In an effort to reduce gasoline prices President Biden orders 50 million barrels to be released from the strategic reserve. Brooke Thorington has more from an energy expert who says it’s too little, too late.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The cruise business is ramping back up in New Orleans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ease. More from Dave Brannen.
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President Biden orders 50 million barrels of oil to be released from the strategic reserve in an effort to reduce energy costs. LSU Center for Energy Studies, Executive Director David Dismukes says the move is a classic example of do-nothing politics.
If you’re hoping this means you’ll save at the pump for Thanksgiving, no such luck. The barrels of oil to be released will not hit the market until mid to late December. Dismukes estimates that prices, which are already trending down, towards the end of the year will correct as demand also decreases.
Cut 4 (08) “…administration’s part.”
In addition to supply versus demand driving up prices, Dismukes says it’s not a favorable market to invest in petroleum because of clean energy policies enacted by the Biden administration, for example, the moratorium on new oil and gas leases, which was eventually overturned.
In addition to gasoline, Dismukes warns proposed Biden energy policies aimed at taxing the industry will continue to drive up energy costs and consumers should expect higher natural gas prices to heat their homes this winter.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wane, the cruise business is picking back up in places like New Orleans. Jessica Ragusa, communications director with the Port of New Orleans, says next year should be a record year for cruising out of the Big Easy.
By comparison, there were 251 cruises out of New Orleans, involving both ocean-going vessels and river cruises. The comeback began with the arrival of the Norwegian Breakaway last Sunday, a noteworthy milestone after cruises completely stopped in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Ragusa says efforts are in place to ensure the safety of passengers against the spread of the coronavirus as they cruise in and out of the Port of New Orleans.
Cut 7 (07) “….everything like that.”
Ragusa says cruises into and out of New Orleans provide a significant economic impact to the city, regional and state economy.
Cut 8 (05) “..passengers are spending.”
She says that includes 300-thousand hotel room nights alone over a year’s time in New Orleans, with most guests traveling into the city from out of state.
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The Louisiana Department of Health is proposing to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of required shots for some students. It’s a move Governor John Bel Edwards supports.
Cut 9 (08) “…the covid vaccines.”
It’s said that parents could opt-out of the requirement for their child by simply signing a statement of exemption.
Attorney General Jeff Landry is clearly opposed to the COVID-19 mandate for students.
Cut 10 (08) “…abuse and bullying.”
Governor Edwards outlines what the COVID-19 vaccine mandate means.
The proposal will be reviewed by the state’s Health and Welfare Committee before a decision is made to move forward with it. A date for the committee meeting has not been set.
Attorney General Jeff Landry is accusing Governor Edwards of overreach by supporting a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for kids 16 and older.
Cut 12 (09) “…parents, not bureaucrats.”
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A three-vehicle crash along Highway 1 in Avoyelles Parish that claimed the life of an eight-year-old remains under investigation. Trooper Casey Wallace says it happen just before 8 am Monday when a car signaled to turn left into a private drive north of Fifth Ward and was struck from behind by a commercial vehicle.
Four people were in the car that was hit, an adult female driver, and three juveniles. All sustained moderate injuries with the exception of the eight-year-old that was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver is the mother of the child that was killed.
Wallace says they keep seeing more and more crashes that involve distracted drivers.
He says no charges have been filed yet and toxicology reports of all drivers are pending.