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Louisiana’s unemployment rate has dropped since March but remains higher than most of its neighbors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, the Pelican State reached a year high in March at 4.4%, but has steadily decreased, down to 3.9% in July.  However, the year over year rate shows a half-point increase, with July 2023 at 3.4%. 
The quick one-point increase happened over a fall and winter season that saw unemployment rates hit their highest point since 2021. The total number of unemployed individuals in July was 81,161, 10,000 more than the same month last year. 
Many of Louisiana’s Southeast neighbors are seeing record lows in unemployment, including Mississippi and Alabama tied at 2.8%. The only regional state that has outpaced Louisiana currently is Texas, with an unemployment rate of 4% for more than a year.
Despite the unemployment increase, total nonfarm employment, or jobs in the private sector and government agencies, increased by over 12,000 jobs. Private education and health services gained 3,000 jobs just since June, and construction added over 9,000 employment opportunities sine July 2023.
Wages are up as well, with construction and manufacturing both seeing an average increase of $200 in weekly earnings from last June. 
This difference in job opportunities to unemployment could be explained by Louisiana’s low labor force participation rate at 58%, trailing the national average by around 4%. However, most Southern states also trail the national average, excluding Texas. 
Unemployment in the state is largely represented by north Louisiana, with nine of the top 10 parishes in unemployment living in the top half of the boot.  
East Carroll Parish hit the highest mark at 10.8% in June, over 2% higher than the next parish, Tensas. 
Orleans Parish was middle of the road with 5.3% unemployment. East Baton Rouge was the lowest with 4.2%, tied with East Feliciana, Beauregard and Saint Tammany. 

Kemper Williams Park
Patterson
Aug. 17
Class A Men
First place, Dwain Arceneaux, Thibodaux, and Tim Gilmore, Bayou Vista, 5 wins-0 losses, 39.3 ringer percentage; second place, Neil Whitney, Waggaman, and Burnie Williams, Morgan City, 3-2, 34.3; and third place, Mack Thibodeaux, Lake Arthur, and :Larry Pertuit, Marrero, 3-2, 27.3.
Class A Women
First, Tina Prowell, Waggaman, and Patricia Pertuit, Marrero, 6-0, 28.3; second, Mary Guzdial, Patterson, and Mary Begnaud, Lacassine, 4-2, 24.2; and third, Bobbie Richard, Church Point, and Wanda Lantz, Marrero, 2-4, 19.5.
Class B Men
First, Tyler Bourdier and Travis Bourdier, both of Patterson, 5-0, 29.6; second, Glenn Caillouet and Jimmy Caillouet, both of Raceland, 4-1, 22.9; and third, Charles Benoit, Lacassine, and Joseph Thomas, Port Allen, 3-2, 15.4.
Class C
First, Ricky Pitre, Chauvin, and Joe Primeaux, Broussard, 5-0, 15.4; second, Al Graham and Tim Hayles, both of Berwick, 4-1, 22.5; and third, third, Hilton Rhodes, Bayou Vista, and Randy Giroir, Berwick, 3-2, 15.8.

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Two Franklin teenagers were arrested on fighting charges, and one of them faces a charge of assault on a teacher, the Sheriff’s Office said.

In Assumption, a man was charged with battery after what deputies are calling a traffic rage incident.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 49 complaints and made these arrests:

--Juvenile male, 16, Franklin, was arrested at 3:32 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace (fighting) and assault on a school teacher. The juvenile was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

--Juvenile male, 16, Franklin, was arrested at 3:32 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). The juvenile was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

--Chris Smith, 39, Patterson, was arrested on at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday on charges of resisting an officer and theft. Bail has not been set at this time.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Robert C. Watson, 33, La. 70 South, Pierre Part, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of second-degree battery.

The charges arise from an incident on Lee Drive in Pierre Part.

Uniformed patrol deputies were dispatched to an address in the 100 block of Joseph Street in reference to a battery complaint. Deputies made contact with the complainant, who advised that on the date in question, he was on Lee Drive when he flashed his high beams at a vehicle to signal the driver to dim his
lights.

As he passed the vehicle, the victim observed it to be a side-by-side off-road vehicle. The suspect turned around and drove to Angella Street, where he confronted the victim. The suspect, now identified as Watson, punched the victim in the face through the open window.

As a result of this incident, the victim suffered significant injuries to his face requiring medical attention.

At the conclusion of this investigation, deputies obtained arrest warrants for
Watson.

On Tuesday night, Watson was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

--Charles Walter Patterson, III, 42, Violet Street, Labadieville, was arrested Tuesday on charges of aggravated battery, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana and speeding.

The charges result from a traffic stop on La. 398 near Bayou L’Ourse.

A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as Patterson and engaged the driver in an interview. The deputy noted an odor of suspected marijuana from the vehicle.

At some point, the deputy requested consent to search the suspect vehicle, to which Patterson granted. As the suspect began to exit his vehicle, the deputy observed Patterson attempting to conceal a large bag of suspected marijuana in his clothing.

The deputy ordered Patterson to stop, but the suspect used the door to strike the deputy. The suspect fled into the swamp. The deputy was able to capture Patterson and recover the suspected marijuana.

Patterson was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 45 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Michael David Derr, 31, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:51 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.

--Mario Verdun, 47, K Street, Patterson, was arrested at 11:17 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana and improper lane usage. (Released on summons.)

Berwick.

Chief David Leonard Sr. reported these arrests:

--Caleb Caruso, 18, Berwick, was arrested at 8:38 a.m. Aug. 15 on a charge of unlawful possession of tobacco products by a person under 21.

About 8 a.m. Aug. 15, a K-9 vehicle scan was conducted at a local school. The K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics in a vehicle. It was learned that the vehicle belonged to Caruso.

School officials searched the vehicle. No narcotics were located, but vape products were located. Officers made contact with Caruso, and he was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

--Chance Bourgeois, 18, Patterson, was arrested at 3:07 p.m. Aug. 15 on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of tobacco products by a person under 21.

About 2:45 p.m. Aug. 15, the Berwick Police Department received a call about a vehicle operating on private property in a reckless manner. The caller stated the vehicle then left the area.

A description and license plate was given to officers. A short time later, the vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted. Officers made contact with Bourgeois and advised him of the complaint. Bourgeois admitted to his actions.

Bourgeois was found to be in possession of vape products. Bourgeois was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

--Stanley Ruffin Jr. , 22, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:07 p.m. Aug. 16 on a charge of possession of marijuana (under 14 grams).

About 1:57 p.m. Aug. 16, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after it was observed speeding 72 mph in a 55 mph zone. Officers made contact with Ruffin, and detected an odor of marijuana from the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle was conducted, at which time marijuana was located. Ruffin was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

--Hunter Rhodes, 26, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:01 p.m. Aug. 16 on a Patterson warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of speeding.

--About 2:40 p.m. Aug. 16, officers responded to a local business for a verbal disturbance. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Rhodes. During this time, it was learned that he had an active warrant through the Patterson Police Department.

Rhodes was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department where he was booked on the outstanding warrant.

--Derrick Turner, 46, Berwick, was arrested at 11:16 a.m. Saturday on a Morgan City warrant alleging theft and forgery.

At 11:10 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a residence for a property standby. Officers met with Turner and learned that he had active warrants through the Morgan City Police Department. Turner was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked on the outstanding warrant.

--Sebastian Gomez, 42, Thibodaux was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Monday on a New Orleans warrant alleging domestic abuse battery.

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Tuesday, Aug. 20
7:23 a.m. La. 70/U.S. 90; Reckless driver.
7:50 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
8:42 a.m. 800 block of Arizona Street; Medical.
9:05 a.m. Wytchwood Drive; Animal complaint.
9:09 a.m. 1100 block of Front Street; Theft.
9:16 a.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Traffic incident.
9:37 a.m. Railroad Avenue/Headland Street; Traffic incident.
10:04 a.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; 911 hang up.
11:04 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Missing juvenile.
11:23 a.m. La. 182 East; Reckless driver.
2:24 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
3:29 p.m. 800 block of Fourth Street; Disturbance.
3:37 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Assistance.
5:09 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Vehicle accident.
5:15 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Vehicle accident.
6:32 p.m. U.S. 90; Stalled vehicle.
6:38 p.m. Chennault Street; Loud music.
7:36 p.m. U.S. 90; Reckless driver.
7:43 p.m. 300 block of Glenwood Street; Theft.
7:47 p.m. 1900 block of Cedar Street; Removal of subject.
8:25 p.m. Second/Egle streets; Animal complaint.
8:46 p.m. Clothilde Street/Victor II Boulevard; Suspicious person/vehicle.
11:10 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Medical.
Wednesday, Aug. 21
1:07 a.m. 200 block of Leona Street; Medical.
2:07 a.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; 911 hang up.
3:30 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Open door.
4:25 a.m. 500 block of Belanger Street; Welfare check.