Since 2019, Louisiana’s economy showed mixed progress according to the Committee of 100’s (C100) year-end report shows wages statewide have increased by 25-percent.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
___________________________________________________
The mayor of New Orleans is seeking federal assistance on security plans. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
___________________________________________________
The Committee of 100’s (C100) year-end economic report says wages statewide have increased 25-percent since 2019, with the average weekly wage nearly 12-hundred dollars. Committee of 100 CEO Adam Knapp says the state has made progress in bringing in more higher paying jobs, but there’s still more work to do…
Cut 3 (08) “…Louisiana since 2019.”
The report also says healthcare, construction, and professional services will be the fastest job growing sectors through 2032. Knapp says healthcare alone is expected to create 20,000 new jobs, with high demand for registered nurses, medical assistants, and home health aides.
Cut 4 (07) “…future in healthcare.”
The Meta data center in Richland Parish demonstrates progress, with not only new jobs, but also with well-paying jobs. Knapp says its one of the most significant economic development deals in the country.
Cut 5 (09) “…the entire state.”
______________________________________________________________
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is seeking federal assistance on security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
Mayor Cantrell says one of the things she’d like the tactical expert to do is to determine whether the city’s plans for bollards on Bourbon Street are sufficient to prevent another tragedy like the one that happened early on New Year’s Day.
Cut 7 (08) “…for public safety.”
Today, President Biden has granted Mayor Cantrell’s request that Mardi Gras be upgraded to a SEAR 1 event, the highest Special Event Assessment Rating by the Department of Homeland Security.
Cut 8 (09) “…and months ahead.”
SEAR 1 events are events that require extensive federal interagency support. The Super Bowl is already designated as a SEAR 1 event.
______________________________________________________________
There are some changes in unemployment insurance in Louisiana that took effect January 1st. Robert Wooley, the assistant secretary of Unemployment Insurance Administration at the Louisiana Workforce Commission, says benefits go down from 26 weeks to between 12 and 20 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate.
Wooley says there are ways that people can get up to eight additional weeks of benefits.
Cut 10 (11) “…that would qualify.”
The state is also cracking down on unemployment fraud. Wooley says those who knowingly commit fraud by collecting benefits will be disqualified from receiving future benefits until they make restitution. Also, the state will pursue legal action in certain cases.
Cut 11 (10) “…they would prosecute.”
__________________________________________________________
A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck southeast of Mooringsport, early this morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This tremor follows another 3.0 magnitude earthquake reported late Sunday night in the same region of Caddo Parish. U.S. Geological Survey Research Geophysicist Thomas Pratt says this has been occurring for the past few weeks.
Cut 12 (09) “…call them a sequence.”
In 2024, several tremors were recorded in northern parts of the state. While earthquakes are relatively rare in Louisiana compared to neighboring Texas, tremors measuring 0.5 or higher on the Richter scale are increasing, according to Pratt.
Cut 13 (09) “…operations up there.”
Pratt says this is due to oil and gas companies injecting fluid into the earth that increases the pressure and opens the faults up more.