Louisiana has seen a relatively strong growth in personal income in the second quarter of 2018. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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A former Fort Polk Soldier receives a 11-year plus prison sentence for setting off a homemade bomb on the military base’s training grounds in the Kisatchie National Forest. Jeff Palermo has more
At a 5.9 percent increase, Louisiana has seen a relatively strong growth in personal income in the second quarter of 2018, ranking second in the nation only to Texas at 6%. The construction sector was responsible for most of the growth. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says two things really stick out.
Cut 3 (12) “…at the national level.”
Scott says the oil industry seeing an uptick is also a contributing factor.
Scott says while the healthcare sector is seeing growth, it’s following a national trend.
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Most of the Zachary Fire Department emergency response team returned home last night from the Carolinas after a 14 day mission responding to floods and damage from Hurricane Florence in South Carolina. Chief Mike Kimble says Louisiana crews evacuated hundreds of people, and were responsible for saving the lives of six, including a few Carolina firemen.
Three boats were dispatched and the men returned home safe.
Another rescue saw Louisiana emergency crews responding to a dangerous situation involving a flooded car full of people trying to escape the rising waters.
Kimble says Louisiana emergency response teams are quickly becoming veteran first responders who are called upon by state’s across the nation.
Kimble says twos of his team are still in South Carolina.
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Former soldier Ryan Taylor of New Llano has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for manufacturing and detonating a chemical weapon at a Fort Polk training area. US Attorney David Joseph says a device containing chlorine gas exploded in the Kisatchie National Forest in April 2017. He says two responding soldiers inhaled the chlorine gas, had their military careers end because of the damage to their bodies…
Joseph says one of the former soldiers may need a lung transplant because of the damage from inhaling the chlorine gas. He says they don’t know Taylor’s motivation, but they know he liked constructing devices that would explode…
Taylor plead guilty in June for producing, possessing and using a chemical weapon. Joseph says the chemical weapon created by Taylor is banned under international and national laws because of the effects it can have on the human body. He says the two victims are pleased with the 135-month sentence…
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Governor John Bel Edwards was in Lake Charles today for the dedication ceremony of the newly renovated two-mile runway at Chennault International Airport. Edwards says the 18-million dollar renovation of this runway, which is one of the longest along the Gulf Coast, is an investment into the future of the region.
Cut 12 (10) “…for Lake Charles.”
Chennault serves as a major hub for military and commercial maintenance, repair and overhaul employers, like Northrop Grumman and Citadel Completions. Edwards says the latest runway, taxiway and lighting improvements will enhance operations for existing tenants and help attract future tenants…
While in Lake Charles, Edwards also welcomed the Houston Rockets to the area. The NBA team will hold training camp practice this week at the new on-campus arena at McNeese State University. Edwards says the Rockets are impressed with the new health and human performance complex…
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