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New unemployment claims in Louisiana spiked again in the week ending March 26 , as many businesses statewide keep their doors closed or limit operations in hopes of slowing the spread of the new coronavirus.
A total of 97,830 new unemployment claims were filed in Louisiana last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
That’s 25,392 more advance claims in the state than the previous week, when initial claims spiked by more than 70,000. There were 2,225 new claims during the week that ended March 14.
More than 6.6 million Americans filed initial unemployment claims last week, according to labor department statistics that have been adjusted to reflect seasonal trends, almost double the record-breaking 3.28 million new claims filed the previous week.
“This marks the highest level of seasonally adjusted initial claims in the history of the seasonally adjusted series,” the labor department says.
Since declaring a statewide public health emergency March 11, Gov. John Bel Edwards has issued increasingly restrictive mandates meant to keep people home as much as possible and discourage residents from gathering in large groups, though many businesses deemed “essential” under federal guidelines remain open.
Asked last week if Louisiana’s unemployment trust fund can remain solvent given the unprecedented current demand, a Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson said officials didn’t want to speculate but noted that the state’s fund got a $400 million federal infusion after the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Though Louisiana’s fund is reasonably well-financed, says Jared Walczak, director of State Tax Policy at the Washington D.C.-based Tax Foundation, “just about anything states have” may be inadequate without significant federal help.

Staff Report
Patterson police and St. Mary Parish deputies worked together on an arrest Saturday in the shooting earlier that day in Bayou Vista.
—Tyson Trevon Jones, 19, Tupelo Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. Saturday on charges of illegal possession of stolen firearms, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instruments, and possession of a firearm-felon.
At 12:58 p.m., Dispatch received several calls of shots fired in the Bayou Vista area. Deputies responded to Southwest Road in Bayou Vista and spoke with complainants, who gave information. The deputies quickly put out a bulletin to surrounding agencies with a description of the vehicle.
A short time later, Patterson police observed a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop. A K9 deputy joined the Patterson officer in the investigation of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, Jones, and three passengers.
During the investigation, a weapon was located in the vehicle. All four suspects were transported to the Morgan City Branch Office for questioning.
Jones was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail has been set.
Sheriff Blaise Smith praised the teamwork of patrol deputies, detectives, Patterson police and the public in this incident.
Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 35 complaints and reports the following arrests:
—Kristi Freeman Thibodeaux, 40, East Spencer Street, Jennings was arrested at 8:01 a.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. Thibodeaux was released on a summons to appear June 29.
—Javon Foster, 35, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:01 a.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. Foster was released on a summons to appear June 29.
—Peggy Aucoin Fabre, 53, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft. Fabre was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Sidney Thomas Couvillier, Sr., 53, Parish Road 131, Franklin, was arrested at 8:05 p.m. on a charge of disturbing the peace by intoxication. Couvillier was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Christian Day Jon Landry, 28, Cleveland Avenue, New Orleans, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving under suspension. Landry was released on a summons to appear June 27.

CROWLEY — The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Farm Bureau are conducting a survey to determine the economic damage to Louisiana crawfish producers caused by the coronavirus.
“It is extremely important that we get timely participation of this survey to strengthen the efforts in petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture for assistance for the industry,” said Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist and director of the AgCenter Southwest Region.
Crawfish producers have been wracked by a glut of crawfish after restaurants were limited to carryout and delivery only.
Respondents without complete records should still participate in the survey, answering as many questions as possible. “Please don’t let a lack of data be the reason that we can’t help our crawfish farmers and crawfish industry,” Guidry said.
The deadline for submitting survey responses is April 10.
AgCenter agents will be distributing the survey through email. Anyone without email service can obtain the form by calling their AgCenter agent or Guidry at 225-281-5948.
A completed survey can be sent by email to kmguidry@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Also, the responses can be made verbally over the phone by calling Guidry at 225-281-5948, or by photographing the completed form and texting it to that phone number.
“With your participation, you will be joining the efforts of many producer leaders of the crawfish industry, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation executive committee, and the Louisiana congressional delegation,” Guidry said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is encouraging small business owners across the state to immediately apply for assistance with payroll, rent and other operational expenses through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, if they have not already done so.
The federal loan program is being made available to them through their Louisiana based financial institutions. Simultaneously, all Louisiana banks should continue pursuing access to those federal dollars and to be patient as the program moves forward.
The Paycheck Protection Program is administered through the Small Business Administration and is designed to help small businesses meet their operational needs during this coronavirus pandemic.
“The rollout out of the $349 billion through this program comes at a critical time for our state as we face this public health crisis, but it will not last long as businesses across the country will also apply, which is why our small businesses should not wait for the glitches in the system to be worked out before filling out their applications,” Edwards said. “Time is of the essence and the time to move is now.
“This is a very difficult time for everyone and the impact of this virus is being felt in all segments of our society, but small businesses should know these funds are available today and Louisiana banks are positioned through the SBA to assist their customers during this crisis.
"That is why I am encouraging all bankers to have patience as the federal government works to expand the accessibility of the Paycheck Protection Program. I know our bankers have been working diligently to access those funds and make them available to their customers but, through no fault of their own, the process is taking some time. I understand their frustration but ask that they also understand this is a brand new program that is being implemented in the midst of a health crisis.
"We greatly appreciate the relief it will provide our small businesses that are the backbone of ourq economy. I know some of our small business owners were discouraged when all the answers were not immediately available but I ask you to not lose hope and continue moving forward to apply for these funds. I have every confidence that those funds will begin to flow as quickly as possible.”
The Paycheck Protection Program is offered through the SBA and provides a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll.
It will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Visit SBA.gov for more information.
Last week, Edwards announced additional help t‑hrough a new Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program, which will offer loans of up to $100,000 to Louisiana small businesses of fewer than 100 employees that are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
To help Main Street and rural businesses sustain operations, the loans will require no payments and no will bear no interest for 180 days and carry below-market interest rates of no more than 3.5 percent.
LPGP loans will provide up to $100,000 in immediate financing to help small firms impacted by COVID-19 meet their payroll, retain employees, pay their rent and mortgages, and keep their lights on and their doors open.
Interested businesses may find loan details at OpportunityLouisiana.com/covid19, and a list of participating bankers will be posted at the site by Friday as banks complete their participation agreements.