Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes about how the Wuhan Coronavirus is impacting the oil industry…
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Governor John Bel Edwards budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year calls for millions of more dollars to be spent on education. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Three men killed in a small plane crash Thursday afternoon have been identified as pilot Robert Gilliam of Minden and passengers Wade Williams and Chris Mudd of the Shreveport-Bossier area. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau (Lou-know) says Mudd was an advocate for mental health.
Cut 3 (09) “…especially for adolescents.”
Mudd was the chief executive of St. Amant’s Rehabilitation Services company and Williams was an employee. Luneau says Mudd wanted to make sure that mental healthcare that was provided was adequate and that the state got good results for the money that was spent on it.
Cut 4 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”
The plane, a single-engine Cessna, crashed in Jackson Parish, was flying to Shreveport from Jackson, Mississippi. Luneau says commuting with small planes was standard for Mudd.
Cut 5 (08) “…Jackson to Shreveport.”
Williams, a former Northwestern State defensive end, played football at the university from 2009 to 2012, and was a starter in the last three seasons. The 29-year-old leaves behind a wife and a two-year-old daughter.
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Concerns over lessening demand and uncertainty involving the Wuhan Coronavirus are likely to keep oil prices low, and volatile for the near future according to the LSU Center for Energy Studies.
Executive Director David Dismukes says the phase one trade deal with China was initially good news for the industry…
Oil is at 50 dollars a barrel and Dismukes says that number could continue dropping.
Much of the price volatility is driven by uncertainty. Dismukes says until the world finds out just how severe the Wuhan Coronavirus is, prices will remain in flux, but trending downward.
A gallon of gas in Louisiana averages $2.13
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The Edwards administration’s budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st calls for a 128-million dollar increase in general fund spending. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says most of the additional dollars should go towards education
The governor recommends a 25-million dollar increase for early childhood education, but advocates seek an additional 86-million dollars. Dardenne says the governor’s proposal calls for 39-million dollars more for public schools and individual school districts can decide on whether to give out teacher pay raises…
The increase in funding will also cover pay raises for judges and prosecutors and sheriffs will get more money to house state inmates. However, Dardenne says health care will see less funding and other agencies will also see reductions…
Lawmakers will spend the next few months combing through the budget and they are expected to approve a spending plan by June 1st.
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Docville Farm in St. Bernard Parish is the home for the third annual Cook-off for the Coast on Saturday. National Wildlife Federation’s Vanishing Paradise spokesperson Erin Willhoft says the culinary competition will feature free tastings from 14 different cook teams.
Cut 12 (09) “…crowd favorite categories.”
The event will also feature live music and other family fun. Willhoft says the idea behind the food selection is to promote the bounty of the marshlands in St. Bernard Parish.
Cut 13 (06) “…at the cook-off.”
Last year the event raised about $10,000 and is on track to hit that same amount. Willhoft says funds raised from sponsors and cooking teams’ fees are going toward coastal restoration for the Mississippi River Delta with the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline program.
Cut 14 (10) “…get started now.”
The event takes place from 11am to 3pm and is open to the public. More details can be found at coastcookoff.com.