The latest report on jobs in Louisiana saw the state reach new records for both total nonfarm employment and total private employment. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A two-vehicle crash in Thibodaux Thursday afternoon sends eight people to the hospital, including two children who just got off a school bus. Andre Champagne has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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Tomorrow night’s Rockin’1000 concert literally brings the whole world together in New Orleans. Rockin’1000 visionary Fabio Zaffagnini says while half of the thousand hails from Louisiana, the other half is represented by 47 other states – and 30 countries.
Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says an event like this is a golden opportunity for the city to show itself off to its worldwide visitors.
Schulz says while this may be the first time in New Orleans for some of the musicians and their guests; by putting its best foot forward, it won’t be the last.
Cut 5 (09) “…Rockin’1000 is over.”
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The state has set new records for both total nonfarm employment and total private employment. Seasonally-adjusted nonfarm employment is a little more two-million jobs and private sector employment is nearly 1.7-million jobs. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says the state’s unemployment rate has also fallen nearly a half a percent over the last year to 4.2-percent, because employers are constantly hiring.
Cut 6 (11) “…different industries.”
Over the last month, trade, transportation and utilities, along with construction saw the largest job gains. Padilla says over the last year, private education and health services added 15-thousand jobs.
The data shows Baton Rouge has added six-thousand jobs over the last year, Lafayette 21-hundred jobs, New Orleans 16-hundred and Monroe 12-hundred. Padilla says most of Louisiana’s metro areas are seeing growth.
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Two middle school students who had just gotten off a school bus are among eight people injured in a crash in Lafourche Parish Thursday afternoon. State Trooper Henry Perez says the driver of a Chevy Impala was going in the wrong lane in a no-passing zone and tried to slow down but lost control.
Perez says eight people were sent to the hospital with serious to moderate injuries.
Two juvenile pedestrians hit by a vehicle suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to a New Orleans hospital. Perez says their injuries do not appear to be life threatening.
Cut 11 (05) “…serious injuries.”
Perez says a toxicology sample was collected from the two people in the Chevy Impala, and they’re also trying to confirm who was driving the Impala.
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Get ready for another bone-chillingly cold weekend throughout the state. When you wake up tomorrow morning, it will be in the teens in north Louisiana and in the low to mid-20s in south Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while there will be no precipitation, it will be windy, and that will make the cold air feel much colder.
Cut 12 (11) “…like the teens.”
Grymes says the cold weather will put a damper on the Mardi Gras parades this weekend.
The state health department says the winter storm is responsible for nine deaths, some of the victims died as a result of hypothermia because of the extended power outages. Grymes says this second round of extremely cold air is concerning for the thousands who still do not have power…
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The CEO of Entergy addressed his company’s power restoration efforts from this week’s massive ice storm. Phillip May Jr. says crews have been working non-stop for 16 hours a day and have made tremendous progress.
Cut 15 (12) “…of 92-thousand.”
May says the damage was a lot more extensive than anticipated; and due to the icy conditions, the damage seems to be never-ending.