The price of oil per barrel has hit 30-dollars for the first time since 2003. Eric Smith with the Tulane Energy Institue says to stop the crash in oil prices, the supply has to meet a week demand for oil and in the short term the only way to do that is to cut back on production….
cut 11 (07) “…some more”
Smith says unfortunately countries in the Middle East show no signs of cutting back.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs an executive order that will allow additional 300-thousand low-income individuals to receive government health insurance. There are ramp up costs, but Edwards says DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee is working with healthcare providers, so the state doesn’t have to pay anything this fiscal year…
cut 7 (10) “….state’s portion”
The goal is to have these additional Medicaid health care cards available by July 1st.

New federal rules are in place to allow fish farming in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA’s Deputy Director of Aquaculture, David O’ Brien, says this has been in the works for 10 years and during that time there have been a series of reviews to make sure fish farming will not harm the environment. He says this will be a big boost for the domestic seafood industry
cut 15 (07) “…so to speak”
Many commercial fishermen have fought against fish farms in the Gulf, as they’ve raised concerns about losing fish grounds and the potential for outbreaks of disease.

Today is the last day to purchase your Powerball tickets for tonight’s world record one-point-five billion dollar jackpot. It’s been 19 straight drawings since a lucky person last matched all six numbers.