Louisiana
Special election underway for Louisiana House District 60 seat
IBERVILLE PARISH, La. (WAFB) – A Democrat and Republican are competing in a special election for Louisiana House District 60, the seat left vacant after Governor Jeff Landry appointed Democrat Chad Brown to Commissioner of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.
Democrat Chasity Martinez, an Iberville Parish Council member, and Republican Brad Daigle, an insurance agent, are seeking to represent the rural district.
“If we want to make things change and make things different, show people politics is not about the old regime and the old way of things, get out and vote,” Martinez said.
Daigle said he wants to focus on common ground.
“I want to be a voice of reason and focus on the 90% of the issues that unite us and leave the 10% to Washington,” Daigle said.
Affordability drives voter concerns
Affordability in the rural parishes is driving voters to the polls this week, with both candidates addressing the issue.
Daigle said his insurance background gives him insight into affordability problems. He emphasized the historic nature of the race.
“No republican has ever occupied this district, so what I’m asking the voters: we have an unprecedented opportunity to flip this seat to a conservative,” Daigle said.
He said joining the Republican supermajority would give the district more influence.
“If I’m in the super majority, we are going to have a seat at the table, we are going to have a loud voice, but the relationships I have built not only help me on the local level, the state level, but also the federal level. I have relationships with every statewide elected official right now and I think I can really deliver for district 60,” Daigle said.
Martinez said she represents frustration with traditional politics in Iberville and Assumption parishes.
“They see promises made and things are not changing, and I tell everybody all the time there is power in numbers — I’m just one person, one council member, but seeing the things that my people deal with on a daily basis at a local level, I want to change that, but it has to be taken to a state level,” Martinez said. We have people that live off of the basin; they make ends meet like that — that is their livelihood, crawfishing, fishing — there are people at the state level making decisions and not taking to those people who live it every day. That’s a problem,” Martinez said.
Both candidates expect voter turnout between 15 to 20 percent in the election. Early voting ends Jan. 31 and election day is Feb. 7.
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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
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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