2017 is looking good for construction workers, as the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70-percent of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring workers this year. But Chief Economist with AGC, Ken Simonson, says they might have a hard time finding qualified workers…:
cut 4 (10) “anytime soon”
Simonson says that’s why companies are investing more in training new employees who do not have construction experience.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price of crude oil in 2017 should be 52 dollars per barrel, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Tulane University Energy expert Eric Smith says this is a nine dollar improvement from last year, but not enough to support new deep water activity…:
Cut 6 (12) “exploration”
Smith says the offshore oil industry needs prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.

A 27-year-old mother was killed after being shot multiple times while answering the door of her Scotlandville home last night. Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Robyn Hale was not home alone…:
cut 12 (07) “has happened”
He says Hale died overnight and they are still searching for a suspect.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office announced the arrest today of five individuals for a fatal shooting that took place earlier this week during what authorities say was a drug deal gone bad. Sheriff Randy Smith says the shooting was over 300-dollars worth of marijuana. He says those involved were not part of an organized gang….
cut 11 (09) “…six indiviudals”
The person killed in the shooting has been identified as Javonte Donaldson.