State officials say the state’s one point three billion dollar investment in coastal protection projects is paying off in results. Marsanne Golsby reports.
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On this Labor Day holiday, we look at Louisiana’s labor market. How is the jobs outlook More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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As you enjoy Labor Day without a hurricane looming, it might be good to get a refresher on all the efforts underway to protect Louisiana’s coast. Chip Kline, executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says Louisiana’s one point three billion dollar investment in coastal restoration projects is paying off.
Cut 3 (11) “…hit our state.”
Kline says projects are underway across the state and one of the most significant involves dredging the Mississippi River near its mouth to fill in sinking marshlands.
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The projects are creating nearly eight thousand jobs. Money for the projects comes from a combination of state and federal funds along with funds from the BP oil spill, but that’s only good for ten more years. Kline says lobbying efforts for federal funds began in the 1990s under former Governor Mike Foster and remain critically important.
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It’s Labor Day; the federal holiday recognizing those that work hard for a living with a day of rest. With that in mind, what is the “labor picture” in Louisiana? We asked LSU economist emeritus Dr. Loren Scott, who says the state is still suffering worker shortages due to the pandemic…:
Cut 6 (09) “…the Covid shutdown.”
Scott says there are shortages of available employees in almost all sectors of business and industry. He says the pandemic’s effects were badly aggravated by three hurricanes and a severe winter storm – all in 2020 and 2021…:
Cut 7 (10) “…the lake Charles area.”
State officials have recently touted low unemployment figures as signs of a healthy labor market, but Scott says those numbers do not give a clear picture…:
Cut 8 (10) “…looking for work.”
Scott says Louisiana has a huge number of available jobs, and employers anxious to hire.
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Plenty of folks are firing up the grill for Labor Day and Cattle Producers of Louisiana CEO Dave Foster knows a thing or two about what’s ideal to grill. He says however beef will leave your wallet somewhat lighter this Labor Day than it did last year.
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If you’re considering serving hamburgers Foster says there are plenty of options, like ground chuck or even a leaner beef like 90/10.
If you’re wanting to impress your guests Foster says to make sure your selection is USDA choice. While you might see a less expensive steak option, he warns that your guests might decline a future invite.
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And if you are able to find markdowns on beef for the holiday it might be a good time to stock the freezer because Foster says it looks like prices aren’t going down anytime soon.
Cut 11 (10) “…higher prices.”
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Fifth District Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging Louisiana to formally request USDA assistance for farmers impacted by excessive rainfall last month. LSU Ag Center soybean specialist Doctor David Moseley says in northeast Louisiana anything planted in April has some damage
Cut 12 (14) “…have damage.”
Moseley says they are not seeing any damage with soybeans planted in May because the crop was still growing when the record rainfall occurred…
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Letlow says she’s heard from countless growers about significant losses to their soybean, cotton and corn crops. Moseley says in Avoyelles Parish one consultant about 20 to 30-percent of the soybean crops had damage…
Cut 14 (11) “…down there.”