News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Louisiana paper mill to close, lay off 450 workers

Published

4 months ago

February 14, 2025

Staff Editor

lailluminator.com – Greg LaRose – 2025-02-14 17:53:00

Louisiana paper mill to close, lay off 450 workers

by Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator
February 14, 2025

Some 450 employees of a Natchitoches Parish paper mill will lose their jobs by the end of April after their parent company announced the facility’s pending closure Thursday.

International Paper is shutting down its Red River Mill in Campti that makes containerboard, as well as a recycling plant in Phoenix, a box-making plant in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and sheet feeder facility in St. Louis.

Across the company, 495 hourly positions and 179 salaried jobs are being eliminated, according to a news release.

Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Workforce Commission announced in a joint statement Friday they will work together to address the Red River Mill closure. Orientation sessions will be scheduled in the near future to help dislocated workers find new employment quickly, a statement from the agencies said.

“We understand that right now people are feeling uncertain about their future. Please be assured that help is on its way.” LWC Secretary Susana Schowen said in the statement.

State Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, told KSLA-TV that International Paper told him most of the employees being let go in Campti will be offered jobs at its facility in Mansfield, which also makes containerboard. The senator said the number of employees being let go could lead to local school closures, as families are forced to relocate to find work.

“I’ve been on the phone with loggers and foresters all day,” Seabaugh said. “This is a big ripple effect.”

International Paper, considered the largest producer of paper products in the world, also operates facilities in Bogalusa, Lafayette, Shreveport and Springhill.

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Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

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The storied history of eating watermelon

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2 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Staff Editor

wgno.com – Christopher Leach – 2025-06-19 10:00:00

SUMMARY: Chef Myisha “Maya” Masterson, founder of the Black Roux Culinary Collective, blends food, history, music, and travel into immersive culinary experiences. Her Juneteenth tribute, a shrimp watermelon salad, honors African American resilience with symbolic ingredients like watermelon, red onion, and pickled collard greens. Masterson views cooking as a deeply artistic and nourishing act, rooted in ancestral tradition. Watermelon, once a tool of survival and later a racist stereotype, has been reclaimed as a symbol of liberation and pride. Masterson’s work highlights the powerful connection between food and cultural legacy, offering nourishment not just for the body but for the soul.

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The post The storied history of eating watermelon appeared first on wgno.com

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

How would a tax for Johnston Street work? – The Current

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16 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Staff Editor

thecurrentla.com – Camden Doherty – 2025-06-18 13:00:00

SUMMARY: With City Council approval of a road ownership swap, Lafayette’s revitalization of Bertrand Drive and Johnston Street is moving forward. Funding remains unresolved, with Councilman Andy Naquin proposing an Economic Development District (EDD) to impose an extra sales tax on businesses in the area. Mayor-President Monique Boulet agreed to explore the EDD but emphasized the need for more analysis and stakeholder input. Though controversial, especially among businesses, EDDs could support infrastructure upgrades, with Johnston Street receiving \$5 million in initial state funding. Naquin hopes to finalize EDD boundaries by year’s end, framing it as a potential public-private partnership.

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The post How would a tax for Johnston Street work? – The Current appeared first on thecurrentla.com

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

A Non-Surgical Body Contouring Option

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1 day ago

June 18, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-06-18 11:04:39

SUMMARY: Evolve X is a non-surgical, wearable body contouring treatment using radio frequency and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to tighten skin, melt fat, and tone muscles. Dr. Ali Sadehi explains it targets areas like the abdomen, arms, thighs, and buttocks, offering fat reduction, skin tightening, and muscle toning without downtime. Treatments last 45-60 minutes, recommended weekly for 6-10 sessions, with visible results in 3-6 weeks. Ideal candidates are near their ideal weight with moderate skin laxity and stubborn fat. Evolve X complements a healthy lifestyle for improved body contouring, with no recovery or side effects. Contact Dr. Sadehi for more info.