Gas prices across Louisiana keep moving higher with no indication they are about to reverse course. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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More families are now in travel trailers after being displaced by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more on the new state program intended to speed up the process.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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If you have a 337 or 504 area code you now have to dial all ten digits when calling locally. FCC Spokesperson Paloma Perez says it’s because those area codes have 988 exchanges which will be used in the future for a national suicide hotline.
Perez says the change is being implemented now so callers in the 337 and 504 area codes will be in the habit of dialing all ten digits well before the July 2022 launch of the 988 national counseling phone line.
But in the meantime, the national suicide hotline is fully operational by dialing 1-800-273-TALK. Perez says it’s only next year that the number will be shortened to 988.
Cut 5 (08) “…mental health crisis.”
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If your wallet’s banking on seeing a drop in gas prices sometime soon, Don Redman, field analyst for Triple-A, says that doesn’t seem to be in the cards this fall for drivers in Louisiana or elsewhere.
Cut 6 (12) “…the immediate horizon.”
The statewide average price of regular has climbed to three-15 a gallon, up eight cents from a week ago, while crude oil prices have jumped to 85 dollars a barrel, with some speculation they could shoot to 100 dollars a barrel.
Redman says the higher gas prices not seen is seven years are being fueled by no uptick in oil production by OPEC.
Cut 7 (10) “….more than anything.”
Redman says the high pump prices in Louisiana is not because there’s a lack of gasoline and oil in Louisiana.
He says there’s no indication as of now on when gas prices in the state might start dropping again.
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More trailers are now occupied by those who’ve registered with the state’s new program to help those displaced by Hurricane Ida to remain on their property. Mike Steele is the spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…
Steele says the IdaShelteringLA.com program not only has to process registrations, but the newly created program has to purchase trailers, which have been short supply since the pandemic, and perform inspections to be sure there is power, water, and sewage at the prospective site where the travel trailers will be placed.
The newly created program has come under lots of criticism from some, due to the length of time it’s taking to get those displaced in trailers. Steele says it’s the first time the state has been involved with acquiring trailers, otherwise FEMA placing individuals in trailers wouldn’t start until November.
Steele says while they understand it’s never soon enough for someone seeking assistance but they hope things can go faster now that the program is established. Steele says the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program which places individuals in hotels along with shelters are still options for those waiting on trailers.
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State Treasurer John Schroder will stop in Alexandria, Columbia, Monroe and Shreveport to promote the ten-million-dollar Louisiana Loggers Relief Grant Program. Schroder says loggers are eligible for a one-time grant of up to 25-thousand dollars, but they’ve only allocated one-point-two million dollars…
The state legislature established the grant program with federal coronavirus aid. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says the money is for master loggers who have experienced recent revenue losses….
Cut 13 (12) “…in their process”
Vandersteen says the logging industry worked through the pandemic, but many mills were closed to help slow the spread…
For more information got to the State Treasurer’s website or call the Louisiana Forestry Association.