A manpower report published in Forbes Magazine says New Orleans and Baton Rouge rank 1-2 when it comes to toughest cities to find a job this summer. LSU Economist Loren Scott there is some truth to the report that construction of large scale construction projects between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is slowing down due to the energy market. But he says right in the middle is St. James Parish, where there are a large number of huge potential projects that are in the design and financing stages…:
cut 14 (11) “…New Orleans area”

At the state capitol, time is ticking on lawmakers to give final approval on tax changes designed to raise revenue to avoid major cuts to state services. At this point the state doesn’t have enough money to fully fund TOPS and there’s disagreement at what level the program should be funded.

The governor has formed a task force that will provide the legislature with recommendations on how to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, which is said to be the highest in the world. Louisiana’s Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc says they lack needed resources at the local level that can provide an alternative to housing an offender in jail…
cut 4 (09) “…that access”
LeBlanc says providing released inmates with health care can also help reduce the recidivism rate.

Here’s a bizarre story out of Caddo Parish, sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says they arrested a Shreveport man for trespassing after he climbed up a historic monument outside of the courthouse during the middle of the night and the statue’s arm fell off in the process…
cut 16 (06) “…with trespassing”
Twenty-seven-year-old Tromell Conerlious’ bond was set at 500-dollars.