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. But he says the damage was a lot more extensive than anticipated; and due to the icy conditions, the damage seems to be never-ending.
In all, the latest numbers show there are more than 25thousand households without power. 15,000 in Ouachita Parish. Earlier this morning, there were more than 12 hundred without power in New Orleans due to high winds.
A Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy was killed Friday in a motorcycle crash while escorting a funeral procession on Airline Highway, according to police in New Orleans. Officials say 41 year old Deputy Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer of River Ridge was stopped in the roadway as part of the procession when he was hit from behind. Ohlmeyer was a 14-year veteran of the department and survived by his wife and two children.
—————————————-
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 over the last year, private education and health services added 15-thousand jobs.
Over the last month, trade, transportation and utilities, along with construction saw the largest job gains.
The Rockin’ 1000 concert is tonight in New Orleans, with half the 1000 musicians performing coming from 47 other states and 30 countries. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company 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.”