Louisiana has set an economic performance record with seven consecutive months of more than two-million people employed in the state. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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A hearing is happening on Capitol Hill today on mail-order abortion drugs. Andre Champagne reports.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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Did you screw up your new year’s resolution by cracking open a cold one during Dry January? If so, Ochsner Health is giving you a second chance next month. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed in the Bayou State has exceeded two-million people for a record-setting seventh consecutive month. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says there’s been a growing number of construction jobs, with the building of a new A-I data center in Richland Parish, plus large industrial construction projects in south Louisiana.
Cut 4 (04) “…boosted overall employment.”
In 2015, Louisiana had a four-month stretch where the number of people employed in Louisiana was more than two million, but the job total then slipped below two million for a decade. But Knapp says it appears two-million jobs is the new normal, and the whole state is seeing higher employment numbers.
Cut 5 (08) “…state right now.”
Knapp says Louisiana is only about two-thousand jobs away from setting an all-time record for nonfarm jobs. That was set in 2014. He says breaking the all-time jobs record is likely since the state’s economic outlook for this year looks strong.
Cut 6 (10) “…and job expansion”
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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill will be testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today on mail-order abortion drugs. Murrill will testify that they’re dangerous – a viewpoint shared by the committee chairman, Bill Cassidy.
Cut 7 (10) “…a doctor’s visit.”
Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says there are essential things that doctors cannot determine about the woman by prescribing an abortion drug drug through mail-order.
Cut 8 (12) “…by someone else.”
Cassidy says because of this, prescribing abortion pills through mail-order is very dangerous.
Cut 9 (12) “…associated with it.”
Murrill’s testimony comes on the heels of a California doctor being indicted in Louisiana for prescribing the abortion drug mifepristone to a woman who says she was forced to take it by her boyfriend.
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Congressman Cleo Fields launches Congress to the Classroom. Fields says through this year-long initiative, he will visit 52 schools from kindergarten through college throughout the Sixth District that he represents.
Cut 10 (06) “…to that interaction.”
Congress to the Classroom is designed to strengthen the students’ understanding of government, highlight the importance of education and encourage civic engagement. Fields says you might be surprised by how in tune some students are to the world around them.
Cut 11 (05) “…rival any college.”
Fields says he’s also using this initiative to highlight the education initiatives that he’s working on in Congress.
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Several people who have made living a healthier lifestyle a new year’s resolution are participating in Dry January – laying off alcohol for the month of January. But here in Louisiana, with Carnival in full swing, that’s understandably a tad difficult. That’s where Ochsner Health’s Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge comes in. Allie Foreman, a nutrition specialist with Ochsner Eat Fit Baton Rouge, says think of it as a second chance.
Cut 13 (08) “…during lent season.”
Foreman says the challenge starts Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on February 18th, and runs through Easter. She says people who have participated in previous years have really seen the results.
Cut 14 (13) “…the better sleep.”
Foreman says the Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge is also meant to demonstrate that you can actually enjoy yourself without drinking alcohol.
Cut 15 (09) “…society as well.”
If you’d like to participate, it only costs 59 dollars, and you get metrics and support valued at more than 450. For more information, go to alcoholfreefor40.com.
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The LSU men’s basketball team looks to win its first SEC game of the season tonight as the Tigers host Kentucky at 6 p.m. Head coach Matt McMahon says his team has to be able to limit the turnovers so that the Tigers don’t find themselves trailing big like they did in the last two games.
Even though the Tigers are off to an 0-and-3 start in conference play, McMahon still has full belief in his team’s ability to turn things around.
Senior guard D.J. Thomas is day-to-day, and his status remains uncertain as he continues to deal with a lower leg injury. If Thomas can’t go, McMahon is confident that freshman guard Mazi Mosley can continue to provide the team with some quality minutes against the Wildcats.