Beginning next year, OPEC members will slow their crude oil production by 1.2 million barrels a day in an attempt to reduce the abundant supply. Jeff Palermo has more…
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The Transportation Task Force meets today as they are getting close to providing lawmakers with recommendations on how to improve the state’s highways. Emelie Gunn has more…
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Over the holiday season, we tend to pack on the pounds with all the food served in festive settings. Jeff Palermo has some tips to avoid gaining the extra weight…
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OPEC members have made the decision to slow crude oil production by 1.2 million barrels a day starting next year. The announcement led to an eight-percent increase in oil prices as they were trading at around 50-dollars a barrel. Executive Director for LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, David Dismukes, says it’s a nice sign for Louisiana’s oil industry, which has been lagging because of low oil prices.
This is OPEC’s first cut in 8 years, and it will reduce production by over 32 million barrels a day globally. The state’s budget also counts on high oil prices to help boost state revenues. He says the rise in oil prices as a result of OPEC’s decision will only help a little.
Based on latest numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, seven thousand jobs have been lost in the Lafayette area over the last year and much of that is the result of the downturn in the oil industry. Dismukes says this announcement from OPEC is not enough to jump start drilling in this state.
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The state announces a scholarship opportunity for Phil Theta Kappa Honor society students attending community and technical schools and who would like to transfer into either Southern University Baton Rouge or Southern University New Orleans. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Pathway Scholarship awards up to 15-hundred dollars and it will give these students a chance to receive a four-year degree.
Edwards says last year nearly 16-hundred LCTCS students transferred to four year institutes, and 747 of those went to either S-U-B-R or SUNO. He says they hope to see that number in the thousands in years to come. He says this agreement is a true win-win.
Candidates for the award must also complete FASFA and maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing once enrolled at Southern. Edwards hopes to be able to offer this opportunity to many more Louisiana students in the future.
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The Transportation Task Force meets today to further discuss recommendations on how to improve the states’ roads and bridge. Recommendations are expected to be released later this month for the legislature to consider. House Transportation Chairman and State Rep. Kenny Havard anticipates there will be a proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax, which is currently at 20-cents a gallon…
But Havard says he is concerned lawmakers will not support raising the gasoline tax. He says residents will also likely be skeptical that revenues from a higher tax will go towards better highways.
Havard says another funding option that he would like to see move forward is a one-cent per gallon refinery tax, which will lessen the burden on Louisiana residents
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With all the delicious food we eat during the holiday season, it’s easy to pack on a few extra pounds. Exercise Researcher with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Neil Johannsen says watching the food you eat over the next month can help, like eating higher protein foods. He also says at holiday parties avoid overeating.
Johannsen says after eating a big meal, try getting a little extra physical activity, instead of sitting on the couch watching football.
Johannsen says instead of holiday shopping online, get out to the mall and walk around a little. He says the key to avoid holiday weight gain is staying active…
Cut 15 (10) “on line shopping”
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The Saints are in the middle of preparations for the 7-4 Detroit Lions, who they host at noon in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Detroit has rallied from a deficit to win all seven of its games this season. Coach Sean Payton says the players are being made aware of the Lions ability to rally and win…
Cut 16 (17) “prepare accordingly”
In the past, when playing the Lions, teams had to prepare for Pro Bowl wide receiver Calvin Johnson. But he retired after last season. Payton says Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford still has plenty of targets…
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford might be having his best season of his eight-year NFL career. He’s thrown for 28-hundred yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Payton says Stafford is doing a good job in spreading the ball around…
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Louisiana Tech will attempt to win its first Conference USA title on Saturday when they face Western Kentucky in the league title game. The Bulldogs won the West Division to play in their second CUSA title game in three years. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says a key for them on Saturday will be not to give up the big play,…
Cut 19 (13) “explosive players”
Louisiana Tech is coming off a 39-24 loss to Southern Miss. Holtz hopes a tough defeat the Golden Eagles will pay dividends this Saturday….