LUY-Development

Author: Imported Author 1980807

  • Domestic oil producers express their concerns following White House talks with OPEC

    Domestic oil producers express their concerns following White House talks with OPEC

    While the White House urges OPEC to increase their production of crude oil to meet the United States demands for energy, domestic producers express their disappointment with the Biden administration’s policy of importing rather than producing. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla said the White House is beating back years of progress.

    “The price war the OPEC put on us years ago, we’re finally starting to crawl out of it a little bit, the price oil could be back up and now Biden is going to try and cut us at the knees again,” Moncla said.

    Since the first day of his administration, President Biden has undertaken actions to shift away from domestic fossil fuel production in an effort to combat climate change. Moncla said the measures aren’t reasonable.

    “What they’re trying to do just is pushing American energy away. This green policy they’re going after is just no realistic at this point,” Moncla said.

    This comes as oil and gas workers in Louisiana continue to be laid off due to the pandemic. Moncla said domestic oil production is the safest in the world.

    “Oil coming from the Gulf of Mexico is the cleanest grade of oil in the world when it’s refined so it’s less (dangerous) to the environment than from the other countries that he wants to get them from,” Moncla said

    Domestic oil producers express their concerns following White House talks with OPEC

  • A grisly discovery in a storage unit

    A grisly discovery in a storage unit off Liberty Road in Natchez, where what’s believed to be a human fetus was found inside a box of paper towels. It’s believed to have been 16 to 24 weeks along, though that still has to be confirmed. The remains are being sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy, which will hopefully shed some light on the case. There are also concerns about the health of the mother, as the coroner says she definitely would’ve needed medical attention for bleeding and possible infections as a result of giving birth. The results of the autopsy are expected back in just a few days.

  • New Orleans to require COVID vaccines or negative tests for bars, Superdome, other venues

    New Orleans to require COVID vaccines or negative tests for bars, Superdome, other venues

    nola.com – New Orleans will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test for indoor patrons of restaurants, bars and other venues, including the Caesars Superdome, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced on Thursday.

    The new measures are effective on Aug. 16, with enforcement to begin the following week, Cantrell said.

    “We are trying to get beyond this virus,” Cantrell said. “I do not want to bring this virus into yet another year.”

    The measures are aimed at stemming a ferocious COVID-19 outbreak driven by the highly-transmissible delta variant. In recent weeks, hospitals in New Orleans and across the state have been overwhelmed by patients, nearly all unvaccinated, seeking treatment. Cases have skyrocketed, as have the number of people who have died recently from the virus.

    Cantrell reinstated a citywide mask mandate on July 30, along with a requirement that city workers and contractors show proof of vaccination as a condition of employment.

    While New Orleans is one of the first U.S. cities to impose a vaccine mandate, many restaurants and music venues in the city have already taken the step.

    The New Orleans vaccine mandate follows others announced in New York City and San Francisco, which differ in at least one key respect: New York City will require proof of one shot while San Francisco will require full vaccination. It was not immediately clear if New Orleans will require one dose or full vaccinations.

    The Los Angeles City Council this week directed city attorneys to draft a vaccine mandate law, though details are still being worked out.

    The outbreak currently sweeping Louisiana has already forced cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which had been postponed to October from its usual spring dates.

    Louisiana set COVID-19 hospitalization records for 10 straight days as of Wednesday, when there were 2,901 inpatients across the state. The New Orleans-area COVID-19 inpatient census was 592, the highest since April 2020 but still well below the spring 2020 peak.

  • Delta Fuel announces Headquarter relocation to Downtown Natchez

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Chandler Russ

    Delta Fuel announces Headquarter relocation to Downtown Natchez

    (Natchez, MS – August 11, 2021) Delta Fuel Company, LLC. announces today that it is relocating its corporate headquarters to downtown Natchez. An investment of $2.75 million, and creating 54 new Mississippi jobs, Delta Fuel will continue its commitment to growing its business in the Adams County/Concordia Parish Region.

    Serving the Mississippi and Louisiana markets, as well as 26 states throughout the U.S., Delta Fuel is a licensed distributor of propane, gas, diesel, and lubricants for a variety of industries, including agriculture, construction, energy and residential.  Delta Fuel is locating its corporate headquarters at 521 Main Street, with future plans to expand to the former Callon Petroleum building in downtown Natchez.

    “Natchez is an ideal location for Delta Fuel’s corporate headquarters, providing quick access to the markets the company serves, as well as access to a talented pipeline of dedicated workers. I am proud to welcome Delta Fuel as the newest business partner to our great state and have no doubt the company’s new employees in Adams County will work hard to continue its legacy of success.” – Gov. Tate Reeves

    The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for building improvements. MDA also has certified Delta Fuel through the Advantage Jobs Rebate Program, which is available for eligible businesses that create new jobs exceeding the average annual wage of the state or county in which the company locates or expands. The city and county are also assisting with property tax exemptions to help secure their project.

    “Mississippians are some of the best workers in the nation, and companies like Delta Fuel continually cite our workforce as a top reason for locating or expanding in our state. MDA thanks the team at Delta Fuel for choosing to locate its corporate headquarters and more than 50 new jobs in Natchez, while simultaneously bringing new life to an existing downtown facility. We thank our partners at Natchez, Inc., and the City of Natchez and Adams County for their hard work in bringing this project full circle.” – MDA Executive Director John Rounsaville

     “Delta Fuel is excited about moving to downtown Natchez!  The recent purchase of two historical buildings and improvements, show our commitment to the growth and betterment of this community.  We are excited about playing a role in the continued growth of Natchez.  We will continue to provide the same superior level of customer service to our customers that we have for over 50 years.” – Adam Vegas, President

    For more information about Delta Fuel please see their website www.deltafuel.com.

    # # #

    About Natchez, Inc.

    Natchez, Inc. is Natchez, Vidalia, and Adams County’s lead economic and community development agency. Our staff is engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and the workforce in the region. Our mission is to serve existing and new businesses and industries – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of area residents. For more information, visit Natchez, Inc. website at www.natchezinc.com

    Other quotes of interest:

    “We are so excited that yet another major employer has chosen to move it’s headquarters to Natchez! For many years, Delta Fuel has been a respected leader in our nation’s energy industry, and to have them as a new Natchez Partner is a dream come true.” Mayor Dan Gibson, City of Natchez

    “We couldn’t be happier to see Delta Fuel continue to grow in our region by locating their headquarters in downtown Natchez. This was a competitive process where the company looked at multiple options across multiple states, and we are thankful for all of our partners’ assistance in this win and of the faith Delta Fuel is placing in our region, as well as the investment and new jobs to our area. A remarkable company, with remarkable people, employing people with high-paying jobs. They are another anchor tenant, and the success of region is phenomenal.” Chandler Russ, Executive Director of Natchez, Inc.

     

     

  • Landry, Edwards spar over K-12 mask mandate

    Landry, Edwards spar over K-12 mask mandate

    Baton Rouge / louisianaradionetwork.com – Attorney General Jeff Landry argued that the statewide mask mandate issued by the Governor does not cover K-12 schools. Instead, he said the only entities that have the authority to issue that kind of mandate are BESE and local school boards.

    “This absolutely is between BESE and the local school districts to determine the day-to-day safe and healthy decisions for students in public schools, not the Governor, “ said Landry. “For a year and a half now we have been in a crisis where the Governor believes that he is the boss of everyone. We have a democratically run government, not just a government run by a Democrat Governor.”

    Landry contended that under the state’s current constitutional structure the democratically elected school board and BESE members have ultimate authority over school policy.

    “Those officials are elected by the people of Louisiana to determine the day-to-day operations of our school system,” said Landry, who added that Edwards may be right about the importance of masking in school, but ultimately this is not his decision to make. “We have heard from hundreds upon hundreds of mothers who are concerned about the effect of masking up their children, they have a voice too.”

    Edwards slammed the comments, accusing Landry of sowing confusion ahead of the start of the school year.

    “Not only is he wrong, he is going out of his way to undermine public confidence in the basic mitigation measures that will slow transmission at a time that we need it more than ever,” said Edwards. “The fact of the matter is I have the authority and obligation under the current circumstances to declare public health emergencies.”

    Edwards speaking at this Friday press conference, said the Attorney General’s legal rationale is flawed and undermined by other situations where emergency declarations impacted school policy.

    “If we had a hurricane approaching and I ordered an evacuation from coastal parishes it is not like that order of evacuation would not apply to the schools in those coastal parishes,” said Edwards.

  • Welcome Back to Natchez, the “Grand Lady of the Mississippi”

    Welcome Back to Natchez, the “Grand Lady of the Mississippi”

    The Grand Lady of the Mississippi, the American Queen, is returning to Natchez, August 12, 2021! Mayor Dan Gibson and Visit Natchez will be Under the Hill to welcome visitors to Natchez at approximately 9:00 am Thursday morning.

    American Cruise Lines

    The largest steamboat ever built, the grand American Queen is a gracious and elegant triumph of American ingenuity. Our flagship paddlewheeler is a gentle soul packaged within the ornate detailing that embellishes her exterior. Any traveler who chooses to cruise on this iconic riverboat will soon find that her steady heartbeats to the rhythm of music and discourse that resound within her walls.

    Dustin B. Hinkle
    Director of Communications
    The Historic City of Natchez

  • Marker to commemorate Bogalusa to Baton Rouge March to be unveiled Monday

    Marker to commemorate Bogalusa to Baton Rouge March to be unveiled Monday

    Baton Rouge / louisianaradionetwork.com – Another marker will be unveiled along the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail Monday. The newest marker commemorates the 54th anniversary of the beginning of Bogalusa to Baton Rouge Civil Rights March.  Lt Governor Billy Nungesser said the 105-mile demonstration grew from 25 to 600 people before its final stop.

    “The march took 10 days, in the August heat in 1967. We will be putting up the fourth marker on the Civil Rights Trail at A.Z. Young Park there right across from the capitol,” said Nungesser.

    A.Z. Young Park is named for the man who presented a list of grievances to then-Governor John McKeithen, regarding things like employment discrimination.  Nungesser said members of the Young family will attend Monday’s ceremony and the marker at A.Z. Young Park is the fourth of 15 to be unveiled along the trail.

    “And then we’ll come back with 15 more and continue to put these up and get in line with Alabama and Mississippi as they see hundreds of thousands of visitors visit the Civil Rights Trail there in their states,” said Nungesser.

    The trail also features an interactive website at LouisianaCivilRightsTrail.com. Nungesser said not only is the trail meant to draw tourists to the state…

    “We will also use it as an education tool. To talk about those heroes in Louisiana and how they changed history throughout the country,” said Nungesser.

    A reception following the 10:30 am event will also be held at the Lt. Governor’s apartment at the Pentagon Barracks. COVID safety protocols will be enforced.

    A.Z. Young Park is located at 800 N Third Street in Baton Rouge

    LouisianaCivilRightsTrail.com

  • Chicken Producer Sanderson Farms Nears Sale to Continental Grain, Cargill

    WSJ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

    Potential $4.5 billion deal would value poultry giant at $203 a share

    Sanderson Farms Inc. SAFM 0.59% is nearing a deal to sell itself for around $4.5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, as the poultry giant rides a wave of demand for chicken products.

    Sanderson is in advanced talks with Cargill Inc. and agricultural-investment firm Continental Grain Co., which owns a smaller chicken processor, the people said. The deal could be finalized by Monday, they said.

    It would value Sanderson at $203 a share, about 30% above the price before The Wall Street Journal reported in June that the company had attracted interest from suitors including Continental.

    Mississippi-based Sanderson is the country’s third-biggest chicken producer. It runs 13 poultry plants from North Carolina to Texas, processing about 13.6 million chickens a week. The company supplies grocery chains including Walmart Inc. WMT -0.18% and Albertsons ACI 6.09% Cos. as well as restaurant distributors like Sysco Corp. SYY 0.54% and US Foods Holding Corp. USFD 1.58%

    Combining Sanderson with Georgia-based Wayne Farms LLC, a poultry company owned by Continental, would form a new competitor representing about 15% of U.S. chicken production, according to data from Watt Poultry USA. Tyson Foods Inc. leads the industry with about one-fifth of the market, while Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. PPC 1.29% represents about 16% of the national total.

    These are boom times for the often-cyclical chicken industry. Surging demand for chicken breasts, wings and other products has propelled poultry prices as restaurants reopen and—in the case of the chains like McDonald’s Corp. MCD -0.07% and Shake Shack Inc. SHAK -2.55% —battle to launch crispy chicken sandwiches. Wholesale breast prices are roughly double what they were at the beginning of the year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data; wing prices have hit records.

    Sanderson’s sales for the quarter ended April 30 climbed by about one-third and its profits jumped to $97 million, versus $6 million during the same period in 2020.

    Sanderson got its start in 1947 as a farm-supply store. Joe Sanderson, the founder’s grandson, has been the company’s chief executive since 1989 and chairman since 1998. He owns approximately 3.7% of the company’s shares, according to a regulatory filing.

    Wayne Farms was founded in 1895 as a feed-milling company and later expanded into poultry. Continental bought the company in 1981, and in 2015 announced plans for an initial public offering for Wayne, aiming to consolidate smaller private and family-owned chicken companies. Continental shelved the planned IPO after avian influenza outbreaks killed millions of birds, raising costs for U.S. poultry and egg suppliers.

    Closely held Cargill, a 156-year-old company with 155,000 employees in 70 countries, is one of the world’s biggest food suppliers. It buys crops, trades sugar and cotton and processes meat, supplying some of the world’s biggest consumer brands and restaurant chains. The Minnesota-based company is a major chicken supplier in Asia and has other poultry operations in Canada, the U.K. and in Latin America.

    New York-based Continental invests in food and agriculture companies including giants like Kraft Heinz Co. KHC 0.70% and Burger King parent Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR -0.42%

  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Moves Forward

    Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Moves Forward

    The bipartisan infrastructure bill moves forward with an amendment authorizing the full Interstate 14 corridor expansion. The five-state route would go through Natchez & Vidalia on the path from Augusta, Georgia to Midland-Odessa, Texas. The amendment passed unanimously this week. The full bill still needs to clear the House and Senate as well as get President Biden’s signature to become law. Presuming it does, each state’s department of transportation would then begin work toward making the interstate a reality. Lawmakers point out this is just the first step in a very long process, one that will likely take decades to complete.

  • WICKER & HYDE-SMITH PRAISE $9.1 MILLION CONTRACT TO CORRECT EROSION AT NATCHEZ NATIONAL CEMETERY

    Erosions Problems Deemed an Emergency in July as Storms Accelerate Loss of Ground

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised the award of a $9.1 million contract to expedite an emergency bluff stabilization project at the Natchez National Cemetery.

    The Mississippi lawmakers worked with the Veterans Affairs Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and city officials to secure the contract, which was expedited after federal officials in mid-July designated a serious erosion at the cemetery as an emergency.

    “I appreciate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Veteran Affairs for their work to meet the urgent need for repairs to the Natchez National Cemetery,” Wicker said.  “This emergency contract award will help to guarantee the long-term stability of the bluffs and ensure that no damage comes to any gravesites.”

    “The Natchez National Cemetery is hallowed ground, which makes this stabilization project all the more important,” Hyde-Smith said.  “I commend the VA, Army Corps, and the leadership in Natchez for working expeditiously to address erosion issues that threaten the cemetery.”

    The stabilization project will entail stabilization of the west and south reaches of the national cemetery.  In all, the USACE awarded $9,118,587.50 for the work.  The funding was obligated from FY2021 Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration appropriations.  Work is expected to be completed by August 2022.

    Recent severe storms have exacerbated ongoing erosion problems at the Natchez National Cemetery, claiming about 10 feet of bluff over the Mississippi River.  Over the past several months, mitigation measures have been in place to reduce further erosion at the bluff’s edge.  These measures include tarps and sandbags placed along the bluff to help direct rainfall toward the city storm water drains.  No graves have been affected by erosion.