The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Lafayette was the lowest in the nation for employment decline from October last year to October this year. But the Lake Charles area has the nation’s third best percentage of job increases. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says two LNG export terminals are under construction in southwest Louisiana…:
CUT 8 (11) “build them too”
The struggling oil and gas industry is hurting Houma-Thibodaux where about 2800 jobs were lost in the same time period and in Lafayette it’s 4300.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued a statement today in response to Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s call to block all Muslims from entering the US. Landrieu says it’s absolute disgraceful poisonous rhetoric which is reminiscent of David Duke’s racism. He says the way to defeat ISIS is to strengthen ties with Muslims, not alienating them with ignorant, hateful statements.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says an HIV positive man who bit two deputies and a correctional officer has been arrested on charges of intentional exposure to the AIDS virus and battery. They say 25-year-old Justin Freeman of Lake Charles allegedly fought with arresting deputies and bit them so hard it drew blood. The man is being held with no bond.

State Police is investigating a seven vehicle crash that occurred on I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish early this morning…causing major traffic delays and a huge mess. Sergeant Nick Manale says troopers believe a stopped vehicle was hit from behind by 6 mac trucks and thankfully only two people were injured — but not seriously. He says there were many factors involved with this crash…:
Cut 11 (11) “18-wheelers”
He says the investigation is ongoing.