A quick weather disturbance is headed toward Louisiana today moving north to south beginning this afternoon into tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not unusually to see these bouts of hail, strong winds and possibility of tornadoes this time of year because the upper atmosphere is cold as the surface is heating up…:
CUT 9 (09) “certainly common”

Louisiana has the 10th highest black homicide victimization rate in the nation, according to the Violence Policy Center. VPC Executive Director Josh Sugarmann says their report also finds that 80 percent were killed by someone they knew. He hopes these results will dispel some of the rumors that blacks are always killed during criminal activity…:
Cut 12 (09) “the offender”
He says their latest state data goes back to 2014 and there were 332 black homicide victims, resulting in a rate of about 22 per 100,000.

Mining and logging jobs in Louisiana, which includes the oil and gas sector, saw over the month gains for the first time since October 2014. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says big industrial gains in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles are helping to drive up overall job gains…:
Cut 15 (07) “oil patch”
He also says job losses are slowing down in Houma and Lafayette which is helping contribute to the gain numbers.

Louisiana is seeing an uptick in skimming devices at gas pumps. That’s according to Ag Commissioner Mike Strain, who heads the Weights and Measures division. Strain says before you pay at a gas pump, look for signs of forced entry on credit card readers, like broken security tape, and if you find one of these devices, alert the store clerk immediately:
Cut 5 (10) “of time”
Strain advises people to check their bank statements online weekly, or even daily, and contact your bank if you notice any unauthorized purchases.