Unemployment is down from last year, and state Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson credits more foreign investment and tech jobs…
_____________________________________________
A new world record was set in Shreveport for the largest gumbo ever cooked, all in celebration of the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
_____________________________________________
The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year for new business taking root in the state and the agency celebrates a year-to-year drop in unemployment rate. The year was headlined by major announcements from foreign firms, and Secretary Don Pierson says capital is flowing in from around the world.
The highlight of 2017 was DXC Technology’s announcement of 2,000 high paying tech jobs in New Orleans. Pierson says 2018 was another year of substantial gains in the tech and software sectors.
But, the state’s median household income still lags 14,000 dollars a year behind the national average. Pierson says they will keep emphasizing growth in high skill sectors that provide higher wages and make sure workers get the necessary training.
More information on workforce training programs, visit laworks.net.
_________________________________________
Parts of the state are recovering from a nasty night of weather as several inches of rain piled up. Those rains have authorities in St. Tammany Parish keeping an eye on a few rivers in the Covington area, which could affect residents in low lying areas. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo.
Accardo says because the storm hit late at night, it was tough to get an idea of exactly how much flooding they had. Then, when folks woke up, the reports started rolling in.
Accardo says they’re watching the river stage for three rivers. He says they are expected to crest in different areas between this afternoon and Sunday morning. He says of particular concern are the Tchefuncte and Bogue Falaya Rivers.
St. Tammany officials have asked residents in low-lying areas near the Tchefuncte River to consider a voluntary evacuation.
_______________________
LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge. Authorities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation
Defensive back Kary Vincent Junior is also with the team, despite the death of his father, Kary Vincent Senior, who died at the age of 49 after a months-long battle with pneumonia. Orgeron says the team is getting through these tough times, because of good character…
LSU is missing several players on defense. Greedy Williams and Ed Alexander are skipping the bowl game to get ready for the NFL draft. Defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko is injured and cornerback Kelvin Joseph is suspended. So the Tigers might have to rely heavily on their offense to beat U-C-F. Orgeron says they put in a few new wrinkles on offense
_____________________________
At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport yesterday, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked. Chef John Folse lead a team in putting the gumbo together. When the gumbo was official weighed, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it tipped the scales at just over 6800 pounds.
Cut 12 (12) “…by 1000 pounds.”
Nungesser says to seal in the record, all of the gumbo had to be eaten. About 11,000 bowls were served to those in attendance.
Cut 13 (10) “…by 1000 pounds.”
Chef John Folse says they started the process at 10pm the night before the game to have it ready by 9am. He says onions, celery, garlic and bell pepper alone was 600 lbs, with no shortage of Louisiana seafood and even some gator meat.
Cut 14 (09) “…pounds of roux.”
Proceeds from the sale of the gumbo, just over $50,000, went toward the Fisher House to help house military families of patients in military and VA hospitals.