Louisiana has set new records for employment in the state, both nonfarm and private at nearly two million jobs and 1.7 million jobs, respectively. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says the state’s unemployment rate has also fallen nearly a half a percent over the last year to 4.2-percent, because employers are constantly hiring.

Cut 6 (11) “…different industries.”

Tonight’s Rockin’1000 concert literally brings musicians from around the country and the world to the Crescent City.  While half of the thousand musicians involved are from New Orleans, the other half are from 47 other states and 30 countries. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says an event like this is a golden opportunity for the city to show itself off to its global visitors.

Cut 4 (10) “…of the show.”

——————————

Two middle school students who had just gotten off a school bus are among eight people injured in a crash in Lafourche Parish Thursday afternoon. State Trooper Henry Perez says the driver of a Chevy Impala was going in the wrong lane in a no-passing zone and tried to slow down but lost control.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the bus.”

It’s another crazy cold weekend in Louisiana, with morning feels-like temperatures ranging from single digits to the teens across the state.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this second round of extremely cold air is concerning for the thousands who still do not have power…

Cut 14 (14) “…available”

As of this morning, there are still reportedly more than 26-thousand households without power, 7,000  in Ouachita Parish…and 1200 in Orleans due to high winds.

The latest report on jobs in Louisiana saw the state reach new records. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Good news out of East Carroll Parish as state police are reporting that all eight inmates that escaped the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence on Thursday night are back in custody. We’re told the escapees were apprehended thanks to Louisiana State Police CREST mission that was carried out in coordination with the several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

—————————-

It’s going to be another unseasonably cold weekend across Louisiana. And the cold stuff is already here. Though there’s no precipitation, there is a lot of wind which is why State Climatologist Jay Grymes says it feels even colder than it is….and he says that could put a real damper on Mardi Gras parades this weekend.

Cut 13 (11) “…much a repeat.”

Cold or no cold, tonight’s Rockin’1000 concert literally brings the whole world together in New Orleans. Rockin’1000 visionary Fabio Zaffagnini says while half of the thousand musicians hails from Louisiana, the other half represent 47 other states – and 30 countries.

Cut 3 (12) “…North Africans.”

Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says an event like this is a golden opportunity for the city to show itself off to these new visitors from around the world.

A Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy was killed Friday in a motorcycle crash while escorting a funeral procession on Airline Highway, according to police in New Orleans.  Officials say 41 year old Deputy Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer of River Ridge was stopped in the roadway as part of the procession when he was hit from behind. Ohlmeyer was a 14-year veteran of the department and is survived by a wife and two children.

The state has set new records for both total nonfarm employment and total private employment. Seasonally-adjusted nonfarm employment is a little more two-million jobs and private sector employment is nearly 1.7-million jobs. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says over the last year, private education and health services added 15-thousand jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…machinists.”

—————————-

If you haven’t been outside just yet, brace yourself for some bone-chillingly cold temperatures.   State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while there’s no precipitation, it is windy, and that  make the cold air feel much colder than the actual temperature

Cut 12 (11) “…like the teens.”

And Grymes says it’ll be just as cold tomorrow morning.

All this while thousands are still without power after the ice storm last weekend.  The CEO of Entergy Phillip May Jr, addressed his company’s power restoration efforts yesterday afternoon saying crews have been working non-stop for 16 hours a day.

Cut 15 (12) “…of 92-thousand.”

It’s a huge political networking event and D-C Mardi Gras is happening this week in our nation’s capital. Events are underway all this week with a dinner dance on Friday and a Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday. But LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says amid all the parties and pageantry, there are big issues and storylines.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. But demographer Greg Rigamer says last year’s growth here still pales compared to the growth seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

———————————-

Rockin’1000 is a gathering of one-thousand musicians on the same stage, and they come from all walks of life and of all ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Repair crews are still hard at work in north Louisiana, trying to get utility polies back up and transformers back online.   In a news release yesterday, Entergy officials said restoration crews continue to make progress but they’re performing presision work that cannot be rushed without compromising safety, especially in the extreme cold.  As of this morning, some 53-thousand customers are still without power.

Louisiana had a modest gain in population last year.  But as Andre Champagne reports, our state still has a long way to go.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

More than 53-thousand people in North Louisiana remain without power this morning with more than half of those in Ouachita Parish.  Entergy said yesterday they’d identified damage to 700 utility poles, and 170 transformers. We’re told restoration crews continue to make progress in extreme cold as they perform precision work than cannot be rushed without compromising safety.

———————–

One of Louisiana’s biggest political networking events of the year is underway in the nation’s capital, as it’s D-C Mardi Gras time. LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says there will be a dinner dance on Friday night and a Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, but before that there’s plenty of opportunities to rub elbows.

Cut 10 (11) “…governments to universities.”

When it comes to internships and apprenticeships for high school students, Louisiana trails other Southern states.  But a new state tax credit for employers aims to change that.  Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the credit is available to businesses that make eligible hires this year, and its something they can claim on their state tax returns beginning next year.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that student.”

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has announced that he will not run for congress in the newly open 5^th Congressional District Race, saying this is not the time nor office that makes sense for him. Current 5^th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced last week she’ll be challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in his run for re-election.

—————————————
Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he says have gotten out of hand. On social media, Cassidy said ICE and the Department of Homeland Security may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Cut 8 (12) “…that primary vision.”

North Louisiana is still reeling from the ice storm of 2026. Governor Landry did an aerial tour of the damage in northeast Louisiana yesterday, along with Monroe Representative Michael Echols, who describes the damage in East Carroll Parish as catastrophic and says many businesses impacted there will need federal assistance.

Cut 14 (12) “…to recovery here.”

———————————-

Saturday’s Rockin’1000 concert in the Superdome will be like none other – and to accomplish that, organizers sought out a local heavy-hitter. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is at the Senior Bowl this week to showcase his talents to NFL decision-makers. Nussmeier battled an abdominal injury this season and says he’s worked hard to get back to 100-percent.

Cut 18 (11)  “…was a no-brainer.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he described as “disturbing.” Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Governor Landry did an aerial tour of the damage from the ice storm of 2026 in northeast Louisiana yesterday. Monroe Representative Michael Echols was along for the helicopter ride.

Cut 13 (14)  “…throughout northeast Louisiana.”

More than 78-thousand people in North Louisiana remain power this morning.

—————————————-

The ice storm has Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents busy responding to calls for assistance. Captain Kenneth Balkom says LDWF agents have transported dozens of essential workers to and from their work at the Northeast Veterans Home in Monroe and the Northwest Veterans Home in Bossier City.

Cut 4 (03) “…for their residents.”

A LDWF agent also rescued three missing juveniles stuck in their vehicle on the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday.

Rockin’1000 has staging concerts in stadiums throughout Europe for ten years all featuring one-thousand musicians.  And their first US show will follow suit,  with Harry Connick Junior as its special guest artist director.  Connick says this will be the first Rockin’1000 concert to feature a brass section.

Cut 11 (10) “…of our identity.”

Tickets are still available.

Ouachita Parish is trying to recover from a nasty ice storm, but local officials are impressed with the community’s resiliency. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In all, more than 78-thousand people in North Louisiana remain power this morning– more than half of those are in Ouachita Parish. DeSoto, Richland, and Sabine parishes also have a large percentage of homes and businesses still without electricity.

_______________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he described as “disturbing.” In a conference call with reporters, Cassidy said things in Minneapolis have gotten out of hand.

Cut 7 (09) “…make an adaptation.”

To put together its first U.S. show, the people of Rockin’1000 sought out a heavy-hitter – and they found one in New Orleans’ very own Harry Connick Junior. The legendary musician is serving as special guest artistic director for the show that will rock the Superdome Saturday night.

Cut 10 (09) “…to our city (2x).”

As one might expect, Connick will be joining the band for a number or two.  We’re told tickets are still available.

Louisiana could see a heated U.S. Senate race now that Republican Julia Letlow has tossed her hat into the ring. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

According to the State Fire Marshall’s Office, nine people have died in fires across Louisiana so far and investigators say in each incident, there were no working smoke alarms.  Officials say having working smoke alarms reduces your chances of dying in a fire by 60 percent.

————————————————

2026 is the “Year of Outdoors” in Louisiana. It’s a year-long initiative to invite both residents and visitors to discover the natural beauty and recreational opportunities the state has to offer. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re rolling out a new state-wide birding trail and  the promotional campaign extends well beyond Louisiana’s borders.

Cut 11 (09) “…flights into Louisiana.”

A winter storm watch is in effect for most of north Louisiana, as there’s a high chance of significant accumulations of sleet across the I-20 corridor and as far south as Natchitoches and Jena. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says a blast of arctic air will mix with moisture on Friday and icy conditions are also possible in southwest Louisiana, in particular the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas.

Cut 9 (10)  “…into Saturday night.”