Louisiana
State of the State: Water the top topic for Louisiana ag in 2023
Water is both a blessing and a curse for farmers in the fertile soils of the Mississippi Delta. Quality, quantity and availability see silent shifts from year to year and add to the thrilling challenge of growing good crops in one of nature’s most unpredictable environments.
“Water is king,” said Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain. “What did Mark Twain say about water? ‘Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting’ – think about that.”
During his address to Louisiana Women in Agriculture, Strain’s top challenges and opportunities for the state’s farmers and ranchers all boiled down to one singular topic – water.
“You get into the heartland of America and there are massive, vast amounts of crops but those aquifers are limited,” Strain said. “Where is the future of agriculture? You can see it right on the river systems where we have water.”
Louisiana water
Specifically, the water-driven future of agriculture lies in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, which according to Strain, is the largest row crop district in the United States. The district, which encompasses most of the rural northeastern portion of the state, faced a reckoning in 2023 as saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River gained enough ground to give irrigators pause.
“For the first time ever, we were fighting saltwater coming up the Mississippi River,” Strain said. “It was moving at a mile and a half per day, and it reached 68 miles up the river. We couldn’t stop it.”
The risk of saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi was a calculated one, carefully analyzed before a Congressionally authorized enlargement of the river’s navigation channel from 45 ft. to 50 ft. Previously, the balance of fresh water to saltwater at the mouth of the Mississippi was well-maintained, although a low pressure system in the Gulf in 2023 and subsequent drought made way for saltwater to travel upstream.
“Believe it or not, saltwater will run under fresh water and that’s why we see saltwater intrusion all along the coast,” Strain said. “The big fight we had were the timetables we were facing for the point where there would be no water for New Orleans and everyone else down river.”
The solution to the problem was an underwater saltwater barrier sill constructed in the center of the river nearly 64 miles inland, in order to reduce saltwater flow while continuing to allow freshwater movement.
2024 climate
In addition to the in-river upgrade, Strain said a shift in climate from El Nino patterns to La Nina would greatly change the 2024 growing season for Louisiana farmers.
“We need the shift in these weather patterns to La Nina to bring more water,” Strain said. “For the first time in generations there was not a single hurricane or tropical storm or any moisture to be found. Normally 65% of all storms bring rain and hit our coast.”
The low-pressure system along the coast sat for many months and blocked rainfall, extending drought from April through December. Delays with Louisiana’s drought map creation and reporting exacerbated the problem, creating a lag for drought-related payments and further frustrating farmers.
Strain said he’s hopeful a new state climatologist and new state meteorologist will help expedite the reporting process in the future, especially essential national reports and programs.
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
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
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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