News

A new Housing Needs Assessment commissioned by Grow NELA, the regional economic development authority for northeast Louisiana, underscores the transformational economic and population growth expected across Northeast Louisiana as Meta begins construction of its AI Data Center in Richland Parish. Conducted by John Burns Research and Consulting, the study projects the formation of more than 740 new households in Ouachita and Richland Parishes by 2029 as a direct result of the project—570 renter households and 170 owner households beyond what the region would otherwise anticipate.

Editor's note: This story appeared first on the Louisiana Illuminator website, lailluminator. com. It was written by reporters who are part of States Newsroom and is part of “Uninsured in America,” a project led by Public Health Watch that focuses on life in America’s health coverage gap and the 10 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Kathy Ray, an outreach representative for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office, was at the East Carroll Parish Library last week with a message on elder abuse fraud. Ray represents thirteen northeast Louisiana parishes. She presented each attendee with a pouch that included several helpful pamphlets as well as a drug deactivation system that dissolves unneeded or out of date drugs and allows for their easy disposal. She explained that the bag was available without cost for anyone that wanted to safely dispose of old medication. She added that a disposal container was also available at the local sheriff’s office.

The East Carroll Parish Hospital Board agreed to help the police jury out of a bind at its regular monthly meeting last Thursday. Kendall Thompson, jury president, and Ronata Johnson, jury secretary- treasurer, appeared before the hospital board to request the use of the building that formally housed the Family Practice Clinic, located on North Hood Street, to serve as the district attorney’s office while repairs were being made to the DA’s current building.

.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed Louisiana’s first human case of West Nile virus (WNV)ofthe2025mosquito season and urges all Louisianans to protect themselves from mosquito bites. This case was confirmed in an individual from Livingston Parish who was hospitalized due to complications from the infection. To protect patient confidentiality, no further information about the patient will be released.

For the past seven years, the LSU AgCenter has been sponsoring Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School Program, which works directly with teachers and educates them on how to grow a garden at school. The program, open to teachers of all grades and ages, prepares them to integrate their gardens into their lesson plans.

The nutrition and community health agents of the LSU AgCenter in the northeast region teamed up to hold a Learning Lab. Louisiana is ranked 42nd in diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, 47th in percentage of obese adults, and 46th in percentage of adults with diabetes.

Happy 4th of July to everyone! I hope the weather stays beautiful and you have a glorious day planned to celebrate our nation’s independence. I want pictures! Show me what you did on your holiday, please.

July 2025 THURSDAY 3 DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVER’S LICENSE OFFICE 9am-3pm (lunch 12-1) East Carroll Parish Police J ury office building (old health unit) FRIDAY 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY Light Up the Lake Fireworks • 9pm • in front of Maria's Restaurant SATURDAY 5 SUNDAY 6 MONDAY 7 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library TUESDAY 8 SNAP benefit signup 9:30am-3pm East Carroll Parish Community Action Agency WEDNESDAY 9 Chair exercise for adults • 10am • ECP Library THURSDAY 10 .