The Louisiana Economic Outlook expects the state to add 53,800 jobs over the next two years. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the report’s authors…
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Matt Doyle spoke with US Senator John Kennedy about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s annoucement that she has opened an impeachment inquiry against President Trump…
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The Louisiana Department of Health cracks down on restaurants serving imported shrimp and crawfish and not properly disclosing the product’s origin. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The LSU Economics Department’s Louisiana Economic Outlook projects the state will add 53,800 jobs over the next two years, pushing the state past two million total jobs for the first time ever.
LSU Economist Lauren Scott says he expects the number of gulf rigs to increase from about 20 to 33 to 35, and for the state to see the end of it’s much-maligned construction lull.
Those projected gains will be led by the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Markets which will add 19,500 and 11,700 jobs respectively, and Lake Charles, the fastest-growing market, which will add 6,800 jobs.
Those predictions are based on one significant assumption, the end of the US/China trade war. Scott says recent developments have been promising, and the President knows this can’t continue long term.
China recently announced it would be exempting US soybeans and pork from it’s latest scheduled round of tariffs.
While the outlook south of the I-10 is rosy, regions north of the interstate are projected to continue stagnating. Scott says Shreveport will add 600 jobs, while Monroe will only see 400.
Scott did highlight the National Cyber Research park, located next to Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City, as a highlight in north Louisiana. The park currently employs around 1,100 people.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces she’s opening an impeachment inquiry into the President’s alleged attempts to pressure Ukraine into investigating Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s son.
US Senator John Kennedy says we’ll find out more about the allegations later today, but no result may satisfy a wing of the Democratic party that desperately wants impeachment.
The Trump Administration says they will release a transcript of the conversation with the President of Ukraine that sparked the allegations.
Kennedy says he expects an investigation to be opened into Hunter Biden’s dealings in Ukraine. He says Biden was paid 600,000 dollars to sit on the board of a Ukrainian oligarch’s gas company…
Kennedy also alleges that Biden’s law firm received substantial payments from the oligarch as well.
The state’s junior Senator says there’s been a lot of hubbub about Pelosi’s announcement, but ultimately, she did not say the President is being impeached.
New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond is the only member of the Louisiana Delegation who currently supports impeachment.
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Louisiana Department of Health is seeing an early start to flu activity, even resulting of a school closure in the Lafayette area due to flu cases. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter says it is a reminder the time to get the annual flu vaccine is now.
Kanter says flu shot is in stock in preparation for the flu season.
Cut 11 (06) “…they are available.”
Kanter says flu season can be unpredictable as to when it can begin or how intense the season can be from year to year.
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In the first 20 days of enforcement, at least 20 restaurants have been cited for the violation of the seafood labeling law requiring businesses to disclose if their shrimp and crawfish products are imported. Department of Health spokesperson Bob Johanessen says the citations are considered a minor violation.
Cut 13 (10) “…that they consume.”
Johanessen says LDH is providing restaurants with educational materials that will help them up to compliance and they are seeing support for the new law.
Cut 14 (10) “…comply with it.”
Johanessen says usually it is an easy fix for businesses to follow the law.
Cut 15 (12) “…of the shellfish.”
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After winning its Conference USA opener by beating F-I-U, Louisiana Tech hits the road this weekend to visit a winless Rice team. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz is telling his team not to overlook the Owls
After losing its season opener to Texas, Tech has won three straight. Holtz is interested to see if his team can keep the win streak going on the road…
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McNeese dropped its Southland opener last week to Abilene Christian and this Saturday the Cowboys return home to host Sam Houston State. McNeese scored 34 points in a season-opening win over Southern, but since then they’ve scored 41 points in three games. First-year head coach Sterling Gilbert believes hard work will eventually produce better results
Cody Orgeron has started all four games at quarterback for the Pokes, completing less than 60-percent of his passes for 678 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. Gilbert says Cody is giving it his best