Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. Compared to December of 2023, the total number of jobs increased by more than 20-thousand.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.4-percent, but DiPalma says that’s still low.

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at surviving cold temperatures.

Cut 5 (09) “…kinds of conditions.”

Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane. He says the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Governor Landry is asking for support from Senator Bill Cassidy to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A two-vehicle crash on the west bound side of the I-10 Twin Span between Slidell and New Orleans sent a commercial vehicle and driver into Lake Pontchartrain. Rescue divers responded, and one driver was rescued and transported to a hospital. That driver reportedly did not suffer any injuries.