There have been three announcements of job losses for the city of Zachary in East Baton Rouge over the last week. Thompson Pipe Group will close its manufacturing plant, which will affect 120 employees. Georgia Pacific is laying off 650 workers at its Port Hudson paper mill and BASF will close a chemical plant in Zachary that employs 54. Governor Edwards says the state can help impacted workers
Cut 6 (10) “…to work.”

Federal regulators have ordered Entergy to pay back customers in Louisiana and other states 135 million dollars for over charges. Spokesperson Lee Sabatini says that means the average customer will see a few bucks knocked off their January, February, and March bill.  The refund is related to a suit that was filed by the Louisiana Public Service Commission in 2009, challenging a business deal made by Entergy Arkansas from 2000-2009.

Cut 11 (11) “…agreement”

A steel-covered walkway is being installed at the entrance of the state capitol to protect visitors from falling pieces of mortar from the 86-year-old building. Division of administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says the structural integrity of the capitol is good, unfortunately small pieces of the mortar are flaking off
Cut 12 (10)   “…again.”

According to Department of Children and Family Services, the 337,000 families that are receiving February benefits from the food stamps programs should have received them by now.  They arrived early due to the government shutdown. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says it’s important for recipients to realize, these are not extra benefits.
Cut 15 (10) “…benefits in March.”