Drilling activity has hit an all-time low in Louisiana. That’s according to Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. Briggs says 25 rigs are running in the Gulf of Mexico and only five are in operation on land in south Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (06) “that low”
Briggs says it’s a depressing time right now, but the industry will come back.

The Coast Guard responded to an oil spill near Bayou Teche Monday evening at PSC Industrial Outsourcing, where response crews had to deploy more than 200 yards of boom. Some residents in St. Mary Parish were advised to shelter in place as a result of the spill, but have since been told it is safe to leave their homes.

At the Capitol Monday, a bill that would limit the amount of money the state can spend on art for public buildings received overwhelming approval from the full House and now heads to the Senate. The measure would cap a program that requires 1 percent of the total amount of a construction project go towards art inside or on the ground near the site.

The Food and Drug Administration is delaying enforcing rules that require chain-restaurants to post a calorie content on their menu until 2017. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Professor Dr. Catherine Champagne says enforcing of the rule is the biggest challenge, but those that are health conscious will still pay attention to what they’re eating…:
cut 12 (09) “the population”

A report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds Medicaid expansion could improve mental healthcare in Louisiana. Director for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Vikki Wachino says several states that accepted the federal dollars have seen more residents seek care regularly, and a decrease in those who stop taking their meds due to cost…:
cut 4 (09) “their economy”
The report says 81-thousand Louisianans who suffer from mental illnesses or substance abuse would likely qualify for Medicaid after the expansion.