Claim game: First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Oct. 31 decreased from the previous week’s total. The state labor department figures released today show the initial claims decreased to 2,439 from the previous week’s total of 2,502. For the comparable week a year earlier, there were 2,178. The four-week moving average, which is a less volatile measure of claims, increased to 2,497 from the previous week’s total of 2,454.
Inching down: The number of rigs exploring for oil and gas in Louisiana decreased by one this week to 70, according to Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. There were 34 inland rigs, 32 offshore and four in inland waterways. The total number of rigs searching for oil and gas across the country dropped by four, ending the week at 771. The rig count at the end of last week was 775. At the same time last year, there were 1,925 rigs actively exploring.
Deal reached: A former BP engineer accused of obstructing an investigation into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill by deleting a string of text messages pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser charge, avoiding prison time and ending a legal ordeal that spanned four years. The Associated Press reports Kurt Mix, 54, was sentenced to six months of probation after he pleaded guilty to “intentionally causing damage without authorization to a protected computer.” He faced up to 20 years in prison.
