A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70% of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring more workers in 2017. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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The U-S Energy Information Administration calls for an average price of 52-dollars per barrel for crude oil in 2017. Michelle Southern looks at what this means for Louisiana…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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2017 is looking good for construction workers in Louisiana, as the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70-percent of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring workers this year. Chief Economist with AGC, Ken Simonson, says the strongest category appears to be hospital construction, but the industry is expecting plenty of work in other sectors as well.
Cut 3 (12) “port activity”
But he says not everyone will be building this year, as there’s little work forecasted for public schools, higher education, and public buildings. The report also found that 60-percent of the 30 companies polled expect to increase their workforce by up to 25-percent in 2017. But Simonson says they might have a hard time finding qualified workers.
cut 4 (10) “anytime soon”
Simonson says that’s why companies are investing more in training and development to train new employees who do not have construction experience. He says some are even boosting incentives to bring more former-construction workers back to the industry.
Cut 5 (11) “a job”
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The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price of crude oil in 2017 should be 52 dollars and 50 cents per barrel, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says this is a nine dollar improvement from last year but likely not enough to support new deep water activity.
Cut 6 (12) “exploration”
Smith says this uptick in the price of crude oil could put a halt to onshore job losses in the industry.
CUT 7 (08) “type positions”
The U.S. Energy Information predicts crude oil to be $55.18 in 2018. But Smith says the offshore oil industry would need to see prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.
Cut 8 (09) “$62”
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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of five people in connection with the murder of a man who was killed during an apparent drug deal gone bad. Sheriff Randy Smith says it all started shortly after two groups of three met up for the deal…:
Cut 9 (06) “could go bad”
Smith says shots fired by both groups left 19-year-old Javonte Donaldson dead, allegedly at the hands of Christover Davis. It’s the first murder in St. Tammany Parish in 2017. Smith says he wants to send a strong message….:
Cut 10 (06) “not tolerate it”
Davis is charged with first degree murder. The other four are booked with principal to murder and obstruction. Smith said the entire shooting was over a total of about $300 worth of pot. He says those involved were not part of an organized gang…:
cut 11 (09) “six individuals”
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A 27-year-old mother was shot multiple times, while answering the door of her home in Scotlandville last night, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Robyn Hale was transported to a local hospital, where she died overnight. He says Hale was not home alone…
cut 12 (07) “has happened”
The children were not harmed during the incident. McKneely says detectives are still searching for a suspect. He says it doesn’t appear that the home was robbed and they’re working to determine a motive.
Cut 13 (10) “the shooting”
McKneely says this seems to be an isolated incident and Hale was targeted. He asks anyone with information about the case to call BRPD.
cut 14 (09) “a suspect”
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New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today not to confirm Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama as the next United States Attorney General. Richmond says Sessions’ beliefs are discriminatory and so are his actions…
Cut 15 (11) “shared history”
Newly elected U.S. Senator John Kennedy is on the committee and has voiced his support for Sessions. But Richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Sessions’ is someone who has opposed updating the Voting Rights Act and rejected bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts…
Cut 16 (06) “others today”
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