000;
- East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000;
- East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000;
- East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000;
- Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000;
- St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000;
- Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000;
- and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000.
These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order:
- Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000;
- Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000;
- Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000;
- Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000;
- Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000;
- Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000;
- Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000;
- St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000;
- Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000;
- Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000;
- Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000;
- Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000;
- Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000;
- Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
- and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.
Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.
Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.
ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.
Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.
After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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