Louisiana
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture says agency focused on Louisiana crawfish labor shortage
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It’s no secret that American farmers, including crawfish farmers like David Savoy, rely on migrant labor.
“Our main concern is labor. We don’t have the labor anymore,” said David Savoy, a crawfish farmer for over two decades and president of the Louisiana Promotion and Research Board.
When we visited Savoy’s crawfish farm in Richard, Louisiana, back in January, it was early in the crawfish season. Now, closer to the season’s peak, producers have to process their catch. For that, they need foreign labor secured through the H-2B visa program, but those producers are struggling to bring in migrant workers this year.
USDA secretary says administration working to ease farm labor restrictions for Louisiana crawfish, shrimp industries
“In the state, our 20 major processors employ anywhere from 40 to 150 people. Only 15 of the 20 processors so far have gotten any labor,” said Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Commissioner Mike Strain said the state needs about 2,000 H-2B workers. Strain says last year’s federal government shutdown delayed work visa applications. On top of that, the program is capped, allowing domestic workers to apply. The visa limit for the first half of this year has already been reached, and Strain says if the cap isn’t lifted, Louisiana’s crawfish industry could be in trouble.
“If we don’t get these workers in, the bottom line the farmers will lose in excess of $120 million to $125 million,” said Commissioner Strain.
“We’re working to make a very quick change, as quickly as we can to basically open up the market so these labor questions can be resolved. There’s a question of how expensive it is and we’re working to bring the cost down for farmers, but just getting the labor, we’re really singularly focused on this labor issue,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
MORE: Louisiana crawfish industry faces worker shortage after DHS caps seasonal visas
On Thursday, Secretary Rollins came to Fox 8’s studios to discuss the labor shortage. When asked if the Trump administration will lift or raise the cap for H-2B visas, Secretary Rollins said that is a decision the White House cannot make.
“So the administration cannot remove the cap. That’s a Congressionally authorized statute, so the Congress has to do that. What we can do and what we’re looking to do is changing some of the rules within that to perhaps allow other programs that these farmers can apply for that are outside of the current restricted cap,” Secretary Rollins said.
With just weeks left in crawfish season, a multimillion-dollar industry hopes that help arrives in time.
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MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Shelby Bordelon of Iberville Parish was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Saturday night in Monroe, earning the title and a $15,000 scholarship. Bordelon, a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the role is about more than pageantry, emphasizing the yearlong service mission tied to the crown.
“Part of the mission of this organization is the service behind it,” Bordelon said. “And the service is so important, you are serving your state for a year… having the opportunities to connect with others… to continue making an impact and leaving my mark on others as well.”
Bordelon, who finished first runner-up in last year’s competition, said the moment her name was called as the winner still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“It was every emotion you could think of that was running through my mind at that moment,” she said, adding she focused on preparation and perspective this year. “I really wanted to go into this year with no regrets… just really trusting in that mindset and that plan.”
Bordelon said she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit, Claire’s Promise, which focuses on combating drunk driving.
You can learn more about the nonprofit here. She will now represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant, which begins in late August in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 20 drawing
1-8-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 20 drawing
1-4-7-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
6-6-2-7-9
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Easy 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
01-06-18-25-33
Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto numbers from June 20 drawing
09-13-16-17-33-41
Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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