2017 is looking good for construction workers, as the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70-percent of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring workers this year. But Chief Economist with AGC, Ken Simonson, says they might have a hard time finding qualified workers…:
cut 4 (10) “anytime soon”
Simonson says that’s why companies are investing more in training new employees who do not have construction experience.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price of crude oil in 2017 should be 52 dollars per barrel, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Tulane University Energy expert Eric Smith says this is a nine dollar improvement from last year, but not enough to support new deep water activity…:
Cut 6 (12) “exploration”
Smith says the offshore oil industry needs prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.

A 27-year-old mother was killed after being shot multiple times while answering the door of her Scotlandville home last night. Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Robyn Hale was not home alone…:
cut 12 (07) “has happened”
He says Hale died overnight and they are still searching for a suspect.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office announced the arrest today of five individuals for a fatal shooting that took place earlier this week during what authorities say was a drug deal gone bad. Sheriff Randy Smith says the shooting was over 300-dollars worth of marijuana. He says those involved were not part of an organized gang….
cut 11 (09) “…six indiviudals”
The person killed in the shooting has been identified as Javonte Donaldson.

Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond was one of several black lawmakers who said on Capitol Hill today that Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions is not fit to be the next Attorney General. Richmond says Sessions has advanced an agenda that will do great harm to African-Americans…
cut 16 (06) “….others today”
On the first day of confirmation hearings, Sessions says he’s totally committed to maintaining the freedome and equality that the United States must provide to every citizen.

Baton Rouge police are looking for the gunman in the shooting death of a woman, who was killed last night in the doorway of her home. Three children were in the home at the time of the shooting. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says iit appears the home was not robbed and they’re working to determine a motive…
cut 13 (10) “….the shooting”
The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Robyn Hale and she lived in the Scotlandville neighborhood.

Seven out of every ten contractor plans to hire workers in 2017. That’s according to the Associated General Contractors of America and their chief economist, Ken Simonson, who says many contractors plan on boosting incentives in order to hire needed workers….
cut 5 (11) “…a job”
Simonson says contractors are also investing more in training and development of new employees.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts the average price for a barrel of crude oil to be 52-dollars this year and 55-dollars in 2018. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says unfortunately the offshore oil industry would need to see prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects…
cut 8 (09) “….$62”

New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today not to confirm Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama as the next United States Attorney General. Richmond says Sessions’ beliefs are discriminatory and so are his actions…
Cut 15 (11) “shared history”
Newly elected US Senator John Kennedy sits on the Judiciary Committee and supports Sessions appointment.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office announced the arrest today of five individuals in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Javonte Donaldson. Sheriff Randy Smith says it was a drug deal gone wrong and the arrest of these individuals should send a strong message…
cut 10 (06) “…not tolerate it”
Out of the five people arrested, one has been charged with first-degree murder and that’s 22-year-old Christover Davis.

Baton Rouge Police are looking for a gunman who fatally shot a 27-year-old mother in her doorway last night as her three children were inside. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says they believe Robyn Hale was targeted…
cut 14 (09) “…suspect”
The children were not harmed in the incident.

The U-S Energy Information Administration calls for an average price of 52-dollars per barrel for crude oil in 2017. Michelle Southern looks at what this means for Louisiana…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The U.S. Energy Information predicts crude oil prices will be, on average, about $52 a barrel this year, up $9 from last year – but will it be enough to help the oil and gas industry in Louisiana? Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says it would probably put a stop to onshore job losses…:
CUT 7 (08) “type positions”
Smith says the offshore oil industry would need to see prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.

A 27-year-old mother was killed after being shot multiple times while answering the door of her Scotlandville home last night. Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Robyn Hale was not home alone…:
cut 12 (07) “has happened”
He says Hale died overnight and they are still searching for a suspect.

2017 is looking good for construction workers in Louisiana, as the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70-percent of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring workers this year. But Chief Economist with AGC, Ken Simonson, says they might have a hard time finding qualified workers…:
cut 4 (10) “anytime soon”
Simonson says that’s why companies are investing more in training new employees who do not have construction experience.

In a conference before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk, the City of Slidell agreed not to enforce its requirement that panhandlers register with the police pending the court’s ruling on the ordinance’s constitutionality. Based on that promise, the ACLU of Louisiana has agreed that its request for a preliminary injunction can be dismissed as moot. The ALCU is representing panhandlers who in the city who say the ordinance violates the first amendment.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price of crude oil in 2017 should be 52 dollars and 50 cents per barrel, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says this is a nine dollar improvement from last year but likely not enough to support new deep water activity…:
Cut 6 (12) “exploration”
Smith says the offshore oil industry would need to see prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of five people in connection with the murder of a man who was killed during an apparent drug deal gone bad. Sheriff Randy Smith says it all started shortly after two groups of three met up for the deal…:
CUT 9 (06) “could go bad”
He says shots fired by both groups left 19-year-old Javonte Donaldson dead.

A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70% of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring more workers in 2017. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Roads Police say a teacher at False River Academy turned herself in today amid allegations she was setting up a tryst with a student. They say 23-year-old Skylar Russell was found in the car with the victim before any contact was made. She is charged with attempted carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

70% of Louisiana contractors plan to hire workers in 2017, according to a report by the Associated General Contractors of America. Chief Economist Ken Simonson says the strongest category is with new hospitals going up, but the industry is expecting plenty of work in other areas:
Cut 3 (12) “port activity”
He says the AGC poll found just 10 percent of companies forecast a drop in workers.

A new political party has been established in the state: The Louisiana Independent Party. The paperwork was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in part by its treasurer, Bill Bryan. He feels the two party system doesn’t serve the wide spectrum of views held by voters:
Cut 25 (09) “for themselves”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

Congress has started laying out committee assignments. 4th District Representative Mike Johnson has been invited to sit on the House Judiciary Committee. 5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham was already appointed to the House Armed Services committee and he believes military men and women will be highly regarded in the new administration…:
cUT 15 (10) “to continue”
Additional committee assignments are expected to be announced this week.

Governor Edwards will make himself available for questions once again today on his monthly call-in radio show, Ask The Governor. The broadcast begins shortly after 2pm and can be heard on affiliate stations of the Louisiana Radio Network. Anyone can call 877-217-5757 to take part in the show. It will stream live online at louisianaradionetwork.com. Following the show the governor will hold a news conference to talk about his first year in office.

Today marks one year in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. After such a tumultuous start, it begs the question as to what the coming year will hold. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says like his first year, one of the governor’s biggest challenges in year two is the budget…:
CUT 7 (08) “new budget”
Edwards has said if the revenue shortfall gets to a certain point, another special session may be needed.

Tired of the Republican and Democratic Party, well you can now register at the Secretary of State’s office with the Independent Party of Louisiana. Party Treasurer Bill Bryan says they hope their party will result in honest discussions about the issues that impact us…
cut 4 (11) “…civil discussions”

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham has been assigned to serve on the House Armed Services Committee….
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A new study from LSU finds for the first time that parents are more likely to restrict a child’s play outside, if the neighborhood has high rates of crime, blight and graffiti. Senior author Melinda Sothern says nearly 60-percent of the children in their study were either obese or overweight and a lack of physical activity is a reason why…
cut 22 (05) ”’health”

Governor John Bel Edwards has officially been in office one year today, and what a year it’s been. From floods, to police shootings to a historic budget deficit, the governor’s job was anything but easy in 2016. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says this year could be better…:
Cut 9 (11) “anything can happen”
He says the governor’s biggest challenge in year two is the budget.

The Louisiana Independent Party has been newly formed and officially recognized. Its treasurer, Bill Bryan, says their goal is to publish unbiased facts about policies and social issues. He says voters so often just see partisan information…:
CUT 6 (10) “one or the other”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds a parent’s concern about neighborhood safety could limit their kids outside play time. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police is mourning the loss of a trooper who died Tuesday afternoon of a heart attack while at work. They say 51-year-old Tracy Morgan was at the Capital One Tower in Lake Charles when he collapsed as he walked into the parking garage. Morgan was assigned to the Gaming Enforcement Division and had been with Louisiana State Police since 1994.