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Holiday airfares higher
If you are planning to travel this holiday season, be prepared for higher airfares. A recent analysis by travel site FareCompare.com indicated that, for some routes, fares are up to 59 percent higher than last year for travel before Thanksgiving and up to 40 percent higher before Christmas. Full article.
Durable goods orders rise; business spending cools
The Commerce Department says orders for durable goods rose 3.3% in September. Overall, it was the best showing since January. Spending by companies on capital goods excluding aircraft dropped after rising n August. The new report suggests manufacturing, one of the bright spots in the current lackluster economy, is moving forward but at a slower pace. Full article.
Malls begin healing process
U.S. shopping malls arrested their declines in occupancy and lease rates and begun a slow recovery, but retail landlords caution that a stronger rebound will depend on job gains and renewed consumer confidence. The occupancy gain was the first since the fourth quarter of 2006. Full article.
Louisiana has 13,700 more private sector nonfarm jobs than a year ago
There are 13,700 more private sector nonfarm jobs in Louisiana than a year ago. Education and health services, along with professional and business services, have had the largest over-the-year gains, with the two industry sectors respectively gaining 11,300 and 5,800 jobs from August 2009. Among the state’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), New Orleans, Lake Charles and Alexandria – recorded monthly job decreases of 1,400, 300 and 100, respectively. Full Information.
Anti-poverty safety net programs catching more in recession
Government anti-poverty programs designed to meet the needs of recession victims now serve a record one in six Americans and are continuing to expand. More than 50 million Americans are on Medicaid and more than 40 million people get food stamps. In addition, close to 10 million receive unemployment insurance, nearly four times the number from 2007. Conservatives fear expanded safety-net programs won’t contract after the economy recovers. Full Article.
India Expresses Concern on ‘Discriminatory’ U.S. Bill
India recently called a proposed U.S. bill that could double visa costs as “highly discriminatory” and said such a measure will erode the competitiveness of the nation’s software services companies. If the bill, passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 5, becomes law, it is likely to add $2,000 to fees for companies with more than half their employees on work visas. Full Article.
Brain Fitness programs increase in popularity
There's another kind of fitness revolution going on, and this one involves your brain! Brain training market products hit $265 million in 2008, a 160 percent increase from 2005, the latest year available, and customers represent older and younger adults. Full Article.
Personal bankruptcies rise
Information obtained from the National Bankruptcy Research Center indicated that more Americans filed for bankruptcy protection in July, reversing a trend of declining filings over the previous three months. So far this year there have been nearly 908,000 personal-bankruptcy filings, representing roughly one in every 125 U.S. households. Full Article.
LA License fee repeal nearing approval
Legislation to throw out a $15 increase in LA driver's license fees is headed for its final stop in the legislative process. The Jindal administration fought the measure because it would take $13.6 million out of the State Police budget. The bill is now headed to the House for debate. Full Article.
Drivers May Not Have To Pay Additional License Fee for Long
A debate over whether to reverse a $15 increase in the price of a Louisiana driver’s license is hitting the state Senate floor. A new or renewed basic license now costs $36.50 for four years, up from $21.50. Sen. Joe McPherson is proposing to strip the authority the department used to raise the price and to refund the money to anyone who’s paid the increase since March 8. Full Article.
