Help wanted: First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending June 13 decreased from the previous week’s total. The state labor department figures released today show the initial claims decreased to 2,888 from the previous week’s total of 3,368. For the comparable week a year earlier, there were 2,691. Health care and social assistance had the largest decrease in initial claims. The four-week moving average, which is a less volatile measure of claims, increased to 3,180 from the previous week’s total of 3,149. The Louisiana Workforce Commission has more details.
Two by two: Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by two this week to 857. The Houston-based firm says in its weekly report, released today, that 631 rigs were seeking oil and 223 explored for natural gas. Three were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, with oil prices nearly double the current levels, 1,858 rigs were active. Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma each declined by two rigs, while Ohio and Wyoming were each down by one. Utah gained two rigs, and Alaska, North Dakota and Pennsylvania were up one apiece. With the two rig decline in Louisiana, 69 rigs now are actively exploring in the state.
Here’s the plan: The Port of New Orleans is trying to draw more container traffic by building on its relationship with Canadian National Railway. Multiple media outlets report that port president and CEO Gary LaGrange announced on Wednesday that the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to increase their work together. According to the port, the new Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal under construction will improve links to the terminal by offering on-dock access for rail shipments. The $25.1 million project is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2016.
