On this Labor Day, we’re looking at the state of labor in Louisiana with LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says one-point-nine million people are holding down a job here right now, and Scott says huge gains are being seen in two main areas of the state..:
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Scott says the employment situation has improved in the oil and gas industry areas like Lafayette and Houma, but job losses are still continuing.

Volunteers are being sought to help clean up Elmer’s Island, an effort organized by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, or BTNEP. Spokeswoman Alma Robichaux says they’re holding an event in tandem with the
international coastal cleanup that happens every year in September…:
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Visit btnep.org for more details.

West Monroe-based Johnny’s Pizza House is celebrating 50 years in business this month…:
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I-10 is now open in both directions at the Texas state line, according to State Police. But some other roads remain closed due to flooding, and you can check 511la.org for an up-to-date map of closures around the state.

A very nice start to the season for the LSU Tigers as they easily beat BYU 27-0. The offense was efficient as Derrius Guice rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s Labor Day, so what is the state of employment in Louisiana? Jeff Palermo spoke with LSU economist Loren Scott…:
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The National Hurricane Center says Irma is expected to affect the northeastern Leeward Islands within a couple of days as a major hurricane. The NHC says it is still too early to determine what direct impacts Hurricane Irma might have on the continental US. Regardless, everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place, as we are now near the peak of the season.

Johnny’s Pizza House celebrates 50 years in business this month. President and CEO Melvin DeLacerda says the company is in great shape, and he’s looking forward to another 50 years. He says Johnny Huntsman founded the company in Monroe after discovering his love for pizza while attending college in Iowa:
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Huntsman passed away in June after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Many people are grilling out on this Labor Day. CEO of the Cattle Producers of Louisiana Dave Foster says when it comes to the impact on the beef industry from Hurricane Harvey, they’re seeing many restaurants and grocery stores placing orders for meat way ahead of the time they normally do…:
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He says there shouldn’t be any surprises at the grocery store when it comes to what you’ll pay for meat today.

Based on the latest data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, one-point-nine million people are holding down a job in this state. That’s an increase of 12-thousand from this time last year. LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott says because of an industrial boom in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, the construction sector continues to do well…:
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The state workforce commission says 155-thousand people work in construction, which is an all-time high for Louisiana.

LSU dominated BYU Saturday night inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome, shutting them out 27-0. Derrius Guice rushed 27 times for 120 yards and accounted for The Tigers first two touchdowns of the game, Quarterback Danny Etling finished 14-of-17 passing for 173 yards. LSU’s defense matched its offense in dominance. LSU comes to Tiger Stadium this weekend to take on Chattanooga.

One of the most popular things do to on Labor Day is gather with family and friends for an outdoor Barbecue. CEO of the Cattle Producers of Louisiana Dave Foster says consumers can expect to see sales here and there on meat products, but the beef industry views this holiday as the last big high-demand time for their commodity until at least Christmas…:
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He doesn’t expect there will be a huge impact on the beef industry as a result of livestock loss due to Hurricane Harvey.

Elmer’s Island will get a face lift this month, as a team of volunteers is set to clean up the 2.5 mile stretch of beach on September 16th. The event is hosted in-part by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary or BTNEP. Spokeswoman Alma Robichaux says the idea is to find the source of the pollution…:
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Visit btnep.org for more details.

The White House says President Donald Trump should have time to talk to residents still recovering from Harvey when he visits Texas and Louisiana today. When Mr. Trump lands in Lake Charles this afternoon, he is also slated to meet with the Governor John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Delegation and the National Guard.

Edwards is visiting the state-run shelter in Alexandria today to tour the housing facility housing nearly 2,000 displaced flood survivors.

The Department of Children and Family Services has set up a phone bank for Texas families trying to locate loved ones evacuated after Harvey to mega- shelters here in Louisiana. The numbers to call are (225) 615-0086 and (225) 615-0258. Survivors who would like to let their family members and friends know they are safe and well are also encouraged to register at www.safeandwell.org.

Just as he did during the floods in Louisiana last year, Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is a major in the Air Force Auxiliary, has been flying Harvey missions over Texas. He says the US Air Force Assignment began Thursday when they surveyed Beaumont and Port Arthur from the sky…:
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The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway for the holiday weekend. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Katara Williams says Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest in the year:
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Many Louisiana residents are spending this beautiful day watching college football. The headliner is LSU versus BYU at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Kickoff is at 8:30.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are slated to travel to Texas today to areas most impacted by Harvey, then to Lake Charles later this afternoon. Air Force One will land at Chennault International Airport, and that will not be open to the public. This will be the first visit by a sitting president to Lake Charles since President Clinton’s trip in 1996.

The state Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve decided to open a second mega-shelter for flood victims from Texas, this time in Shreveport. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’re also taking care of nearly 2000 Lone Star State residents in Alexandria…:
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It’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over weekend. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Katara Williams says choose another option if you’ve been drinking..:
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Hurricane Irma is expected to strengthen over the eastern Atlantic Ocean this weekend — potentially becoming a Category 5 storm. Most models show Irma staying out of the Gulf, but Eric Blake with the National Hurricane Center says that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down in Louisiana…:
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Louisiana residents’ favorite place to visit for Labor Day weekend is Gatlinburg, Tennessee, following by Chattanooga then Atlanta. That’s according to a report by the property management company TurnKey Vacation Rentals. Spokesman TJ Clark says it’s not surprising that folks in the state look to leave the late summer heat for Gatlinburg…:
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He adds of the three summer holidays, Labor Day is the least popular for travel.

President Donald Trump is slated to arrive in Lake Charles later this afternoon to access Hurricane Harvey damage in Louisiana and Texas. He and First Lady Melania Trump are set to meet with members of the Louisiana Delegation, the National Guard and Cajun Navy.

Louisiana Congressman and Air Force major Ralph Abraham is flying Harvey missions over Texas. Don Molino has the story…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has announced that the state Department of Health has received a donation of 4,000 naloxone auto injectors from the pharmaceutical company, kaléo. He says they will be distributed to Emergency Medical Services and first responders throughout the state in an effort to reduce the number of overdoses from opiod abuse.

Hurricane Irma is located over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean, and is expected to become a major hurricane when it moves closer to the lesser Antilles early next week. Forecasters say it’s much too early to determine what direct impacts Irma will have on the US.

The state is opening up the mega-shelter in Shreveport, as the one in Alexandria is near capacity with Texas flood victims. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says there are many shelters in north Louisiana originally designed to stand ready in case New Orleans had to be evacuated again…:
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Walters says it’s too early in the process to say how long these shelters will be open.

The Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve decided to open a second mega-shelter in the state for flood victims in Texas. Michelle Southern reports…:
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President Donald Trump, along with first lady Melania, will be in southwest Louisiana on Saturday to see how that part of the state is dealing with the Tropical Storm Harvey. The President will first visit Houston, before making a stop in the Lake Charles area. He’s also declared Sunday a national day of prayer for Harvey victims.

According to the property management company TurnKey Vacation Rentals, Louisiana residents’ favorite place to travel for the Labor Day Holiday is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Spokesman TJ Clark says they used Google search activity for the study..:
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Clark says Chatanooga, Tennessee is also a popular destination for Louisiana residents.

It’s a big weekend in the Big Easy. The highlight is the LSU-BYU contest which was relocated to the Mercedes Benz Superdome earlier this week. Kristian Sonnier with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau says they are expecting big crowds…:
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The game kicks off Saturday at 8:30.

The state Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve decided to open a second mega-shelter for flood victims in Texas, this time in Shreveport. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’re also taking care of nearly 2000 Lone Star State residents in Alexandria…:
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She says they are nearing capacity in Alexandria so the doors are opening to the shelter in Shreveport which can take over 2,000 people.

U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish is flying Harvey missions for the U.S. Air Force. The major in the Air Force Auxillary says cameras are attached to his plane for others to observe and look for structural damage to infrastructure and if there are any Harvey victims in distress….
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Abraham performed similiar fly overs during last year’s Louisiana floods.

The National Hurricane Center says Irma will remain a powerful hurricane for days. Forecaster Eric Blake says Irma has maximum sustained winds of 120-miles per hour way out in the Atlantic…
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It’s still too early to know the eventual path, but most computer models show Irma staying away from the Gulf of Mexico.

So where are most Louisiana residents heading for this Labor Day weekend? According to property management company Turnkey Vacation Rentals, it’s Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Spokesman TJ Clark….
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Clark says they were able to determine Gatlinburg is a popular destination based on Google searches.