News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Louisiana paper mill to close, lay off 450 workers
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.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
SUMMARY: In Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial, the jury reached a partial verdict on four of five counts but remains deadlocked on the top racketeering conspiracy charge. After two days of deliberation, the judge encouraged jurors to continue. The conspiracy charge, under the RICO Act, involves determining if Combs ran a criminal enterprise and committed offenses like kidnapping. Jurors requested key testimony from Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie and another witness concerning abuse allegations. Combs denies charges, claiming prosecutors are criminalizing his lifestyle. Conviction could mean 15 years to a life term. The trial continues amid intense scrutiny of evidence and jury deliberations.
The post Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating appeared first on wgno.com
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Morning Forecast – Monday, June 30th
SUMMARY: A warm, moist airmass persists with daytime heating and upper-level disturbances causing patchy storms late afternoons and evenings. A front arriving tomorrow may bring more scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cooler temperatures might briefly dip to the lower 90s on Wednesday, but heat will return by the Fourth of July, reaching mid to upper 90s with heat indices in the mid triple digits late week. Rain chances decrease by July 4th due to strengthening ridging aloft. Elevated dew points in the 70s and prolonged dangerous heat increase heat stress risk, urging precautions like altering outdoor plans and recognizing heat illness symptoms.
Conditions have not changed much. A very warm and moist airmass still remains in place. Daytime heating, abundant moisture, and upper-level disturbances will allow for more patchy storms late afternoon into the evening hours. A front will approach tomorrow when more scattered showers and t-storms are possible. There is a brief opportunity for cooler temperatures to drop to the lower 90’s on Wednesday. Then, we are back to the mid and pushing upper 90’s by the end of the week on the 4th. Rain chance will subsidize by the 4th and over the weekend, but heat indices will push into the mid triple digits late week.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Chance of downpours today, hazy skies
SUMMARY: A chance of scattered afternoon downpours continues today with hazy skies caused by Saharan dust lingering through Wednesday. Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Depression Barry in Mexico and Tropical Storm Filosy in the Pacific is feeding rain chances in Texas. Expect daily spotty showers and storms, mostly in the afternoons, with rain chances around 20-30% through Thursday. Temperatures will be warm but not extreme, ranging from low 90s to mid-90s by Independence Day. Thursday and the Fourth of July will be partly cloudy, humid, and have much lower chances of rain. No hail or flooding is expected this week.
Saharan dust has arrived, with a chance of downpours today.
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